Chapter 691
La Beauté Group's public relations team acted swiftly. Within two days, they had appeased most consumers and mitigated the negative impact on the company. However, Lily would need to attend the press conference in person.
Nathaniel sat in his office, studying data while his fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop. Though displeased, he had to admit La Beauté Group's high efficiency. Their crisis response speed and methods far surpassed those of MN Inc.
A large company possessed a professional team to handle such matters. Previously, Nathaniel couldn't have estimated the time his own company would require for remediation. Now, he observed the situation for learning purposes. After all, he would need to manage a company comparable to La Beauté Group once Tanner Corporation fell under his control. His only path to defeating his enemy was thorough study.
He hadn't seen Lily in days. He wondered if the public criticism had frightened or overwhelmed her. After all, everyone now viewed her as culpable.
Outsiders might not know the Lodge family's internal dynamics, but they'd heard Lily's recorded statement. La Beauté Group had declared their perfumes safe, offering regulatory reports as proof. They also allowed refunds, appeasing many consumers. However, inherent human distrust remained; some still worried about the perfumes.
"Lily would be dead meat if Russell hadn't protected her," Nathaniel mused, feeling aggrieved again. His time at Tanner Corporation reinforced his belief in the importance of background and opportunity. He considered himself no less capable than Alexander, yet Alexander's privileged birth had provided advantages.
This current situation exemplified this. Alexander didn't work alone; his company's professionals handled everything. As CEO, he merely approved documents and reviewed reports.
"That's exactly Tanner Corporation's situation," Nathaniel thought. "Arianna and I, working-class people, even that good-for-nothing Damian—we work, but Derrick, who knows nothing, owns and manages the company! This is my life!"
Bang!
The door burst open. Nathaniel didn't need to look up to know his visitor. Only one person possessed—or dared display—such audacity.
"I'm killing myself out there! How dare you slack off here?" Damian accused, entering aggrievedly.
Nathaniel slowly raised his head. "I'm working, too."
"Shut up! I know what you're doing! You're resentful of my managership, deliberately neglecting your tasks, planning to steal the credit for the project's success!" Damian scoffed, his gaze contemptuous. To Damian, Nathaniel remained an outsider—an outsider Arianna seemed to favor over him.