Chapter 217: Out of Control

Some reporters were unfamiliar with jewelry brands, but knowledgeable individuals were always present.

One reporter examined Sierra's necklace before asking, "Ms. Cameron, is this a replica of an Adam Group design? They released an identical necklace three years ago, with only three limited editions worldwide."

The question came from a fashion magazine reporter with a keen eye. It was clear this was beyond her usual coverage. The students' participation, their potential in entertainment and fashion, along with the Camerons' support and major brand involvement, had naturally drawn the magazine's attention. Sierra's expression hardened. She fixed a cold gaze on the reporter and demanded, "What are you suggesting?"

"Don't you know? This necklace was released by Adam Group three years ago. Are you implying Adam Group copied Luster Corporation?" The reporter's words were sharp, creating tension that other reporters quickly captured on camera.

"This is outrageous! You're spouting nonsense!" Sierra retorted angrily, attempting to leave.

However, the crowd prevented her escape.

"Ms. Cameron, can you confirm this is a Luster Corporation necklace?"

"Can you express your confidence in Luster Corporation's future?"

"Was your goal in joining the competition to stand out?"

"Your sister, Maggie Adam, is also competing. Do you think you can compete with her?"

Initially, Sierra hesitated, sensing something was amiss. The relentless questioning, however, left her little time to think.

She stopped abruptly, frowning at the last question. "My sister has been preoccupied with family matters for years, leaving her with little time to practice piano, unlike me, who has their support. So, if my sister doesn't rank high, it's understandable."

Sierra wanted to publicly disparage Maggie, but she refrained, following Olivia's advice. Luster's reputation was at stake, and someone had to take responsibility—Maggie was the most suitable candidate.

Meanwhile, Maggie, taking advantage of the chaos, slipped into Nathael's car.

"Ronald's PR team has already released the advertorial. You executed this final move excellently," Nathael remarked gravely, handing Maggie a tablet. 14:46 Fri, 24 May

Chapter 217: Out of Control

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Maggie immediately focused on the webpage, which showcased extensive publicity surrounding Sierra and her jewelry. She noticed some teams were slow to react, still using images of the necklace Sierra had originally planned to wear—a necklace never shown to the audience. Some teams were even creating stories and praising it, which seemed absurd; it was entirely fabricated.

Two-thirds of the teams were more discerning, replacing Ronald's scripted analysis with the yellow sapphire necklace Sierra actually wore. However, this created inconsistencies in their praise, with some attempting to maintain Sierra's image by highlighting her piano skills and the necklace. Many managing online media and promotional campaigns lacked jewelry knowledge, resulting in nonsensical comments and ridicule. Maggie smiled faintly, feeling satisfied.

Sierra's actions had fueled Luster Corporation's downfall. Ronald and Master Cameron would be furious.

Numerous articles praised Sierra, though some subtly criticized her. Ericko, Nathael, and Leo were working diligently; someone soon exposed the Camerons' purchase of fake followers and paid promotional articles to boost Sierra's image. Influential bloggers and influencers shared comparative images, offering professional analyses and declaring Sierra a mere puppet. Several knowledgeable individuals questioned her abilities.

Maggie checked the comments on Sierra's post, confirming the exposure of Ronald's purchase of fake followers and fans. Many pointed out that Sierra's jewelry wasn't from Luster Corporation, and some criticized her piano skills. (Note: Sierra chose her jewelry from the Adam Group, known for its top-notch designers; even the Cameron princess favored Adam Group jewelry.)

The online comments were scathing:

"What a joke! Why is she pretending to be an innocent princess? How can she wear Adam Group jewelry and pretend it's from Luster? Have the Camerons gone crazy?"

"Seems like Luster's jewelry isn't as great as they say, huh? Why else would the Camerons' daughter ditch their own products and endorse their rivals?"

"Seriously, do they think we're all idiots? Spare us the fluff pieces, Camerons, it's ridiculous! Look at the photos—are they even real?"

"Maybe we shouldn't hype up this prodigy image. Let's stick with the 'clueless' angle!"

"The Camerons make me sick. How can Sierra gain so many fans right after she shows up? Also, why are there so many old photos of her using Luster Corporation's dupes? Are people really buying into this?"

"I reckon she's pretty good at playing the piano. She doesn't know what her family's doing behind the scenes. She's just focused on getting better at the piano and winning the competition to support her family. Why make it all sound so shady?"

"Seriously, do you even know a thing about playing piano? It's better to not embarrass yourself with that level of skill."

"Let's think about this logically. Luster Corporation is likely trying to boost its reputation. It wants to gain more fans through Sierra, earn some goodwill, and then use those fans to sell its stuff. And, of course, the Camerons' adopted daughter is going to take the heat."

The University's Piano Competition went viral, sparking diverse opinions. Despite fluctuating viewership, the competition gained the traction Ronald had hoped for. Whether this outcome aligned with his intentions remained uncertain.

Maggie turned to Nathael and softly asked, "Do you think the public sentiment is going overboard?"

Concerned about the situation escalating and focusing solely on Sierra, Maggie feared things might spiral out of control.

Nathael replied solemnly, "We're just revealing the truth. We didn't influence all online public opinion. In this era of advanced technology, people aren't easily misled." 14:46 Fri, 24 May