Chapter 62: Manipulating Public Opinion
Vivienne maintained her composure, though a faint glint of mischief danced in her eyes. “Weren’t you the one who claimed that courting a woman requires sincerity, humility, initiative, and, most importantly, unwavering commitment? Are you planning to contradict yourself now?”
Derek chuckled quietly, amused by her pointed remark. “I thought my sincerity had already proven itself to you, but clearly, I’ll need to raise the bar.”
“Progress has to come step by step, doesn’t it?” Vivienne replied smoothly as she stepped into the sleek, private elevator.
“Then let’s see how you evolve into Mrs. Hopkins.” Derek’s tone held a teasing warmth, his words wrapping around her like a soft breeze, stirring something delicate within her heart.
A soft blush warmed her cheeks. “I have work to finish now. I’ll see you tonight.”
On the other end of the call, Derek paused briefly, his voice turning gentle. “See you tonight.” The richness of his tone, laced with quiet affection, seemed to soften even the cold, mechanical hum of the phone.
After hanging up, Derek turned to Milo, his expression shifting to something more decisive. “Take care of the online uproar quickly. I don’t want it ruining her mood—or her appetite—this evening.”
“Miss Hayes has already started addressing it,” Milo explained calmly. “To prevent interrupting her plan, our team is actively managing the comments.” He paused. “The police mentioned that the Mitchell and Natalie families are pushing for a private resolution.”
Derek’s eyes darkened, a cold gleam flickering within them. “Lyhaton isn’t a playground where the Mitchell and Natalie families dictate the rules.” His words made it clear: a private settlement was out of the question. If they continued to test boundaries, Lyhaton would no longer tolerate their arrogance.
Milo felt the weight of the unspoken threat, a chill brushing over him. Derek’s determination to protect Vivienne was undeniable.
“The attackers have already stained their hands with enough filth. Securing justice won’t be hard,” Milo said.
Derek nonchalantly loosened his shirt collar, his voice steady yet firm. “Make sure it’s resolved cleanly.”
“Understood, sir,” Milo responded with a crisp nod, his tone steady and professional.
Simultaneously, a sensational post titled, “Popular Actress Colludes with Unknown Criminal Forces to Commit Violence in Public,” began dominating online discussions, fueling a frenzy of public outrage. Natalie had orchestrated the chaos, goading her fans to retaliate against Vivienne. She believed that as long as the damage didn't result in physical harm, she could easily sweep it under the rug with money. After all, enlisting fans to attack rivals was practically an unspoken rule in the industry. But this time, her plan had spiraled beyond her control.
The mere accusation of partnering with criminal elements to exact her revenge threw Natalie into a state of panic. Frantic, she poured funds into scrubbing the post from the internet, but her efforts only seemed to bleed money without making a dent in the backlash.
Growing desperate, she directed her marketing team to re-edit the footage from the Lonsong Restaurant entrance and pair it with a copy of her hospital diagnosis report from the previous night. As anticipated, the newly edited video stirred fresh waves of online hostility against Vivienne.
“In broad daylight, she has the audacity to act like this! She needs to be punished severely!”
“She’s nothing but a bully to our sweet Natalie! We won’t let her off so easily!”
“An apology isn’t enough. She needs to face the law for what she’s done!”
Natalie watched the supportive comments pour in, a flicker of triumph breaking through her grim expression. Reclining on the hospital bed with a silk face mask plastered across her skin, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor the image of Vivienne humbling herself in desperation.
There was no way Vivienne could outmaneuver her. Natalie was sure of it. Even with the Mitchell family’s supposed backing, Vivienne was no match for her—and now, with their ties severed, she stood no chance at all.
The memory of Vivienne’s two sharp slaps from the night before resurfaced, sending a jolt of anger through Natalie. Her teeth clenched, her hands balling into tight fists beneath the sheets.