Chapter 96: Wave of Public Opinion
Warren headed straight into the Sinclair Group building. After explaining his purpose to the receptionist, she maintained a polished smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Mitchell, but Miss Vivienne isn’t in the office right now. You can schedule an appointment if you’d like to meet her.”
“Are you sure she’s not in the office? Or is she deliberately avoiding us?” Warren’s assistant asked, irritation evident in his tone. They had repeatedly attempted to meet the elusive new CEO, only to be met with resistance. Her behavior felt calculated, a game of cat and mouse. Even the most patient person would find this frustrating.
Warren felt a surge of annoyance but remained outwardly calm. “If you see your CEO, please let her know I was here,” he said smoothly before leaving. His assistant shot the receptionist a sharp, disgruntled glance before hurrying to catch up. “Mr. Mitchell, it’s obvious Miss Vivienne is dodging us!”
Warren agreed with his assessment, yet couldn’t fathom her reasons for avoiding him. He was certain he hadn't offended anyone at Sinclair Group; in fact, he'd gone out of his way to appease the manipulative manager, Mason, to gain their favor. The situation was irksome, but the Mitchell Group couldn't afford a conflict with Sinclair Group.
As he pondered this, something caught his eye—a familiar figure. He stopped, his brows furrowing. Was that… Vivienne? He hesitated. This was Sinclair Group; she wouldn't casually be here. He dismissed the thought as a mistake.
His assistant’s voice interrupted his contemplation, uncertain yet cautious. “Could Vivienne have upset someone powerful in the past?”
Vivienne had previously dedicated herself to the Mitchell Group. Her hard work was undeniable, yet whispers—harsh rumors—lingered.
Warren frowned. “When we return to the office, try to obtain information from Vivienne’s former assistant.” It seemed unlikely anyone at Mitchell Group had wronged Sinclair Group. If so, Vivienne was the likely culprit. She often acted impulsively, oblivious to the consequences of her actions. No one could know how many enemies she'd unknowingly created for Mitchell Group, or the burden she carried.
Vivienne had just entered her top-floor office when Scarlett arrived with neatly organized files. “Miss Vivienne, these are the candidates the planning department shortlisted for the spokesperson role. Please review and make your selection,” Scarlett said, her tone professional yet relaxed.
Vivienne’s recent return—and her rejection of Natalie’s endorsement—had placed significant pressure on the planning department. They'd spent weeks meticulously evaluating candidates to meet her high standards.
Vivienne flipped through the top file. “Rosalie?” she murmured, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. Tapping the document, she said, “We’ll choose her.”
Scarlett nodded, unfazed. “Understood,” she replied, a smile growing on her face.
The announcement of Sinclair Group’s new resort spokesperson immediately sparked online chatter. One netizen asked, “Who is this model?” Another commented, “I heard Natalie was supposed to get the endorsement. How did Jolene suddenly secure it? Does she have powerful connections?” Speculation swirled: “Wasn’t Natalie blacklisted for crossing someone?”; “Jolene was exposed for school bullying! She probably sabotaged Natalie.” Someone sighed, “I feel bad for Natalie. She doesn’t deserve this.”
Fueled by the online community's efforts, Jolene’s past quickly surfaced. Her history of underage clubbing, smoking, drinking, and fighting spread rapidly across social media.
Barely thirty minutes later, Natalie’s latest social media post trended. It read, “Success comes from luck and hard work. A smile can change your fortune. Here’s hoping Lady Luck smiles back.” The post included a polished photo of herself.
Sienna groaned, slamming her phone on the table. “She just can’t stay out of the spotlight! And her brainless fans—they’re unbearable. Don’t they realize supporting Natalie could backfire on them too?” Her voice was laced with indignation.