Chapter 149: Being Associated with You is Unlucky
"Isn't this the girl James is into?"
"Yeah, she's pretty, but there's a ton of pretty girls out there. What makes her so special that James is head over heels?"
"She can treat illnesses? Are we sure this isn't just for show? A doctor this young? Maybe James is just trying to boost her fame."
"So, James is really in love. Another day to be jealous!"
...
The online gossip was nonstop.
People even started digging into Emily's background.
Bianca, who had been keeping tabs on online news to avoid any negative stories about herself, was livid when she saw that the girl James liked was Emily. Her jealousy was intense, her eyes burning with anger.
After all her hard work, why Emily?
She didn't deserve it!
Bianca's first instinct was to have the news taken down immediately.
But just as she was about to make the call, a different idea came to her.
The person on the other end of the line had to call out to her, "Hello? Hello?"
It took two prompts to pull her back from her thoughts.
Bianca quickly said, "I want to see negative news about Emily online right away. Start with her dirty past, picking up trash, and how she schemed against me. Got it?"
"Don't worry, we understand."
These people were pros at smearing reputations.
Bianca trusted them, which is why she hired them.
She added a special reminder, "Keep it discreet. I don't want any trace leading back to me. If they find out, I won't pay the rest."
"We know the rules. No matter what, we won't expose you."
Satisfied, Bianca hung up, a sinister smile spreading across her face.
Soon, negative posts and comments about Emily started appearing online.
The approach was cunning.
Instead of blatant attacks, they responded to comments from bystanders.
For example, if someone praised Emily, saying she must have some good qualities for James to like her, someone would reply, "Not necessarily. She just has some childhood connection with James and is always causing trouble. I heard from a friend in their circle that this is the same Emily who recently distanced herself from the Johnson family. She came back and started bullying the frail Bianca out of jealousy."
Others chimed in.
"Don't be fooled by her looks. She didn't always look like this. Who knows if she's had plastic surgery? I saw pictures of her picking up trash [photo]."
"Medical skills? Just self-promotion. It's laughable. If she were really skilled, she'd be famous by now. Anyone can put on a show. I used to live near her. She just picked up some basic tricks from a rural doctor."
"So, treating patients is just harming them? Even if it's for show, you can't just ignore a patient's illness! People like her should be boycotted!"
...
James, who had seen the video, was agitated and didn't bother reading the negative comments that followed.
When someone asked if the girl in the video was the one James liked, he didn’t respond directly but liked the comment, which was as good as confirming it.
He even added a self-righteous note: [Please delete the video. I don't want my presence to affect her normal life. If you want to support her, go to the pharmacy for treatment!]
James thought he was helping Emily.
Little did he know, Emily was offering free consultations and wasn’t even at the pharmacy the next day.
Moreover, people online were questioning her medical skills, and James telling them to seek treatment from her seemed irresponsible.
James, oblivious to the problem, even sent a screenshot to Emily.
But since he was blocked, he used a new number to message her.
"Emily, I told you I'd help with real actions. You want to treat patients and make money, so I spoke up online. Business will pick up. No need to thank me. I just want to do more for you!"
James smiled, pleased with himself.
Emily, who hadn’t wanted to engage with James, couldn’t help but laugh in frustration at his message.
She called him.
James, who had memorized Emily’s number, was overjoyed, thinking she had softened.
When he answered, he was smug, "Emily, I knew you liked me. You've seen my sincerity and changed your mind. From now on, we'll—"
"Stop right there!"
Emily cut him off, "I think you're deliberately trying to ruin me. Have you seen the online comments? If you want to declare war, fine. Just don't expect me to hold back."
James was stunned.
"Emily, what are you talking about?"
"What? Still playing innocent? Or did you only read half the news and come to me for praise?"
Emily’s tone was serious and full of sarcasm.
James understood, "Emily, there must be some misunderstanding. Let me check—"
He quickly pulled out his tablet to check the news.
Seeing people question Emily, accuse her of staging things, and insult her for risking people's safety to gain fame, he was shocked.
Some even doubted her character, saying she bullied Bianca and was unskilled.
This was the old perception of Emily in their circle, including himself.
James realized it must be someone who knew Emily trying to smear her.
"Emily, I'm sorry. I didn't know it would escalate like this. I didn't mean it. I'll handle it right away and make sure you're not affected."
Emily laughed coldly, "No need. As long as you're involved, nothing good comes of it. If you really care, stay away from me. Haven't you noticed it's organized? Who do you think it is?"
Emily didn’t name names, but her meaning was clear.
James understood but was reluctant to believe it was who she implied.
"Maybe you misunderstand her. I'll investigate. If someone's behind this, I'll find out."
Emily hung up and blocked him again.
Just then, the tide online began to turn.