Chapter 255

Chapter 255

With Victoria safely settled, Sophia's eyes gleamed with icy determination. The rear was secure. The counterattack could officially begin.

She first mobilized the vast public relations resources of the Williams family and the Jenkins family, striking like lightning to forcibly suppress all the malicious trending topics about Robert online.

Next, she released a series of lethal evidence—the original, unedited recordings of Robert that had been maliciously spliced, bank transfer records showing payments to bought-off gossip accounts, and the complete, unedited surveillance footage from when he was framed.

Public opinion reversed instantly. The internet exploded.

Netizens who had previously called for Robert's blood immediately switched sides, while those rival camps that had once trampled on him were exposed and torn apart. In less than twenty-four hours, Robert's reputation miraculously rebounded from rock bottom.

But this was far from enough. Sophia wanted to fan these flames directly under Gerald's nose.

Three days later, Starlight Entertainment, the Rivera family's top-tier entertainment company, suddenly released a high-profile statement on their official social media: they were formally signing powerhouse talent Robert and would pour top-tier S+ resources into creating a comeback masterpiece tailored specifically for him.

The news detonated across the entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, in the CEO office of Rivera Group, Gerald stared at the trending notifications exploding across his phone screen, his face turning ashen, the malice in his eyes almost taking physical form.

"Bang!"

Gerald slammed his phone violently onto the desk, his chest heaving, veins bulging on his forehead.

Robert wasn't dead?!

Not only was he alive, he had brazenly signed with the Rivera family's company?!

This was a slap across his face in broad daylight!

What the hell was that overseas assassin organization doing? They'd taken millions in payment and couldn't even eliminate a powerless actor!

What made Gerald's blood run cold was the realization that if Robert was alive, had Victoria's incident been exposed?

No, impossible.

Gerald forced himself to take a deep breath and calm down. If it had been exposed, Augustus would have already brought people to skin him alive. There would be no silence. This had to be just a coincidence!

Gerald pressed the intercom with gritted teeth, his voice ice-cold and venomous: "Get me Quentin from Starlight Entertainment! Tell him to cancel Robert's contract immediately! Get that bastard out of the company!"

The assistant on the other end trembled, reporting fearfully: "Sir... I already contacted him. He said signing Robert was... was personally approved by the chairman. Without the chairman's orders, no one can touch him..."

Gerald's blood turned to ice, as if he'd fallen into a frozen abyss.

Augustus personally approved it?!

What did this mean? He never interfered with the specific artist signings of his subsidiary entertainment companies. Why would he suddenly overstep to sign a controversial Robert?

Had he discovered Robert's identity? Or was this truly just a simple business investment?

Countless thoughts tangled wildly in his mind as cold sweat broke out across Gerald's back.

He knew he couldn't sit idle. He had to test Augustus's intentions, or this ticking time bomb would blow him to smithereens.

Suppressing his panic and fear, Gerald straightened his slightly disheveled suit, put on a mask of gentle concern, and strode quickly toward the CEO office.

Pushing open the door, he found Augustus wearing reading glasses, methodically reviewing quarterly reports, his expression calm and unreadable.

"Dad." Gerald approached the desk, his lips curving into a perfectly calculated smile as he spoke with feigned casualness, "I just saw the news from Starlight Entertainment about signing that artist Robert."

He paused, studying Augustus's face intently, not missing the slightest change in expression as he probed: "I heard this person had quite a scandal-ridden past, causing quite an uproar. You've always valued the company's reputation most. Why would you suddenly decide to personally sign him?"

Augustus slowly removed his reading glasses and set the reports aside.

He looked up, his cloudy gaze lingering on Gerald's hypocritical face for a moment before transforming into a long, weary sigh.

"Gerald, you never saw your uncle Francis when he was young." Augustus leaned back in his chair, his eyes revealing a remarkably convincing nostalgia and weariness. "This Robert—his features are like Francis was carved from the same mold. I'm getting old, and seeing this boy reminds me of the Rivera family's past. It feels... familiar."

Hearing this, Gerald's taut nerves relaxed slightly.

So it was emotional transference. The old fool was getting sentimental in his age, fixating on bloodline connections and memories of the departed.

He sneered inwardly while maintaining an expression of corporate concern: "Dad, resemblance is one thing, but he's still a high-risk talent. Those scandals online caused quite a stir. Starlight Entertainment is the Rivera family's flagship. Bringing someone like this in might damage the company's reputation and stock price. Perhaps we should terminate his contract early and pay him compensation to send him away."

"Terminate?" A flash of coldness crossed Augustus's eyes, though his expression remained unchanged. "No need. The police have already cleared everything up—those scandals were all maliciously fabricated by rival companies. Robert is completely innocent."

Gerald's heart jumped, but before he could speak, Augustus suddenly lowered his voice, leaning forward with sharp, penetrating eyes: "Moreover, the police didn't just clear his name—they followed the trail and uncovered leads to the mastermind who hired assassins to orchestrate that car accident, attempting to murder him."

The statement hit Gerald like a sledgehammer to the skull.

His blood froze instantly, cold sweat breaking out across his back as his breathing stopped for half a second.

Leads to the mastermind?!

How could the police have found leads? That overseas assassin organization always took money and kept their mouths shut. How could they have left evidence?!

"Is... is that so?" Gerald forced down the tsunami of panic, managing a stiff smile. "That's wonderful news. I hope they can bring the mastermind to justice soon."

"Indeed." Augustus watched Gerald's slightly pale complexion, barely containing his inner mockery while maintaining a steady tone. "The boy has suffered enough. Since I find him endearing, naturally I'll protect him. Don't worry about this matter—focus on your projects."

Gerald practically stumbled out of the CEO office with uncoordinated steps.

The moment he returned to his own territory, he immediately locked his office door and pulled out his encrypted backup phone, fingers trembling as he dialed his trusted contact.

"Investigate! Immediately go to the police station and grease some palms. Find out exactly what leads the police have on Robert's car accident!" Gerald spoke through gritted teeth, his voice betraying undisguised panic. "And that overseas organization—ask them if they've leaked anything! Go now!"