Chapter 106
Chapter 106
A smile played at the corners of Zoey's lips.
After admiring Anna's masterpiece, she immediately contacted the heads of several online media outlets and influential marketing accounts secretly controlled by the Reed Family, sending them these photos in batches at different time intervals.
She also attached clear instructions and generous compensation.
At the same time, she used the Reed Family's connections in business and academic circles to send another more detailed package, complete with so-called insider revelations, anonymously to several companies in direct competition with the Watson Group.
Not only that, she also sent it to several members of the Horizon Group project review panel who had close personal ties with the Reed Family or already had some reservations about Teresa's proposal, as well as several old-fashioned senior figures.
After finishing all this, it was already the early hours of the morning.
Zoey wasn't sleepy at all. She sat in front of her computer, excitedly refreshing web pages, waiting for dawn when the trending topic storm would rapidly sweep across the internet.
Early morning, the sun rose.
Zoey rubbed her eyes, looking at the explosive string of trending topics on the webpage, and smiled with satisfaction.
#Watson Group's Beautiful Director Slept Her Way to the Top - Confirmed
#Horizon Group Project Scandal
#Teresa's Spectacular Rise to Power, Industry Calls for Investigation of Watson Group Hiring
One shocking, highly inflammatory headline after another, paired with those cunningly angled photos and exposé articles, spread like wildfire across social media platforms, financial forums, and industry group chats.
This exposé was more explosive than any previous one.
And the Watson Group's stock price dropped at the opening bell. Though the decline was temporarily manageable, the market panic and damage to the company's reputation were very real.
Inside the company, people were unsettled. The break room and hallways were filled with hushed whispers and strange looks.
Even those employees who had been won over by Teresa's abilities or convinced by her winning the project couldn't help but feel doubtful now.
And those who had been dissatisfied with Teresa's parachute appointment or jealous of her rapid promotion seemed to have found an outlet, their words tinged with schadenfreude.
"See, I knew she couldn't be that good. Turns out she slept her way up."
"Never would've thought Ms. Bennett was that type. She always seemed so high and mighty."
"Could there really be something shady about the Horizon Group project? Does that mean we worked for nothing?"
"Mr. Watson really misjudged this time, didn't he? Keeping someone like her at the company is like having a ticking time bomb."
Gossip and rumors quickly spread throughout the Watson Group.
In Matthew's office, the atmosphere was heavy.
On the computer screen in front of him were those offensive headlines and photos. His face was dark, brows furrowed, fingers unconsciously tapping the desk, making dull sounds.
His secretary carefully knocked and entered: "Mr. Watson, Ms. Bennett is here."
"Let her in."
Matthew's voice was low.
Teresa pushed open the door and entered.
She was still wearing a proper professional suit today, light makeup, eyes as calm as always, back straight.
As if the overwhelming online public opinion hadn't affected her at all, but only her slightly pressed lips barely betrayed her current state of mind.
"Mr. Watson."
Teresa walked to the desk and stood still.
Matthew looked up, his gaze complex as he looked at her.
This young person he had personally promoted and placed high hopes in was now caught in such a dirty and vicious storm of public opinion.
He believed in her abilities and generally understood her character, but the evidence before him and the surging public opinion forced him to handle this carefully.
"Teresa, sit."
Matthew pointed to the chair across from him, his tone heavy.
"You've seen what's online, right?"
"I have."
Teresa sat down calmly, meeting Matthew's gaze openly.
"Most of it is malicious fabrication and misleading angles. The so-called revelations are complete slander against my character and professional abilities."
Her voice was clear and firm, without any panic.
"I believe you."
Matthew sighed, rubbing his throbbing temples. "But Teresa, this situation is more serious than any before. The attack points are very specific - they want to completely destroy your personal reputation."
"Once your reputation collapses, the Horizon Group project, even your position at the Watson Group, will be fatally affected. The stock price is already impacted, and the board is under a lot of pressure."
He paused, looking at Teresa: "I've already had the PR and legal departments fully involved, but the public opinion is spreading too fast, and the other side was well prepared."
"Until the public opinion is completely calmed, for the company's overall situation and to give you space to clear your name, you need to take a temporary leave."
Temporary leave.
Teresa paused, her heartbeat skipping a beat.
She knew what this meant.
A disguised suspension for investigation - in terms of public opinion, it was equivalent to admitting she had problems.
Once she left her position, coming back with a clean slate would be nearly impossible, and the Horizon Group project might become completely out of reach.
Her fingers tightened slightly on her knees, but her expression remained calm.
"I understand the company's decision, Mr. Watson. I'm willing to cooperate with the leave and any investigation, but I also ask that the company investigate the truth as soon as possible and clear my name."
"The Horizon Group project is the heart and soul of me and my team. It can't be affected by such despicable slander."
Seeing her force herself to stay composed, Matthew felt somewhat uncomfortable.
He knew this decision was unfair to Teresa, but as the person at the helm, he had to weigh the pros and cons.
"Don't worry, go home and rest, take care of yourself and your family. Leave the rest to me and Michael."
Matthew's tone softened somewhat: "Also, I've already reported this to the police. We'll pursue this to the end for defamation and damage to business reputation."
"Thank you, Mr. Watson."
Teresa stood up, bowed deeply to Matthew, then turned and left the office.
The moment the door closed, her previously straight back wavered almost imperceptibly.
Almost at the same moment Teresa walked out of Matthew's office, Michael's car screeched to a halt in front of the Watson Group building.
His face was dark, his whole body radiating an unapproachable hostility. He strode upstairs, and wherever he passed, the whispers instantly disappeared.
Employees lowered their heads to avoid him, not daring to breathe.
He didn't go find Teresa, but instead pushed open Matthew's office door directly.
"Mr. Watson, what's online is malicious framing. Making Teresa take leave at this time is the same as confirming the rumors!"
Michael hadn't even caught his breath, his voice carrying barely suppressed anger and urgency.
Matthew looked at him and sighed: "Michael, I know you believe her, and I do too, but right now public opinion is raging, the stock price has taken a hit, the board is pressuring us. Having her temporarily step back and handle this calmly is protection for her and for the company."
"Fighting it head-on will only hurt both sides."