Chapter 224

Chapter 224

"Wait, you think Aria and I were together six years ago? Where'd you hear that? Just so you know, making up stories about people is actually illegal, even if you're a reporter." Michael spun around to face the reporters.

"Aria put it on Twitter herself, and she even shared a recording of you saying you'll take responsibility for her." The reporter started to look scared and kept glancing nervously at Michael.

Have to admit, Michael's presence was really intimidating.

Michael sneered coldly. Aria was really desperate now.

"David, collect evidence and sue everyone spreading rumors, whether it's Aria or those reporters maliciously spreading this, don't let any of them off." Michael said in a deep voice, turning to walk toward the elevator.

Aria thought that by releasing a recording of Michael's own voice, she could leave him unable to respond. By doing this, even if Michael turned down the engagement, she could still get people to sympathize with her. It would also prevent the Clark family from making things so bad they couldn't recover.

Unfortunately, Aria underestimated Michael.

She didn't expect Michael would really break ties with Nolan, nor did she expect Michael would directly sue her for defamation.

Thirty minutes later, Michael directly posted a lawyer's letter on Twitter and tagged Aria's Twitter account.

Stating he was suing her for spreading rumors.

And that because of her rumors, his and his loved one's normal life had been seriously affected. He also said if Aria was sick she should get treatment because delusions are also an illness.

Michael's Twitter instantly exploded. His female fans came out in droves, "I could say Mr. Smith was with me six years ago too. Show me proof, what does an edited recording prove?"

"This recording was obviously edited. "I’ll take responsibility for you"—but what kind of responsibility? Does it have to be romantic? Can’t it be like a brother looking out for his sister? Couldn't it be work-related responsibility?"

Although there were many opposing voices to Michael's tough stance, clearly Michael had achieved his goal.

Which was to draw all the online criticism toward himself and hide Nora away.

"Michael!" Nolan was completely infuriated by Michael.

His hands were shaking.

Was Michael trying to anger him to death?

"Nolan, the Smith family has gone too far!" Haven called Nolan, voice thick with anger, "This is what you meant by you could handle it? Handle it into a lawsuit? Michael is going to sue our Aria? Are you trying to drive my daughter to her death?"

Nolan's face was dark with anger, deeply realizing that Michael had long since escaped his control.

"Nolan, don't forget how much effort you put in when Michael's mother was sick." Haven was reminding Nolan.

Nolan was already angry, and hearing this made his face even darker, "Haven, if we reach the point of complete breakdown, it won't be fun for anyone."

Haven snorted, "The Clark family is already on the verge of ruin, the Wood family has broken off the engagement too. The Smith family has to give us answers, no matter what. You have three days to decide what to do. If this ends badly, then we're all going down together."

After hanging up, Nolan furiously threw the water glass beside him to the ground.

Bastard!

"Chairman, please calm down, calm down." Seeing Nolan's expression, his assistant frantically grabbed some emergency heart pills.

"Chairman, don't get angry."

"Don't get angry."

Conference room.

Michael entered the conference room before Nolan. Looking at all the board members already seated, his voice was low, "Is the company going bankrupt? Why is everyone here so early today?"

Several board members looked at each other, none wanting to speak first.

"Michael, you've gone too far this time." Luna spoke first.

"Are you a board member?" Michael sat lazily in his chair, without any of the restraint he usually showed as CEO.

Luna was caught off guard.

"Since you're not a board member, what are you doing here? Waiting for New Year's?" Michael signaled security to escort Luna out.

Luna’s voice shook. “Michael, I’m your elder. After your mom died, I became everything for you. I raised you… how can you forget that?”

“Elder?” Michael tapped the table, his voice cold. “I’m treating you like a person, can you at least act like one?”

The other elders gasped. Was Michael just letting loose today?

"Michael, she is your dad's current wife after all. Show your dad some respect."

"Cade, does my dad still have any respect? I thought at his age he'd stopped caring about face." Michael leaned lazily in his chair with a 'what can you do about it' attitude.

David stood to the side, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Michael had lost it today.

"Michael! Don't go too far! mom hasn't provoked you, yet you've hurt her feelings repeatedly. Now you won't even respect Dad?" James slammed the table and stood up, yelling at Michael.

"If yelling could solve problems, mad dogs would rule the world." Michael sneered and sat up straight.

James was nearly dying of anger. Michael was still so arrogant even when facing his doom.

"Michael, let's see if you can still laugh in a moment." James said through gritted teeth.

"Don't worry, I could laugh even at your mom's funeral." Michael said lazily.

David looked up at the ceiling lights.

The more relaxed Michael seemed, the less confident the board members felt.

Nolan said he had a way to take back all of Michael's shares and kick him out of the company.

But looking at Michael, he didn't seem worried at all.

"Michael, why are you fighting with your dad for no reason? It would be bad if you actually made your dad sick."

Someone tried to play peacemaker, mediating the father-son relationship.

After all, the problem with these family businesses was that internal disputes and conflicts would affect the entire group's operations.

They could all see Michael's abilities. If they really pushed Michael out, it wouldn't benefit anyone in the long run.

But the immediate benefits Luna offered were too high. Some short-sighted people naturally couldn't see that far ahead.

"My dad's doing great. I heard he's even planning to marry into the Clark family and take a second wife." Michael tilted his head to look at Luna, "That's true, right?"

A loud crash—Nolan kicked the conference room door open from outside.

Michael laughed sarcastically, finding Nolan ridiculous.

"Michael! Get out! Get out of the company! From now on, you are no longer my son!" Nolan was frantic, his whole body shaking, looking like he might die of anger any second.

"Nolan!" Luna's acting began. She rushed over and started sobbing, "Nolan, don't get angry. Your health isn't good—what if you make yourself sick?"

"Ungrateful son! You ungrateful son!" Nolan was still shaking with anger.

"Where's the lawyer? Call them in! I want to take back all of Michael's shares, right now!" Nolan pounded the table and yelled.

David's face went white with nervousness as he looked at Michael.

But Michael seemed to be watching a show.

"Nolan, Nolan calm down, you can't be impulsive about this."

"That's right, Nolan."

"Don't get angry with the kid." Some board members started playing peacemaker.

Others started shouting, “Nolan, your son is out of control!”

Luna's eyes were red, her suffering expression barely hiding the excitement and joy in her eyes.

Without shares in the Smith Group and kicked out of the Smith Group, what would Michael amount to?

"Ungrateful son!" Nolan kept cursing.

"Chairman! Daryl, the CEO of the Fields Group, has come in person, saying the Fields family wants to form a marriage alliance with the Smith family, asking if you have time."

Instantly, Nolan quieted down.