Online public opinion was mixed.
But overall, the negative comments outweighed the positive ones.
Deanna noticed this and became very anxious.
If this continued, her two children would be labeled as bad kids.
Such a label, if not handled properly, could become a lifelong stigma for the children.
Lance saw her anxiety and reached out to hold her hand, comforting her, "Don't worry, I'm here."
"We can't let the online rumors continue like this. It's bad for Gregory and Chloe's reputation!"
Deanna looked at him with red-rimmed eyes.
Lance nodded and reassured her, "I know. Leave it to me. By tomorrow afternoon at the latest, everything will be resolved!"
Seeing the serious promise on his face, Deanna forced herself to calm down.
Later, after comforting Deanna, Lance contacted Xavier and instructed, "Find out what's going on online. Who is behind this, and get me all the information on the Cain family. I want it on my desk by tomorrow morning."
"I've already got people looking into it. I suspect someone is targeting our Mercer Group through the Cain family," Xavier replied seriously.
It wasn't surprising he thought so. Given Mercer Group's influence in Cloudmere, it was rare for any media to disregard their requests.
Especially the media he had spoken to today; they had agreed to cooperate but still reported as they pleased. He couldn't believe no one was behind this.
Julia also saw the news online and was furious.
She immediately contacted Deanna, worried about the two children.
"Deanna, I saw the news online. Are Gregory and Chloe okay?"
"They're fine. I haven't let them know about this," Deanna reassured Julia.
Julia sighed in relief, "As long as they're okay. What exactly happened?"
Deanna didn't hide anything and briefly explained the situation.
As expected, Julia cursed the Cain family after hearing it.
"Are they out of their minds? They can't discipline their own child and have the nerve to play the victim?"
Deanna remained silent, offering no opinion on Julia's outburst. She then shifted the topic, "Lance is already handling it. Don't worry, by tomorrow night at the latest, everything will be resolved."
"How can I not worry? My godson and goddaughter are being slandered online."
Julia was indignant and made up her mind.
Since she couldn't help with the situation directly, she decided to go online and defend her godchildren against those unreasonable netizens.
With that thought, she hurriedly ended the call with Deanna.
Deanna was unaware of this.
Before she could put down her phone, she received calls from her master and Old Hughes, all concerned about the children's situation after seeing the news online.
Meanwhile, Lance received an angry call from Logan and Samantha.
Logan scolded over the phone, "Since when can the media report whatever they want about our Mercer family? Why haven't you suppressed the news yet?"
"Scold Lance later. First, ask about Gregory and Chloe. I'm very worried about them," Samantha's urgent voice came through the phone.
Lance could even faintly hear the sound of a car driving.
He didn't need to ask to know that the elders were probably on their way over.
To avoid exposing the situation to the children, Lance sternly instructed, "Gregory and Chloe don't know about this yet. Don't tell them when you arrive."
"What? They don't know?" Samantha's surprised voice came through, followed by agreement, "It's better if they don't know. They won't be upset."
Logan also sighed in relief and grunted, "At least you did one thing right. When we arrive, explain everything to us. By the way, your grandfather is also on his way. Have Sam prepare a room."
That evening, after putting the children to bed, both families gathered in the living room.
"Tell us what happened," Old Mercer said sternly to Lance from his seat of authority.
Lance didn't hide anything and briefly recounted the events.
Finally, he shared his thoughts, "I suspect someone is behind this online slander, just like before with Deanna's case. I've already had people investigate the Cain family and get a genuine injury report for their hospitalized child. By tomorrow afternoon at the latest, everything will be settled."
Hearing this, the elders of the Mercer family and Old Ashley's expressions softened a bit.