Chapter 236 A Lifelong Stain That Cannot Be Washed Away
At first, his livestream didn't have much traffic.
But soon, someone promoted it and bought trending spots for the stream.
In less than half an hour, the livestream exploded in popularity.
As soon as netizens entered, they started criticizing.
[Not another clickbait title, right?]
[If this is clickbait, I'll curse you until you cry today!]
[What's Rick planning to stream for attention this time?]
[No way, does Rick even have the ability to access people like that?]
[To be fair, the banquet hall being streamed looks really fancy. What kind of high-end venue is this?]
As comments flew across the screen, Rick in front of the camera also spoke up, "Today you're all wrong about me. I only opened this stream because someone reported it to me. Everyone, don't be too shocked by what you're about to see!"
"Don't worry, don't worry. Today's content is guaranteed to blow your minds."
Hearing this, netizens in the stream commented even more, and the comments scrolled faster.
After all, there's no smoke without fire, and Rick sounded so serious about it.
What if this was real?
More and more people were drawn in, and the stream's popularity reached unprecedented heights.
As time went on, the video footage gradually came into view.
This time, it wasn't just shots of the hotel—the guests invited to the banquet appeared one by one on camera.
Netizens were completely shocked!
[Oh my god, is that the mayor?]
[And Nathan!]
[Wow, and retired Mr. Miller!]
[No way, that's the medical authority, Rodolfo, right?]
[I'm panicking a bit. These are all people I really admire. Whose birthday party is this?]
Since it was a live broadcast, many people appeared in the footage.
Moreover, each person was a prominent figure in society.
This made it impossible for anyone to figure out who tonight's main guest was.
At that moment, a group of netizens suddenly appeared in the stream and started revealing information.
[I see Rodolfo, and the person standing next to him is Daniel!]
[That's the CEO of the Wilson Group. The person who just entered is named Olivia, a partner at Miracle Pharmaceuticals.]
Many netizens present had followed the Johnson family drama before and recognized them immediately.
[This is Michael's ex-wife.]
[I heard Rodolfo is her teacher. Today is her birthday, and that middle-aged couple next to Rodolfo are Olivia's parents.]
[So this is Olivia's birthday party?]
[Wow, she must have some serious connections to invite so many important people!]
[It's someone's birthday—why use that kind of title? Does Rick not allow people to host guests?]
Some netizens spoke up for Olivia, but their comments were quickly drowned out by other messages.
[Hosting is fine, but look at who's here.]
[These important figures who are usually frugal and serve the people, all so noble and upright, yet they're all appearing at such a fancy occasion.]
[The gifts circulating here tonight are probably worth a fortune, right?]
[Where does all this money come from? So hard to guess!]
[This... can someone do something about this?]
The internet was in chaos. Sophia was also in the stream at this moment. Seeing the screen filled with comments, she was extremely excited.
She had specifically found this Rick, and the stream's popularity was promoted through their joint efforts.
Even the trolls stirring things up in the stream were hired by them.
Why should Olivia be surrounded by admirers? Why should she be the center of attention!
She couldn't let Olivia have all the benefits!
Sophia was determined to turn Olivia's birthday party into a shocking scandal!
Sophia could already imagine how, after tonight's banquet ended and these people saw the news, they would glare at Olivia and Rodolfo with fury.
Just thinking about that scene gave Sophia a twisted, perverse satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Lyle was also watching the stream.
He held a glass of wine, looking very satisfied.
This Sophia was truly ruthless.
Though not the brightest, the way she handled this was even more vicious than he'd expected.
Even though he understood Rodolfo's character—that he wouldn't stoop to flattering officials and wealthy people—
What people wanted to see wasn't his integrity.
With so many important figures gathered together, everyone would just question them and label them with bribery charges.
With such a reputation, he'd probably never be able to clear his name.
Thinking of this, Lyle suddenly couldn't help but laugh out loud.
'Rodolfo, oh Rodolfo, you have this day too!' he thought.
Lyle seemed to foresee Olivia and Rodolfo's miserable fate. He didn't even want to watch this lavish banquet anymore and pushed his phone away.
He would wait to see their miserable end directly.
At this moment, in the banquet hall, people had no idea what was happening outside.
Neither did Olivia.
After arriving, she went on stage with Rodolfo to give a speech.
Olivia's tone was polite and sincere, her voice gentle yet powerful. "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my birthday party.
I'm also very surprised tonight. I really didn't expect Mr. McCoy to arrange this surprise for me.
Being able to see everyone here is truly my honor!
I also hope everyone won't feel constrained at tonight's dinner. Please eat and drink well, and treat it as an ordinary family or friends gathering."
The guests smiled at her words. Several older guests gathered together and praised her, "This young lady speaks quite pleasantly."
Although they attended tonight out of respect for Rodolfo,
They also knew that Olivia herself was an excellent young person and the future successor of the Medica Vitae Sect.
Everyone had no other agenda—they wanted to repay Rodolfo's past life-saving grace and establish good relations for their families' futures.
After all, no one could guarantee they'd never need a doctor.
If someday they had an incurable illness, then Olivia, who inherited all of Rodolfo's knowledge, would be their lifeline.
Olivia didn't know the guests' thoughts. After speaking on stage, she stepped back, giving the position to Rodolfo.
Rodolfo was also in a very good mood tonight.
Supported by Olivia, he walked to the front of the stage, smiled, and said to everyone: "I won't say much else here tonight, just thank you all.
Olivia hasn't celebrated a birthday in years. Hosting this banquet today, I hope to make it lively and let her know that people value her.
That you're all willing to give me this respect is her good fortune, and I'm deeply grateful.
Tonight's modest wine and food aren't much, but I hope you all eat and drink well!
I'm also taking this opportunity tonight to make a formal announcement.
From today on, Olivia officially takes over as the leader of the Medica Vitae Sect!"
Below the stage, Simon, Vaughn, Victoria, Daniel, and Evelyn all looked at Olivia with gratified happiness after hearing Rodolfo's announcement.
Though somewhat surprised that Olivia was taking over at this time, she wasn't very shocked—her eyes showed more emotion.
She understood that Rodolfo was using this occasion to let everyone know her importance.
After speaking, Rodolfo handed Olivia a sandalwood box.
This box contained the Medica Vitae Sect leader's seal and documents transferring all of the sect's assets.
Giving this box to Olivia was equivalent to Rodolfo directly giving her the entire Medica Vitae Sect.
Rodolfo said happily to Olivia, "Take it. This is my gift to you."
Everyone had heard much about the Medica Vitae Sect.
Seeing that box appear, the comments in Rick's stream went crazy.
[Oh my god, I've long heard the Medica Vitae Sect has countless wealth. By accepting this box, Olivia just became rich overnight?]
[Jealous. Rodolfo really loves this student.]
[Jealous. Does Rodolfo still need students?]
[Hahaha, Rodolfo stopped taking students long ago. Olivia is his only final and most important disciple. You all better give up that idea.]
Everyone was joking around and making memes.
At this point, a netizen brought the topic back on track.
[Here's the question—what does this have to do with corruption?]
Just as someone raised this doubt, more comments started flooding in.
[Rodolfo already gave a birthday gift. Do those people who only attended because of him dare not give gifts?]
[Exactly. Just watch—soon someone will give expensive luxury gifts.]
Reminded by netizens, many people thought of something.
There were quite a few government officials at tonight's banquet.
If the gifts were too expensive, wouldn't that involve suspicion of embezzlement?
If they gave priceless things, then...
No one dared to think further.
But the narrative in the comments had already been set.
Soon, topics about Olivia's birthday party and guests with special identities giving priceless gifts started trending...
Many netizens who weren't interested in Rick's stream saw this headline and rushed in eagerly.
After all, everyone was a working person, diligently working and paying taxes, yet the people's hard-earned money was being embezzled by such people—who wouldn't be angry hearing this?
In just a few minutes, the stream's topic exploded.
More and more people flooded into the stream.
Seeing such massive traffic, Rick was overjoyed.
He felt he was really going to blow up this time.
At the same time, Rick looked forward to the upcoming gift-giving segment.
Once expensive luxury gifts actually happened, he might become a hero in fighting corruption!
Then, all his past scandals would disappear.
Thinking of this, he started daydreaming!