Chapter 208 She Uses Strategy Against Strategy
"I noticed you barely touched the food I made earlier. Still hungry? I brought some dishes you might like."
Daniel was invited inside and led to the table. He pulled out an insulated container with the food he had brought.
Emily felt a warm sensation in her chest.
"Thank you! These are all my favorites. You're so thoughtful!"
How did he know exactly what she loved? He must have been paying close attention.
As she ate and fiddled with her phone, Daniel casually asked, "Who called you just now? Was it something important? Hope inviting you to the Smith Villa today didn’t mess up your plans."
His question was smooth, and Emily trusted him completely.
She didn’t find it inappropriate at all.
"It’s not a big deal. Knox told me about some online rumors the Johnson family started about me. But I can handle it; it doesn’t really bother me."
Hearing it was the Johnson family causing trouble again, Daniel made a mental note to look into it later and have York deal with it if necessary.
After talking to Daniel, Emily focused on her phone.
She had planned to contact Terry to use his hacking skills to track down the people the Johnson family had bribed to smear her online and guide public opinion. She also considered clarifying the truth herself online.
Unexpectedly, Byron and Sophia were already on it.
Byron even messaged her to brag.
Byron: "Ms. Johnson, don’t worry about the online stuff. I’ve already fought back and explained the truth. The Johnson family is shameless, but they won’t think deleting the announcement distancing themselves from you will make people forget, right? I’ve screenshotted everything and posted it."
Sophia wasn’t far behind.
Sophia: "Ms. Johnson, I’ve been arguing with those people too. Many of them seem to have similar comments, probably paid by the Johnson family. I called them out directly, and the netizens immediately understood."
Emily noticed they both had substantial followings.
Since they had started clarifying, she decided to leave the task to them.
Emily: "Great job. Let’s use this opportunity to promote Horizon Innovations Group. Here’s what you should do next..."
She assigned tasks to both of them.
Sophia was to release the IP addresses of those people and the conversations between the Johnson family and those paid to smear her, letting netizens see the Johnson family’s threats.
Byron was to post the screenshot of the Johnson family’s statement severing ties with her and explain how they had treated her.
Of course, they would end their messages by encouraging people to follow "Horizon Innovations Group."
Soon, the Johnson Group’s stock would plummet.
Emily would then seize the chance to buy Johnson Group shares. With the 20% stake the Johnson family originally offered and her existing shares, the Johnson Group would soon be hers.
The Johnson family wanted to threaten her.
She would threaten them right back.
Emily posted a message online: "You claim I have no skills, yet you expect me to save Hayden. The kidnappers are demanding a billion dollars. Hayden is your blood relative, so you should be willing to pay up, right? Money can be earned again, but a life lost is gone forever."
Netizens, guided by Byron and Sophia, quickly felt deceived by the Johnson family and expressed their dissatisfaction.
"The Johnson family is so shameless. They refuse to pay to save someone and force Emily to do it. Do they want her to go to Zephyria and never return?"
"They think we're fools? Using us like this, they've done this before, huh?"
"I personally support Emily. She's provided evidence, and the Johnson family is shameless. They cut ties with her but now talk about blood relations when they need her!"
Most people started supporting Emily, and the Johnson Group felt the impact. The board members couldn't sit still and called Eli, making it clear: don't let the Johnson family's issues affect the Johnson Group, or they'd consider replacing the CEO.
Eli hadn't expected his repeated tricks to backfire on Emily every time.
"Damn it, damn it!" Eli almost smashed his phone in anger.
Bianca's eyes flashed with malice. How could Emily be so lucky to have people speak up for her? Byron and Sophia were fools, but they provided evidence. Daniel must be behind this. She was unwilling to give up.
"Father, calm down. Byron listens to Emily, maybe there's something between them. If Daniel finds out, she won't be so arrogant."
She was so focused on scheming against Emily that she forgot Hayden's safety was the priority.
Eli, having been scolded by the board, looked grim. He was angry at Emily but also at Bianca because it was all her idea. This time, he was smarter. He glared at Bianca coldly.
"It's your stupid idea that got us here. What's your new plan? Have you forgotten we need Emily to help save Hayden? Are you using us because you can't stand Emily?"
Bianca, caught off guard, showed a hint of panic. Eli noticed and snorted coldly.
"From now on, keep quiet. We need to rescue Hayden, or the ongoing public opinion will affect the Johnson Group."
Netizens were now questioning if they really wanted to save Hayden, putting them under pressure. If they didn't save Hayden, they'd be labeled as cold-hearted.
Eli took several deep breaths and called Aiden, "Get those online comments removed and post that we're doing everything to rescue Hayden. Also, bring the stock transfer contract I've prepared; I'm going to see Emily."
A brief board meeting had approved the 20% stock transfer, with no objections. Of course, they had no objections. It meant that once the stock transfer was complete, Eli's shares, while still the largest, would be close to the second-largest. If someone allied with Emily, they'd lose control of the Johnson Group.
Bianca, despite her unwillingness, had to swallow her anger.
Emily received Eli's call again and smirked. She let the phone ring, not in a hurry to answer. Eli grew anxious as the call went unanswered. What did Emily mean? Was she ignoring his call or deliberately not answering? His heart sank.