Chapter 105: With William's Wealth, Ten Million Dollars is Not Much
When this trending topic exploded, the fifth contestant had already finished canvassing for votes, and the sixth contestant was getting ready to go on stage.
In Lika's personal lounge, Amelia finally saw Isabella make her move, and this was the news she saw.
Amelia smiled and looked at Jeffrey beside her. Then she sent a message in their group chat.
[Right now there's only one direction - strength, absolute strength.]
Jeffrey next to her saw it too, and he nodded. This was the consensus they had just reached through discussion.
Lika was a contestant who wore a mask. Before this show, not many people knew she existed.
So naturally, people who liked Lika were those who watched the show.
Most of them were attracted by her stage performances.
That being the case, as long as she had the skills, didn't cross any red lines, and wasn't an idol star, what's wrong with dating? Not to mention the truth was she wasn't dating anyone.
So there was nothing to be afraid of. Don't admit it, don't clarify it.
"Got it!" Mia replied immediately.
Mia and Soren were still in that neighborhood. If before Hawk had them stay in another study most of the time, now Hawk allowed them to use the living room.
Soren was really good at this kind of thing.
"Group one, go to the relevant topics and promote 'strength versus rumors.'"
"Group two, build momentum, push up all topics related to Lika's abilities."
"Group three, come with me to muddy the waters and distract them!"
Mia was in charge of coordinating with all parties, then summarizing and discussing with Soren to counterattack Isabella's team.
Everyone doing their part.
On the other side, Carl's team working for Isabella was also actively stirring up public opinion.
"Group one, spin it that Lika's performance isn't really about skill. This is a music competition, but what she performs isn't purely music, which puts other contestants at a disadvantage."
"Group two, promote the underground relationship between contestant Lika and Jeffrey, hint that Lika has moral flaws, and if necessary, spread rumors about Lika's messy private life."
"Group three, if you detect the other team getting involved, follow me to block them."
Total chaos.
The internet was now a complete mess.
But in the end, Lika's strength won out.
After all—
"What do you mean it doesn't count as skill? Is this nonsense? Five countries' instruments, five countries' singing styles, five countries' languages, the whole song seamlessly connected, top-level lyrics and arrangement - if this isn't skill in a music competition, what is?"
This comment got tons of likes.
Countless people agreed with it.
Although netizens might sometimes not know what's true due to lack of information, they still have eyes.
At this moment, on Carl's side.
"Mr. Ward, we just can't beat them. Lika's stage performance is too strong. Nothing we say works, and the team on the other side is pretty good too."
His subordinate spoke up, asking hesitantly, "Should we release that miscarriage information we prepared earlier?"
Carl didn't dare act rashly. He needed to contact Isabella first.
But since earlier, he had sent Isabella messages, but Isabella hadn't replied.
Carl was getting anxious. He watched the sixth singer finish performing on stage and start canvassing for votes. Feeling anxious, he sent another message to push her.
So why hadn't Isabella replied?
She was blocked.
Before she could even leave the staff corridor, someone was standing there smiling at her.
The person said, "Ms. Taylor, we have something that I'm sure you'll be very interested in."
Isabella didn't want to deal with it, but the other party had already played a recording.
It was a recording of Isabella talking in the staff corridor just now. Isabella's face changed immediately.
"Ms. Taylor, think about it. We've had equipment set up here since the first live broadcast of The Sound of Heaven. Think about what you've said."
"You actually secretly recorded me!" Isabella said through gritted teeth. "Aren't you afraid I'll sue you?"
The person continued with a cheeky smile, saying, "Do you think we'd be in this business without a backup plan?"
"Besides, is us getting sued more important, or is your secret being leaked more important?"
"Ms. Taylor, I'm only giving you three seconds to think. If you don't agree, my partner will take the same thing to Lika. I think she'd be very interested."
"And I think Amelia would be interested too. Ms. Taylor, give us a little money and you can keep a tight hold on Mr. Brown. Otherwise, if he finds out your true colors, that wouldn't be worth it."
As they spoke, the other party started counting.
"One."
"Two."
Before they could say three, Isabella agreed to go with them.
On the other side, in Lika's personal lounge.
Amelia felt something was off. Isabella surprisingly hadn't released any follow-up information.
She exchanged a glance with Jeffrey beside her.
Jeffrey was also completely puzzled.
This wasn't like Isabella's style.
At this moment, the sixth singer had finished canvassing for votes. Now it was time for commercials and some other programs.
This was to give the audience inside and outside time to vote.
Inside the venue was fine, everyone was voting in an orderly manner. Right now it was mainly the online voting that was still in a fierce battle.
Lika's first place was beyond doubt. The main competition was the tight vote counts among the following contestants.
Each contestant had their own fans. Online voting didn't limit you to just one contestant - you could vote for many at once, with many votes available.
Isabella's face looked terrible when she came out.
The other party had chosen this moment to blackmail her, demanding ten million dollars.
But where would she get ten million dollars on short notice?
And besides, it wasn't worth it.
"Ms. Taylor, you can give us a down payment of 2 million dollars first. For the rest, you can ask William for it. I think with William's wealth, a mere ten million isn't much, right?"
Isabella had no choice but to transfer 2 million dollars first, then leave.
The people inside weren't worried about her not paying the rest, since they had the goods on her.
More precisely, those people's eyes were gleaming with excitement.
"Boss, you're still the best. Before, you kept saying to wait, and I was getting impatient, but now it proves you're amazing! Picking this exact moment, she has absolutely no way out, hahaha."
The people inside were cheering, but they didn't notice that in Isabella's eyes as she walked out, a cold murderous intent flashed.
What good was just buying them off? She needed to silence them!
Otherwise, these people would blackmail her again and again.
She was going to be William's wife in the future - she had to make sure everything was foolproof!
Isabella looked away and continued walking outside.
Taking out her phone, Isabella saw Carl's messages. Just as she was about to reply, suddenly, things took an unexpected turn.