Chapter 63
I glanced over and, sure enough, Michael was "defending" me.
[Ophelia isn't that kind of person. Everything she's achieved today is through her own hard work. What happened in college is just Willie's side of the story. I hope everyone won't misunderstand her.]
These words seemed to protect me, but actually positioned him as a devoted yet helpless victim. Between the lines was an air of superiority—"Even though we've broken up, I still understand her and stand up for her."
People in the group immediately chimed in. The tone shifted from simple accusations to regret and contempt that I had let down such a devoted ex like Michael.
How ridiculous.
I felt nothing inside, not even bothered to expose his pathetic pretense.
I closed the chat app expressionlessly, as if what I'd just seen was a farce that had nothing to do with me.
The battlefield of public opinion was never in places like this. I had my assistant pull up Starlight Media's executive organizational chart and tapped my finger on Willie's direct supervisor's name. "Set up a meeting with Starlight Media's vice president. Tell them Luna Brand wants to discuss an exclusive new media promotion partnership."
My assistant paused, then understood my intention. A flash of admiration crossed her eyes as she nodded and went to handle it.
Pulling the rug out from under them was always more effective than trading insults from afar.
Aurora's call came almost simultaneously with my assistant's footsteps. Her voice still had that brisk tone, but with a hint of gravity. "I've had the tech team handle the trending topic. It'll be suppressed within half an hour at most. But someone's determined to get you this time. Willie's article has been reposted by several marketing accounts—the impact isn't small."
"I know who it is." I looked out the window, my voice calm.
"Who else but that idiot Freya." Aurora snorted, then changed her tone with a touch of concern. "But has Benjamin seen this? Will he believe that nonsense? Wealthy families have so many complications, and what they fear most is this kind of unclear scandal. You..."
"He won't." I interrupted her, my tone carrying a certainty I hadn't even noticed myself.
This trust came somewhat inexplicably, yet was incredibly firm.
Benjamin wasn't the kind of man easily swayed by public opinion. He had his own judgment.
He'd seen me at my most miserable and witnessed my sharpest side. If he trusted me, he wouldn't waver because of one speculative article.
"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing." Aurora heard the insistence in my tone and didn't press further. "If you need anything, reach out anytime."
After hanging up, I sat quietly in my office for a moment.
Rationally, I knew Benjamin wouldn't misunderstand, but emotionally, I felt I should let him know.
I dialed his number.
On the other end, only the system's cold prompt came through. "The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."
I called twice in a row, same result both times.
I put down my phone, a barely perceptible unease crossing my mind.
Benjamin was an extremely disciplined person. His phone was never unavailable unless he was in some special meeting with no signal.
As I pondered this, my office door was knocked twice. Before I could respond, it was pushed open directly.
Amelia walked in on high heels. She wore a well-tailored red dress today that made her look beautiful and striking, her face unable to suppress her smugness and schadenfreude.
"Ophelia, such a big thing happened, why didn't you tell the family?" She stopped in front of my desk, extending her fingers with their meticulously painted nail polish to lightly tap the desktop. "It's spreading so badly outside now. Dad is very angry. The company's stock price has been affected."
I looked up, coldly watching her clumsy performance, saying nothing.
My silence seemed to please her. The smile on her face deepened, her tone carrying undisguised gloating. "Dad says that now you're caught in this public opinion whirlpool, you're no longer suitable to serve as Brand Director. So he's decided that until you clean up this negative impact, I will temporarily act as Luna Brand Director."
She placed an appointment notice signed by Preston in front of me like a declaration of victory.
I looked at that document, then at this face twisted with smugness, feeling nothing but coldness inside.
This was my dear father—once interests were involved, he would push me out as a shield without hesitation.
Amelia was very satisfied with my apparent "devastation." She leaned down, close to my ear, and whispered in a voice only we could hear, smugly, "Ophelia, you thought having Benjamin backing you up made you something special? Now he can barely protect himself—how would he have time to care about you?"
My pupils contracted slightly as I caught the key information in her words.
Seeing my reaction, Amelia's smile grew even more triumphant. She straightened up, smoothed her skirt, and said in a pitying tone, deliberately, "Ophelia, look how things have turned out. Not only has it affected the company's reputation, it's probably not good for our two families' marriage alliance either. Dad's thinking is, why not take this opportunity to arrange another dinner with the Wilson family elders and have a good talk."
She emphasized "have a good talk," her obvious ambition practically overflowing from her frighteningly bright eyes.
Amelia left that appointment notice and walked out like a victorious peacock, swaying gracefully.
The office door closed. I looked at that thin piece of paper on my desk, Preston's signature glaringly conspicuous.
He was always like this—when it came to interests, family affection was the first thing he abandoned.
I didn't believe her words, yet I couldn't help but feel a faint worry that even I wanted to ignore.
My phone rang at this inopportune moment, Michael's name flashing on the screen.
I frowned and answered. Before he could speak, I asked coldly, "What is it?"
On the other end, Michael's voice carried a hint of careful flattery and urgency. "Ophelia, I saw the news. Are you... are you okay? That bastard Willie—I'll go settle the score with him!"
His pretentious protection sounded nothing but ironic to my ears.
I leaned back in my chair, my tone devoid of any emotion. "You should worry more about yourself and mind your own business."
"I..." He seemed taken aback, then his voice took on a barely suppressed joy. "Ophelia, you still care about me, don't you? Don't worry, I'll definitely handle things at home. I..."