Chapter 119 Cannot Avoid Anymore
Arthur and Evelyn tried desperately to control the situation, but the public controversy kept escalating.
Some media outlets even made interview programs about the dangers of teen idolization, discussing it seriously.
So-called professors and experts sat together, criticizing the whole thing.
"A child just a few years old has no judgment at all. Calling him a genius is just packaging created by adults. I don't believe his parents weren't pulling strings behind the scenes, after all, a child's abilities are limited."
"The current obsession with young idols isn't good for kids. The influence idols have on children does more harm than good. Without proper guidance, these kids could easily go down the wrong path!"
"I disagree with that view. If this phenomenon exists, it has meaning. Some children have better conditions and talents than others; why shouldn't we make use of that? I think this is a great opportunity to set a good example for kids!"
The experts argued fiercely on the show, and online opinions became completely divided.
The debates grew more and more heated, almost as if they were going to flip the entire internet upside down.
[What example? I think it's purely about profit! Using the child as a bargaining chip, as a billboard to grab everyone's attention. They've achieved their goal now, and only we spectators are still kept in the dark!]
[Exactly! I don't believe Arthur and Sarah knew anything about this. Maybe they were the ones who orchestrated it, making their son into a little hero who saves people!]
[The rescue incident must be fake too, they planned the whole thing! How could such a coincidence happen in the world, and it just happens to occur at an event they organized? If this isn't deliberate scheming, what is? Do they really think we are stupid!]
As the whole thing heated up, Evelyn received multiple calls from reporters, and even the foundation's work was affected.
Clare tried hard to help her control the situation, but felt powerless.
Evelyn sat in her office with furrowed brows, thinking for a long while before finally deciding, "No, I can't keep avoiding this. I need to accept an interview, or this will never end!"
"Accept an interview? Sarah, are you sure about this?"
Clare asked worriedly, clearly having many concerns.
Right now, countless eyes from the outside world were watching her and Arthur closely. Their every word and action could become a target at any moment.
Although Evelyn's intentions were good, wanting to calm things down, whether she could succeed was still uncertain.
"Of course I'm sure."
Evelyn answered calmly and steadily, "If I don't respond, their focus will stay on Julian. I can't let Julian become everyone's target."
If someone had to be the target, it could only be herself. She couldn't just watch the children get hurt and act like she didn't care.
Seeing her determination, Clare immediately made arrangements, helping her choose one media outlet from among the many to accept the interview.
Soon it was the day of the interview, and Evelyn felt inexplicably nervous.
Perhaps because of all the outside harassment these past days, she hadn't been resting well lately, and her whole spirit seemed a bit off.
Before the interview, she received a call from Arthur, who caringly advised her not to feel pressured.
"Evelyn, you don't need to care what they say. Just be yourself."
Arthur's voice helped Evelyn calm down a bit. She smiled peacefully. "Don't worry, Arthur. Julian is our child. As his mom, I should protect him."
No matter what gossip she faced, she wouldn't be afraid, because in front of the children, she was the strongest presence.
Soon, the interview began. Evelyn took a deep breath and spoke confidently in response to the reporter's sharp questions, "I know many people are curious about why it was such a coincidence, why it happened to be my son who saved someone and got filmed and posted online."
"I must make one thing clear: my husband and I never planned anything. The rescue and the filming were both accidents. My child has loved medicine since he was young and has always studied diligently. When he saw a child feeling unwell, he couldn't just not help but."
"As for why someone filmed it, that's not something we could control. There were many parents at the scene. They were surprised and casually recorded it, never expecting it would cause such a stir online."
Evelyn answered calmly, without any panic or fear.
"But Sarah," The reporter asked meaningfully, "You previously refused to let your own children be interviewed or become spokespeople, but today you've come forward to accept our interview. Why is that?"
Facing the reporter's loaded question, Evelyn said composedly, "Things have developed to an uncontrollable state now. I just hope everyone can be more lenient with the children and not make them bear adult perspectives."
"They're actually very innocent, just wanting to do what they can. I don't want my child to lose interest in medicine because of this."
Evelyn spoke very sincerely, facing the camera with genuine and serious eyes.
But what she didn't expect was that despite accepting the interview with good intentions, hoping to clear up all the misunderstandings, things went against her wishes.
Her statements were instead interpreted one-sidedly as a PR statement, and the whole incident was amplified again.
[Forget it, I don't believe Sarah's words! When it comes down to it, isn't this just advertising for Sarah and the Collins Group? Now, whenever I open the news, it's about their family. I'm so sick and tired of seeing it!]
[Exactly! They dare to do it but won't admit it. They planned everything, reaped the benefits, and now they're playing innocent! It's disgusting to watch!]
[The whole family is putting on a show. I don't want to see them anymore. Can they please stop responding!]
Seeing these harsh comments, Evelyn helplessly put down her phone, a sense of powerlessness rising in her heart.
She felt that no matter what she did, it would be over-interpreted. The public simply didn't believe she was speaking from the heart; they just thought she was deliberately hyping things up.
The outside world had turned its attacks on their whole family, with almost indiscriminate criticism, sparing no one.
"What should I do?"
Evelyn found herself in a contradictory situation, and even she didn't know how to handle it.