Chapter 4 You Overestimate Yourself
972 Words
William glanced at the photo Henry mentioned. The scene in the photo indeed easily misleads one to think that he had just slept with Grace.
That wasn't the truth at all!
That day, he was on a business trip and happened to meet Grace at the dinner party.
Grace was so drunk that she vomited on him. He asked Henry to escort her away and returned to his room to clean up.
As he exited the shower, Grace unexpectedly appeared in his room wearing a bathrobe.
She intended to apologize, but he dismissed her impatiently. Nothing inappropriate occurred between them.
Yet, this photo circulating online falsely suggested he had been unfaithful!
Henry grimly responded, "I found out that it was a press release purchased by CloudCascade Entertainment Company."
CloudCascade Entertainment Company?
William frowned, puzzled as he couldn't recall any animosity with the company. Why would it target him?
Henry wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke cautiously,
"It turns out that the man who picked up Mrs. Ha... Ms. Martinez at the courthouse was Marcus Patterson, a talent from CloudCascade."
William's expression instantly turned grim. "That man?!"
Marcus was so deeply invested in Olivia that he would go to great lengths to buy trending topics to smear William.
Furious, William slammed his tablet on the table and ordered Henry, "Contact all media platforms. I'll offer double what CloudCascade paid to take down that rumor!"
*****
Inside the CloudCascade office.
Eunice gleefully scrolled through comments on her tablet.
Following Olivia??s instructions, she contacted social media platforms to release the photo and statement. Online public opinion changed overwhelmingly. Those accounts that once praised William and Grace now didn??t dare make a sound, fearing accusations of condoning infidelity.
Eunice was elated. "Olivia, you worked your magic. You've just smashed them completely."
Olivia nibbled on a grape, responding with a calm smile. "It's not as easy as it seems."
William had been battling in the business realm for years. There was no chance he'd back down easily.
Eunice asked in anxiety, "What should we do now? He won't come to beat us up, will he?"
Amused, Olivia replied, "You were bold just before. Why the sudden fear?"
Eunice recoiled. She was so focused on helping Olivia vent her anger that she forgot William was not someone to mess with either.
Eunice's phone rang. Olivia's brows lifted as she said, "Answer it. It seems William is making his move."
Eunice picked up the phone and listened to the man talking for a moment. Then she quickly covered the microphone and turned to Olivia. "Olivia, you were right! The social media reps I spoke to said Myriads is willing to pay double to remove the trending topic. What should we do?"
Olivia, munching on grapes slowly, responded, "Tell them we'll triple the offer for keeping that topic."
The response was promptly relayed to William.
William's expression grew even colder when he received the update from social media reps.
What was so special about Olivia that Marcus spent so much just to please her?
Seething with anger, he gave a firm order, "Quadruple the offer, and make sure they remove that trending topic."
Eunice could barely contain her excitement when she received another call. "It seems William is really feeling the pressure. It's the first time I've ever seen him on the ropes. Interesting."
Olivia was also in high spirits, having felt miserable for three years, now it was William's turn to feel the struggle.
Eunice inquired, "Should we up the ante?"
Olivia squinted, replying lazily, "Why not? I can definitely compete with William when it comes to money."
When William heard the latest report, he almost dropped his phone because of anger.
His voice held anger. "Get me the contact for the head of CloudCascade now."
Marcus was so determined to oppose William that William needed to find out who this man really was!
Henry nodded. As Henry was heading towards the door, William suddenly had second thoughts and called out, "Wait, don't bother."
Grabbing his phone, William wanted to call Olivia. After searching for a while, he realized he had never saved her number.
Whenever he had needed to contact Olivia before, he always requested her number from Henry.
Henry, looking rather glum, said, "Hand me your phone."
"What?" Puzzled, Henry hesitated for a moment then swiftly took out his phone.
William found Olivia's number and dialed it, his expression darkening.
Even his secretary had Olivia's number, yet he, her husband of three years, did not.
He couldn't help wondering if his neglect had driven Olivia to divorce and find comfort with someone else.
*****
Olivia watched the phone ring on the table, uninterested in answering. She continued to snack on her grapes.
Eunice, puzzled, asked tentatively, "Is that William calling?"
Olivia casually spat out grape skins. "William's secretary."
"Aren't you going to answer it?"
Olivia gave Eunice a knowing look, grabbed the phone, and thrust it into her hands. "Here, won't you enjoy scolding him?"
"Come on, Olivia."
Olivia grinned and brought the phone to her ear. "What's up?"
William, who had been waiting on the phone for quite a while, suddenly felt like his heart was weighed down by a stone when he heard her words.
"Did you send the photo?"
Olivia didn't deny it. "Sort of."
William's voice lowered. "You had someone tail me?"
It seemed Olivia had pulled out all the stops to get close to him!
At that, Olivia's expression darkened, and she shot back sharply.
"You're overestimating yourself, William.
If I like you, I'd be upfront about it, not sneaky.
Instead of grilling me, why not ask Grace Thompson where she got this photo from?
Seriously, you both are so alike in your disloyalty and pettiness, it??s like you??re made for each other. But as for me, you??re both history!"
- Writer
