Chapter 9: Sent to the Top of the Trends
The incident, remained relatively minor, not even reaching
even reaching the top trending topics.
Lily only learned about it by actively searching
for relevant keywords.
North Star’s swift public relations response, including apologies and compensation, minimized the backlash.
However, the issue couldn’t be completely swept under the rug.
The public’s discontent was directed squarely at Lily.
Netizens didn’t know the identity of the deceased partner, but they found Lily’s social media.
accounts.
Bella had tagged Lily in old Facebook posts and commented on Lily’s automatically generated birthday posts every year.
It was easy to find her account.
The user ‘GreenSproutLily” was the allegedly deceitful partner!
Bella’s life was a success story; her career achievements earned her considerable admiration.
Her fans aggressively blamed Lily for the product recall, directing their anger towards her to protect Bella’s image.
Seeing Bella’s birthday messages on Lily’s Facebook, some netizens believed the exposé and cursed Lily before moving on.
Things seemed to be calming down, but then a twist emerged.
Many fans use an app that tracks their idols‘ online activity, showing when they’re online, whom they interact with, etc.
‘. One
*
user
made a shocking discovery: Lily’s Facebook. account was ONLINE! And had been online continuously!
Was this account really belonging to the deceased partner?
Who was logging in?
The app showed that the account had only been online “today” in fifteen years! [Hmm… maybe it’s so unfair that her ghost is haunting the internet./laughing emoji] [If someone’s logging in, Bella’s fans‘ narrative falls apart!]
[You’re too naive. It’s a PR stunt. Regardless, problems with the product are the CEO’s responsibility!]
The situation took another turn.
Lily….
This unexpected development was baffling.
What role did Bella play in all this?
ly sighed.
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She needed to accept that her world had changed drastically.
North Star wasn’t Lily’s main focus.
She’d been a moderately successful comic artist, and her professional Facebook account still received fan messages, expressing their disappointment at her sudden departure from the industry.
Her career. like her family, had been shattered by her fifteen–year absence.
As she contemplated this, two notifications popped up on her phone.
She had private messages on Facebook.
[Mr. Janson, did you log into Lily’s Facebook? Don’t worry about the online situation; I’ll handle it. The PR manager acted unilaterally, dragging Lily into this. I was too late to stop it. I’m so sorry.]
[North Star is Lily’s life’s work. This is my fault. I am so sorry to Lily /crying emoji] [There are so many issues with the overseas distributors, especially that difficult Pierre. I neglected the domestic market and created this mess. Sigh!]
Lily sensed something was off.
Was Bella using this to get something from John?
Saying North Star was Lily’s life’s work while also mentioning her current difficulties and even naming a specific problematic person….
Lily suspected that the PR strategy of directing blame towards her was deliberate, a way for Bella to contact John!
Bella had been a simple, kind person.
Now… she had changed.
Even saying North Star was Lily’s life’s work was a stretch.
Bella had managed North Star; Lily had mainly provided the funding.
It wasn’t Lily’s life’s work.
Lily had been exceptionally wealthy after her mother, an international art collector, passed away from cancer during her middle school years, leaving her a large inheritance that she could only access after graduating college.
North Star was just one of many investments she made back then.
Bella was exaggerating!
Lily didn’t reply.
She tossed her phone aside, lying on her back, staring at the ceiling.
After a long while, she sighed.
Life after fifteen years was tough; her home wasn’t home, and her friends weren’t the same.
At least John hadn’t changed.
John: What are you doing?
She turned over, grabbed her phone, and texted John: What At J&J Corporation, the meeting room was packed.
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The only sound
Was
the rustling of papers
as
John reviewed documents. He slammed his folder on the table, his gaze cold as he addressed the middle–aged man in a blue
suit.
“Is this your best emergency plan?”
The man was sweating profusely.
He tried to speak, but seeing John’s displeasure, he swallowed, “Mr. Janson, give me two more hours. I’ll submit a revised plan you’ll approve.”
“No need, Limon. You’re replaced.”
“Yes, Mr. Janson.”
The man in blue turned pale.
This whole incident…”
John’s words were cut short by a notification.
Everyone’s hearts sank; they feared it was their own phone.
Responding to John’s fury now. felt like pulling teeth from a tiger’s mouth! Then, they saw John open his phone.
How to describe his expression…?
A sudden spring thaw!
His frosty demeanor vanished, replaced by a warm smile!
newly promoted, bold young manager discreetly caught a glimpse.
[In a meeting. Ending soon and coming home. Miss you-]
John was delighted.
Lily’s message was a clear declaration of affection!
“Meeting adjourned.”
He closed his phone, his tone brisk.
The meeting was over.
He had someone waiting for him at home!
After he left, the room erupted in conversation.
The man in blue was visibly relieved.
They didn’t know who
sent
He wished them endless blessings!
He clasped his hands in prayer.
that text, but they were eternally
eternally grateful!
home.
John took the elevator to the underground parking lot and drove Three simple words–What are you doing?-had made him eager To return. His assistant briefed him on the online situation during the drive.
John had conducted a comprehensive search during Lily’s fifteen–year absence, both online and
Chapter 9 Sent to the Top of the T…
offline.
He hadn’t missed a single potential lead.
At home, he told Lily about it all, focusing on Bella’s behavior.
