Chapter 345
“Do you still not know what you’ve done wrong? Listen up, then. Your existence alone is a huge mistake! Happy now?” Clayton retorted.
He was burning with so much anger that it was nearly impossible for anyone to get through to him.
“Your sister beat Clayton up so badly, yet you still have the cheek to show up,” Clayton’s assistant chimed in angrily. “Have you come here to laugh at us?”
“What? Are you talking about Sophie? Clayton, I honestly had no idea. I’ve never been on good terms with her, so I don’t know what she gets up to,” Willow hastily explained. Argh! How dare this wretched Sophie drag me into this mess! It took so much effort for me to get close to Clayton.
“That’s enough. I know you have nothing to do with this matter, but in any case, you should head home first,” Clayton snapped.
Oh, I won’t forget what I’ve had to put up with today. This matter is far from over!
Just then, Sky Media’s public relations manager barged in. “Bad news, Clayton. Something’s happened.”
“What is it? Why are you in such a panic?” Clayton replied, still feeling highly irritable. “You’ve worked with me long enough and been in all kinds of sticky situations. Must you still lose your cool like that?”
“Things aren’t looking good, Clayton. TS Entertainment leaked news and evidence that were unfavorable to us, and our share prices have been falling since,” the manager muttered.
As a matter of fact, he was already at his wits’ end. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sought Clayton for help.
The next second, the manager handed his tablet to Clayton so the latter could check out the scandal brewing online.
Sure enough, fans of The Wheelers were all attacking Sky Media.
Not only had they brought up the time Clayton released rumors about the band members abusing drugs, but they were also commenting on how The Wheelers had been bullied and coerced during their time in Sky Media.
“Have you hired ghostwriters to try to sway public opinion?” Clayton asked.
If this goes on, the entire public will turn against us. It also doesn’t help that our stocks have already fallen very drastically…
“I have, but it’s useless against The Wheelers’ fans.”
Interestingly enough, it was only two days ago when rumors about The Wheelers had reduced their fans to silence. They were disappointed with their favorite band and even believed they had been blind to support them.
However, things were different now.
As soon as they learned what The Wheelers had had to endure in the past, the fans began to chastise themselves instead for doubting the band members.
After all, The Wheelers were the best in their eyes and could never have committed any misdeeds.
Moreover, they also finally understood why Sunny had gotten into a fight. How could he not when he had been mistreated and played for a fool? Anyone in his shoes would’ve done the same thing.
Naturally, the fans continued to comment on the online discussion boards: Sky Media is a bloodsucking company! How dare they treat The Wheelers so poorly!
Exactly! They’ve gone too far! If I ever run into Clayton Zales, I’ll make sure he pays for what he’s done.
Easier said than done, my friend. Aren’t you aware of Clayton’s reputation? He might land you in the hospital if you make one wrong move.
Having seen how badly Sunny was beaten up, it was understandable that fans would feel and think that way.
Clayton, however, had seen enough and threw the tablet aside in a fit of anger.
“You are my public relations manager, for goodness’ sake. Why aren’t you handling this problem? What’s the use of showing me these comments?”
“I’m trying to, Clayton!” the manager replied with a helpless look. “But the other party’s too good, and I’m at my wits’ end! If this scandal continues blowing up, Sky Media will be doomed.”
“D*mn it. I’m sure Tristan’s the mastermind! Why must he always pit himself against me?”
Meanwhile, back in TS Entertainment, Sophie was satisfied with how Xandra had handled the matter.
“So? Have I put your mind at ease?” Xandra asked with a chuckle.
“Of course. Haven’t I said before that I have complete faith in you?” Sophie quipped. With Xandra around, she hadn’t felt worried since the incident occurred.
She was, however, angry with herself.
If she had protected Sunny better, he wouldn’t have gotten so seriously injured.
“This matter isn’t over yet. I want you to continue keeping an eye on it. Let me know if you need more evidence,” Sophie instructed.
As it turned out, one of the reasons Xandra had carried the plan out so beautifully was that Sophie had provided her with a mountain of evidence.
Therefore, no matter how many ghostwriters Clayton tried to hire, they’d never be able to refute the evidence available.
“Well, carry on with your work, and don’t worry about the company. I’ll help you keep an eye on it,” Xandra stated.
She can trust me with this, can’t she?
“All right, then. I’ll head back first.”
With that, Sophie made her way out, only to find Tristan and Mark still waiting for her. Unsurprisingly, Mark also hadn’t expected things to turn out the way they did.
“Don’t worry, Mark! I got this,” Sophie reassured.
Of course, Mark knew how capable she was. She had gotten everything under control in less than a day, so how could anyone not have faith in her?
“Yes, I know,” Mark replied.
Ah, I’m just worried about her. After all, she’s going up against Clayton, the most despicable sc*mbag there ever was!
“Please be careful, Sophie. I don’t wish to see you get hurt because of us,” Mark added, voice laced with concern.
“You have nothing to worry about! No one can harm me. Besides, I have Tristan by my side. He won’t let anyone hurt me either!” Sophie answered. Mark may not believe my capabilities, but I’m sure he can trust Tristan!
Upon hearing that, Tristan beamed with joy.
After so long, he finally had a spot in her heart.
“I know, I know,” Mark mumbled.
I know the two of them are very capable, but I still can’t help but worry about Sophie, can I? Isn’t that what it means to like someone? Even though I’m aware she doesn’t have romantic feelings for me, it doesn’t mean I’ll ever stop caring for her…
Eagle-eyed as always, it wasn’t hard for Sophie to tell that Mark was still feeling uneasy. My goodness. Could I have scared him? Is that why he’s so worried?
“Trust me, Mark. I’m not a weakling. Please don’t worry.”
“Yes, I understand. Anyway, I’m going to the hospital now. Do you want to come along?”
“No. I still have some matters to tend to. I’ll visit Sunny later.”
“Okay.”
With that, Mark turned and left all by his lonesome.
For some reason, the sight of him invoked a feeling of sadness in Sophie.
When Tristan caught her staring at Mark’s retreating figure, he walked up to her and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“What’s wrong?”
“I seem to have made him very worried,” Sophie muttered. That had never been her intention, and she hated how things had turned out.
To her surprise, Tristan snorted.
“You’ve made me very worried too! Do you know how awful I felt when I heard you were meeting Clayton alone? Sophie, can you please not do something so reckless again in the future? I was so scared that my heart almost leaped out!”
