Chapter 799
She would follow her lead without hesitation.
After seizing the momentum of the current trend and unveiling a few design sets, the public not only began to appreciate Natalie’s work more but also started following her in increasing numbers.
In a short span, her social media account garnered hundreds of thousands of new followers.
This was just the tip of the iceberg-with the sudden surge in followers, her designs quickly topped the trending list. This led to an enormous influx of orders for Natalie’s studio. “Hello, I’d like to request a design in this style…”
“The outfit you wore at Mr. Nixon’s art exhibition was stunning. Can you design two similar sets for my spouse and me?”
“I’d like a design for my grandmother…”
The incessant phone calls and the constant flow of customers kept both Natalie and Lexi busy yet delighted.
Many people were drawn to Natalie’s simple yet stylish designs, wearable for any occasion. Unlike other designers’ creations that were often too specialized for certain events, Natalie’s designs were versatile and practical.
Seeing the shift in public sentiment online, Vivi was on the brink of losing her sanity!
In a fit of fury, she flung her phone at her assistant, her voice dripping with menace. “How could you botch this up? I’ve invested a fortune hiring these rumourmongers, and yet they seem to have made no dent in that woman’s reputation. Instead, her studio is gaining more popularity.”
As it turned out, those naysayers who had maligned Natalie were actually on Vivi’s payroll.
Initially, she promoted Mandy’s dress to curry favor with some users, then promptly hired a swarm of trolls to disparage Natalie, criticizing her work and labelling it as “tacky”.
Being labelled “tacky” is a designer’s nightmare. Once a designer is stigmatized with this term, it’s unlikely they will attract any clients.
However, against all expectations, the trolls derogatory comments sparked an uproar among the public, and many of Natalie’s impartial fans defended her.
This shift in public opinion led to a reversal of the initial trend.
The assistant cowered in a corner, too terrified to utter a word even after being hit.
Fuming with rage, Vivi slapped her assistant and barked out a command, “Go hire more trolls. I want to completely tarnish that detestable Natalie. And if you bungle this again, you can kiss your job goodbye!”
Like a rubber band stretched to its limit, public sentiment rebounded forcefully when pulled too far.
The Internet users grew increasingly discontent with the vitriolic tirades of the online trolls.
Their relentless, calculated attacks on Natalie had left many unable to stomach anymore.
Through meticulous probing, the curious observers uncovered a shocking truth: most of the trolls berating Natalie were mere mercenaries, paid to tarnish her digital reputation. This revelation sparked a wildfire Of anger, causing these hired digital saboteurs to face the fierce retribution Of the online crowd. Armed with diligence and righteous indignation, the users unmasked these professional trolls, exposing their social media profiles and personal photographs. Now, they found themselves on the receiving end of public scorn, reviled even by passers-by on the street.
While these trolls had sullied the names of countless celebrities in the past, they had never been on the receiving end of such a backlash, In their distress, they sought to deflect the blame onto Vivi.
The de facto leader of the trolls confronted Vivi, his words sharp and unyielding.
“You stirred up this storm, Vivi. Being on the payroll doesn’t mean we’ll be your scapegoats. It’s high time you step up and face the music.
Vivi’s voice wavered with anxiety. “I’ve filled your pockets. You can’t abandon me now. If you dare leave me to the wolves, I’ll drag you down with me. We’ll sink or swim together.”
The troll leader merely scoffed at her threat, countering, “Dream on if you think you can pull us into the abyss with you. You better brace yourself for the onslaught of online fury, not to mention the wrath of the White family and the Larson Group.”
With that, he hung up, leaving Vivi to Stew in her own dread.
Vivi crumpled to the floor in despair, the phone slipping from her grasp. She could never have imagined that things would end up like this. She had masterminded online smear campaigns, stirred up controversies, and thrown other influencers under the bus, all without ever being unmasked. In fact, these machinations had only served to amplify her digital following and influence, elevating her to Internet stardom and enhancing her financial and societal standing.
This emboldened her to hire trolls and take aim at Natalie, believing her actions would remain shrouded in the shadows of the internet.
She had often launched blistering attacks on her rivals, yet she had always managed to escape unscathed. But the law of averages eventually caught up with her. Those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind.
Now, the public outcry was spiralling out of control, and the digital crowd was baying for blood. They wouldn’t rest until the puppeteer pulling the strings was unmasked.
Unwilling to take the fall, the trolls sought to shift the blame onto Vivi, hoping to escape the public’s wrath.
Vivi, despite her dubious past, had always tread lightly around Natalie in the public eye.
She was well aware that she was no match for the combined might of the White family and the Larson Group backing Natalie. Desperate to shield herself from detection, Vivi steeled herself and redialled the troll leader’s number.
“We’ve been in cahoots for a while, let’s not sour things over a minor hiccup. I have a plan to defuse this situation. pin the blame on Mandy. She has enough clout to stand up to Natalie. Once the dust settles, I’ll give you a hefty payoff and we’ll call it a day.”
Vivi found the prospect of crossing Mandy daunting, but the powerhouses supporting Natalie were far more intimidating.
Moreover, Mandy had a bone to pick with Natalie, and it was her design that had sparked criticism Of Natalie. Making Mandy the scapegoat seemed like the perfect out.
