Chapter 800
“Consider it done,” the trolls assented without hesitation. With a new target to bear the brunt and a cash incentive, why would they refuse?
Soon, the trolls’ accusations set the Internet ablaze, subjecting Mandy to a barrage Of online vitriol.
Upon learning of her predicament, Mandy swiftly issued an online statement. “I would never stoop to such disgraceful tactics. If I had slandered Natalie, may misfortune befall me, such as a fatal accident, or losing my limbs, rendering me incapable Of designing.”
Despite Mandy’s fervent denials, the wrathful users turned a deaf ear. finovels.com
They swarmed her social media, unleashing a torrent of insults and accusations. This digital maelstrom didn’t escape Lexi’s notice.
She presented her boss with the troll post accusing Mandy of smearing Natalie. With a dismissive snort, she remarked, “Mandy had it coming! She deserves to be called out online.
She targeted you deliberately last time, and now she’s hired trolls to tarnish your reputation. She’s beyond contempt!’
As Natalie watched the users continue their digital onslaught against Mandy, she rubbed her chin contemplatively.
“I don’t believe Mandy is behind this.”
Lexi, taken aback by Natalie’s assertion, sought clarification. “Why would you think that? The trolls have squarely placed the blame on her.”
In her characteristic calm demeanor, Natalie replied, “While he’s Mandy can be headstrong and conceited, she’s fundamentally a straight shooter. She’s not one to resort to backstabbing.
Upon learning of Mandy being targeted by Internet users, Natalie, who had recently faced a similar ordeal, understood the discomfort. She couldn’t help but worry about Mandy’s predicament.
After some hesitation, Natalie finally decided to reach out to her.
As soon as the call was answered, the distressed and furious voice of Mandy filled the air. “Natalie! I already told everyone it wasn’t me. Why are you calling to accuse me? If there were surveillance cameras in the restroom, I’d have already released the video and audio of my conversation with Vivi that day to clear my name!”
Toward the end, Mandy’s voice broke with emotion. “Even if I want to best you, I want to do it squarely and fairly! I would never stoop to such underhanded tactics. I, Mandy, am not that sort of person!”
Natalie remained silent, patiently allowing Mandy to vent her frustrations.
She understood that Mandy was under unjust online attacks and that her emotional state was on the edge. If she didn’t vent, she might completely break down.
After letting out her frustrations, Mandy finally noticed that Natalie had been silent throughout the call.
Sniffing back tears, she asked in a forced tough tone, “Why aren’t you saying anything? Aren’t you going to ridicule and mock me?”
Seeing that Mandy had regained some composure, Natalie responded sincerely, “I called to tell you that I believe you!”
Mandy was taken aback by her words, her voice wavering with emotion, and she could barely ask, “What… What did you say? Do you really believe me?”
Clearly, Natalie’s trust meant a lot to Mandy, and all the injustices she had endured seemed to dissipate at that moment.
Natalie chuckled and joked, “Yes, I believe you. If you wanted to hurt me, you’d just march into the studio and create a commotion. You wouldn’t resort to sly tactics to cause me harm.” For the first time, someone believed her, and surprisingly, Mandy didn’t react angrily to Natalie’s playful jest. Instead, she found herself nodding in agreement on the other end of the phone, saying, “Exactly! I’m not the kind of person who would hide behind Internet trolls and resort to foul play.”
However, when Mandy thought back to her previous tantrum at Natalie’s studio, she felt a tinge of embarrassment. “Since you trust me, I… I won’t bother you at your studio anymore,” she said with a hint of embarrassment in her voice. Natalie smiled and shook her head. “So, should I be thanking you now?” she quipped.
Mandy snorted and responded with a touch of arrogance, “Whatever.”
Recalling Mandy’s earlier reference to Vivi, Natalie asked earnestly, “Could you share the details of your interaction with Vivi during your collaboration? It could very well be her handiwork.”
Hearing this, Mandy promptly gave a detailed account of her encounter with Vivi in the restroom at the art exhibition and how their collaboration started. She didn’t leave out any detail.
Natalie’s brow knitted as she took in Mandy’s story.
After ending the call, Natalie directed her assistant to probe into the link between Vivi and the online slanderers.
To her astonishment, the investigation unveiled a situation far murkier than she had initially suspected.
It appeared that Vivi had not only hired Internet trolls to defame Natalie and falsely incriminate Mandy, but had also employed numerous similar underhanded tactics to frame others. She had used every possible means to twist the narrative online, treating it as a territory without rules.
Natalie would not let such misconduct slide and promptly published the evidence she had unearthed online, publicly revealing Vivi’s transgressions.
The evidence that Natalie pet users, loosed about Vivi was damning, leading to Vivi being shunned and ruthlessly targeted by Internet users. Her social media accounts, once filled with praises, were now flooded with an onslaught of derogatory comments and insults.
The truth about Vivi was far from the refined lady she portrayed. She was merely a young girl from a destitute family, who hadn’t even finished middle school.
Her illusion of affluence was carefully crafted by a team dedicated to creating Internet sensations. The mansions, fancy cars, and luxury brands she flaunted were not truly hers, but merely borrowed or group-purchased props.
Her crafted identity unravelled, and Vivi lost everything in the blink of an eye.
