Chapter 802
A crowd had slowly gathered around the scene, and some of them were quick to recognize the woman who was desperately begging on her knees. None of them had ever imagined they would see Vivi, the infamous Internet celebrity, in such a position. She had been subjected to heavy criticism in the recent days, and the onlookers couldn’t take their eyes off the scenario unfolding right in front of them.
Low murmurs came from the bystanders.
“Why is she begging like that?. What did she do this time?” “With the way she’s crying, it’s hard to believe that she’s the same woman in the news about her these days.”
Their whispers reached Natalie’s ears, and her frown deepened. Something told her the entire situation was not as simple as it seemed. There had to be something else going on with Vivi’s apology.
Her eyes scanned the area around them, and true enough, she spotted a man in the crowd holding up his phone and discreetly recording the scene.
A similar inkling came to Brandon. He noticed the lurker almost at the same time Natalie did. At once, he signalled his bodyguards to take care of him.
Meanwhile, Vivi hadn’t moved from her spot on the ground. Amplifying up her theatrics, she kept putting on a show of despair. “I’m not like you, Miss White,” she sobbed. “I wasn’t born into a good family with a lot of wealth. I’m just a country girl. I have no one to rely on but myself. Miss White, I’m begging you, please stop this. The rumors you’ve spread have hurt me enough. I can’t take it anymore!”
Vivi remained on her knees, orchestrating a theatrical plea for an extended period, yet neither Natalie nor Brandon reacted. The spectacle seemed to be a one-person show, leaving Vivi feeling deeply humiliated and embarrassed.
Vivi looked at Natalie, bewildered.
But as she lifted her gaze, she locked eyes with Natalie, whose expression held a certain knowing amusement, as if she had already deciphered Vivi’s intentions.
An inexplicable shiver ran down Vivi’s spine.
“Why did you stop?” Natalie cocked an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she looked down at Vivi. “Aren’t you going to continue crying and pleading for mercy?”
Avoiding Natalie’s gaze, Vivi felt a surge of embarrassment but persisted with her performance, sobbing and imploring, “I only hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me and let go. of this resentment. After all, I had no part in what transpired.” Natalie’s eyebrows rose even higher. “Are you implying that you weren’t responsible for hiring online trolls to target me? If not you, then who?”
Tears streaming down her face, Vivi sniffled, “All my accounts are managed by my agency. The trolls were hired by them, unbeknownst to me. I implore you to forgive me for my ignorance and let me off.”
The onlookers, swayed by Vivi’s desolate and pitiful display, started speaking up in her defense.
“It appears this poor girl was entirely in the dark. Miss, please consider granting her an opportunity to make amends.” “Companies can be ruthless, and many influencers lack true autonomy. It seems this girl is merely a puppet of her agency.” “Indeed, Miss. Given your privileged background, there’s no need to press her further.”
Hearing the crowd rally behind her, Vivi experienced a surge of satisfaction, a sly grin spreading across her face, hidden by her dishevelled hair.
When she raised her head again, the smirk on Vivi’s face had morphed back into a pitiful expression as she lamented, “If Miss White still harbours anger towards me, my only recourse would be to atone with my life.”
The bystanders cast even more empathetic glances at Vivi.
Upon hearing Vivi’s words, Natalie’s gaze became more mocking. Feigning confusion, Natalie inquired loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Is that so? Then the payment account used to pay the Internet trolls was also controlled by your agency, wasn’t it?” Vivi was caught off guard. “I…”
Natalie interrupted her, raising her voice in indignation. “I can’t believe your agency even manipulated your personal payment account, using your funds to pay those Internet trolls! That’s utterly reprehensible! This is a human rights violation!”
Upon hearing Natalie’s words, the onlookers who had been advocating for Vivi fell abruptly silent, their looks of sympathy now replaced with scepticism.
It was indeed common for media companies at that time to maintain tight control over their social media influencers’ actions and behavior. However, it was impossible for the agencies to exert control over the influencers’ finances and payment accounts, and utilize their money to hire internet trolls. Despite their susceptibility to rumors, the bystanders were able to see through such a blatant ruse.
Vivi’s expression froze completely, and the rehearsed pleas she had prepared seemed to desert her in the face of Natalie’s words. She was taken aback to discover that despite the public scrutiny, Natalie didn’t capitulate under the pressure of public opinion and grant her immediate forgiveness. Instead, Natalie swiftly detected Vivi’s blunder and skilfully redirected the narrative. speechlessness,
Spotting Vivi’s speechlessness, Natalie relentlessly pursued the matter. “Don’t worry, I’m not an unreasonable person. I can’t tolerate companies overstepping their boundaries either. My husband’s firm has a proficient legal team that will certainly assist you in taking legal action against such a company and help vindicate your name.”
The moment she noticed Brandon and Natalie coming together to go after her,
Vivi’s tail tucked between her legs. They looked like they would personally take her to her company to demand an explanation. It made her quiver in fear.
Hastily standing up, she said, “Please don’t bother, Miss White. I’ll handle the conflict with my company myself. If you forgive me, I promise this will be the end of it.”
Vivi wasn’t in touch with her company anymore. She didn’t dare approach them, even. Ever since her involvement in paying Internet trolls to tarnish Natalie and falsely accusing Mandy was exposed, her company cut ties with her. She had been completely abandoned.
However, despite Vivi’s strong refusal, Natalie wouldn’t let her go. “Vivi, you don’t have to worry about causing me trouble. I’ve always detested these sordid companies and I’ll stand up for employees like you who have been exploited. Don’t burden yourself with guilt. We’ll consider it as a public service.”
“No, I really don’t…” Vivi trailed off. A flustered expression appeared on her face.
With a serious tone, Natalie said, “Well, as you have mentioned, your company was the one that defamed me. I want to seek justice. If your company is targeting me, I will face them head-on and not let them go!”
Brandon nodded in agreement. “That’s right. My wife has been humiliated and I won’t let the masterminds behind it run away freely. Rest assured that we’ll protect you, Vivi. We’ll sue this company until it goes bankrupt.”
The more they said, the more anxious Vivi became. She bit her lip, trying her best not to cry out.
She desperately scanned the crowd in hopes to find the man who had accompanied her earlier. Perhaps he could help her out. Otherwise, she would be digging her own grave.
