Chapter 13 Losing Face

• First of all, she and Joel were childhood sweethearts. Both of them had feelings for each other, but they never confessed to them. After a separation due to an accident, they eventually got back together, which proved that their love was strong and unbreakable.
• She had never destroyed his marriage. She didn't understand where the term "mistress" came from. The implication was that Joel's ex-wife was the mistress.
• Secondly, at the art exhibition, she had no background or connections, but she worked hard. However, some people still tried to slander her, which made her very upset.
• This official statement appeared to clarify the situation, but it was very insincere and hypocritical. It portrayed her as a victim. Online public opinion changed constantly, and Leticia was so angry that her liver hurt. "I've seen shameless people before, but never someone as shameless as her."
• Gemma suddenly remembered the pregnancy test results. If Patricia was pregnant, then the child would be illegitimate. How could a mother's love be so great that she hadn't even gotten married yet?
• She had asked Chris to investigate Patricia's dirty secrets. Not only did they find out about them, but they also found a lot of scandals. Since she liked to jump around so much, Gemma didn't mind making her even more famous.
• On the other hand, when Brad learned about this, he was very worried and reported the situation to Joel.
• "The public's opinion is getting louder and louder. Do you think we need to clarify things?" He handed over the tablet, and Joel's face was colder than winter.
• "How could there be so many Internet keyboard warriors leading the way?" Not only were they targeting him, but Gemma, who was "dead", was also being criticized.
• "We have found out the identities of these Verity accounts. Some insiders have leaked information to them," Brad said with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.
• "So you still haven't found the so-called insider?" Joel sneered. "Your ability to handle things is deteriorating."
• "It's not that we haven't found them. It's..." Brad paused. "It's Miss Quinn's idea. You said before that if she wanted to stir up trouble, to let her. There was no need to report to you."
• Joel was stunned. He did say that before. When Patricia first debuted, she needed popularity and often appeared in publicity events with him. He didn't care much about the gossip.
• Suddenly, he felt a lump in his chest, which made it hard for him to breathe. He slammed the tablet on the table, and his black eyes became deep. "Let the public relations department issue an official statement."
• As Gemma arrived at the office door, Grant was waiting for her. "Vice President Gemma, Director Karen has been here since early morning, and she's inside."
• Gemma nodded. "Is everything ready?"
• "Yes, President Ian has expressed interest in cooperating with Strayes Group. I've contacted them, and the person in charge wants to talk to you in person."
• "Let's schedule a time this week. What's the name of the person in charge?"
• "Okay, his name is Stephen Quinn."
• As soon as she entered the room, she saw Karen sitting in her chair, looking very relaxed. Even when Karen saw Gemma, she didn't panic. She acted as if she were the boss, giving orders.
• "Good morning, Vice President Gemma. And you too, Secretary Grant. You didn't even inform me when the Vice President arrived."
• The atmosphere was tense, and Gemma smiled. "Did Director Karen come to the wrong office?"
• "No, I came here specifically to wait for you." Karen stood up and walked calmly to the side.
• "Secretary Grant, call the janitor to clean the office again. Make sure the disinfection is thorough."
• Karen's face changed, and Grant quickly called someone in. She glared at Gemma and cursed in her heart. Just because she slept with Ian, she acted so superior!
• "What's the matter, Director Karen?"
• Gemma's tone was indifferent as Karen angrily threw a file onto her desk.
• "Vice President Gemma, we're all waiting to see what you're capable of. Don't think that just because I have more experience, I won't bully you as a newcomer. Everyone wants the Justice Group project, and I won't give it to anyone else."
• "Tomorrow evening, the group's CEO is treating everyone. You should take advantage of this rare opportunity." Karen's tone sounded like she was giving Gemma a valuable gift. Grant couldn't help but remind her, and Gemma shook her head.
• She didn't even open the file. Why would Karen give her such a good project? Since they had come to provoke her, she wouldn't cooperate.
• "Director Karen, will you come with me tomorrow?"
• "Of course, I recommended you, so I have to go."
• "Alright, thank you, Director Karen. Secretary Grant, get another chair, and give this one to Director Karen."
• Karen's smile froze on her face. "Vice President Gemma is too polite. Even if I like it, there's no need to give it to me."
• "I won't use something that someone else has used." Gemma's tone remained indifferent, and when Karen left angrily, Gemma instructed Grant, "Check the file and reduce their net profits by half in the contract."
• "Okay, I'll do it now."
• Gemma thought for a moment and sent a message to Ian. "Brother, I embroidered a painting of Mother Mary. Could you help me deliver it to Grandma's ward when you have time?"
• "Okay."
• He didn't ask anything, but as long as she asked, he would do it. That's what her brothers were like. Gemma's heart warmed, and she regretted her past choices. Nothing was more important than family.
• The office door was pushed open, and Grant came in with a large bouquet of roses. The bouquet was so big that it blocked his view.
• Gemma was surprised. "Where did the flowers come from?"
• "A Mr. Jefferson sent them."
• Darwin? Her head started to hurt. It was probably Leticia's idea. The flowers were too much, and Gemma asked him to take them out and open the window for some fresh air before she recovered.
• Just as she was thinking, Leticia called her, "Look at the internet; the wind has changed again."
• "You're idle all day reading gossip."
• "Who said that? I only read it if it concerns you." Leticia's voice was somewhat smug. "That jackass released a statement saying that he has nothing to do with Patricia and never intended to marry her."
• Gemma hesitated and looked at Twitter. The Summers family issued an official statement, distancing themselves from Joel and Patricia's relationship. There was no talk of marriage or feelings, and they were all false rumors. They even warned the rumormongers and reserved the right to sue them, completely humiliating Patricia.
• The comment section was also completely taken over. A student from Amon University came out and testified that Frances burned more than 200 paintings. Because the painter's works were invaluable, many people were upset that the paintings were burned. Burning the paintings was like burning a mansion. However, the painter didn't want too many people to pay attention, so the student didn't spread the news.
• "I didn't expect the jackass to distance himself from the relationship. Weren't they a done deal? Or is he considering the public's opinion and is afraid of affecting the Summers family's stocks, so he's temporarily calming the situation down and planning to secretly get married abroad later? He's thinking too much; he's not human."
• Leticia became more and more excited as she spoke, and Gemma had to interrupt her. "Alright, you've taken all the bamboo shoots on the mountain. Let's get to the point. How much do you know about the Justice Group?"
• "Do you even need to understand? The father-and-son pair of Royce Zachary had already eaten up all the company's resources, and the company has long been heavily in debt. Not only has the capital chain been broken, but the management is also chaotic. Royce even wants to sell his stocks. What's the point of asking about it?"