Chapter 225
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Max stood in Jordan’s hospital room, staring at his phone screen. The video he’d just recorded was ready to go.
“I’ve made up my mind.” Max said, his expression serious. “I can’t let Stella face this alone anymore.”
Jordan looked at him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Are you sure about this? Once you post it, you’ll have no place in the Hayes family.”
“I lost my place a long time ago, Max said with a bitter smile. The moment I chose to hurt Stella, I didn’t deserve to be her brother anymore. At least let me do one thing right for her.
With that, he hit the post button.
The title of the video was simple: [The Truth: My Dad Andrew Hayes Frames Stella.]
In the video, Max sat in a chair, his expression serious and sincere. He said, “Hey, everyone, I’m Max, Stella’s brother. I have to speak up about all those rumors and videos about Stella online.
“First off, my dad Andrew hurt his leg because he got drunk and fell at home. It had nothing to do with Stella, and I’ve got the medical records to prove it.
“Second, I wasn’t there when the ‘accident happened in the hospital, but after that. Dad came to me and asked me to help him with his plan.
“He made it clear he wanted to set Stella up. It was a premeditated scam to pin the blame on her.
“I know saying all this might make me look like a terrible son, but I can’t just sit back and watch Stella get blamed for something she didn’t do. She’s already been through enough all these years. She doesn’t deserve any more of this.
“Finally, I want to say sorry to Stella. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me most.”
Within half an hour of posting, the video had been shared tens of thousands of times. The comments section blew up, but this time, everyone was taking a whole new side.
[Damn, this family’s seriously messed up.]
[So, the dad tried to frame his own daughter? That’s just sick.]
[At least Max’s got a conscience.]
[Stella’s life is just tragic. She was missing for three years, finally came home, and her own family tried to set her up.]
[So, all those people who trashed Stella before–bet you’re eating your words now, huh?]
Meanwhile, Andrew’s phone was blowing up.
After watching Max’s video, he was shaking with rage and immediately called Max.
“Max, you ungrateful brat!” Andrew roared, his voice nearly bursting through the phone. “You’re turning your back on your own family, siding with that wretched girl against me.”
“Dad, I just told the truth,” Max said calmly, without a hint of guilt.
“The truth? The truth is you and Stella are trying to ruin me,” Andrew shouted, his voice full of anger. “I raised you all these years, and this is how you repay me? By turning against me?”
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10:30 pm
Chapter 225
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“Dad, have you ever thought that maybe you’re the one who turns us into enemies?” Max shot back. “When have you ever really cared about us, except when you need cash from us?”
“What? I fed you, clothed you, and sent you to school. Isn’t that enough?” Andrew shot back.
“Enough.” Max’s voice was ice cold. “Dad, from today on, we’re finished. Do whatever you want, but leave Stella out of it.”
“You dare hang up on me? Max, just you wait. I’ll make you pay for this,” Andrew roared. But before Andrew could finish his threat, Max hung up the phone.
At work, Stella was watching Max’s video.
Nola rushed into Stella’s office, nearly bouncing with excitement. “Ms. Hayes, this is awesome! Max just spoke up for you. Everyone online is backing you up now.”
Stella stared at the screen, looking at the man who was so familiar, yet felt like a stranger. She felt a mix of emotions she couldn’t even name.
He was the brother who’d hurt her the deepest, yet now, when she needed help, he was the one who stepped up. Maybe it was late, but at least he finally chose to stand on the side of justice.
“Ms. Hayes?” Nola called softly, noticing Stella hadn’t said anything.
“I got it,” Stella said, snapping back to reality. “Tell the PR team to jump on this and release our official statement to clear up all the rumors.”
“Got it.” Nola turned to leave, then paused. “And Ms. Hayes, I noticed something strange. All those bot accounts that were spreading smear videos? They suddenly vanished. And now there’s a flood of new accounts helping us set the record straight -almost suspiciously efficient.”
Stella’s brows knitted. “You mean…”
“It’s like there’s a whole pro team pulling the strings behind the scenes,” Nola said cautiously. “That kind of media. manipulation? No ordinary person could pull that off.”
Stella felt a jolt inside.
She remembered Jordan saying on the phone that he’d take care of it for her.
She thought, ‘Does he really have the skills to pull off something like this? What kind of player in the business world could command such a slick, high–powered online PR team?
“This is way beyond normal business tactics. It is more like… some kind of military–level operation.
While Stella was deep in thought, Anna was fuming in her private office.
“Useless! All of you are useless,” she shouted and slammed her cup onto the floor, shattering it. “You can’t even handle something this simple.”
The head of the PR firm sitting across from her was trembling with fear. “Ms. Hayes, the other side moved way too fast. Before we could even stir things up, the public opinion was already suppressed.”
“Suppressed?” Anna sneered. “Then drop an even bigger bomb. I refuse to believe we can’t take her down.”
“What else do you have?” he asked.
A malicious glint flashed in Anna’s eyes. “Of course I do. For example, where Stella really was during those three years, what
2/4
10:30 pm
Chapter 224
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“Ms. Hayes, we’ve all seen that video going around online,” Percy said after clearing his throat. “We do trust you, but public opinion is really hitting us hard. People are starting to question the company, and our stock price is taking a hit.”
Another shareholder chimed in. “We think it might be a good idea for you to take a break for a while, until this whole thing.
blows over.”
“And who would take over my duties?” Stella asked, cutting straight to the chase.
“Well…” The shareholders exchanged glances. “We think we should hold a new election for the general manager.”
Figures, Stella sneered inwardly and thought, ‘they’re just waiting to snatch power while I’m out of the picture!
“Listen, I own 51% of the company’s shares. According to the bylaws, any major decisions need my approval, Stella said, her voice calm but firm, leaving no room for argument.
“But Ms. Hayes, public opinion isn’t something we can just ignore. If the company takes a hit because of you, what about us small shareholders?” Percy argued, his tone growing more anxious.
“Public opinion?” Stella scoffed. “Mr. Nelson, since when do you care so much about what people think? Or did someone put you up to this? Weren’t you kicked out for embezzlement? So how’d you manage to crawl back?”
Percy looked a bit embarrassed, but he forced himself to reply, “Ms. Hayes, Mr. Andrew Hayes let us back in for old times‘ sake. We’re only thinking about what’s best for the company.”
“If you really care about the company, then trust the facts, not public opinion twisted by outsiders,” Stella said, rising to her feet.
“I’ll spell it out for you. I’m not stepping down and handing over control. If anyone has been dissatisfied, feel free to cash. out,” she added.
With that, she walked out of the conference room without looking back.
Back in Stella’s office, Nola was waiting anxiously.
“Ms. Hayes, we’ve got a huge problem,” Nola said, her face pale. “Three clients have already called to suspend their contracts. They’re all worried about the media backlash.”
Stella sat down and rubbed her temples. She thought, ‘This is the real killer move. They’re hitting me right where it hurts- my cash flow.
“And the bank called too. They’re reevaluating our credit rating,” Nola added, delivering more bad news.
“Got it,” Stella said, taking a deep breath. “Nola, call those clients and tell them I’ll meet them in person and explain everything.”
“Ms. Hayes, is it really okay for you to go out there now?” Nola asked, worry in her voice.
“It’s fine. I can’t just hide from this,” Stella replied, her tone unwavering. “And get the PR team to pull together all the surveillance footage. We’ll hit back when the time is right.”
Nola nodded and was about to leave, then suddenly remembered something. “By the way, Ms. Hayes, Alex, Mr. Erwin’s assistant, called earlier. He said Mr. Erwin saw the news and was worried sick about you.”
Stella felt a flutter in her chest, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. “Got it.”
2/3
10:30 pm
Chapter 224
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Jordan was in a heated argument with the doctor
12 15 youcherk
Mr. Erwin, you’re still not fully recovered. You can’t be discharged yet, the doctor said, stepping in front of him
Tve got something urgent to take care of, Jondan said, gritting his teeth against the pain as he started getting dressed.
“Mr. Erwin, you’ll only make your injuries worse if you push yourself, the nurse chimed in, trying to hold him back.
Jordan stared at the news on his phone, fury burning in his eyes. He knew for sure someone was pulling strings behind the scenes, trying to bring Stella down.
Alex, he snapped into the phone. “Find out who’s spreading those videos. Dig into every media outlet and every paid troll involved–leave no stone unturned.”
Yes, sir, Alex answered.
“And reach out to our media partners. Tell them to speak out and clarify the truth,” Jordan ordered.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Erwin. I’ll take care of it right away,” Alex replied.
After hanging up, Jordan thought about calling Stella. His thumb hovered over her name on the screen, but in the end, he just couldn’t bring himself to make the call.
He knew Stella was still angry with him, and reaching out now would only push her further away. But he couldn’t just stand by and watch her get bullied.
Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open, and Max rushed in.
“Jordan, I heard you got hurt,” Max said, his eyes going wide when he saw Jordan trying to check himself out. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“What are you doing here, Max?” Jordan said coldly. He’d never liked Max, not after the way he’d treated Stella at the start. “Don’t tell me you’re here to make things worse for Stella again.”
Max looked conflicted. “I’ve seen what’s happening online. Actually, I…”
After a moment of hesitation, he pulled out his phone. “I filmed the whole thing. This video proves my dad is framing
Stella.”
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