Chapter 3 - Desperate Retaliation
By noon, news of Robert Blackwell's dramatic firing had sent shockwaves through the financial sector. Stock in Apex Global briefly fluctuated before stabilizing as news leaked that the mysterious majority owner had personally stepped in to take control.
Faced with ruin, Vivian refused to go down quietly.
Driven by humiliation and vengeance, she turned to social media. She posted a heavily edited video clip from the night before, portraying Evelyn as an abusive, elitist bully who had physically threatened her and caused a scene at a corporate charity event.
"This woman is using her wealth to destroy my family and ruin my husband's career over a tiny misunderstanding!" Vivian wept online, attempting to spark a public outrage campaign.
That evening, Evelyn sat in her quiet living room. Four-year-old Mia was happily coloring in a fairytale book on the rug, blissfully unaware of the storm raging outside.
"Mommy," Mia said, looking up with big, bright eyes. "Are you the queen of the castle now?"
Evelyn knelt beside her daughter, smoothing her hair. "No, sweetie. Mommy just makes sure that people who work hard are treated with respect, no matter what dress they're wearing."
Just then, Arthur Vance called.
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"Evelyn, Vivian’s public slander is gaining traction on news outlets. Should we issue a press statement?"
"No," Evelyn replied, a confident smile touching her lips. "Let her dig her own grave deeper. Release the unedited ballroom security footage directly to the press, alongside the full audit report of her fraudulent shell companies."
