Owen was a real go-getter, a young dynamo who had rocketed up the ranks to a top spot. In just a few short years, he''d racked up so many achievements that his promotion to a central role seemed almost inevitable.


    But his youth was a double-edged sword. The old guard in the department grumbled their disapproval. When it came to seniority, there were plenty of folks who believed they should be next in line for the promotion.


    It was a critical time for Owen, as he was on the cusp of being promoted. If a scandal broke out, tarnishing the nation''s reputation, it could very well wreck his


    career.


    Regardless of the truth, the impact on his career would be enormous.


    Johnny made his way to Owen''s office.


    Owen was on the phone when Johnny arrived. Not wanting to interrupt, Johnny stood silently to the side and started scrolling through Twitter on his phone.


    The most likedment was about Owen''s personal life. The apanying photo didn''t show his face clearly; it was just a blurry figure.


    Mirabe''s face, however, was crystal clear in the image. Surprisingly, no one had dug up her background yet. It wasn''t hard to guess that this was a calcted move to smear Owen''s reputation.


    A plot to throw Owen right into the storm''s eye.


    Owen ended the call and looked up at Johnny, noticing the phone in his hand. "You''re here about the Twitter thing, right?"


    Johnny was momentarily taken aback. "You know already?"


    Owen nodded casually and ced his phone on the desk. "My mentor called to give me a heads-up."


    Understanding dawned on Johnny''s face. "What''s the old guard saying now?"


    Owen leaned back in his chair. The pallor and gauntness that had once marked his features were gone. He nced at Johnny and said, "How could he not believe in my character?"


    Johnny let out a relieved sigh.


    Owen''s mentor was a key figure in the administration. Owen''s achievements owed a great deal to his careful guidance and advocacy. Plus, his mentor had been a strong supporter of Owen''s promotion.


    Of course, rmendations were one thing, but Owen''s own capabilities were the main deal.


    As long as the higher-ups didn''t let the Twitter scandal sway their opinion, everything would be manageable.


    "Get someone to handle the Twitter mess and try to keep Ms. Mirabe out of trouble," Owen instructed further.


    The Twitter controversy was clearly aimed at him, but Mirabe''s face was too prominently disyed. If her school or peers saw it, her reputation would be on the line.


    "Yeah, I''ve got our team on it, and I''ve arranged for someone to find out who''s behind this," Johnny confirmed with a nod.


    Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them. "Come in," Owen called out.


    "Owen, the deputy mayor''s office has requested your presence at an emergency meeting," the deputy mayor''s secretary announced from the doorway.


    Johnny looked at the secretary, ready to speak, but the man had already excused himself politely, leaving no room for questions.


    Johnny furrowed his brows at the secretary''s audacity.


    "I''ll go see what''s up," Johnny said firmly.


    The deputy mayor''s rtionship with Owen had always been a facade of friendliness, but beneath the surface, there was no love lost. Calling for an emergency meeting out of the blue definitely meant they were up to something.