Chapter 96 Wave Of Public


    Opinion


    Bruce headed straight into the Ford Group building.


    After he exined his purpose to the receptionist, she kept a polished smile. "I''m sorry, Mr. Ashton, but Miss Hond isn''t in the office right now. If you''d like to meet her, you can schedule an appointment."


    "Are you sure she''s not in the office? Or is she just avoiding us on purpose?" Bruce''s assistant asked, his irritation seeping into his tone.


    They had tried countless times to meet the elusive new CEO, only to hit a wall every time. Her behavior was starting to feel deliberate, like she was ying a game of cat


    and mouse.


    Even the calmest of people would feel frustration in a situation like this.


    Bruce felt the stirrings of annoyance but kept his expression neutral.


    "If you see your CEO, let her know I was here," he said smoothly before turning to leave.


    His assistant shot the receptionist a sharp, disgruntled nce, and then hurried to catch up with Bruce. "Mr. Ashton, it''s obvious Miss Hond is dodging us!"


    If his assistant could pick up on it, Bruce certainly had as well.


    Still, he couldn''t understand her reasons for avoiding him.


    He was certain he''d never done anything to offend anyone at Ford Group. In fact, he had bent over backward to please Kaiden, the maniptive manager, just to gain their favor.


    Even though the situation grated on his nerves, Bruce knew he had no choice but to endure it.


    The Ashton Group simply couldn''t afford to sh with Ford Group.


    As he mulled over the situation, something caught his eye-a figure that seemed oddly


    familiar.


    He stopped mid-step, his brows knitting together. Was that... Corrine?


    But then he hesitated. This was Ford Group, not somewhere she could casually stroll into. He shook his head. He had to be mistaken.


    His assistant''s voice broke into his thoughts, uncertain but cautious. "Could it be that Corrine upset someone powerful in the past?"


    Back then, Corrine had poured everything she had into Ashton Group. Her hard work had been undeniable, but she''d left behind whispers-harsh rumors that still lingered in


    the air.


    Hearing this, Bruce frowned. "When we get back to the office, try to get some information from the assistant who worked with Corrine."


    It didn''t make sense for anyone at Ashton Group to have wronged someone at Ford Group.


    If it had happened, the likely culprit was Corrine. She often acted impulsively, unaware of the ripples her actions caused.


    No one could guess how many enemies she had unknowingly created for Ashton Group -or the kind of weight she''d carried on her shoulders while doing so.


    Corrine had just stepped into her office on the top floor when Natasha entered, holding a stack of neatly organized files.


    "Miss Hond, these are the candidates the nning department shortlisted for the spokesperson role. Please review and make your choice," Natasha said, her tone professional yet rxed.


    Corrine''s recent return to thepany-and her rejection of Leah''s endorsement- had put significant pressure on the nning department.


    To meet her high expectations, they had spent weeks carefully evaluating and selecting candidates.


    Corrine flipped through the topmost file. "Jolene Sampson?" she murmured, her lips curving slightly as a spark of curiosity danced in her eyes. Tapping her fingers lightly on the document, she said, "We''ll go with her."


    Natasha nodded, unfazed by the decision. Her smile grew as she replied, "Understood."


    The announcement of Ford Group''s new resort spokesperson sparked an immediate stir online.


    Oneizen asked, "Who even is this model?"


    Another chimed in, “I heard Leah was supposed to get that endorsement. How did Jolene suddenly snag it? Could she have someone powerful backing her?"


    "Wasn''t Leah cklisted for crossing the wrong person?" someone spected. Another added, "Are we forgetting something? Jolene was exposed for school bullying when she first debuted! I wouldn''t be surprised if she sabotaged Leah to snatch this deal for herself."


    Someone sighed heavily, saying, "I really feel bad for Leah. She doesn''t deserve this."


    Fueled by the determined efforts of the onlinemunity, it didn''t take long for Jolene''s past to surface. Her history of underage clubbing, smoking, drinking, and fighting spread across social media like wildfire.


    Barely thirty minutester, Leah''stest social media post shot to the trending list.


    Leah had written, "Sesses from a mix of luck and hard work. They say a smile can change your fortune. Here''s hoping Lady Luck smiles back." With the post, she included a polished picture of herself.


    Karina let out an exasperated groan and mmed her phone onto the table. "She just can''t sit still, can she? Always trying to hog the spotlight!" Her voice dripped with irritation. "And those brainless fans of hers-they''re just as unbearable. Don''t they


    realize sticking with Leah could backfire on them too?"