4
"The Emerald Elixir is dangerous?" Murmurs erupted like wildfire spreading panic and suspicion through the hall.
At the heart of the disruption stood a police officer, rotund with arrogance and disdain inly painted on his flushed, perspiring face.
His voice boomed obnoxiously, a smug sneer twisting his lips, “When I dere something dangerous, you better believe it''s deadly!"
Jasmien''s eyes widened in shock, her heart plunging to her stomach.
This was a disaster she hadn''t anticipated.
An incident like this at her meticulously arranged press conference spelled doom.
Even if the product waster proven harmless, Kingston Pharmaceutical''s reputation still hung by a thread.
The media would pounce first-and by the time the truth surfaced the damage would already be irreversible. The stain on their name could oust the facts, lingering like a shadow.
The word "dangerous" echoed ominously, branding the Elixir with a toxic stigma—a curse that could door itsmercial future.
From amidst the restless, whispering crowd, one woman surged forward, eyes zing with indignation.
Snatching the microphone with defiant grace, she dered fiercely, "I am Dr. Joane, endorsing this very product! How dare you im it''s dangerous?"
The crowd stirred, a ripple of restless whispers spreading like a current.
"Wait-this product is endorsed by Dr. Joane. There''s no way it could be dangerous. She tested it herself!" someone eximed, their voiceced with disbelief.
"That''s right," another chimed in, louder now. "It''spletely safe. Dr. Joane wouldn''t lie."
"A doctor of her reputation?" someone else called out. "She''d never risk her entire career on a harmful product-it would destroy her!"
And just like that, the tide began to turn. Doubt gave way to shocked realization. Inspector Ferdie White, however, was unmoved, his gaze zed with indifference. His conscience, long silenced by bribes and self-interest, cared nothing for truth or justice.
The bulge in his pocket-the cash he''d received-was his only guiding principle.
"We are the Texas Police!" Ferdie thundered with swollen pride, the emblem of authority inting his ego further.
"When I say dangerous, you stop selling immediately. Clear out now, or I''ll personally throw each of you behind bars!"
People exchanged nervous nces, torn between curiosity and the threat of imprisonment.
Dr. Joane, calm yet seething with cold fury, raised her voice sharply. "And who exactly are you, Officer?"
With puffed-up bravado, Ferdie proimed, "Inspector Police Ferdie White!"
Dr. Joane drew out her smartphone, dialing deliberately, eyes locked coldly onto
the inspector. "Chief Calvin, you''re still in charge at Texas, correct?"
"Yes, Dr. Joane, how may I assist you?" came a respectful voice through the speaker.
"Inspector Ferdie White-one of your men-is shutting down my conference. He publicly defamed my endorsed product as
dangerous without evidence and terrorized my guests. Is this typical police conduct?"
Silence hung heavy, then Chief Calvin''s tone froze into deadly seriousness. "He did what?"
"He''s halted my event, falsely dered my endorsed product dangerous, and drove away my esteemed guests. Do Texas Police always wield authority so carelessly?"
"Dr. Joane," the chief responded gravely, "Allow me a moment to handle this urgently."
"Make it fast, Chief Calvin," Dr. Joane snapped sharply.
"Yes, Doctor, I deeply apologize for this. I hope it won''t damage our rapport," he replied hastily.
"That entirely depends on your resolution." Dr. Joane hung up with decisive finality.
Inspector Ferdie''s smug expression copsed into horror.
"Did you just call my chief?!" he gasped, sweat cascading down his pale, panicked face.
His smartwatch buzzed urgently, a digital harbinger of doom. With trembling fingers, he answered, his voice quivering.
"Chief, it''s a misunderstanding! We received aint—"
"Inspector Ferdie," Calvin''s icy voice interrupted mercilessly, "You have three minutes to rectify your blunder, or I''ll open every dark closet you''ve hidden skeletons in. Expect at least two decades behind bars!"
Ferdie''s heart sank, dread choking him.
His mind raced desperately. Dirt always lurked beneath the surface waiting for exposure.
"Chief, just give me three minutes. It''s a simple mix-up!" Ferdie stammered, frantically retreating from the hall.
Outside, desperation gripped him until his eyesnded on the banner: SkinDews.
A cold, ruthless resolve filled him-someone had to be sacrificed.
Striding back into the hall, he feigned astonishment.
"What idiocy! We''ve entered the wrong hall! The dangerous product isn''t here-it''s next door!"
His subordinates froze in confusion.
"What are you fools waiting for? Move! Raid the correct hall immediately!" he barked fiercely.
"That''s where they''re selling the SkinDew Essence! The dangerous product!"
He was already in full strike mode: act first, apologizeter.
"Yes, sir!" the officers scrambled away hastily.
Ferdie turned, stering his most contrite, ingratiating smile on his face.
"Esteemed guests, please forgive our foolish mistake. Clearly, Dr. Joane''s impable credentials ensure the Emerald Elixir''s safety. My error-please continue with your conference."
He bowed dramatically to Dr. Joane, voice trembling with forced humility. "My deepest apologies." Then he bolted from the hall.
From their vantage point, astonished guests witnessed chaos erupt in the adjacent hall.
Police dragged everyone out, staff and attendees alike, culminating in the humiliating spectacle of Henry Dupont, owner of SkinDews, handcuffed and enraged.
Seizing the opportunity, Jasmien confidently announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, clearly the police made a mistake. Let us
continue our important discussion.''
Momentster, chaos again erupted as Henry Dupont stormed the desperation.
"I''ve summoned mywyers!" Henry roared, veins bulging in his
"Your Emerald Elixir is nothing but a cheap imitation of my skinl
His desperate fury electrified the air.
Meanwhile, the police took advantage of the chaos, vanishing int and gone in an instant.
continue our important discussion."
Momentster, chaos again erupted as Henry Dupont stormed the hall entrance, fighting police restraint with furious desperation.
"I''ve summoned mywyers!" Henry roared, veins bulging in his neck.
"Your Emerald Elixir is nothing but a cheap imitation of niy Skin Dew patent! You''ll
never legally sell this counterfeit trash!"
His desperate fury electrified the air.
Meanwhile, the police took advantage of the chaos, vanishing into the shadows
as swiftly as they had appeared-silent, swift, and gone in an instant.