?Chapter 1065:


    However, just as people thought the tide of public opinion was about to turn—believing Maia would not only attend the charity g but was already helping others through her actions—a fuzzy recording suddenly surfaced on social media. No one knew who had shared it first.


    At first, few noticed it, until someone recognized Pattie, the CEO of MCN, speaking.


    In the recording, Pattie’s voice was sharp, with a dismissive and slightly impatient tone. “A charity g? Hosted by Cooper Group? Thanks, but I’m not interested, and Maia isn’t either! And if you’re not here to handle MCN business, don’t even think abouting back!”


    That mysterious clip sparked another online uproar.


    People’s opinions about Maia and the whole situation shifted once more. Chaos broke out online as users felt tricked and rushed to attack Maia and Pattie from MCN.


    Criticism of Maia surged online, spreading rapidly across social media. “This is uneptable. I can’t believe Ms. Miller, the CEO of MCN, would say that. Their reputation is ruined. What will they say next?” one user posted.


    “No wonder Maia stayed silent. She clearly doesn’t care about charity. It’s obvious now. I’m curious about her damage control. I’m boycotting MCN starting today. They won’t get another cent from me,” another dered.


    “Were we lied to about Maia donating half her dividends to a charity fund for the slums? Even if she did, it was probably just for show,” a third spected.


    “She’s a coward, still refusing to respond despite the evidence. The recording seems real,” another added.


    Public sentiment, once supportive, turned sharply against Maia as former fans retracted their allegiance.


    Hurst wiped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, staring at his phone screen. He knew Pattie as fierce but not reckless. Why would she say such things and allow them to be recorded? Those thoughts should have remained unspoken.


    Many wealthy individuals engaged in charity not out of genuine concern for the poor but to gain recognition or wealth—a fact Hurst understood well, having witnessed annual charity scandals exploiting public generosity.


    gα?ησν????s, home to unforgettable stories


    He tried calling Maia, but she didn’t answer.


    Deciding quickly, Hurst wrote her name on an anonymous invitation, photographed it, and sent it to her with a message: “Use this to address the public’s doubts.”


    At the hospital, Ethan, Marisa, and Mnie watched the situation deteriorate with the recording’s emergence. Their supportivements for Maia drew immediate attacks, using them of being paid by Maia and MCN.


    “How did this escte so badly?” Ethan asked, his expression grim. He reyed the recording repeatedly, hoping to prove it false.


    Mnie, fists clenched, spoke up. “The public is being manipted. Can Ms. Miller speak for Maia? Maybe she dismissed the Cooper Group’s representative to avoid hassle, saying Maia wasn’t interested. In the recording, Maia didn’t utter a single word, so how could they assume she didn’t want to attend the charity g?”


    Marisa nodded. “That makes sense. I didn’t expect you to be so reasonable.”


    Mnie frowned, clearly offended. “And when have I ever been unreasonable?” she snapped, ring at Marisa.


    .


    .


    .<fn5908> Readplete version only at find~novel</fn5908>