By admin Beatrice scoffed inwardly, Wyssia only broke up with Leonard today? How long has she been putting up with this crap? What a poor glit
“You two already broke up, Beatrice said coolly. “Wyssia says so, and everyone around you say so. And yet you insist otherwise? Either you’re delusional, or you’re just refusing to let go. Leonard, I don’t recall ever teaching you to be so pathetic.
Leonard fell scent after hearing that.
In Elmbrook’s circle of elite wives, Beatrice had a reputation for being poised and tactful. But Leonard knew better just how cutting her word could really be
Beatrice continued, “You say she’s thrown tantrums like this before–though I can’t remember any, But let’s go with your version, fou claim that as long as you ignore her, she’ll eventually come around. So what now, are we just waiting for her to come around again?”
She looked down, her fingers brushing the edge of her polished nails with a practiced glance. “Well, don’t bother her again. Think about what you’ve been doing these past few days. Is this even like you? Isn’t it embarrassing?”
Then, with a long sigh that carried more helplessness than concern, Beatrice added, her tone dripping with sarcasm, “But I suppose it can’t be helped The really humiliating part might still be ahead”
Leonard didn’t understand what she meant exactly, but some part of her words managed to sink in. He didn’t leave the hospital Later that evening, he told Rocco to bring in the documents he’d been putting off for the last couple of days.
After finishing a conference call, Leonard spoke thoughtfully, “Proceed with the lawsuit against Vanguard Media.
“Understood,” Rocco said, jetting it down in his notebook. “Should Joseph stay on the case?”
Leonard replied, “No. Have him hand it over to you.”
“Alyssia, the legal team wants to see you.” Laurent
can continue when you’re back.
Lauren tapped Alyssia lightly on the shoulder, glancing at the article draft open on her screen, “Go ahead. You
Leonard had gone through with the lawsuit aber all,
Despite all his big promises, Charlie failed to keep his promise. He gave Alyssia’s personal information to Leonard’s legal team.
Lauren had seen it coming. Watching Alyssia walk away, she shook her head and thought, ‘Unless Charlie plans to protect her for the rest of her life, it doesn’t matter what evidence Alyssia has.
“If Leonard’s really set on going after a nobody like her, she might win in court but lose everything else. Her career would be over. She’d be blacklisted not just in this industry. How can a single person fight back against a powerhouse like Clairivers Group”
Lauren had been with Vanguard Media for years. She knew stories that most newcomers had never heard of
Years ago, Clairivera Group led a coordinated assault with other corporate players to crush Vanguard Media. They nearly succeeded in shorting the company into ruin.
No one knew exactly what Vanguard traded in return, but eventually, Clairvera backed off. Still, Vanguard was badly wounded, almost failing to rise
again.
It was the overseas division that kept them afloat, sending revenue back to support the struggling headquarters.
The man who led that division back then was Charlie. He pulled the company back from the edge of collapse. Thus, a national media powerhouse survived, all thanks to him.
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Chapter 26
And the man who had orchestrated the coordinated attack all those years ago was Leonard–the current golden boy of timbe
Group.
Privately, Lauren hoped Alyssia would make it through. That way, she’d beat the odds and become a rare David to the corporate Goliath
But realistically, the ending was more likely to be this Vanguard Media would pressure Alyssia to issue a public apology, admit to fabricating her clamp and maybe even pay a thassive settlement.
Alyssia had barely reached the door before the gossip mill started up across the department.
Twirling a lollipop between her teeth, Lauren muttered, “If I had her pretty lace and body, I wouldn’t be stuck here writing copy. I’d go find some young heir to date and let him spoil me rotten.”
Someone asked, “Hey, Lauren, why do you think Leonard’s going this far? Why sure us for defamation?”
“He’s not suing us, he’s suing Alyssia,” another colleague said, arms crossed and shaking her head. “What awful lock. Thank goodness I wasn’t the one who wrote that article”
Another added. “But seriously, the River family teaming up with the Johnson family should help both their stock prices. Why is Clairivera Group reacting like we just lit a fuse?”
Someone else shook her head. “No clue. Should we check with the finance pays?”
“Didn’t Milena say it messed with their long–term planning? Big family alliances like that are all about timing and maximum return. They probably even need to pick a good date for the announcement,” said a girl.
A man rolled his eyes. “Absurd. What’s the difference between announcing it now or later? It’s not like she’s pregnant, and they have to hide the baby’s gender before the gender reveal party”
Someone guessed. “Milena’s a rising celeb now. She probably just didn’t want the relationship to go public too soon.”
“All right, enough,” Lauren snapped, crunching down on her lollipop. “Any updates from Archer? Has he agreed to the interview yet? Come on, guys, go
for it
Meanwhile, Alyssia arrived at the legal department
“Alyssia, representatives from Clarivera Group have arrived. They want to speak with you face to face,” said the department head, who had already been briefed by Charlie and kept his tone unusually kind. “Just relax We’ll be with you the entire time.”
Alyssia stepped into the conference room and spotted the lawyers across the table as well as Rocco
She didn’t recognize most of the lawyers, only names with no faces. But she knew Rocco well.
Leonard had two right–hand i
Iment Joseph and Rocco. Joseph, his personal assistant, handled day to day tasks and interacted with Alyssia more
frequently.
Rocco, however, was the professional aide, who managed Leonard’s schedule and business affairs. Calling him Leonard’s spokesman wasn’t an
exaggeration
Within Clairivera Group, people often joked that meeting Rocco was as good as meeting Leonard himsell That was how much weight Pro carried.
Joseph was ruled by emotion, idolizing Leonard like some deity, completely loyal..
Rocco was the opposite rational, composed, and precise. His temperament aligned almost seamlessly with Leonard’s own.
The fact that Rocco had come personally meant one thing–Leonard was absolutely serious about this lawsuit.
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Chapter 26
WG
“Ms. Clairmont, good to see you.” Rocco greeted Alyssia with a small, calculated smileone only the two of them could read.
Though not the lead counsel, it was Rocco who took the reins in the discussion. “We have three conditions. First, Vanguard Media and its entertainm division must issue a formal public apology for publishing baseless rumors regarding Mr. Rivera’s private life.
Second, Vanguard Media must compensate for both the reputational damage caused to Clairivera Group and the emotional distress inflicted on Mr. Rivera. The total sum is 25 million dollars.
“Third, Vanguard Media must guarantee that it will no longer publish any content related to Mr. Rivera’s love life Arry future violations will result in a penalty of at least three times the compensation amount.”
Even if Charlie hadn’t told them to be on Alyssia’s side, the legal team at Vanguard Media was already itching to throw Clairvera’s people out of the building
The lead counsel actually let out a disbelieving laugh. “Excuse me? Does Clairivera Group even want to negotiate?”
The lead counsel thought with a sneer, A public apology, 25 million penalty, and a permanent gag order on Leonard’s love life? Why is Leonard targeting us like this?‘
The lead counsel said, barely containing his sarcasm, “Sorry, we can’t agree to any of those terms.”
Rocco smiled, “No need to decide just yet. If those three conditions are entirely unacceptable to you, we do have an alternate proposal for settlement.
As he said, his eyes slowly drifted to Alyssia.