CHAPTER 592: CHAPTER 592: YOU’VE BEEN EXPOSED ONLINE

Bang—

Xue Man’s wine glass smashed against the glass door, the liquid shattered along with the glass.

"Is this the new product you all approved? How can you have the nerve to launch something like this?"

Due to the constant negative reviews online, Xue Man had to hastily gather the team for a meeting.

Except for Bai Ruoshu, the person involved, everyone else was present.

One person mustered the courage to say, "President Xue, this was designed by Miss Bai. You said before that Miss Bai could design independently without needing our approval."

Another added, "Besides, we showed you her design draft, which even has your handwritten signature on it."

Xue Man leaned on the table, panting, only then remembering she had drunk too much on the day of the review.

So she hadn’t actually looked at Bai Ruoshu’s design draft.

Bai Ruoshu was already famous as a talented designer, and her usual works were quite good, so she didn’t think much of it.

Who would’ve thought...

"Where is she? Didn’t I say everyone must be present?"

"Miss, Miss Bai said she had to go to bed early or she wouldn’t feel well."

Someone cautiously spoke.

Upon hearing this, Xue Man reached out for the wine glass, only to remember she had smashed it.

She looked down at her trembling hand and immediately clenched her fist.

"I don’t care what methods you use, by tomorrow morning, I must see a solution."

"Meeting adjourned."

Xue Man turned and went back to her office.

As soon as she sat down, a lot of emails popped up on the computer, including financial reports.

She clicked open one at random and found that the necklace designed by Lin Zhiyi for the studio years ago was still selling well.

And the feedback was still good.

The studio releases a relatively affordable piece of jewelry every year compared to other luxury products.

Only Lin Zhiyi’s piece continues to be produced after so many years.

For a moment, Xue Man felt that she shouldn’t have forced Lin Zhiyi away.

But there’s no turning back once the arrow is shot.

Thinking of this, Xue Man dialed Bai Ruoshu’s phone number.

The beeping sound was irritating.

She couldn’t focus at all, so she got up and staggered to the liquor cabinet, pouring herself a glass of wine to gulp down.

When she finished her second glass, Bai Ruoshu finally answered the call.

"President Xue, what’s the matter calling me so late?"

Her calm voice, even tinged with a bit of sleepiness, completely infuriated Xue Man.

"Bai Ruoshu, I trusted you completely, I bet everything on you, even fired Lin Zhiyi for you! Is this how you repay me?"

Bai Ruoshu paused for a moment, sounding like she was yawning.

"President Xue, why are you in such a rush? This is just the beginning."

Upon hearing this, Xue Man took a deep breath and gradually calmed down.

"So, you already have a solution?"

"I know, you said you were hurt because of Lin Zhiyi. You could totally use this to negotiate with Third Young Master. As long as he steps in, everything will be fine."

Bai Ruoshu interrupted, "Who said I will use that to negotiate? I want Third Young Master to owe me another favor."

"Bai Ruoshu, this is no time for jokes," Xue Man said through gritted teeth.

"President Xue, cowardly people can’t get a seat at the table. My dad is about to discuss a partnership with Third Young Master, who do you think will come out on top, me or Lin Zhiyi?"

Regarding the partnership.

Xue Man had heard about it too, it was said that the business from the Bai Family was huge this time, with many people eyeing it greedily.

She took a sip of wine and asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Bai Ruoshu laughed, "You’ll find out tomorrow. I’m going to sleep now."

...

Ever since Gong Chen was rescued, Lin Zhiyi rarely had nightmares.

Tonight, she actually had an unrelated nightmare.

In the scene, she absentmindedly watched TV while holding the sleeping Xingxing.

This was something she often did while waiting for Gong Chen in her past life.

Putting Xingxing to sleep while passing time watching TV.

It seemed only this way, the maids at home wouldn’t bother her.

In fact, they preferred her to be numb like a puppet, making it easier to manipulate her.

So when Lin Zhiyi first saw the scene, she couldn’t recall which of those long night waits it was.

But judging by her pale face, she probably didn’t wait for Gong Chen again.

Lin Zhiyi found herself uncontrollably approaching her past self, the light from the TV reflecting in her pupils.

She seemed to hear something, her dazed eyes flickered slightly.

It must have been something on TV that caught her attention.

Lin Zhiyi stared at herself but couldn’t turn to look at the TV no matter how hard she tried.

She felt like she was experiencing sleep paralysis, unable to move her body.

Until her past self slowly got up with Xingxing in her arms, heading to the room at that moment, her gaze followed.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a photo popping up on the TV.

But before she could see it clearly, she heard knocking sounds at her ear.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Zhiyi! Zhiyi! Are you awake?"

The sudden knocking, woke Lin Zhiyi.

She immediately got up and took a few deep breaths.

Liao Yi was still knocking on the door outside. Lin Zhiyi got out of bed and put on a coat.

She happened to see a small note stuck to the headboard.

"Don’t forget to have breakfast."

Lin Zhiyi’s pounding heart calmed down as she turned to open the door.

"Zhiyi! It’s bad!"

Liao Yi raised his phone, anxiously saying, "Look at the news online; someone has posted about you."

Lin Zhiyi looked at the content on the phone.

The headline was still very explosive.

"Incorrigible! The Lustful Stepdaughter of the Gong Family!"

Subhead, "Prefers being intimate with men in the hospital rather than visiting her savior!"

Huh?

Lin Zhiyi was bewildered.

Liao Yi said, "I don’t know who secretly photographed you and Third Young Master, and even deliberately chose a photo where Third Young Master’s face couldn’t be seen, clearly targeting you."

"The content even lists several men from over these years, with all kinds of messy entries, including Mr. Sang."

She scrolled through, pointing at the maliciously highlighted paragraph.

"They’re digging up those old rumors of you being kept, saying you could get any man."

"The worst are Bai Ruoshu’s fans. They’re actually blaming you for the criticism Bai Ruoshu’s new design for Xue Man received."

Saying this, Liao Yi scrolled to the comments section.

"No wonder Miss Bai’s performance this time was out of character, turns out her arm was injured."

"How precious a designer’s hands are. Miss Bai has always insisted on drawing by hand, the injury must have affected her greatly."

"It’s been a while since Miss Bai got injured, and yet Lin Zhiyi hasn’t even thanked her."

"Could Lin Zhiyi have done it on purpose? She’s also a designer at Xue Man’s Studio, wouldn’t that eliminate a strong competitor?"

"Did you just get online? Lin Zhiyi left Xue Man’s Studio a long time ago, do you still think she’s the rising design star from back then?"

"Could it be jealousy and revenge?"

"Maybe she’s just busy pleasing men."

The online comments became increasingly biased.

Almost all leaning towards Bai Ruoshu.

At this time, a trending news popped up on Liao Yi’s phone.

Bai Ruoshu had made a response.

"I hope everyone doesn’t blame Zhiyi, saving her was something I did willingly."

Liao Yi was so angry he wanted to smash his phone, "What kind of response is this?! She’s clearly trying to slap you!"