Double evil in the business district

Chapter 256: The Smear Surge: Xiao Yue's Counterattack Begins

On the Internet, slanderous remarks about Xiao Yue came like a tide, overwhelming and almost drowning out all the truth.

Some people say that she is cruel and ruthless and will do anything to seize power; some people say that she is hypocritical and artificial, appearing pure on the surface but dark on the inside; some people even fabricate stories about her chaotic private life and use all kinds of unbearable words to attack her.

The image of Xiao's enterprise was also seriously affected, the stock price fell, and partners expressed concerns.

Xiao Yue sat in the office, looking at the malicious comments flashing on the computer screen, and felt a chill running from the soles of his feet to his heart.

Those twisted words, like sharp blades, cut her heart again and again.

She took a deep breath and tried to keep herself calm.

She knew that she couldn't fall down at this moment. She had to shoulder all of this, protect herself, and protect Xiao's enterprise.

"Public Relations Officer Lin, how's the situation?" Xiao Yue rubbed his aching temples and looked at Public Relations Officer Lin who was sitting opposite him.

Public Relations Officer Lin had a serious expression on his face, holding a thick report in his hand, which was densely packed with various data and analyses.

"Mr. Xiao, this smear campaign is fierce and meticulously planned. They're clearly well-prepared." She paused, then continued, "We've tracked down some of the online troll accounts and discovered they're being manipulated by a well-funded and sophisticated organization. Furthermore, some media outlets are also involved, amplifying the negative news and creating pressure."

Xiao Yue frowned and tapped the table lightly with his fingers, making a crisp sound.

"Have you found out who is behind this?"

Public Relations Officer Lin shook his head and said, "There is no conclusive evidence yet, but according to our analysis, it is very likely that the Zhao Group is manipulating this behind the scenes." The Zhao Group is the biggest competitor of the Xiao Enterprise and has always wanted to replace it.

"Zhao..." Xiao Yue muttered to herself. She remembered that in several previous business competitions, the Zhao Group had used some unfair means, but she had never caught them.

This time, they slandered her so blatantly, it seemed that they had completely torn their faces apart.

"Knock knock knock..." A knock on the door interrupted Xiao Yue's thoughts.

"Come in."

The office door was pushed open and Shen Ting's tall figure appeared at the door.

He walked straight to Xiao Yue and gently held her cold hand, his warm palm conveying silent strength.

Xiao Yue looked up at him, her deep eyes filled with worry and concern.

She felt the warmth and strength of his palm, and her heart felt much more at ease, as if she had found a pillar to rely on.

"Don't worry, I will take care of everything." Shen Ting's voice was low and powerful, like a reassurance, soothing Xiao Yue's anxiety.

Xiao Yue took a deep breath and nodded, "I believe you." She held Shen Ting's hand, feeling the warmth of his palm, and a warm current surged in her heart.

No matter how big the difficulties are, as long as he is by her side, she has the courage to face everything.

After a brief moment of warmth, Xiao Yue quickly adjusted himself and returned to the investigation.

She remembered a private investigator she once knew who might be able to help.

She called the other party, briefly explained the situation, and agreed to meet to discuss in detail.

In the evening, Xiao Yue met the private detective in a secluded cafe.

The other person was thin, wearing a pair of black-framed glasses, with sharp eyes that revealed a sense of shrewdness.

Xiao Yue told him the information he had, and emphasized the name Li Shuijun.

"Li Shuijun..." The private detective repeated the name in a low voice, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "I know this guy. He specializes in doing shady things for some companies or individuals, and his methods are very dirty."

"Can you help me find his recent transaction records?" Xiao Yue asked with a hint of urgency in his tone.

The private detective thought for a moment and said, "I can try, but it will take some time."

"Okay, I'll wait for your news." Xiao Yue said, handing him a business card, "Contact me immediately if there is any progress."

The next morning, Xiao Yue received a call from a private detective.

The other party's voice sounded a little excited. "Ms. Xiao, I found it! Li Shuijun recently received a large amount of funds from an unidentified source. The remittance account points to a shell company, and the registered person of this shell company..." He paused, his tone becoming meaningful, "has a close connection with the Zhao Group."

Xiao Yue's hand holding the phone trembled slightly, and an irrepressible excitement surged in his heart.

Although it cannot be fully proved that the Zhao Group is the mastermind behind the incident, this is already an important breakthrough.

She immediately contacted Public Relations Officer Lin, told her the news, and arranged for her to collect more evidence.

At the same time, in the president's office of Zhao Group, Zhao's opponent was listening to Li Shuijun's report.

His face was gloomy and his eyes flashed with coldness.

"Xiao Yue has already started the investigation?"

"Yes, and..." Li Shuijun hesitated for a moment, but decided to report truthfully, "She seems to have found some clues."

Zhao Dui suddenly stood up, walked to the French window, looked down at the bustling city, and said in a cold tone, "It seems that we need to add fuel to the fire..."

Zhao's opponent's sinister eyes swept across the tall buildings in the city, like a hawk stalking its prey.

"Since she wants to play, we will play big with her!" He ordered Li Shuijun with a sneer, "Increase the smearing efforts and forge more evidence. I want to make her unable to defend herself!" Li Shuijun took the order and started to operate immediately. For a time, the rumors about Xiao Yue on the Internet became more rampant and spread rapidly like a virus.

Xiao Yue was surprisingly calm. She was not in a hurry to clarify as before. Instead, she seemed to have disappeared and let the rumors ferment.

This abnormal behavior made Zhao's opponent a little confused. He originally thought that Xiao Yue would refute immediately, but he didn't expect her to be so patient.

Did she give up resistance?

impossible!

Zhao's opponent knew Xiao Yue's character very well. She was not someone who would give up easily.

Of course Xiao Yue did not give up, she just chose a more effective way to fight back.

She knew very well that instead of running around to clarify every rumor, it would be better to cut the root of the problem and find out the mastermind behind it.

Following the clues she had found before, she continued her investigation and discovered that there was a huge and mysterious network organization behind Li Shuijun. This organization was extremely hidden and acted in a secretive way. It controlled a large number of online water armies and media resources and specialized in activities such as online smearing and guiding public opinion.

Xiao Yue realized that this was not just a simple business competition, but a bigger conspiracy hidden behind it.

She began her investigation more cautiously, only to find herself trapped in a giant spider web, with danger lurking at every step.

She tried to contact the private detective who had provided the clues before, but found that the other party's phone was turned off and disappeared.

Just when she was at a loss, a text message came from an unfamiliar number: "Want to know more? See you at the abandoned pier at 10 o'clock tonight." At the end of the text message was a strange smiley face symbol.

Xiao Yue's heart sank suddenly, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet to his heart.

"Haha, interesting." Shen Ting looked at the text message on Xiao Yue's phone, and a cold arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He picked up his coat and said in an unquestionable tone, "Let's go and meet them."