Chapter 4

Over the next month, I lived like a ghost.

By day, I holed myself up in my small apartment, weaving my web across the digital world like a precise machine.

I operated over a dozen anonymous social media accounts, each with a different identity and nationality, posting carefully designed content daily.

Some accounts were radical feminists, railing against injustice in emotional betrayals; some were rational financial bloggers, analyzing the collapse of business ethics; others were gentle emotional support channels, continuing the serialized story of the "poor woman" and garnering immense sympathy.

These accounts seemed unconnected, yet they were like countless tiny streams, converging into a single powerful emotion across the internet – rage against "cheaters and home-wreckers."

I didn't mention Blake Sterling or Chloe Hayes by name, but through this fabricated story, their public image became increasingly clear, increasingly detestable in the public consciousness.

This was a classic application of "agenda-setting" theory.

Before igniting a topic, first establish its framework and tone in public discourse.

And Blake and Chloe were completely oblivious.

They were basking in the glow of their victory.

Chloe, sporting a growing baby bump, frequently gave interviews to major financial media outlets, presenting herself as an "inspirational goddess."

In these interviews, she glorified my "Digital Transformation" plan, portraying herself as a brilliant, fate-defying business prodigy.

She even, in one interview, feigned "fond remembrance" of me.

"Alex was actually very talented, but unfortunately, she was too extreme in her personality, too stubborn… Sigh, I truly feel for her."

The more she performed, the calmer I became.

I downloaded all her interview videos, analyzing them frame by frame, comparing every word she said about the plan to my original document on my computer, annotating everything.

These would all become exhibits in court.

Meanwhile, Blake was busy with a massive purge within Reed Media, installing his own people in all key positions as the new owner.

He was thriving in business, and even more so in his personal life.

He hosted a lavish engagement party for Chloe, sending invitations across the entire upper crust of society.

Photos of the party, all over Ins, showed Chloe's pigeon-egg-sized pink diamond blinding everyone.

I looked at those photos, feeling absolutely nothing.

*Dance, dance your hearts out.*

The higher you jump, the harder you'll fall.

Julian Thorne's efficiency was remarkable.

Using his past connections at Revelation Legal and some less-than-above-board channels, he quickly sent me everything I needed, one by one, to my encrypted email.

Chloe and Blake's email exchanges were irrefutable proof.

She first saw my plan one afternoon three years ago, in my home study. She’d made an excuse to wait for me, and then copied all the files onto a miniature USB drive.

Blake's evidence of embezzling company funds was even more shocking.

The luxury mansion he bought for Chloe in a prime downtown location, the three sports cars registered in her name, even the pink diamond on her finger – every single penny came from Reed Media's accounts.

Most critically, the list of capital groups involved in the hostile takeover.

I stared at the long list of familiar names: old Sterling family associates, former rivals of the Reed family, and even a few "uncles" and "aunts" my father had once implicitly trusted.

*Good, very good.*

One clean sweep, made things easier.

Everything was ready, just waiting for the opportune moment.

A moment that would allow this public opinion storm to unleash its maximum impact.

Soon, that moment arrived.

Reed Media announced that it would hold its annual shareholder meeting at the end of the month, simultaneously hosting a grand press conference to officially launch its new "Digital Transformation Strategy" to the global market.

The star, naturally, would be the new CEO, Chloe Hayes.

I looked at the announcement and smiled.

They were eager to declare their stolen fruits to the world, to firmly cement their false accomplishments.

*Perfect.*

The judgment, of course, had to take place on the grandest stage to be truly impactful.

I sent Julian a message.

"The time is now. Prepare to reel them in."

A week before the shareholder meeting, I fired the first shot.

The target was Chloe Hayes’ most prized "talented woman" persona.

I sent a carefully compiled anonymous tip to *Business Deep Throat*, the nation’s top industry media known for its in-depth investigative reporting.

Attached to the email were two documents.