Natalie smiled to herself.
Natalie smiled to herself.
******
In the Larson Group building, the board were having a heated debate over the backlash against them; the bad feeling against them hadn’t yet blown over. Everybody had a different opinion about it and nobody was backing down.
“All of this has already taken its toll on the Larson Group. Mr. Harding and Miss Turner have gone and I think our best days are behind us already.” One of the older executives said bluntly, “Mr. Larson, you need to get your wife in order. I heard it was Mrs. Larson who insisted on letting Jethro and his wife in here…”
He stopped talking at once, probably because of the freezing cold look Brandon shot him.
“What happened to Jethro was an accident. I’ve spoken to my wife about it. The Larson Group has gone through plenty of ups and downs before all this. I’m sure we can also handle the public backlash this time.” With an aura of calmness, Brandon’s tone was sincere.
To prove one’s ability, violence was never the answer. When it came down to it, Brandon could convince anyone and always got his own way.
“The criminals in the factory have been arrested. They’ll make them clarify the rumors.” Sean coughed.
“I’m afraid clarification isn’t good enough now. There’s too many people who don’t trust us anymore.” The executives all began arguing again.
Sean’s phone buzzed. He looked down to see it was the public relations department. His eyes popped open as he answered it. Once he’d finished talking, he put his phone down and looked up at the rest of the room with excitement in his eyes. “Good news, Everybody. The PR department said that the public are rethinking us. They’re coming around to a more positive opinion of the Larson Group again. Someb*ody anonymous posted a video on the Internet, telling the truth about Lydia’s suicide attempt. Someb*ody’s come to our rescue!”
It was a video that ended up changing public perception. Although the image and sound had been altered, it was obvious from the background that it was filmed in the hospital. It was also clear from the way in which the woman spoke that it was Vivian.
The woman in the video claimed she had saved Lydia’s baby. According to her, it was people from the factory that had tried to take Lydia’s child away. She, with the help of the medical staff and security guards had rescued the baby.
The woman explained that, although she was angry at Lydia for slandering the Larson Group, her employer, she had still helped Lydia and her child. The claim the Larson Group was involved in the kidnapping the baby in order to force Lydia to accept the compensation and shut up was therefore unfounded.
In the video, several members of hospital staff and the security guards further corroborated the Larson Group’s lack of involvement.
“Who did this?” One of the senior executives asked. “She did us a big favor.”
With this simple video, the public perception of the Larson Group had completely shifted.
Brandon knew it was Vivian in the video. He placed his phone down on the table, his face bearing an inscrutable expression.
Sean stayed to sort out the documents after all the senior executives left. He muttered to himself, “What on earth does Vivian want? Maybe she just wants to repay the kindness? After all she was an orphan and the Larson Group helped to support her.”
But Brandon didn’t think it was that simple. He stood up and left. When he had made it just a couple steps out the door, Sean stopped him. “Mr. Larson, you have a phone call.”
Taking the phone, Brandon’s eyes momentarily darkened. He handed over the documents to Sean, and walked over to the cafe on the top floor.
“Why did you call me?” Brandon asked, calmly, as if unaffected by what people were saying online.
“Don’t pretend not to know. It’s been all over the Internet. I’ve been working for the Larson Group for some years. How could I just sit back and do nothing when you need my help?” Leaning back in his office chair, Garrett looked at the video that had been going viral online. His eyebrows raised slightly, he praised Brandon, “I wanted to help, but it seems the problem has been resolved perfectly. You’re smart, Brandon.” i
Although Garrett had been busy, he couldn’t help but worry when he saw the Larson Group being slandered all over the Internet. As soon as he finished his work, he called Brandon to ask how it was going.
“It hasn’t all been resolved yet. But don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” Brandon stood beside the French window, his determined face staring back at him in the reflection. “The public’s change of heart was very timely.” Garrett smiled. “It seems you have found a competent partner to replace me and Charis.”
The days of the three of them working hard in Seacisco seem to be so far away now. It had been several years since they parted ways. Everything was completely different now, and Charis had even passed away…
But, they had no choice but to move on. Seeing the Larson Group surviving under this pressure, Garrett felt happy for Brandon.
Brandon bowed his head slightly. “The video was posted by Vivian Cooper. She was a student funded by the Larson Group’s talent plan. Now she’s been adopted by the Turners. Vivian previously had an interview with the Larson Group. She was just as she is described in her resume, excellent. But I had some doubts, so I haven’t accepted her yet.”
What had happened to Charis had impacted the Larson Group greatly. He couldn’t let anything like that happen again.
“I didn’t expect the Turners would adopt someone so soon.” Garrett was obviously surprised. From his perspective, the Turners deeply loved their daughter. It was a little odd that they would adopt someone so quickly to replace Charis.
Perhaps, it was just evidence that Vivian was really something.
After thinking for a while, Garrett continued, “Brandon, to be honest, it’s absolutely crucial for the Larson Group to make peace with the Turner family. If the Larson Group wants to succeed, it can’t make too many enemies. There were many things I didn’t understand until I took over the Harding Group. I was too young and naive, and I thought courage meant everything. I suffered many losses because of that. Now I understand that it’s best not to hold grudges in the business world. Cooperation where both parties win is the best way.”
After hanging up the phone, Brandon became deep in thought. When he finally returned to his office, Sean had finished sorting out the documents and was about to leave.
“Email over Vivian’s resume and phone number to me later.” Brandon sat in his chair and got back to work.
Sean was stunned for a moment but followed his order.
Sitting in the VIP ward, Vivian was paying close attention to all the Internet comments, watching them in real time. Because of her video, it seems the public opinion of the Larson Group had really improved.
Her phone began to vibrate on the table. She answered it nonchalantly.
“Mr. Larson, what can I do for you?” She wasn’t at all surprised to receive a call from Brandon.
“Miss Cooper, I would like you to come and see me here in the Larson Group once you’re out of hospital,” Brandon replied, in a cool tone.
Two days later, in the Larson Group’s building.
Vivian opened the door of the meeting room. She had her long hair tied up in a ponytail, and her makeup was perfectly-applied. In her silver gray suit and leather high -heeled shoes, she looked very capable.
“I’m sorry. I’m not late, am I?” She could see that Brandon was already waiting for her as she came in, despite her having got there what she thought was 15 minutes early. She hadn’t expected him to get there before her.