CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84: CLEARING YOUR NAME

The competition was still ongoing, while the online uproar had reached its peak.

"Heavenly Sound" was already extremely popular, with lots of attention.

Those watching the live broadcast were just a part of it, and even more people who didn’t have time to watch the live streamed opted for the edited version, forming an impression that contestant Irene performed excellently in the first round but was merely average in the second.

Now, due to trending topics online and the availability of high-definition videos from the first two rounds released by Ford Group official website, people were flocking to watch.

If the discussion sparked by the live broadcast was the first wave of attention, then now was the second wave.

Moreover, this wave of attention was spreading wider and faster.

Few people had the leisure to watch the live stream constantly, as most had their own matters to attend to, making the edited version more popular.

The more people watched, the bigger the buzz grew—

"Oh my god, this is just too strong!"

"Yeah, I always watched the edited version, and in the second round, the quality of all the contestants improved. Back then, I even thought that everyone was concealing their skills in the first round, allowing her to slip through. Didn’t expect it was actually suppression."

"Especially in the second round, her song didn’t seem technically superior like the others, coupled with the suppression, it appeared very ordinary."

"I only voted for her because her songwriting was decent; the rest of my votes went to others. Who would’ve thought!"

"So, who did it? I don’t buy any ’technical faults’. A thorough investigation is needed! Surely!"

"Support the thorough investigation!"

...

On Vera’s end, she was immediately bombarded.

Countless people questioned her, hoping for a reasonable explanation.

All of this left Vera in a complete mess.

Fortunately, she could use the ongoing live broadcast as an excuse to delay responding, gaining some time.

Elsewhere.

In a residential area.

Quinn and Bianca high-fived each other.

"Hahaha, this is so satisfying! I finally feel vindicated!" Quinn jumped up, saying, "I was ganged up on before, and see, now everyone’s apologizing to me!"

"Yes, some of them even took screenshots of your old comments and posted them now. It’s really hilarious," Bianca nodded in agreement.

Quinn was also surprised. His comments had been quickly reported and removed, but someone swift had taken screenshots.

Now everything has become evidence.

"But I dare say, those who cursed me before and those supporting me now are mostly not the same group," Quinn suspiciously remarked.

Bianca chuckled, "Anyway, now that your name is cleared, that’s what matters most."

"Indeed!" Quinn stood up and performed a celebratory otaku dance in the living room.

Although he was a nerd, he was a surprisingly agile one.

Bianca was laughing so hard next to him.

Unbeknownst to them, Justin Jennings was also smiling while sitting on another chair.

At the "Heavenly Sound" venue.

In Serena Sterling’s personal room, Jasper Ford gazed at the favorable situation, feeling very satisfied.

In contrast, Serena remained calm.

She thoughtfully watched the live broadcast where Vera had taken her seat again.

Since she was back in her seat, it meant they had come up with a plan.

Next, it would depend on how Vera played her cards.

After all, the marketing team behind Vera wasn’t to be underestimated.

And as expected, in no time, another voice emerged online.

"Why is everyone targeting Vera? Our Vera isn’t even a contestant, so why is she being dragged in?"

"Yeah, Vera is a judge. Isn’t everyone focusing on the wrong target?"

"And some say that Vera is backed by Julian Lawson, which is why Irene is being targeted. Why doesn’t anyone consider that Julian Lawson and Ford Entertainment... If Vera really used Julian Lawson’s influence, Irene would have just quit the competition, leaving no trace at all."

"It must have been someone else who did it, then pushed it onto our Vera."

This rebuttal directly aimed at the logical chain.

Since many netizens were unaware of the deeper details, this argument seemed quite credible for a moment.

Quinn and Bianca actively responded, listing various facts.

All this was preplanned by them, and soon, the public opinion was swayed back.

After all, aside from Vera, no one truly had a reason to target Irene from the start.

This was ironclad.

Music industry’s top influencers have already started analyzing contestant Irene’s stage performance from a more professional angle online.

All were full of praise.

The online voices amplified further.

Seeing all this, Vera was nearly grinding her teeth.

Since the Connor Goldsmith team joined her, she hadn’t suffered such setbacks.

Even dealing with Serena before was a breeze.

This little Irene, of all people, was giving her such a headache!

But in front of the camera, she couldn’t show it, so she gestured not to film her, then lowered her head and quickly sent messages to Alexander Ford and Connor Goldsmith.

However, Alexander Ford was struggling with his own issues and couldn’t be bothered with her.

Connor Goldsmith suggested exposing some of Irene’s dirt.

Such as her relationship with Jasper Ford, or causing a miscarriage for Jasper.

But Vera rejected it.

"That’s a fatal handle, and I need to keep it as leverage over her."

"Moreover, given she was almost certainly suppressed, releasing this now would greatly reduce the impact of this killshot, and netizens would think we’re framing Irene on purpose, which not only won’t be believed but also wastes this leverage and could backfire against me."

Connor Goldsmith agreed, but what to do now?

"First, clear my name and establish my image solidly, then we can proceed," Vera responded quickly.

"I’ll think of a way, wait for my signal," Vera thought for a moment and replied to Connor Goldsmith.

Vera glanced at Irene’s personal room over there, hatred filling her eyes.

Then, she opened the conversation with Alexander Ford again, but still received no reply from him.

Filled with anger, Vera left her seat and went to the staff corridor, calling Secretary Chaucer.

Soon, Secretary Chaucer picked up.

"Miss Vera Hansen?" Secretary Chaucer’s voice came through.

"Secretary Chaucer, I need your help," Vera said weakly, "I wonder if you’ve seen what’s happening online."

Secretary Chaucer confirmed seeing it.

"Sigh... I don’t know who’s behind it," Vera pretended, "But now I’m being blamed for everything."

"I remember The Lawson Corporation is involved in the entertainment industry, right? They should have such resources. Could you lend me some support?"

Previously, Vera only used Julian Lawson’s name for her agenda, but practically relied on Connor Goldsmith’s team. This was the first time she sought help from The Lawson Corporation.

After all, once intermingled, her image might be flawed, and many things couldn’t be foolproof. She also worried about her secrets being leaked.

But this time, she had no choice.

All because of Irene!

Irene was forcing her to this extent!