The CEO Gets What He Wants

Having picked out several branded accessories while skipping over the discounted ones, Bonnie had fun trying on several nice-looking pairs of sandals.

Due to Nicole's similar height, stature, and shoe size to hers, the clothing and footwear were, in a way, tailored to her specifications. Bonnie could barely suppress her glee.

“What would you like for me to do, Nickie? Tell me, and I promise to complete the mission to perfection,” she asked as she excitedly browsed the selection.

Nicole said, “It displeases me that Cayden warned the media not to write anything unflattering about Avery despite her rejecting his proposal. I need you to bribe the media and websites, including Twitter, Google, Steam, Netflix, and WhatsApp. We will slander Avery into oblivion and make her more despicable than a street rat. There will be nowhere in Ackleton for her to hide. I will finance this. You just need to meet the necessary people to make it happen. Prioritize those influencers with millions of followers. Though they are personal accounts of individuals, their sway cannot be underestimated. With the right price, anybody can be bought. Also, take into consideration the smaller publishing presses. Large corporations may fear Cayden's retribution, but smaller companies do not. Those small publishing presses are on the verge of bankruptcy, anyway. They would do anything for some shocking news to drag them out of bankruptcy.”

Nicole was a crafty one.

As society progressed, publishers had been experiencing a steep decline as their readership dwindled, exacerbating the decreasing efficacy of their reach. With the loss of freedom of speech, many media platforms had overhauled their operations and orientated them toward the digital future.

Many no longer read the newspaper as it was known. Instead, they perused, from their smartphones, a selection of channels curated by the media, such as WhatsApp, Washington Post, and Reddit. Most Internet users would get their news firsthand, a subscriber's privilege.

Bonnie was about to nod when she recalled Cayden's cold gaze, devoid of warmth, at the engagement party and shuddered.

Abandoning her act of rifling through clothes, Bonnie began tentatively, “You should know that Cayden holds absolute dominion over Ackleton, Nickie. He even controls the media. I don't think anybody would dare—”

Nicole interrupted Bonnie before she could finish, “What are you afraid of? You'll never amount to anything if you never take risks! I will bear all responsibility. Lest you forget, my father is the state secretary who dotes on me. Nobody would do a thing to you while I have your back. Haven't you always wanted to break into the entertainment industry, Bonnie? When this is over, I'll be your way in. As long as you have my backing, you will always succeed.”

Upon hearing Nicole's promise, Bonnie gazed longingly at the extravagant dress and purse before her. She allowed a moment's indulgence in the fantasy of carving her legacy in the entertainment industry and basking in the adoration of millions of fans. Then, she hardened her heart and nodded firmly. “All right, Nickie. We'll do as you say.”

Thunderclouds hung over the Moore residence.

The heavy oppression in the air seemed to exert an ominous presence.

In his fury with Cayden, Jeffrey slammed his cane into the ground. “Imbecile! What the h*ll happened at the engagement party? That idiot disappeared without a word and left me to clean up his mess. Godd*mn it! That little sh*t has shamed us all!”

Worried that his grandfather would overexert himself, Kendrick soothed the old man by stroking his chest. “Cayden is too careful to leave mistakes in his wake. Furthermore, that was his engagement party. Something must have gone wrong; you can ask him about it when he returns. Calm yourself.”

Blake sighed. Once more, he apologized solemnly to the Moores. “We're terribly sorry. Having raised Ery, I know she's a good girl, and there must be a reason for what happened. I also noticed her looking quite pale during the party, which might have been a symptom of a fever. She must have been in delirium.”

Alina agreed with her father. “My niece is a good girl and definitely not one to hold grudges. Cayden also explained that it had been due to her fever. I hope you can forgive her.”

Blake and Alina were trying their best to devise an excuse for Avery turning down the proposal and gaining the Moore family's understanding.

They believed Avery would not reject him on such an occasion without cause.

Lily sipped her tea elegantly, with a blank expression as if to say whatever happened at the wedding was not her concern.

Allie, on the other hand, was incensed. She jabbed a finger at Blake and Alina. “Bullsh*t! How dare you mention that shameless thing! It runs in the family, I see! All of you Rumpleys are rotten to the core. How dare she humiliate my son during their engagement party? Let me make this clear—as long as I am a Moore, Avery will never become one!”