Chapter 27


    When the progress bar reached one hundred percent, the video files reappeared in Madison’s email


    inbox.


    Meanwhile, a dialogue box popped up on the screen.


    Samuel texted, [Jessica, has the video been restored?]


    Jessica texted, [Yep. It has been restored. Thanks for helping out, Samuel.]


    Samuel texted, [There’s no need to stand on ceremony. Even if I wasn’t here, you


    could’ve handled it yourself. Oh, by the way, I just got hold of the%


    surveince footage


    of that woman’s car ident and her hospital medical record. Take a look at it. If you need anything


    else, just hit me up.]


    Another documentnded in the email inbox.


    Madison downloaded it. She clicked on the medical record first.


    After reading it, her pupils dted slightly. Her expression gradually becameplex


    as well.


    She thought, “This is quite… intense.”


    Samuel texted, [There’s more of that stuff. Let me sort it out and send it over to you.]


    A momentter, Madison received a bunch of photos with mosaic edits.


    The images were heavily blurred, so much so that only Sally’s face could be seen. Nheless, it was


    not difficult to imagine the explosive nature of the content from the details.


    Madison nced through two pictures and hastily closed the folder.


    She thought, “That’s disgusting. Leo didn’t contract that disease from her, did he? It’s so filthy.’


    She sat silently in front of theputer. There was aplete halt in her ability to think effectively.


    It was not until Joe walked in with something in hand from outside that she slightly recovered from her


    daze.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    “Why didn’t you drink the coffee after making it?” he asked.


    Joe ced the thing he was carrying on the table. While he was at it, he touched the rim of the coffee


    cup, from which the aroma of the coffee still wafted.


    90%


    The coffee was still warm. On the te beside it was the toast he made before leaving. Two slices of


    toast were missing.


    Madison got up and poured a ss of water for Joe..


    As she lowered her eyes, she concealed all emotions. “When I woke up and checked the news earlier,


    the scent of angelic bit hiness spilled out from the phone,” she said. “How can I still be in the mood to


    drink coffee?”


    “Cough… Cough. Cough. Cough…”


    Joe had just brought the ss to his mouth. He choked on the sip he took when he heard her words.


    Madison passed over a napkin, feeling apologetic and sorry for Joe.


    Joe waved and soon recovered from choking. “Is there anything you need help with?” he asked.


    He had seen the news on the inte. The situation had escted a lot, so much so that it was hard to


    miss. Besides, his job required him to pay attention to public opinion trends daily.


    “It’s okay,” Madison said as she shook her head. “Thanks, Joe. Samuel has helped me handle it almost


    Joe was expressionless. He forcefully ced the ss on the table.


    “Samuel, that tech recluse, voluntarily helps you deal with trouble, huh?” Joe said. “I thought he’d gone


    mute.”


    “Joe, Madison said.


    She was resigned.


    “Don’t speak of Samuel like that,” she said. “He doesn’t talk much, but he’s terrific.” Had Samuel Daves


    not helped out this time, there was no way the surveince footage of Rose Garden could have been


    restored so quickly if Madison relied on herself.


    Now that the data had been restored, the best refutation of Sally’s statement of feigning innocence was


    to post the video directly online. There would not be a need to exin anything at all.


    Falsity that had been edited could not pass in the face of the truth.


    However…


    Madison suddenly paused. She gave Joe a sheepish smile as she said, “Joe, it seems that I do have a


    little something which I need your help with.”


    “Hmm?” Joe replied.


    His slightly displeased expression suddenly improved.


    “What’s that?” he said. “Tell me.”


    “Samuel helped me recover the video,” Madison said. “You’re the CEO of XR Entertainment. Could you


    lend me two social media ounts from yourpany to help with rification?”


    It was easy to publish a post online to rify, but turning the truth around would be quite a challenge.


    She thought, ‘My older brother is standing right beside me. It will be a waste if I do not curry favor with


    an influential figure like him. Otherwise, I have to spend some money.


    Joe was feeling proud that his help was required. “Just this request?” he said. “Easy peasy!”


    Madison gave a fist bump and said, “Joe, you’re the man!”


    The negative public opinion about Rose Garden peaked after Sally’s post to ‘exin’ things.


    As time passed, more and more people gathered at Rose Garden’s entrance.


    Some could not bear the wait and even started throwing things. If it weren’t for the live media coverage


    on-site and the timely intervention of the police, that century-old signboard would have been brought


    down by people there who each threw one stone at


    it.


    Greg, who was in the car and had rushed to Rose Garden, saw this. He was furious, so much so that


    his brow twitched.


    “Why do these brats smash my signboard out of all things?” he said.


    “Calm down. It’s not smashed. People are watching over it.”


    Joe, who was driving, spoke up tofort Greg. He then nced at Madison, who was still busy in the


    front passenger seat. Harboring the same anger, she said, “I’ll get them to apologize in a while!”


    Greg looked at Madison in great anticipation and said, “Madison, when will we rify things?”


    Tue, 23 Jan


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    Madison closed herptop and said, “Don’t worry, Greg. We’ll sort this out tonight.”


    Greg did not continue speaking, but it was clear he could not rx.


    Those aged eyes remained fixed on the phone, fearing someone with a more vtile temper might


    throw stones at his signboard again.


    He thought, “That’s something passed down from my forefather! Let’s not talk about what it symbolizes


    in the culinary world. Even the carvings on it alone are worth studying. A bunch of whippersnappers!’


    Amidst his deep concern, the car circled past the crowd staring at the entrance of Rose Garden and


    quietly entered through the backyard.


    Justin and the others had received the message. They had long waited in the backyard.


    As soon as the car stopped and before the engine was turned off, a group of people surrounded it.


    “Greg, Madison, what do we do now?”


    The kitchen staff all turned their attention to Greg.


    Greg, under everyone’s gaze, looked toward Madison.


    Madison, who had stepped out of the car, had no intention of exining anything to them. She nced


    at her wristwatch. Her voice was gentle, yet it held the magical power


    to calm one’s nerves.


    “It’s about time,” she said. “Everyone, get ready. Go to the front yard and open the door to wee the


    guests!”


    “Got it!”


    The voices of people talking in unison reached the front yard.


    As the sun set behind the western hills, the voices seemed to reignite the stifling heat that umted


    throughout the day.


    The fans, who had been stopped before, could not hold back any longer. They moved forward, holding


    sticks.


    “Get the owner of Rose Garden toe out and apologize! They’re clearly in there, so


    “Exactly! We demand an exnation. Why should a person we like be treated so poorly by you?”


    “Rose Garden,e out and apologize!”


    Their presence was overwhelming.


    One took the lead, and those behind showed no fear.


    person


    The tall leader had broken through the cordon, holding a stick, and headed straight to smash that old


    signboard.


    “Sir, have you thought this through? If you smash this signboard, it may result in more than just losing


    everything you own. Are you sure you want to do this?”


    As the gate was pulled open, someone spoke. The indifferent tone stopped the man’s


    action.


    Madison stepped out in high heels, her cold gaze locking onto him, suppressing the aggressive


    presence of the people who came forward.


    The man with the stick stared nkly at Madison. He recovered from his daze awkwardly only when


    Joe, who was at her side, coughed twice.


    His confidence was noticeablycking as he said, “We’re just here to demand an exnation. We’ve


    been waiting here for a day. Is it that difficult to get an apology?”


    “Exactly. All we want is an apology. Customers are kings. Your restaurant is such a big establishment.


    There’s no glory in bullying people.”


    The people around instantlypensated for the man’sck of confidence.


    The media on-site directed their live broadcasting equipment toward Madison, waiting only for her


    exnation.


    “Apologizing is, of course, not difficult,” Madison said.


    She took another step forward, standing on the step and looking downward with an air of superiority.


    “But why should one apologize if one is not wrong?” she added.


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