After Being Betrayed I Married the Glamorous CEO-Chapter 243, Do You Really Think Spreading Rumors Comes Without a Price?!

Chapter 243: Chapter 243, Do You Really Think Spreading Rumors Comes Without a Price?!

At the News Tower.

In the editor-in-chief’s office.

Dressed in a blazer and short skirt, complemented by black stockings, the corporate elite Hu Meng was nonchalantly stirring her steaming coffee. With her right hand, she continuously clicked the mouse, her face alight with joy as she browsed the morning’s news.

Unsurprisingly, the headlines for the past two days were dominated by Lu Feiyan. The video of Sudan Dan lambasting Lu Feiyan had successfully gone viral. It was not only being frantically reposted by major news outlets but was also escalating in intensity.

Hu Meng had no personal grudge against Lu Feiyan; she was simply paid to do a job. It was just Lu Feiyan’s bad luck. Always fond of planning and steering hot topics, Hu Meng had worked through the night to concoct this scheme. Acting as the puppet master, she had catapulted Sudan Dan’s video to instant fame.

It had to be said, as a seasoned industry professional, Hu Meng knew better than anyone how to capture the public’s attention and then guide and intensify their emotions. If all went according to plan, this scheme would become another classic case study by the end of the year, earning her commendations and a special mention from corporate headquarters. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The path to a swift rise through the ranks is once again within my grasp. How can I not be delighted? If not for it being a workday, she would have already planned a celebratory banquet to drink merrily with her subordinates. A happy occasion always lifts the spirits, after all.

"Editor-in-chief Hu, your skills are really shining at the company. You’re in a league of your own."

"Hahaha, when Editor-in-chief Hu makes a move, you know it’s going to be a success. This massive news story is all thanks to our editor-in-chief taking the lead."

A group of subordinates in the office fawned over Hu Meng.

Her face glowing, Hu Meng’s mood grew even more cheerful. Not only had she perfectly executed a job for a client, but she had also brought substantial benefits to her own company. It was like killing two birds with one stone. In this day and age, traffic is money. The Sudan Dan video was her plan, and their company was the one to first release it. The resulting wave of traffic had sent the company’s market value soaring.

"Editor-in-chief Hu, we’re all just waiting for your promotion to Chief Editor Hu in the second half of the year."

"Hahaha, who but our Boss Hu would dare to take that Chief Editor position? It’s a sure bet."

The subordinates continued to suck up to her.

Hu Meng raised her eyebrows and feigned displeasure. "Go on, get out of here. Do you all have nothing to do today? Your mouths are dripping with honey."

The group shared a knowing laugh.

"You know, Lu Feiyan is truly unlucky. Just as she was on the cusp of superstardom, before she could even solidify her position, she came crashing down from her pedestal."

"What does this show us? It shows that for any artist, regardless of their backing or resources, their fame depends on us, the media."

"We are the ones who hold the power of life and death. No matter how much momentum you have, if you offend the wrong people, we can ruin your reputation with the simple stroke of a pen."

Based on how things were developing, if they fanned the flames a bit more today, Lu Feiyan’s hopes of a comeback would be virtually impossible. She might even be nailed to the pillar of shame for the rest of her life.

What a waste. She was a new-generation singer with outstanding talent and looks who could have been an overnight sensation. Now, she was covered in so much filth that nothing could wash her clean.

Hu Meng tapped her index finger on the desk, a placid, faint smile playing on her lips. She was pondering whether to add more fuel to the fire today and drive Lu Feiyan out of the entertainment industry for good.

For a newcomer to debut without first paying respects to the various media outlets... does she really not know who holds her livelihood in their hands?

KNOCK, KNOCK.

Just then, a series of urgent knocks came from the door.

"What is it?" Hu Meng asked, puzzled.

"Editor-in-chief Hu, someone is here to see you."

BANG!

Before Hu Meng could grant permission or ask if they had an appointment, the office door was slammed open. The jarring sound made everyone’s heart leap.

"Who is it? What are you doing?" Hu Meng erupted in fury. Someone dared to act so recklessly in her office.

Then, she saw a familiar figure: Shen Fanyun. This was the man who had slapped her several times in front of Su Xiyang’s building—a humiliation Hu Meng never wanted to experience again.

Afterward, she had wanted to retaliate, but alas, the man seemed to have a significant background, and Hu Meng hadn’t dared to make a rash move. As time went on, she had almost forgotten the little incident. Now that they were face-to-face, the animosity was palpable, and it inevitably dredged up the nightmare Hu Meng had experienced. She recoiled slightly, her expression unnatural.

"Why is it you?" Hu Meng’s hair stood on end. She had already witnessed Shen Fanyun’s crude behavior and vicious methods. For him to show up out of the blue... have I offended him again somehow? This is outrageous, barging in here like this! Does he think the News Tower is some public market where he can come and go as he pleases?

In all her years in Hangcheng City, Hu Meng had never met such a lawless, uncultured man!

"Editor-in-chief Hu, long time no see." Shen Fanyun stood with his hands behind his back, flashing a brilliant white smile as he greeted her.

"Who are you? How dare you act so boldly in here? Do you have a death wish?" one of Hu Meng’s subordinates exclaimed, stepping forward and pointing at Shen Fanyun. "Get security in here immediately!"

Zhan Feng lashed out with a kick, sending the subordinate flying several meters away. "This doesn’t concern you. Stay out of it."

Hu Meng was left speechless.

The others in the office were stunned into silence.

Their intentions were clearly hostile.

"What... what on earth do you want?" Hu Meng ground her teeth, feeling deeply aggrieved.

The last time they met, Shen Fanyun had slapped her in front of a crowd of people. She hadn’t even gotten her revenge, and now here he was again, like a persistent ghost. Does he really think I’m that easy to bully?

Hu Meng shot to her feet, her right hand gripping her coffee spoon so tightly it betrayed her extreme agitation.

"I... I haven’t provoked you recently, have I?" Hu Meng asked, her face cold as she enunciated each word.

"Indeed, you have not," Shen Fanyun replied. "However, a friend of mine seems to have gotten entangled with you recently. I’ve come to ask you, Editor-in-chief Hu, if there’s any truth to that."

Shen Fanyun shrugged, sat down on the office sofa, and gestured for Zhan Feng to make him a cup of coffee.

Everyone was bewildered. This guy really makes himself at home, doesn’t he?

"Who is this guy, acting so arrogant? Does he think he owns the place? This is a bit much," a subordinate muttered, glancing at Hu Meng.

Hu Meng pressed her hands on her desk, her lips sealed in silence.

Shen Fanyun continued, "There’s another friend of yours who didn’t come up. She’s in the trunk of my car right now. I imagine you’re too busy to go down and greet her personally."

Zhan Feng, understanding his cue, took out his phone and showed it to Hu Meng. It was a photo of Sudan Dan, bound and stuffed into a car trunk.

Sudan Dan? In an instant, Hu Meng’s hair stood on end. What is going on? Why on earth has Shen Fanyun tied up Sudan Dan?

"Recognize her?" Zhan Feng smiled.

Hu Meng immediately denied it. "I don’t recognize her. I’ve never seen this person before. I truly don’t."

Shen Fanyun gave a faint smile. "But she says she knows you. In fact, she said she did you a big favor."

Hu Meng fell silent.

"Th-that’s impossible. Perhaps... perhaps I’ve crossed paths with her, but I’m an incredibly busy woman. As someone in the news industry, I meet countless people. It’s possible... it’s possible the girl is making it all up."

The implication was that Sudan Dan was trying to frame her, and that they had no real connection.

"Are you sure?" Shen Fanyun asked with a smile.

Hu Meng’s expression turned cold and severe. "Do I need to explain myself so clearly to you? And another thing, you trespassed in my office. Believe me, I can call the police right now."

"Go ahead and call the police," Shen Fanyun said indifferently. "It’ll save me the trouble of taking you with me."

He casually took out his phone and dialed a number. A moment later, a clear vibration sounded from inside Hu Meng’s desk drawer. Shen Fanyun hung up, waited two seconds, and dialed again. The vibration sounded once more.

Hu Meng was speechless.

She glared daggers at Shen Fanyun, grinding her teeth in frustration.

"That’s Sudan Dan’s phone," Shen Fanyun explained.

"What does that prove?" Hu Meng furrowed her brow, trying to brush it off. "Maybe I met her at some event. Based on professional courtesy, we exchanged numbers. Is there a problem with that?"

Shen Fanyun remained silent. He opened the messaging app on Sudan Dan’s phone, revealing the chat history with Hu Meng. It contained a complete record of her directing Sudan Dan on how to produce the video.

"You know, for a woman who’s so clever, you can be remarkably foolish," Shen Fanyun said, shaking his head. To discuss such shady dealings so openly over text messages. Now, look. All the evidence has been perfectly preserved.

"You’re not going to tell me that the person chatting with Sudan Dan and arranging the video production wasn’t you, are you?" Shen Fanyun initiated a video call to the number. He then added, "Why don’t you take a moment to think? Think of another excuse you can use to fool me. For instance, that you were possessed, and someone else used your account to communicate with Sudan Dan?"

Hu Meng was speechless.

"This matter doesn’t seem to concern you, does it?" Hu Meng asked tentatively, forcing herself to calm down.

"I’d rather not answer that question right now." Shen Fanyun crossed his legs and countered, "I’d like to know, though. Fabricating false information, slandering others with baseless accusations, and causing major social repercussions... what’s the prison sentence for that? Oh, right, you’re an industry insider, an expert in this field." He tapped his temple. "And knowingly breaking the law means the crime is all the more severe, doesn’t it?"

Hu Meng was speechless.

Her eyelid suddenly twitched. If this got out, she would definitely face legal charges.

"This has nothing to do with you, so stop with the alarmist talk," Hu Meng said, her lips twitching as she forced a smile and quickly contacted her direct superior.