Chapter 39

Victoria's Instagram followers were blowing up fast.

These days, attention was everything, and Victoria's follower count shot past a million in no time.

But, of course, there were still plenty of haters.

[Who do you think you are? Who knows if you're just making stuff up.]

[Don't think spinning a story will clear your name. You're just a bad person.]

But some folks had her back too.

[Imagination Realm University isn't easy to get into. Getting accepted means she's got talent. Sometimes, in art, raw talent can beat formal training.]

[Maybe we should really think it over and not be so quick to judge.]

While the internet was buzzing about Victoria's video, Irvin-who had previously questioned the fairness of Victoria's success-posted his own video the next day to set the record straight.

Victoria had called him for help, expecting a no. But to her surprise, Irvin agreed right away.

He said he felt bad for misunderstanding her before and now wanted to help.

In his video, Irvin said, "Hey everyone, I'm Irvin. I graduated from the University of Aesthetics Shine and interned with Victoria. When I found out I lost to her, I publicly questioned how a high school student could beat me. I couldn't accept it, thinking that as a top graduate from the University of Aesthetics Shine, how could I lose to someone with just a high school education? But later, I reviewed all the scores given by our trainers. I had to admit that while Victoria's professional skills might not surpass mine, she is diligent, earnest, and attentive to customers. In practical terms, she is indeed better than us so-called top graduates. More importantly, she has a unique appreciation and aesthetic for art that hasn't been shaped by academic systems. Losing to her is not a loss. I admit my talent is not as good as hers, and there's no shame in that. I will learn from this and work harder in the future. Please stop attacking Victoria. She earned this job through hard work, not shortcuts."

After his video, more people started believing in Victoria, especially young folks who had made it on their own.

Ella was fuming when she saw the public opinion shifting towards Victoria.

Ella had gone to great lengths to ruin Victoria's reputation.

But now, Irvin had stepped in and turned things around.

Ella thought, 'What kind of power does she have to make so many people want to help her? And that Lyra, she's so useless, not providing any decisive evidence, no wonder she lost to Victoria.'

If Ella weren't afraid that William might discover her actions, she wouldn't have had to rely on Lyra.

Ella absolutely couldn't let Victoria clear her name.

Thinking of this, Ella remembered someone and a cold smile appeared on her lips.

She thought to herself, 'Victoria, this time I will make sure you are utterly disgraced!'

She then took out her phone and made a call.

Meanwhile, Wendy called Victoria, happily informing her that more and more people were believing in her.

And the media and onlookers around Starry Studio Gallery had significantly decreased. In a few days, Victoria might be able to work normally again.

Hearing the news, Victoria was over the moon. After hanging up, she felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders.

She'd been stressing about getting kicked out of Starry Studio Gallery. But she never saw it coming when Bobby posted an apology video on her behalf, apologizing to the interns who got cut.

While the video was presented as an apology, it was, in fact, a veiled confession that her position had been secured through backroom dealings.

After watching the video, Victoria was shaking with anger.

Bobby had totally stabbed her in the back, making her look even worse!

Nora tricked her into going to the factory for money, and Bobby slandered her for cash, leading to her being cyberbullied.

Such was her family!

Victoria's face went pale as she watched the internet explode with insults again.

[Even your own brother is testifying against you. What else do you have to say? You're a morally corrupt woman, using despicable means to get ahead, pretending to be innocent. Your acting is really convincing!]

[Do you think making a video can clear your name? You're a hypocrite, deceiving everyone from the start. People like you should be condemned by society and never escape your crimes.]

[Artistic pursuits and hard work? It's all a sham! You're just a manipulative woman using your looks to get ahead, treating us all like fools.]

[And that Irvin, he must be bewitched by Victoria's beauty to speak for her. So what if he graduated from the University of Aesthetics Shine? He was still seduced by this promiscuous woman.]

[Irvin isn't a good person either. Maybe he has an improper relationship with Victoria. Chasing after beauty and lacking principles-someone like that doesn't deserve to be an artist.]

Some radical people even went to Starry Studio Gallery to protest, demanding Victoria be fired.

Even the house Victoria rented got vandalized with red paint, with nasty words written all over it.

Irvin's internship place was also getting harassed, making things tough for him too.

Victoria felt like she was being pushed to the edge.

William's eyes were dark as he looked at the growing wave of insults and slander against Victoria online, his brows furrowed.

Seeing this, Harry softly reminded him, "Mr. Scott, should we step in? If this keeps up, Ms. Carter might not be able to handle it."

William pressed his lips together, his expression grim.

He thought, 'This Victoria is really something. Even after all this bullying, she never thought of asking me for help.'

William had underestimated her pride and resilience.

Seeing William unmoved, Harry tried again, "Hugo has already given Diana an ultimatum. If Victoria can't clear her name, no matter how much Diana speaks for her, she must be fired. Although we are the second-largest shareholder, we don't have actual management rights and can't change Hugo's decision. Do you still want to wait?"

William lowered his gaze, his long fingers tapping the table rhythmically.

After a moment, he looked up at Harry, his tone cold. "Well. I can't let her be bullied forever. Go find someone to handle this immediately and make sure to suppress the trending topics."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, took out his phone, and was about to contact the PR department. His finger swiped across the phone, and he suddenly paused.

He hesitated, looking at William, wanting to say something but stopping.