My Ex-Wife Is A Big Shot In Disguise novel 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 surveillance footage of that woman's car accident and her hospital medical record. Take a look at it. If you need anything else, just hit me up.]

Another document landed in the email inbox.

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

After reading it, her pupils dilated slightly. Her expression gradually became complex 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 moment later, 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. Nonetheless, it was not difficult to imagine the explosive nature of the content from the details.

Madison glanced 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 the computer. There was a complete 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.

"Why didn't you drink the coffee after making it?" he asked.

Joe placed 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.

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

Madison got up and poured a glass 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 bitchiness 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 glass 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 internet. The situation had escalated 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 completely."

Joe was expressionless. He forcefully placed the glass 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 surveillance 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 explain 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 accounts from your company to help with clarification?"

It was easy to publish a post online to clarify, 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 'explain' 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 to comfort Greg. He then glanced 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 clarify things?"

Madison closed her laptop and said, "Don't worry, Greg. We'll sort this out tonight."

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

Those aged eyes remained fixed on the phone, fearing someone with a more volatile 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 explaining anything to them. She glanced 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 welcome 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 accumulated 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 to come out and apologize! They're clearly in there, so come out!"

"Exactly! We demand an explanation. Why should a person we like be treated so poorly by you?"

"Rose Garden, come out and apologize!"

Their presence was overwhelming.

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

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 blankly at Madison. He recovered from his daze awkwardly only when Joe, who was at her side, coughed twice.

His confidence was noticeably lacking as he said, "We're just here to demand an explanation. 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 instantly compensated for the man's lack of confidence.

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

"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.