Chapter 677 - Unexpected Reversal (Part 2)

The revelations in the program were actually within the expectations of many people, not worth so much discussion. However, shortly after the program ended, a new narrative emerged, steering things in a more chaotic direction.

"I know that bar; many celebrities go there. Some women deliberately go there, waiting for an opportunity. What opportunity? I believe everyone knows in their hearts."

"Beautiful girls, bars, celebrities, wealthy young men, do I need to say more?"

"That's right, those women going there are looking to be drugged, right? Whether it's a celebrity or a rich guy, they won't lose out. Celebrities can offer them coveted roles, and wealthy young men can write them checks!"

"Maybe that woman, after Downey helped her, is still complaining about him meddling. If he hadn't intervened, she might have already received a large sum of money."

"Poor Downey, he may never know that the person he almost sent to jail is cursing him in her heart!"

From somewhere unknown, similar opinions surfaced as if planned. These people portrayed the woman created by Kathy as someone intentionally fishing for a "catch" at the bar, seeking an opportunity to be drugged.

This narrative quickly became the mainstream discussion, leading viewers to adopt the same perspective, believing it was indeed as portrayed. After all, if a girl went alone to a bar, casually chatting with men, dressed so provocatively, could it be just for a friendly chat?

Laila, seeing the new direction, raised her eyebrows in slight surprise. She had indeed arranged for some people to guide public opinion after the program. She knew that the Downey incident had lost its entertainment value after being hyped for a month, and she needed to find another angle to maintain the topic's heat.

Unexpectedly, someone took action right after the program and focused all the attacks on the girl.

Laila speculated that the most likely culprit was the West family. They needed to clear Cole's name, and while changing the established narrative was challenging, shifting public opinion in their favor was still possible. This strategy was particularly effective in influencing the jury.

Clearing Cole's name was difficult, given the video evidence in the program, superior to the bar's surveillance footage, clearly showing all the crucial details. Scenes like the pill dissolving in the drink, creating bubbles, were unnervingly vivid.

Attempting to argue, as in the initial surveillance video, whether Cole had drugged the girl was foolish. The most suitable method to salvage Cole's image was to shift the blame onto the drugged woman. Portraying her as a scheming woman involved in a premeditated transaction could gain sympathy for Cole.

Although sympathy might be challenging, given Cole's tarnished reputation, making people see him as an "innocent man deceived and manipulated" could be beneficial.

"Boss, should we start our plan?" The water army, also confused by the new direction, quickly called her.

"Not for now. Let's see how the wind blows. If it's confirmed that someone is behind this, we'll go with the flow. We don't need to take the lead in this matter."

Regardless of which side deployed the water army to manipulate public opinion, there would be traces. Laila was cautious in such matters, but there might still be slip-ups. Since someone had done what she intended to do, she'd let them handle it.

Moreover, she had to admit that the direction this group found was more controversial and attention-grabbing than what she originally planned. Although it might harm Kathy a bit, what did it matter? Once tomorrow's program aired, the current wave of criticism would settle.

By then, people would only focus on a group of kids who played around with the adults. Who would remember the current accusations?

In fact, she guessed right; the water army was indeed hired by the old West for Cole. No matter how angry, how disappointing his son was, he only had this one son. If his only son were sent to prison, and with such a shameful charge, he wouldn't be able to lift his head anymore.

In such a short time, the family business had already suffered significant losses. If Cole went to jail again, the stocks would probably crash for a while, and soon, the money in his hands would evaporate in the stock market. So, even for his own sake and for the family, he had to help Cole clear his name.

Before the program started, he knew from the preview that this program would expose some new evidence. Although the preview did not reveal what that evidence was, he could guess. The only disputed point was whether Cole had drugged the girl.

In his opinion, the TV station might have obtained conclusive evidence. Thus, the initial point of contention, whether Cole had drugged the girl, lost its grounds. With the help of lawyers, he adopted some people's suggestions to redirect public anger, turning Cole into a pitiable man deceived by someone else.

Downey was not an option; he had been blackened enough before and had no effect in saving Cole. Moreover, after the drugging incident was confirmed, people would admire him for doing a good deed. Thus, Kathy's portrayal of a beautiful woman now became the "undeniable" target.

Only by smearing the woman with mud and throwing her into the dust could Cole be potentially saved.

Therefore, when Old West saw that the program indeed exposed what he expected—Cole drugging the girl—he immediately called to instruct his people to quickly shift public opinion onto the woman. A step later, Cole would become the one everyone pointed fingers at.

This was why, shortly after the program ended, a wave of malicious speculations and attacks on the woman emerged.

Seeing the situation where everyone was turning against the "woman" due to his influence, Old West pointed at the computer screen, satisfied, and taught Cole, "See that? When everyone says you're a villain, just pull out someone even worse."

Cole nodded thoughtfully, recalling when he and Downey were brought out by the media for hype. Initially, people were blaming Downey, but as soon as his name was mentioned, the "fire" turned toward him. So, it was because he was "worse" than Downey?