Carl spared no mercy in fabricating any sort of tall tales that he deemed capable of threatening Larry and Norton Corporation.
For a time, Carl’s name resounded throughout Marsingfill. Everyone wanted to know whether this insignificant commoner could bring down the local legend, Norton Corporation, to its knees, causing the company to fall into disrepute or even bankruptcy.
Carl found himself riding on the crest of success. Norton Corporation’s inaction made him believe that they dared not show their faces because they simply could not produce corresponding evidence. Therefore, his words became bolder in front of the journalists, his ego getting the better of him.
He also called Gabriella numerous times, asking when she would marry him.
Gabriella told him that they were currently at a crucial point in time and warned him not to keep calling her so as not to risk exposure.
But Carl would not listen. He even swore that he would reveal everything to the press if Gabriella went back on her word.
Left without a choice, Gabriella appeased him by saying that the Ward family was still recovering from the major blow dealt by the Norton family. It would take some time for the Wards to get back on their feet, but once they did, she would marry him immediately.
Carl happily agreed. Now all I have to do is wait for Norton Corporation to declare bankruptcy due to overwhelming debts.
At the same time, there was also a large number of journalists and media representatives who wanted to interview Larry and Joan, hoping that they could provide some reasonable explanation for their current predicament.
But they were disappointed as Larry and Joan rejected all forms of interviews. Even when rumors were flying everywhere, they chose to ignore the chaos.
As the farce continued to fester and the rumors soared to new heights, Larry and Norton Corporation finally took action. He declared his willingness to accept interviews from the press.
When the journalists got wind of his announcement, they flocked to Norton Corporation immediately. All of them wanted to witness how Norton Corporation intended to resolve the crisis.
After he had attracted enough attention, Larry moved on to the next step. He signaled the journalists to quiet down, and then he played a recording.
“Carl, now that we have come to this stage of our plan, do you think you can still turn back? You should know that everything you do is based on your claim as a victim. That’s why the Norton family dares not mess with you. When this whole issue is done and dusted, I’ll tell my father all about us, and then we’ll get married!”
They heard a woman’s voice in the recording.
The journalists scratched their heads when they heard that Larry was going to play a recording for them. You’re neither providing any explanation nor allowing us to interview you. Instead, you let us listen to a recording. What’s the meaning of this?
However, after they listened carefully to the recording, they began to understand.
What Larry wanted to convey to the press was that the entire commotion had been directed by Carl and the woman in the recording.
But what could be proven from a single tape?
Soon, the journalists began to raise questions.
“Mr. Norton, I don’t know what you’re trying to tell us by playing that tape. I don’t think we can get any substantive information from it.”
“Let’s not rush things. This is merely the tip of the iceberg,” Larry assured them.
“The woman in the recording is Gabriella. You all should know by now that, some time ago, Gabriella was the one who accused Joan of being my mistress and even pretended to be my fiancée.”
Before the reporters could respond, Larry continued, “Gabriella has always held a grudge against me and Joan, my fiancée. That was why she directed this sham. “She colluded with Carl, who approached Joan on purpose and had someone take photos of the two of them that seemed intimate. She then framed Norton Corporation, accusing me of threatening Carl and sabotaging his relationship with Joan.
“But in fact, Carl and Joan never knew each other. In fact, he was the one who arranged for someone to take candid photos of their initial meeting. “Besides, you can’t piece a whole story together just by looking at these photos, can you? Don’t simply buy into Carl’s one-sided statements.”
“Mr. Norton, you’re telling us not to believe Carl’s side of the story. But how do you expect us to believe that you’re telling the truth? The evidence you have so far is merely a recording from an unknown source.” One of the journalists raised his suspicion.
