Date The CEO.com

Chapter 137: Knights in Pullovers

"What the hell" Andie muttered. 

It was a wholesome scene. How could someone still find fault in it? It didn't take long for others to catch on. The comments soon became a mix of both positives and negatives. The tides clashed in real time right before her eyes.

.

``insert username: Idk about you guys but this sounds like a good story. Is it available online?``

``Meiha Natsu: Omfg. Can you all get over it? Mikael already said what really happened.``

``thatretrohair: But Miss Evangeline is silent. She is ignoring the problem! That's a sign of guilt!``

``insert username: And why would she owe you any attention? You're the one bothering her.``

``demkissablelips: She can't defend herself because she knows it's true! She probably bribed Mikael into it!``

``Meiha Natsu: Who dares say Mikael can be bribed just like that?!``

.

Cale did his best not to groan. If he had, he knew that the mic would pick it up. He pulled the phone as far away as his arm could possibly do. Then, he leaned his head closer to Andie's ear. His voice lowered to a bare whisper.

"I know we're somewhat using this for Evangeline's sake but this is getting ridiculous."

Andie couldn't agree more. This campaign was actually free. Evangeline's knowledge and praise about the baked goods impressed the owner, believing this was out of genuine interest. It wasn't entirely wrong though. Eve did want to use this current attention to bring publicity to the bakery.

This class was just the right time to do it. 

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. 

Andie observed as more waves crashed into the live stream. Eve continued her story, fully focusing on entertaining the children. Laughter filled the air as she moved on to the next adventure.

"Hello?" Andie greeted.

"Babe. Check Twittah." Jarrett spoke through the phone. 

She had a feeling what this could be about. Clicking her tongue, she said, "Would this happen to be about how good Evangeline is at making up stories?"

"How did you"

"Hold on. I'm checking it right now."

Boiling rage rushed into her veins. These people really loved to test her patience. She logged into the app, already knowing where the eye of the storm would be. Her recent rampage on the site proved it as much. There was one account who was on top of everything. With each new development, she was the first one to react.

Andie wondered if the person even had a life.

.

``radiantblueeyes: So, Evangeline is making up stories right now. Why are ya'll so surprised? This is clearly her hobby. First, she made us all believe that she had an affair with Mikael. Now, it was all fake? Nice try, Ms. Reed! But we're not fooled!``

.

Andie saw red. 

Her hands shook as she typed out a response. Her breathing became labored. These people were grasping at straws. The worst part was others actually believed them. It sickened her how a person of influence overpowered her own.

But, that wasn't enough reason to stop fighting.

.

``NDdgaf: The only person here fabricating stories is you. Evangeline hasn't uttered a single word since this scandal happened. How is her storytelling related to her alleged 'affair'? Those fanfictions weren't written by her. Those articles weren't either. You might want to look in a mirror, sweetie.``

.

She gripped the phone tightly. Her fingers squeezed until their tips dug into her palms. She feared that if she didn't hold on to it enough, it would fly off to the floor. Her hands itched to break somethingideally, a bitch's face.

A notification ping reached her ears.

.

``radiantblueeyes: Well, well. If it isn't Evangeline's minion. Came here to rant some more? Boohoo! By all means, rant away. We both know it's not healthy to keep it balled up inside.``

``NDdgaf: Is that why I hear you whining? Oh, alright. Don't cry, sweetie. I'll be more patient with you. If you have another theory that Evangeline actually managed to manipulate this whole thing, by all means, provide me the evidence. Quit barking if you can't.``

``radiantblueeyes: Are you physically disabled that you can't search it up yourself? Look around, sweet-tea. Evidence is everywhere.``

``NDdgaf: You mean news sources that are merely speculating the whole situation? None of them have the evidence so no one bluntly claimed what you said because they want to keep their jobs.``

``radiantblueeyes: Anyone with a brain can see through these lies. Evangeline isn't exactly qualified to be an actress.``

.

Andie marched straight for the kitchen. The staff all turned their heads towards her. She ignored them and pressed her face against her apron. Her yells came out muffledbut she had used every last drop of breath in her lungs.

"For."

"Fuck's."

"Sake!"

"When. Will. It. End!"

Straightening her spine, her foot kicked the air.

"Woah, Andie! Calm down!" Shie, the owner, instructed as she approached her assistant baker. She took a quick glance of the crowd before shifting her attention back to Andie. "What's the matter? Do you need any help?"

Andie raised her phone behind her ear. She had her eyes closed while her eyebrows scrunched together. The back of the mobile device faced the floor. Maybe if she got rid of it, her frustrations and annoyance would go away. She couldn't take any more of it.

How did Eve deal with this tomfoolery?

"I'm fine, Ms. Shie," Andie breathed out, trying to slow down her heartbeat. "I might need to be off social media for the rest of the day though. Its existence is currently disrupting my peace of mind."

Her hand clenched into a fist and slammed against the nearby counter. She craned her neck, rumbling some more. "Ugh, why can't I just forget it like Evangeline did? Why am I even doing this when the person I am defending doesn't care as much?"

Shie thought about her reply for a moment. "I can't say that she doesn't care but I agree that you need to be off your phone for the day. "Give it to me, now."

"Wait, wait!" Andie protested with her hands raised in surrender. "Can I have one last look please? I sort of left someone hanging. I promise that this is the last. You can even snatch away from me after a few minutes."

Shie regarded her carefully. Once her assistant baker started, it was almost impossible to make her stop. It didn't matter if it was a Twittah or one hundred overnight cupcakes, Andie gave it her all especially if they posed as a challenge.

She sighed, holding up her index finger. "Fine, but only ten minutes. Don't complain when I suddenly take away your phone while in the middle of something. Understand?"

"Fingers crossed!"

Andie unlocked the screen, a wide smile displayed on her face. Different possible responses echoed in her head. The one she'd chose would determine the course of their conversation. This would also be her last words until hours later.

She wanted the most savage response possible.

But when she found the thread, someone else had already taken her place.

.

``sourcandy: Beware of @radiantblueeyes``

``radiantblueeyes: And who are you supposed to be?``

``sourcandy: If you want credible sources, @radiantblueeyes's profile is the last place you'll find one. She hadn't said one nice thing about Evangeline Reed since the start of her account whic makes her opinions heavily biased. The user is only disguised as a Mikael Davis fan account but its existence only has this sole purpose. *attached are multiple screenshots of chirps*``

``radiantblueeyes: Excuse me??? Are you saying that I'm a fake Mikael Davis fan?``

``sourcandy: Are you not? If you are a true fan, would you believe that your idol is lying? Wouldn't you support him instead? Your words contradict his. What does that make you then?``

.

"How's that?" 

Richard took the phone and held it up to his eye level, rereading the chirp. "Much better than the first one. You're getting there. There's still some formality but, in this case, that might be a good thing. You clearly sound more mature and calm than the other party."

Ambryan nodded in understanding. His first composition had been rejected. He had used jargons and words commonly found in his emails. Richard immediately rephrased the entire chirp, deeming it too serious. 

It was such an Ambryan Hathaway thing to say.

This whole idea would get thrown in the dumpster if they kept it.

After all, the key was to be discreet.

"So" Richard drawled, pressing his lips together. He swung his golf club in one hand as if it was a baton. The air seemed fresher than earlier. What had changed in the scenery? Or maybe it was him that changed?

Or maybe it was both?

Ambryan quirked an eyebrow. "So?"

"Aren't you going to praise me?" Richard beamed. Giddiness fluttered in his chest. He had done his best friend a favor and he knew it. 

"For what exactly?"

"Aw, come on!" He wailed, hitting Ambryan's torso with the back of his free hand. "I totally helped you out! You were sulking that you couldn't help but here you are! If I hadn't told you to make an account, you'd still be down in the dumps."

Ambryan stayed silent. He still felt odd about the whole ordeal. He hadn't sent anything on social media before. It was a first-hand experience on how a username provided a veil over his true identity. 

He found it somewhat liberating, understanding the appeal.

Then, his phone vibrated with a notification.

.

``NDdgaf: @sourcandy, you're so right! Glad someone else noticed!``