Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xia Ruya was extremely quick to act. She declared her stand on the internet the following day. She expressed her displeasure towards the press and tabloids for insulting her and tarnishing her reputation. She even published a digital copy of the lawyer’s letter that she had sent to the media agencies and tabloids on the internet together with the analysis of her scandal. The lawyers had deemed the comments about her as personal attacks and the culprits would have to face punishment by the law.
The following day, the reputable media agencies and tabloids stopped reporting about Xia Ruya and even issued a public apology.
Xia Ruya’s scandal gradually died down. Although there were still some small tabloids which continued to report about the matter, they dared not do it so brazenly.
Xia Ruya hired a massive number of keyboard warriors and hackers and instructed them to erase all videos and data about her online. Due to the fact that Xia Ruya had threatened to take legal action, the netizens dared not continue circulating the photos and videos on the internet. Soon, Xia Ruya’s scandal began to vanish from the internet.
At the same time, the reports and articles of Xia Ruya providing disaster relief efforts after the Yun Chuan earthquake were circulated around the internet again.
Zhishan Club had also issued a statement online so as to make know their response to claims about Xia Ruya’s status as their member becoming unstable. The statement read: “Status and background have never been criteria for consideration whenever we recruit new members. I hope the public will not jump to conclusions and make assumptions about the Zhishan Club. Every member was recruited after serious and thorough consideration. The areas for consideration include personal character, image, personality, morals, capabilities, as well as their contributions to society. Zhishan Club will stay true to its values and the rumors should only be used as reference. Currently… Xia Ruya has stopped handling the projects that she used to manage because of the scandal. We’ll make other arrangements in due time!”
As soon as their statement was released, everyone stopped spreading rumors about it. After all, Zhishan Club had always enjoyed a good reputation and no one could find fault with their statement at all. Everyone was flabbergasted at the fact that Xia Ruya could join Zhishan Club, for she did not seem worthy of it since she was the illegitimate daughter of the not-so-glorious Xia Family. Besides, she was embroiled in scandals and was not in an advantageous predicament. Yet, there was nothing too wrong about Xia Ruya and she had even managed to prove her innocence with the virginity test report two years ago. Two years later, she again defended her innocence using the law. Her contributions to the Yun Chuan Earthquake disaster relief efforts had also given her a positive image. Zhishan Club had also given everyone an explanation about her scandal.
On the afternoon of that day, Old Mr. Wen published a declaration on the official webpage of Wen Corporation, responding to the string of scandals that involved Wen Xinya, Wen Haowen, and Xia Ruya lately. He said, “My granddaughter Wen Xinya and my adoptive granddaughter Xia Ruya are both going to hold their coming-of-age ceremonies very soon and yet, there have been so many scandals revolving around the Wen Family lately. They’ve caused the Wen Family’s reputation to be stained and the Wen Corporation stock prices to plunge. This has upset me greatly. I hereby… warn all of the scheming masterminds not to get up to any more tricks. The Wen Family’s authority is not to be challenged and we’ll definitely take the necessary actions against this.”
Indeed, experience came with age. The older one was, the more shrewd. Old Mr. Wen had managed to channel the attention of the scandal towards the business feud with just a simple statement. He had also indirectly implied that someone was trying to attack the Wen Family.
His statement was much more effective in clearing things up, as compared to Wen Haowen’s. Not only did he imply that the Wen Family is the victim, but he had also made known the Wen Family’s stand about the matter, and restored the public’s confidence in the Wen Corporation.
Following the release of Old Mr. Wen’s statement, the Wen Corporation’s stock prices began to increase slowly in the afternoon.
Although the statements released by Zhishan Club and Old Mr. Wen seemed to be formal, they were indirectly defending Xia Ruya. Ever since then… no one had dared to openly criticize Xia Ruya.
Xia Ruya held a press conference together with her team of lawyers on that very afternoon.
Xia Ruya had held another press conference on the same day exactly two years ago. However, Xia Ruya had a completely different attitude now.
Two years ago, she was filled with hopelessness, resentment, and agony.
Two years later, she was standing before everyone as a victor, looking down at the people whom she seemed to be high above.
The reporters frantically questioned Xia Ruya while snapping photos of her.
“Miss Xia, two years ago, your nude photos were leaked all over the media and caused your innocence and reputation to be marred. You then used your virginity test report to clear your name and innocence. Yet, your scandal has resurfaced again today. What are your thoughts about this?”
Xia Ruya stared at the reporter calmly with a sparkling glow in her almond-shaped eyes. “In this era, everyone has been embroiled in a scandal or two before. I just hope that the media will report nothing but the truth, and not spread false rumors in order to get more attention. The creation of false news is a very irresponsible act that is unfair to the victim as well as the public.”
Xia Ruya had shifted the responsibility of her scandal to the media.
“Miss Xia, two years ago, you openly declared that you’re a virgin, with your virginity test report as proof. Two years later, you organized yet another press conference at the exact same place. Do you have any reason for doing so?”
Xia Ruya grinned widely like a flower by the cliff, appearing weak and vulnerable yet determined. “There’s a saying that goes, ‘Fall seven times, get up eight.’ Two years ago, I fell here and gave up my reputation for the sake of proving my innocence. Yet, I still couldn’t stop everyone from doubting me. Now, I shall earnestly declare my stand.”
Xia Ruya paused and stared at the reporters who were snapping away in a frenzy.
With a sullen expression on her face, Xia Ruya glanced at the reporters and members of the public and said with a resolute yet tender voice, “I hope the media and tabloids will stop harping on this matter which has caused my reputation to be greatly affected. It has also affected my mental wellbeing negatively. Hence, I will be taking legal action. My lawyer will read the rest of the speech. However, to sum it up, I hereby demand compensation and an apology from the news and media agencies as well as tabloids that were involved in the dissemination of information.”
Everyone broke into commotion while the reporters continued to snap away.
Meanwhile, Xia Ruya’s team of lawyers began reading the documents out loud.
Xia Ruya stared at the rest of the members like a victor.
