Chapter 227 A Chorus of Condemnations
Public opinion was boiling over, with netizens universally condemning Tiffany's Counseling Room. Some even claimed that the practice was a sham and that the concerned doctor lacked a proper license and had been exploiting his position to harass numerous young female patients.
Tiffany's Counseling Room was struck by public outcry, unable to maneuver. Their PR efforts were failing, and continuous statements to appease the public did nothing to quell the storm.
Tiffany's funding proposal was sent back, her application to go public was rejected, and even patients who had originally scheduled appointments were entirely canceled.
There she was, alone in her office, her eyes reddened from staring at the scornful comments plastered across her computer screen.
"Sophia! I refuse to lose!"
Tiffany grabbed her phone and dialed a few numbers.
"Hey, Mr. Lewis, it's Tiffany. Yes, Gabriel often mentions you..."
"Mr. Black, yes, I'm Gabriel's girlfriend. Our wedding? It's soon, and we'll certainly invite you to celebrate..."
Overnight, things changed. When Sophia checked her phone the next morning, all trending searches about Tiffany's Counseling Room had been pulled, and any new comments regarding the clinic were being automatically blocked.
Huh? Did Gabriel intervene?
Users had noticed that discussing the Tiffany's Counseling Room incident on any social media platform would lead to account suspensions.
Tiffany's Counseling Room issued a statement, essentially conveying, "We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. We're not afraid of facing the issue. If the Jones family wishes to sue us, we're ready to respond. Regarding the psychologist in question, we had dismissed him long ago. The current one only resembles the previous."
Just as Sophia finished reading, she received a panicked call from Mrs. Jones
"They've come to us."
"How many people?" Sophia asked quickly.
"Two men, they seem like lawyers."
Sophia let out a sigh of relief, "If they're there for a private settlement, have them talk to Lawyer Green."
"What should we do next?"
Sophia knew there would be no private settlement this time; otherwise, they wouldn't have filed another lawsuit.
"I have a piece of crucial evidence, but it will be very upsetting for you both. Do you still want to see it?" Sophia felt that Mr. and Mrs. Jones had the right to know what their daughter had been through.
The other end of the line was silent for several seconds before Sophia heard Scarlett's resolute voice.
"We'll see it!"
"All right, I'll have my lawyer bring it over to you," Sophia confirmed.
In her spare time, Sophia made a trip to the law firm to hand over the evidence on a USB drive to the lawyer. The lawyer was shocked upon seeing it and couldn't help but inwardly click his tongue in astonishment.
Was this even human?
The media coverage had been suppressed, and to stir things up again, the video would have to be leaked. But Sophia didn't want to do that.
It would be too heartbreaking for Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and it would drag more girls down.
Sophia wanted to take down Tiffany, but she wasn't going to resort to just any means.
That would make her no different from people like Tiffany.
...
Today, Madam Lancaster was finally getting discharged from the hospital. Sophia arrived with a bouquet to pick up the lady of honor.
She had promised to be there and couldn't go back on her word.
Gabriel had arrived early at the hospital to complete the discharge process. The madam sat in her wheelchair looking quite energetic.
Betty had packed everything up.
"Ma'am, all your things are packed," she said.
"Take them to the car, please."
Betty left first, and Sophia approached to push the wheelchair.
"Grandma, let me push you."
"All right," the old lady responded, pleased. After such a long stay in the hospital, she was glad to be leaving.
Once discharged, she had plenty of things to attend to.
"Sophia, have you heard about what's been going on with Tiffany's Counseling Room the past few days?"
Sophia knew that Tiffany had founded the Counseling Room and that it wouldn't have been possible without Gabriel's help. The elderly lady felt pleasure when the facility took a hit and faced public backlash, but when the criticism suddenly stopped, as did her joy.
"Yeah, it's been all over the internet."
The old lady asked, "Do you think it's true?"
"It seems so. There's compelling evidence."
"I think so too. Tiffany always has ill intentions and crooked schemes. Troubles with her center were bound to happen."
The old lady thought she needed to warn Gabriel not to get involved in this mess.
"Could you contact this couple for me? I'd like to donate some money to support their lawsuit," she said.
Sophia hesitated, tempted to tell the old lady that it was she who was assisting the Jones Family, but ultimately, she stayed silent.
"All right," Sophia reluctantly agreed.
Sophia wheeled Madam Lancaster to the parking lot and helped her into the car.
"Come on in," Madam Lancaster beckoned her.
Sophia hesitated, "Grandma..."
"What's wrong? Just because I've been discharged, it seems like you don't want to see me anymore. But you promised to pick me up; so that means you will stay with me until we get home."
It was clear that the old lady wanted her to go back to the old family house.
Sophia never thought she'd return, but considering the old lady lived there, a visit was inevitable.
Though Sophia found her grandma's stubbornness exasperating, she eventually got into the car.
Moments later, Gabriel finished the paperwork and, noticing Sophia inside, paused briefly before getting in.
The stretch limo was lavishly decorated, a cocoon of comfort against the biting March chill.
Gabriel sat in silence on the other side while Madam Lancaster chatted away with Sophia, holding her hand.
Suddenly, Madam Lancaster turned to Gabriel. "Gabriel, did you have something to do with the Tiffany Counseling Center issue?"
A stoic expression rested on Gabriel's handsome face. "No."
Sophia was inwardly astonished. How could Gabriel not be involved?
She was utterly unconvinced.
If it wasn't for Gabriel, who else could've suppressed the trending topic so quickly, blocking all discussions overnight?
Madam Lancaster probed further, "Then why has everyone stopped talking about it? They say their accounts will be 'blown up.' What does that mean?"
The question was directed at Sophia.
"It means their accounts get banned."
Madam Lancaster huffed, "Such a big move. If you didn't do it, does Tiffany have another sugar daddy?"
Gabriel held his forehead in frustration, "Grandma!"
Madam Lancaster pressed, "Are you not her benefactor? Weren't you the one who set up the Tiffany Counseling Center? And those designer bags, expensive jewelry, did you not buy those for her?"
Gabriel remained silent.
Sophia turned her head away, a faint smirk forming on her lips; she always enjoyed seeing Gabriel caught off guard.
He glanced over, catching the restrained amusement on her face, which sent an unexpected jolt through his heart. He felt a touch of annoyance mixed with relief.
The old mansion still looked as she remembered. The saplings they had planted had grown into large trees, and the flowerbed she had nurtured was well maintained. The fish pond, which had replaced the swimming pool, still existed, although its inhabitants had been replaced several times.
She surmised the pool must be cursed. It was never meant for keeping fish.
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