Chapter 282 Your CEO Ran Off with the Money!
These people's appearance immediately threw the scene into chaos.
Security quickly arrived to stop them.
Soon, order was restored.
Not far away, Sandra saw this and smiled coldly.
Everything was going as she had planned.
Although the disturbance lasted only a few seconds, it was still broadcasted live, seen by people in front of their TVs and online!
Seeing this, everyone started commenting, "Maple Real Estate is just a bloodsucking capitalist; even the public is causing a scene! Serves them right!"
"Such a trash company should just die. They are useless to society!"
"Those security guards are heartless, why stop the crowd? They should let them go up and beat the Maple Real Estate people to death!"
"I've been saying they're heartless developers, but you didn't believe me. Now you see it, right?"
The online criticism was relentless before the event even started.
Sophia and others sat at the speaker's table.
Today, she looked very tired; the impact on Maple Real Estate had put her under immense pressure.
But three days ago, Ryder suddenly disappeared, and she immediately contacted Scott abroad.
However, there was still no news.
If Maple Real Estate were to collapse under her watch while Ryder was away, how could she explain it?
Shortly after she sat down, a short-haired female reporter with glasses raised her hand and asked, "I want to ask, Ms. Anderson. Does Maple Real Estate currently have plans to compensate consumers for their losses?"
Sophia frowned slightly. "What compensation?"
The female reporter replid, "Of course, for the customers who previously had issues with Maple Real Estate properties. Moreover, in the public's eyes, not only should these customers be compensated, but the entire community should receive substantial compensation. This is the social responsibility a big company should bear!"
Sophia's pupils contracted; this reporter clearly wasn't here for a normal interview but was deliberately targeting Maple Real Estate.
Thus, she responded calmly, "Whether compensation is involved and how much will be discussed internally. Next question, please."
As soon as she finished, a young male reporter raised his hand and asked harshly, "Do you have any conscience at all? According to investigations, your company has repeatedly delayed paying workers' wages, ruining several families. To this day, you haven't responded to this. Why?"
This statement caused a stir below.
"The policy has been cracking down on wage arrears, but Maple Real Estate still dares to do this. It's truly vicious!"
"Is this the behavior of Houston's leading real estate company? It's infuriating!"
"This matter must be pursued to the end; Maple Real Estate can't be let off!"
Listening to the condemnation below, Sophia took a deep breath.
She responded to the reporter, "First of all, I want to state that Maple Real Estate has never delayed paying workers' wages. Where did you get your so-called investigation? What is your evidence? As a reporter at a press conference, what is your purpose in fabricating facts?"
Facing the question, the male reporter smiled coldly as he took out his phone. "Since you want evidence, let me show everyone!"
Then, he played a video on his phone.
The video showed an interview with an honest-looking worker, who was crying and talking about his family's difficulties. He had a 70-year-old mother paralyzed in bed and two 10-year-old children. They had no money to live and had to beg on the streets!
The reason was that this worker had been working at a Maple Real Estate construction site for over six months without receiving a single penny. When he asked for his wages, he was beaten up!
Not only him, but other workers were also owed wages and were refused payment.
Now, they were considering selling their organs to make money to support their families.
After interviewing the worker, the video also showed his dilapidated house, highlighting his family's extreme poverty.
At this moment, the reporters' cameras were filming the video on the male reporter's phone!
Naturally, it was broadcast live.
For the worker's plight in the video, people felt not only sympathy but also anger!
They shared the video online, on TikTok.
They condemned Maple Real Estate!
Some even called the hotline to report the company's actions.
Seeing this, the Johnsons in the audience all had gloating smiles.
Everything was going according to their plan.
In such situations, sometimes the truth didn't matter; what mattered was stirring up the crowd's emotions. If you could manipulate the crowd, you could achieve any goal!
Deceiving the public's judgment was that simple.
At this moment, Sophia's forehead was already covered in sweat.
Before coming today, she guessed that this press conference would be tough, but it was difficult beyond her expectations.
She had been in the business world for a long time; how could she not know that someone was manipulating things behind the scenes?
But so what?
She had no evidence, and Maple Real Estate was currently facing negative public opinion.
No matter how much she explained, no one would believe her; instead, they'd think she was lying and evading responsibility.
The only chance now was to buy time.
The press conference was scheduled for one hour; if she could drag it out, there was still a chance.
Thus, she responded, "Regarding the video's authenticity and the identity of the workers involved, we will hold a meeting to investigate and will definitely give everyone a satisfactory explanation."
After saying this, she put down the microphone.
No matter how much the audience discussed the issue of wage arrears, she did not respond.
Clearly, the reporters wanted to continue targeting Maple Real Estate on this issue, but they couldn't succeed for the time being.
Moreover, they could also see that Sophia was deliberately stalling for time.
At that moment, Sandra's eyes flashed sinisterly. She adjusted her clothes, stood up, and asked, "I have a question for Ms. Anderson! Maple Real Estate is such a big company, but you're the only spokesperson at such an important press conference. Where is your CEO? He should be the one speaking here!"
Sophia replied, "Sorry, our CEO is busy with other matters and couldn't attend. However, I can speak on behalf of the company!"
Sandra nodded and then sarcastically said, "But I heard that he's involved in money laundering and tax evasion and has already run off with the money?"
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