Chapter 1660 Ruthless
Rolf grew impatient. "You showed me the video of Derek and Laura getting cozy before, which was useful when Derek hadn't gone public with the relationship. But now everyone knows they're dating. It's normal for couples to hug and be affectionate. Think back, have these two ever shown any intimate gestures in public before? If not, even staged photos would work."
Michael paused, racking his brain, then suddenly said, "I remember now. Once, Laura and I attended a banquet, and I saw Derek and Laura chatting for quite a while. Derek even patted Laura's head affectionately. That was when I couldn't take it anymore and warned them."
"Just a head pat?" Rolf was a bit disappointed but still turned to his secretary and said, "Go check the surveillance footage from that banquet hall."
"Okay."
After the secretary left, Michael said, "You can release the video I showed you along with the head-patting incident to confuse the public. Even if it doesn't completely discredit Derek, it will at least tarnish their image and show that the couple isn't as pure as Derek's article suggests."
Rolf looked at Michael with a half-smile but said nothing.
Michael continued, "Rolf, I think you should start mobilizing people now. Derek posted so late that a lot of people were already in bed. The real online frenzy will start when everyone wakes up tomorrow. You could even contact Derek's other rivals. I'm sure there are external forces eyeing this situation as well."
Michael hesitated for a moment.
But Rolf, being very astute, raised an eyebrow and looked at Michael for a while before suddenly smiling, "Michael, if you had this kind of ruthlessness before, I don't think many people could have been your match."
"I realized it too late," Michael said coldly.
Michael had come to see that without power and status, not only would former friends distance themselves, but even his wife and children would gravitate towards the strong.
"Your ruthlessness even makes me feel ashamed."
Rolf shook his head, "Yes, I do want to run for President, but I don't dare provoke external forces. Internal competition is fine; if you can become President, it shows you have the ability, and it means your opponents were not as skilled. We can have ambition, but we must have limits. Ultimately, the people's interests come first. Without the people, there is no country. If you disrupt the country for personal gain, what kind of country would that be?"
Rolf lit a cigarette, "I've dealt with your grandfather for over ten years. I have to say, he didn't teach you well."
Michael's face turned red with anger or embarrassment, and he stood up, "You and Carl are already at odds. Do you think you'll have a good outcome if you fail?"
"I'm not that weak, and Carl isn't that vicious." Rolf had lost interest in the conversation, "Think carefully if you have any other value to me. If not, you can leave by dawn."
As he stood up, a guard entered, "Rolf, Mr. Powell form EchoReach is here. He says he's taking Michael back."
Michael trembled, not expecting Julia's people to find him so quickly.
He wasn't worried initially; even if Julia came, he could still help Rolf. But now everything had changed.
He quickly said, "Rolf, when I came to you, you promised to protect me. You can't go back on your word."
Rolf smiled, "I did say that, but Laura and Derek's relationship is already public. You don't need to tell me; I already know. The only useful thing you have left is a photo of Derek patting Laura's head, and we might not even find it. Even if we do, it won't be very useful."
"But the situation is still unclear," Michael said anxiously. "Yes, many people online support them now, but that's because I haven't stepped forward. If I come out with that photo, it will stir things up, and Derek won't have it easy."
Rolf was silent for a few seconds, then raised an eyebrow, "Alright, I can find people to cooperate with you. I want you to stir things up. If this causes significant damage to Carl and his son, I can arrange for you to leave Madison."
"You're just going to send me away?" Michael was unwilling.
Rolf said calmly, "From the moment Derek acted first, we were no longer on the winning side. Your plan to use me to regain control of the Jude Group has failed. Julia's people are watching outside. Michael, letting you leave safely is already giving you enough respect."
With that, Rolf turned and went upstairs.
After entering the room, Rolf's assistant approached, "Will Michael's outburst really be useful?"
"Michael is a madman. He won't be satisfied unless he gets revenge on Laura and Derek. Let's see how chaotic the Jude family becomes," Rolf said with a faint smile, "Anyway, I didn't do anything."
The assistant understood, "Should I arrange for someone to send Michael away at any time?"
"Didn't you hear what he said earlier? Sending someone like Michael out is a danger. He grew up in the Jude family and knows too much. Who knows what heinous acts he might commit?" Rolf's eyes narrowed, "There's no need to let him leave safely. The Jude family should thank me for dealing with him."
The assistant nodded, "Understood."
That night, many young people in Madison stayed up.
Everyone was watching the President's son's love life.
After Bernice and Cassie spoke out, more and more celebrities and public figures also came forward to support the relationship.
But just before dawn, another person involved, Michael, posted: [What a touching love story. But you shouldn't step on others to achieve your love. I didn't want to speak, but some people have painted me as a philanderer to legitimize their relationship. That's not the case. Derek, you've coveted Laura for a long time. You've warned me multiple times in private, and you two grew closer behind my back.]
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