Chapter 462 Hypnotherapy
Seeing how grim Riley was, the PR manager was too scared to even breathe loudly. It was known that Riley, though a hard-nosed business prodigy, was celebrated for his cool temperament. No matter the challenge, he always managed with a gentle hand, and it was rare to witness his anger ignited like this.
This was a first. It showed just how critical the situation was to him.
The PR manager took a deep breath, straining to reclaim his voice, and said, "No matter how big the news, usually, it would take at least twenty-four hours to cause such a stir internationally. The event happened mere hours ago; it should not have escalated this quickly, let alone leak in the first place with our safeguards in place."
He had articulated a concern Riley already considered. The very thought was what infuriated Riley so deeply.
Clearly, someone was stirring trouble behind the scenes. Whether it was a hit against the Kochs or specifically targeting Patricia was still up in the air. They were out in the open while the enemy lurked in the shadows, utterly elusive.
Riley's voice was grave as he commanded, "Get on it. Whatever it takes, squash this story."
Despite the onset of spring, the chill hadn't yet lifted. However, the PR manager's face was covered in fine, dense beads of sweat. He wiped his brow nervously, his voice trembling as he said, "It's not that we're not trying to suppress it; it's uncontrollable. The ripple effect is massive! We might stand a chance within our borders, but internationally? It's out of reach."
Even with the Koch family's vast influence, their reach had its limits beyond their homeland.
Riley massaged his throbbing temples. "Keep it as contained as possible. Even if we can't completely bury it, minimize the damage. Pull it from trending online discussions and strip the searches. Send a clear message to the media: Report this, and you're making an enemy of the Koch Group. They'll have to face the music."
The PR manager was visibly shocked. Riley, always holding a high position, never used his position to intimidate others. Yet here he was, wielding status with unabashed intention. Once this stance was public, it might dent Riley's long-standing reputation as a good guy. However, the effect would be more efficient than their toiling efforts.
Seeing the PR manager hesitating, Riley's brow furrowed, his patience waning. "Any problems?"
The manager shook his head quickly. "None, I'm on it right now."
With his head down, he hurried out of the CEO's office.
The threat—being an enemy of the Koch Group—proved to be more potent than imagined. Within an hour, all traces of the story vanished from the internet; even search keywords were blocked. The throngs of reporters who had been staking out the hospital and Silver Birch Sanctuary dispersed like scared birds. However, as a result, Riley now bore the label of a tyrant.
The Kochs were the wealthiest family in the world, so nobody dared cross them. How many people truly respected him wholeheartedly?
Dissenters whispered in the shadows, for none dared to challenge openly. Riley's skill and reputation were unassailable—until they found something to gripe about and weren't about to let slide.
By the time Patricia woke up, the issue had been completely suppressed. Unaware of the upheaval that had taken place in just a few hours, she felt much better after a night's rest and had regained her composure.
"Hey Martin, you ever heard of hypnosis?" she asked.
Martin nodded.
"It might help me remember what I've forgotten," Patricia suggested.
Martin asked, not entirely convinced, "You think that could work?"
Patricia nodded confidently. "In college, I took a psychology course. I don't know much, but I did learn about using hypnosis to recover memories. I want to give it a shot. It's better than just waiting around."
Yesterday, her emotions had been too raw to think clearly, but now, with a clearer mind and steadier emotions, she came up with this idea.
Hearing her determination, Martin didn't object and added, "Ariel mentioned that Sebastian knows a stellar psychiatrist. Maybe we should ask him for help."
Patricia nodded, quickly freshening up before heading to Ariel's room next door.
Upon hearing Patricia's request to use hypnosis to uncover her lost memories, Ariel agreed without hesitation and got in touch with Sebastian to arrange it.
Everyone knew that the key lay in the memories Patricia had lost. If she could recover those memories, perhaps the truth would come to light.
The question of who was behind her grandfather's attempted murder and what their motive was might finally be answered.
Sebastian was quick to act, soon securing an appointment for Patricia.
At 7 PM, while Ariel and Jeremy took over Sebastian's responsibilities at the hospital, keeping an eye on Shane, Sebastian drove Patricia and Martin to the Jackson Psychological Associates clinic.
Patricia had expected the psychiatrist to be an old man with years of experience under his belt. Surprisingly, the man was under thirty; he was tall and had features so sharp they looked as if they had been etched with careful precision. Dressed in a high-quality dark gray suit beneath his white lab coat, he wore gold-rimmed glasses similar to Sebastian's and carried a scholarly yet handsome air about him.
By this time, the clinic's doctors and nurses had already left for the day. He personally poured a cup of coffee for Sebastian and his two companions.
Sebastian introduced them, "This is my friend, Jackson."
Then, turning to Jackson, he said, "Meet Patricia, a jewelry designer highly esteemed by my brother, and her husband Martin."
Jackson greeted them with a professional smile that masked a thorough once-over of Martin before extending a hand and saying, "Mr. Martin, I've long heard of you."
Martin responded with a polite handshake, brief and cordial.
Jackson then addressed Patricia, "Sebastian has filled me in on your situation. Come on in."
With that, he led Patricia to his office. The methodical clinking of a Newton's cradle on his desk echoed in the room, oddly comforting.
Jackson took a piece of butterscotch from a candy jar on his desk and offered it to Patricia. "Have something sweet; it'll lift your spirits."
Not wanting to seem rude, Patricia accepted the candy and unwrapped it. Jackson asked her to lie back in the therapy chair, but rather than taking a seat across from her to inquire about her condition formally, he busied himself around the office, tinkering with various things.
"Do you have a passion for jewelry design, Miss Watson? Sebastian mentioned you were once a medical student, even a professor specializing in cardiology. What brought on the sudden shift to jewelry design?" Jackson inquired casually as he fed the fish beside the aquarium.
It felt less like a patient consultation and more like a casual chat between friends, his tone relaxed and practiced as if they had known each other for years.
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