The person on the other end of the line was none other than Jovan, the mad man who had been making headlines in the business realm as of late.
In the past, Joanna used to think that he was an idiot who relied on his status in the Moran family to live a lavish lifestyle. However, after that incident, her impression of the man changed.
Anybody who came from a rich family and managed to carve his own path in the cutthroat field of business couldn't possibly be an idiot. In fact, people like him who pretended to be fools were the hardest to deal with!
Joanna didn't want to waste her time on him, and ended the call without saying a word.
As usual, she browsed financial websites to check the latest financial news.
To her surprise, Ace, who used to be the business circle's favorite subject, was now the person everyone hated. Comments like 'Moran Group's CEO, Ace Moran, is suspected to be dead. What lies ahead for Moran Group?',' Mr. Moran is having a good time out there while Moran Group's employee morale diminishes, and the company is about to crash', and 'Ace runs away with the company's earnings, the shareholders are left with nothing but debt and are being forced to jump off buildings' could be seen everywhere on the screen.
Since Ace's death hadn't been announced to the public, there were all sorts of speculations out there. People who used to support Ace didn't dare say anything, and those who hated Ace used this as an opportunity to degrade him even further. Media companies were taking full advantage of the situation. They'd probably caught wind of Ace's death long ago, and with the slanderous rumors being circulated, they were happy to portray Ace as an unethical person who'd committed heinous crimes.
The most shocking thing was that a news website, which was founded and operated by paparazzi, was circulating rumors that Ace had casual relationships with men. They claimed he had ended up contracting AIDS and died, and that he and his wife got divorced because of his sexual orientation! All this was just to get attention, but it was still frustrating to see.
"Damn it, which media company is this?! They're going too far!" Joanna was furious when she read the article.
Ace was once worshiped like a god, but the very same media companies that had once sung his praises were now insulting him ruthlessly. Didn't they feel guilty slandering a dead person?
'Oh, Ace, aren't you the coolest and strongest person in the world? Your reputation is falling apart. Can you really just let this happen without doing anything about it? If you have what it takes, come out and put them all in their places!'
Ironically, now that Ace's image was in tatters, everyone was now praising Jovan, the very same person they had considered a useless idiot before this. In fact, a few financial experts had predicted that Jovan, who apparently had a good mind for business, was the person most capable of leading Moran Group out of the precarious situation it was in.
Jovan, supposedly, would become the overlord who dominated the business realm in the City in the upcoming twenty to fifty years. An anonymous source had even spread rumors that Jovan and Joanna were meant to be together, and that Ace was the one who had come between them years ago. However, Jovan was now making a glorious comeback and reclaiming what belonged to him!
Joanna had to admit that the business realm was just as fake as showbiz. When one was doing well, everyone would shower that person with compliments. However, when that person's business started going downhill, everyone would step all over that person. Even a random stranger would spit on them!
Joanna was getting angrier by the second, and at that moment, she received another call from Jovan. She immediately answered the call and snarled, "Jovan, are you crazy? Do you want to get beaten up again?"
Jovan was getting on her nerves! It seemed like she hadn't kicked him hard enough back at the cemetery. It'd barely been a few days, and he was already behaving like a lunatic again
However, Jovan wasn't angry at all. On the contrary, he laughed in amusement. "Let's meet up. I can solve Stellar Group's lack of capital.
Joanna scowled at the sight of the rumors on her computer screen. "Sure. Clearly, we need to talk!"
They agreed to meet at an elegant little cafe.
Jovan arrived ahead of time. He was dressed casually in a beige sweater and apricot trousers. He seemed relaxed and approachable, unlike his usual mad and sinister self.
He smiled pleasantly when he saw Joanna. "I ordered a Matcha Frappuccino for you. If I'm not mistaken, that's your favorite drink."
Joanna was a little surprised that he knew this. She reached for a chair and sat down. There was even a bouquet of sunflowers next to her coffee that seemed to be a gift for her.
Jovan… He'd done a lot of research on her, hadn't he? How else would he know her favorite things?
"What are you up to? Why do you know all these things about me?" Joanna asked, warily staring at the man in front of her.
Jovan was handsome. Compared to the aloof and moody Ace, Jovan seemed more easy-going. He looked like the typical rich kid who'd spend his family's money unwisely.
Who would've thought that someone like him was a crazy fanatic?
Jovan took a sip of his coffee and smiled. "I thought you'd know how I feel about you after that night. I'm your loyal fan, so I don't need to do research to know the things you like. As for these flowers…"
His eyes were gleaming as he stared at her hungrily. He obviously wanted Joanna all to himself. "When a man gives a woman flowers, it means he has officially decided to pursue her. You'll be mine sooner or later!"
"Ugh!" Joanna felt goosebumps all over her body, and she subconsciously moved back a little. "Jovan, what's wrong with you? Do you really think you stand a chance just because Ace is no longer around?"
She sneered, "Grandpa Moran single-handedly built Moran Group, so without his permission, you'll have no part in it. Don't you think you're being too impatient by bribing media companies and falsifying rumors? Your cousin is no longer around, but that doesn't mean you can step all over him.
You've gone too far with those baseless rumors. If you still consider yourself a human, make it all stop. A man who bullies the dead is no hero!"
Joanna only agreed to meet Jovan so that she could lecture him about this. She wanted him to stop bribing media companies and spreading those ridiculous rumors.
Jovan's gaze instantly became cold. "Looks like you're only here because you want to defend my dear dead cousin. He treated you like crap, and yet you still have feelings for him. I honestly don't know what to say!"
Joanna gritted her teeth and bit out,'l don't have feelings for him. Any sane person would find your behavior despicable! You could've made anything up, but you decided to spread rumors that he contracted AIDS. He's your cousin! Aren't you afraid of karma?"