Suddenly, I Am Rich

”How is it? Have they found any clues about it?”

It has been 2 days since the articles were published everywhere, but nothing has been found about the person who snitched the information to different well-known news sites.

Alistair let out a sigh before shaking his head.

”No,” he said flatly. ”Nothing.”

”What?” Gray raised a brow slightly. He pretended to be surprised at it, ”Nothing at all?”

Alistair scoffed and ran a hand through his hair. Irritation flashed across his face. ”There’s not a single trace of it.” He clicked his tongue. ”Even my secretary hadn’t found any information. It’s ridiculous.”

Gray glanced to the side and saw Steven, who was seated at his small desk. He was silent and was just listening to the conversation. He hadn’t spoken a word since Gray arrived.

”I’ve been in this game long enough to know how these things usually go. If ever someone leaks something, there’d always be a trail.” His eyes narrowed. ”But this time? Everyone suddenly doesn’t know anything about it.”

That was what unsettled Alistair the most.

”Is it really that unusual?” Gray rested an arm on the chair before raising a brow.

”Yes,” Alistair replied without hesitation. ”You knew me, Gray. I have a lot of connections. I know people in the media.” He gave a humorless laugh. ”Normally, someone would be eager to sell information or at least hint at something. But this time, there was nothing.”

In Alistair’s mind, there were only two possibilities in his mind. It’s either that the person behind this was extremely careful and skilled enough, or...

Someone higher than him was behind everything. A person who was powerful enough that no one would dare to speak, even with money.

The second thought made his brows furrow. Among the two choices, it was obviously the latter one that was more plausible since he had more enemies than he could count.

”But how are things holding up on your end?” Gray asked casually, ”The articles, I mean. They must have had an impact on your ratings so far. ”

Alistair’s jaw tightened the moment Gray mentioned the articles. He looked even more irritated now.

”Impact?” he repeated, clearly displeased at it. ”Of course they had an impact.”

”The comments started pouring in the moment the articles went on the internet. Tsk. Those stupid people have been commenting insults on my page. As if they’re better than me. For all I know, they’re m just jealous of me.”

”Oh well, you can’t blame them...”

”Tsk. Stop talking about that, Gray,” Alistair glared at Gray. Even Gray was not spared by his irritation, ”It’s not like I haven’t dealt with something like this before.” He straightened his posture and folded his arms. ”My staff also handled it quickly. I told them to block accounts.”

”I see...” Gray nodded once, listening carefully. Even though he loathed Alistair, he knew he could learn something from him. And right now, he’s already trying to think of ways to annoy the man more.

”And,” Alistair added, ”I have also asked my people to pay bots to say good things about. They’re working nonstop, and the damages have been minimal so far.” There was no shame in his voice at all as he revealed that.

”For the next few days, I also told them to push more content,” he went on.”If I stay silent, they will only say names to me at all. I’m better than that.”

Gray let out a small hum of acknowledgment. ”That’s a good move,” he commended him.

Alistair’s irritation eased after hearing a compliment. His shoulders relaxed, and a look of satisfaction crossed his face.

”Exactly,” he muttered. ”At the end of the day, people can easily be manipulated. I just need to give them enough good images and stories about generosity and success, and they move on. That would always work.”

Gray nodded at that. On the surface, he looked as if he was agreeing and even amazed at Alistair. But inside, he felt nothing but disdain. Hearing Alistair talk so openly about blocking critics and buying praise only made his stomach turn.

Steven remained silent at his desk, eyes lowered as he typed something on his laptop. Whether he was pretending not to hear or simply used to this kind of conversation, Gray could not tell.

”Right, Gray...” Alistair said slowly. ”I have a favor to ask you.”

”What is it?” Gray raised his eyes to meet his.

Alistair tapped his fingers once against his table as if he was thinking, then spoke. ”You know, you could help with this, too.”

Gray became frozen for a brief second, but he quickly recovered from it.

”Help?” he repeated.

”Yes.” Alistair’s lips curved into a big smile. ”I know that you have your own following. You’re also seen as someone respectable by the people.” He waved a hand vaguely. ”If you put in a good word or two abouut me and maybe show some support, it would count for something.”

For the first time since the conversation began, Gray had no immediate response at that.

”...”

Inside his mind, his thoughts clashed all at once. He obviously did not want to do that. He did not want his name tied to Alistair’s mess, much less be used as a shield against the public. Helping Alistair polish his image felt like crossing a line he had no intention of crossing.

’Damn it. I have no choice. Fuck this.’ Gray cursed in his mind, but his face remained composed.

Alistair watched him expectantly, clearly assuming that Gray would agree to it. To him, this was only logical. And Gray was also a close ally to him, so it’s just right that he uses the man.

”I mean...” Gray forced a smile on his face before letting out a small laugh. ”Sure,” he said lightly. ”If it helps, I can do that.”

Alistair’s smile widened. ”Hahahaha! Good! I knew it!” he happily exclaimed out loud. ”I knew I could count on you!”