Chapter 292: Do You Want Me Fired?

Just as the online discussion about Vincent began surging again, the attention shifted to another part of Capital City.

Inside the conference room at Nexora Technologies, Daniel Fletcher wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Damn it!"

The usually calm and courteous executive looked nothing like his usual self.

"President Hale, I've never met Vincent privately. He's making the whole thing up."

He immediately looked toward Luca, his expression unusually serious.

If Vincent really had the kind of relationship with him that he had claimed publicly, then Daniel didn't need to wait until tomorrow to find out what Luca thought about it.

He could pack his things and leave right now.

So what if he was the head of Nexora Technologies?

The company was filled with talented people. Finding someone capable of taking over his position wouldn't be difficult.

Luca looked at his anxious expression and couldn't help laughing.

"Daniel, sit down. I know you well enough to know when you're telling the truth."

"Phew..."

Daniel finally relaxed and lowered himself into his chair.

But the moment he settled down, another thought occurred to him. He looked at Luca suspiciously.

"Mr. Hale, you didn't arrange that reporter, did you?"

"No." Luca shook his head and pointed toward the screen.

"I arranged for another reporter to ask a question, but someone else got there first."

Daniel fell silent. Of course. He knew his boss well enough by now.

There was no way Luca would simply sit back and watch Vincent use Nexora's name to boost Astral Technology Park without doing anything about it.

The problem was that Vincent had been careful with his wording.

He hadn't explicitly claimed that Nexora was cooperating with Astral Technology Park. He had merely said that he had a good relationship with Daniel.

Technically, there was nothing legally actionable about that statement.

Even if Daniel publicly denied knowing Vincent, Vincent could simply bring up all the previous occasions when he had visited Nexora to discuss cooperation. Public opinion could easily turn against Daniel.

'Look at the head of Nexora. Someone came all the way to him asking for cooperation, and now he's pretending they don't know each other.'

That kind of narrative would damage Nexora's reputation while giving Astral Technology Park another wave of publicity.

Under normal circumstances, Daniel could only swallow the irritation and let the matter pass. But Vincent had made one critical mistake.

The person who actually controlled Nexora was sitting right in front of him. And Luca had no reason to tolerate Vincent using his company as a stepping stone.

Vincent had tried to borrow Nexora's reputation. Instead, he'd stuck his hands in a hornet's nest.

"There's something else."

Luca tapped the screen before sliding his phone across the table.

"Photos of the two of you talking when Vincent visited Nexora have already been leaked. Aren't you going to respond?"

Daniel picked up the phone with a puzzled expression.

The moment he saw the photograph, his pupils contracted.

It showed the meeting between him and Vincent from some time ago.

Daniel remembered remaining perfectly composed during that visit. He had never expected Vincent to secretly arrange for someone to photograph them.

The intention behind releasing the pictures was obvious.

Vincent wanted the public to believe their relationship was closer than it really was.

Daniel stared at the screen for several seconds before letting out a cold laugh.

"Heh."

He pulled out his own phone.

"Vincent, you're the one asking for trouble. Don't blame me when you get it."

It didn't take long.

A post from Daniel's official account exploded across social media and quickly climbed the trending lists.

The post contained only one vague paragraph.

"Don't spread rumors. We really aren't acquainted. And don't try to implicate me. You might end up getting me fired."

No name was mentioned. No explanation was given. Yet nobody needed one.

The timing alone made it obvious who the post was aimed at.

The comments immediately exploded.

@concernednetizen435: "Is this even a real account? There's no verification badge."

@aliciarosemary: "I don't believe this is actually Dr. Daniel Fletcher. Even if they're not close, why would he publicly slap Vincent in the face like this?"

@macmorris: "If you're trying to ride this wave for attention, get lost. Aren't you worried about getting a cease-and-desist from Nexora?"

@LebronIsWashed: "Could actually be real. Let's wait for confirmation."

While the internet was busy arguing over Daniel's post, Vincent was still standing on the stage, explaining his vision for Astral Technology Park.

"Our goal is the stars!"

His voice carried across the venue.

"Astral Technology Park will uphold this ideal and build our country's own photolithography machines!"

His declaration immediately stirred excitement among many viewers watching the livestream.

But not everyone was convinced. Most people weren't stupid enough to believe that saying something confidently was enough to make it happen.

Anyone familiar with the industry understood just how difficult it was to manufacture a cutting-edge photolithography machine.

Even established technology companies struggled with such projects.

Astral Technology was a newly established company.

Where exactly did Vincent think he was going to get the technology, equipment, and talent?

At that moment, Daniel's post continued climbing. It quickly reached the top of the trending discussions. Eventually, even members of Maison Premier noticed it.

One of them hurried toward the stage and quietly informed Vincent. He listened without changing his expression.

"Go and verify whether that's really Daniel's account." Vincent's voice was low. "If it is, then use his statement to our advantage."

The staff member nodded and left. Vincent returned his attention to the reporters as if nothing had happened.

Deep down, however, he was already making calculations.

He believed there was a good chance someone was impersonating Daniel. But there was another possibility. What if the post really was from Daniel?

That would be even better.

The photographs of their meeting had already been released. Even if Daniel tried to deny their relationship now, the pictures would remain.

Vincent could use that to his advantage.

At the very least, it would create enough confusion to damage Nexora's reputation. And if he handled the situation properly, Astral Technology Park could use the momentum to surpass Nexora in the public's eyes.

Vincent was already imagining the possibilities when Nexora Technologies finally responded.

Its official account released a short statement.

"Dr. Daniel Fletcher's statement represents the position of Nexora Technologies. Naturally, it also represents the position of our owner, Luca Hale."

The effect was immediate. The internet exploded.

Even the atmosphere inside the press conference changed.

@dictatormbappe221: "Luca is the owner of Nexora Technologies?!"

@macmorris: "No wonder Daniel said he might get fired! If he really had a close relationship with Vincent, he'd probably be packing his bags right now!"

@aliciarosemary: "Hahaha! Did Vincent seriously walk straight into this?"

@ishowmeat: "Vicent Denim or should I say 'Vicent the Cuck', come out and explain yourself! Didn't you just say you had a great relationship with Daniel?"

@concernednetizen: "Isn't this a little too harsh? Nexora completely shut him down without giving him any room to save face."

@dictatormbappe221: "Vincent is after Luca's woman. Those two have already fallen out. Why would Luca give him any face?"

The comments poured in faster than anyone could read them.

Within less than an hour of Astral Technology Park's announcement, its official social media account had been completely overwhelmed by the flood of comments.

Yet on the stage, Vincent remained unaware of the scale of what was happening. He sat there confidently, still imagining the future he had planned for Astral Technology Park.

Then he began to notice something strange. The reporters were looking at him differently. At first, he thought it was simply curiosity.

Then he noticed the whispers. The exchanged glances. The barely concealed smiles.

Reporters had the sharpest noses when it came to breaking news. By now, almost everyone in the room had already learned the truth.

Luca Hale was the person behind Nexora Technologies.

Some of the more influential journalists didn't even bother hiding their amusement.

Vincent's expression slowly changed.

Then, finally, a young man with a pale face hurried onto the stage.

He leaned close and whispered into Vincent's ear.

"Impossible!"

Vincent's head snapped toward him, his eyes widening. The young man swallowed nervously and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Nexora Technologies' official account has personally confirmed it. Luca Hale really is the owner behind Nexora Technologies."

Vincent stared at him.

For several seconds, he couldn't process what he had just heard.

Then his composure finally shattered.

"Go!"

His voice was sharp and panicked.

"Go contact Daniel Fletcher! At all costs, get him to admit that he and I have a private relationship!"