Chapter 80: The truth
The whole country was still talking about the election results. Even after two days had passed, people were still shocked that Philip Jones had become the new president.
The internet was in chaos.
Some people happily congratulated him while others refused to believe the result. Many supporters of Aaron Johnson believed there was something suspicious about the election. They couldn’t understand how someone who wasn’t highly favored at first had suddenly won by such a huge margin.
"The election was rigged!"
"There’s no way President Aaron would lose!"
"This doesn’t make sense!"
"They must have cheated!"
"Someone should investigate this election!"
Some even felt sorry for Aaron Johnson.
"He has done so much for this country."
"I know he made mistakes, but he deserved another chance."
"Poor President Aaron."
"People are so ungrateful these days."
The media had been busy for days. Different television stations invited political analysts to discuss the election. Social media was even worse. There were countless arguments every hour.
At the presidential residence, Aaron Johnson sat on the couch with a smile on his face as he checked the comments online.
At least people were still on his side.
No matter what happened, he still had millions of supporters.
Just as he was about to feel relieved, his secretary hurriedly ran into the room in panic.
"President... no... Sir! Something happened!"
Aaron frowned unhappily. "What is it?"
"Someone is exposing your secrets during a live broadcast!"
"What?"
His expression changed immediately.
Meanwhile, millions of people had already joined the live broadcast. Even reporters from different countries were watching.
A man sat comfortably in front of the camera with several documents placed on the table before him.
He smiled at the camera before speaking calmly.
"Good morning everyone. Since many people are feeling bad for our former president, I decided to help you know him better."
The whole internet exploded immediately.
"What does he mean?"
"Is this real?"
"Someone stop him!"
Aaron’s expression darkened immediately.
The man smiled and picked up the first document.
"Let’s start with something simple. During President Aaron’s administration, over two billion dollars meant for children’s hospitals mysteriously disappeared."
Everyone froze.
"What?!"
"Impossible!" And lot of more comments from people watching him.
The man continued calmly as if he wasn’t talking about something capable of destroying someone’s entire life.
"Secondly, money meant for orphanages and schools was redirected into fake projects that never existed."
He smiled at the camera again. "Oh, don’t worry. This is just the beginning."
More documents were placed before the camera.
"The former president received illegal payments from several businessmen in exchange for government contracts."
"The educational fund was reduced while luxury spending increased."
"He used his position to threaten businessmen who refused to support him."
"He secretly owned properties registered under different names both within and outside the country."
"He made fake promises to communities before elections and abandoned every single project immediately afterward."
"He used government funds to sponsor private parties and expensive vacations."
"And finally..." he smiled faintly, "he attempted to manipulate this election."
The comments section became chaotic. "No wonder our roads are terrible!"
"My village hasn’t had electricity for years!"
"He stole money meant for children?"
"Someone arrest him immediately!"
"This is disgusting!"
"I voted for him!"
"I can’t believe I supported such a person."
The man’s smile became colder. "All these documents have been submitted to the appropriate authorities. Of course, this is only about thirty percent of his crimes."
Aaron almost coughed out blood when he heard that.
Thirty percent? There was more?!
He angrily threw his phone across the room.
CRASH!
"PAUL MICHELSON!"
He knew immediately who was responsible for this.
No one would dare to expose him so openly except that dangerous family.
His body trembled in anger as he clenched his fists tightly.
"They are trying to destroy me!"
His secretary swallowed nervously while standing beside him. Looking at the internet right now, there was no need for anyone to destroy him anymore.
He had already destroyed himself.
His reputation that took decades to build was collapsing within a few hours.
People who pitied him earlier had started insulting him instead.
He could only stare at the television with hatred burning in his eyes. "Paul Michelson!"
...
At the Michelson Mansion.
Pearl took a deep breath before standing before the large study room door.
She had been walking around for almost twenty minutes trying to gather enough courage to come here.
She wasn’t afraid of anyone in this house except one person.
Paul Michelson.
After hesitating for several minutes, she finally raised her hand and knocked softly.
Knock! Knock!
No one response.
Pearl frowned slightly before knocking again.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
After waiting for a while....She sighed helplessly. Had he gone out already?
Just as she was about to leave, she paused and looked back at the door.
No!
She had spent almost thirty minutes gathering enough courage to come here. There was no way she was giving up now.
She took another deep breath and started knocking continuously.
Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Paul!"
Knock! Knock!
"Paul!"
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"PAUL!"
The next moment, the door was suddenly pulled open forcefully.
Pearl jumped in fright and immediately took two steps backward.
A tall figure stood before her with a dark expression on his face. He was obviously angry from being disturbed so early in the morning.
However, Pearl wasn’t looking at his expression anymore.
Her eyes unconsciously landed on his appearance.
He was wearing a red silk pajama with two buttons left undone, revealing part of his pale chest. His rough hair made him look much younger than his actual age, while his naturally red lips made him look unfairly handsome.
Combined with his cold blue eyes and sleepy expression, he looked more like a dangerous vampire king that had just woken up.
Pearl blinked several times. No wonder everyone kept talking about his appearance.
This man was already in his fifties! How was he becoming more handsome every year?!
Paul narrowed his eyes when he noticed she was staring at him silently. "What?" His cold voice immediately brought her back to reality.
Pearl quickly coughed awkwardly and looked elsewhere.
No!
She wasn’t admiring him. She was simply shocked!
Paul frowned deeply. "What do you want?"
Pearl slowly looked at him again before swallowing nervously.
Suddenly, she felt that maybe whatever she came here to say wasn’t that important after all.
The problem was...
She had already knocked on his door twenty times this morning.