Catherine never imagined that this matter would eventually engulf her.
Although she had indeed hired many internet trolls to verbally abuse Wei Yumeng online, she didn't think anyone would discover her involvement. However, if it was discovered, the only person capable of doing so would be Zhan Mohan.
Naturally, Catherine couldn't go to Zhan Mohan to confess. Doing so would undoubtedly admit her actions. If this was indeed Zhan Mohan's plan, he might be waiting for her to confess.
After some thought, Catherine could only think of one person: Che Lie.
Given Che Lie's relationship with Wei Yumeng, he might be able to speak on her behalf. Moreover, she was still nominally Che Lie's girlfriend, and Wei Yumeng would have to show him some respect.
With this thought in mind, Catherine acted. She called Che Lie and invited him to her home.
"Catherine, why did you ask me to come?" Che Lie seemed genuinely unaware of what was happening.
Catherine put on a pitiful expression and said to Che Lie, "I need your help. No one else can help me now."
Che Lie looked puzzled, "What exactly is going on?"
"You've seen the news, haven't you? Actually, I investigated, and it was Zhan Mohan who leaked the news about my pregnancy."
Although Catherine was only guessing, she couldn't just present a guess if she wanted Che Lie to help her. Besides, Che Lie wouldn't go and verify it with Zhan Mohan.
Che Lie was slightly taken aback, "So it was him. That makes sense. He was probably thinking of Yumeng and led the topic to me."
"But I'm innocent. If I hadn't agreed to help you, I wouldn't have gotten into this mess. What did I do wrong? Why do I have to bear all of this?" Catherine looked innocent and indignant. "I know we had some issues before, but I've been well-behaved lately. Why are you still treating me like this?"
Che Lie looked at Catherine, then recalled Wei Yumeng's words.
Wei Yumeng had told Che Lie that Catherine's methods with men were always the same: playing the victim and distorting the truth.
However, Che Lie couldn't find any fault with Catherine's words at the moment. And it was true that he had involved Catherine in this matter, so he also bore some responsibility.
But now that he knew about the conflict between Catherine and Wei Yumeng, he certainly couldn't go to Wei Yumeng to speak for Catherine, as it would likely only provoke her dislike.
However, there was still another way.
"I believe that the issues between you and Yumeng cannot be resolved by anyone else intervening. Why don't you go and talk to her yourself and clarify things? She's not an unreasonable person."
Catherine looked at Che Lie in disbelief, "You're actually telling me to talk it out with her? Do you know what she did to me before? Our past grievances are far beyond what can be settled with a simple conversation."
Che Lie took a deep breath, "Yes, I know. I've heard a lot from Yumeng. Actually, the root of all these problems started with you, didn't it? Your jealousy and your greed? You should be the one to apologize to Yumeng."
Catherine's disbelief turned into anger, "You're all like this, always siding with Wei Yumeng! Don't I deserve sympathy?"
Che Lie now understood why Wei Yumeng and Catherine had such a big conflict. This Catherine was simply a lunatic.
"I thought you were at least someone who could distinguish right from wrong. I didn't expect you to be so easily swayed by Wei Yumeng. I was counting on you, how laughable. You haven't seen her in years, have you? You have no idea how much she's changed. Do you know she sacrificed herself to others for that project, and..."
"Enough!" Che Lie clenched his fists. "I know what kind of person she is. I don't need an outsider like you to tell me."
After hearing Che Lie's words, Catherine simply sneered, "Just wait and suffer the same fate as me."
Che Lie stopped talking and turned to leave.
Che Lie didn't believe a word Catherine said. Although he hadn't seen Wei Yumeng for a long time, he knew that no matter how much time passed, Wei Yumeng would always be Wei Yumeng; she wouldn't change, nor would she do such a thing.
Watching Che Lie's retreating back, Catherine threw everything on the table to the floor in a fit of rage.
"Wei Yumeng... it's always Wei Yumeng. Why can't I win against you, even now? What is your charm? What do I need to do to completely crush you?" Catherine smiled bitterly.
Catherine was helpless. She wasn't working at Feng Group anymore, nor did she have people willing to help her with her troubles. Now, she didn't even dare to leave her home.
Because the netizens would always appear out of nowhere. Several times while walking on the street, strangers would suddenly appear and throw vegetables at her, cursing, "Bitch, you deserve to die."
Even when she felt good and wanted to eat at a restaurant, she would be kicked out by the people there.
She had never imagined that she would become a despised figure, hated by everyone.
Song Lijun looked at Catherine's haggard appearance with great pity. Although she didn't know how all these things had come about, and these news outlets were known for their irresponsible gossip, it was Catherine who was suffering.
The matter had already become public knowledge and could no longer be easily suppressed.
However, there was only one person who could completely suppress news of this magnitude: Zhan Mohan. Only Zhan Corporation had such capabilities now.
Song Lijun sighed and walked up to Catherine, "Linlin, this can't go on like this. You should go and find Yumeng and ask her for help."
"Mom, why are you saying the same thing? How can I possibly ask Wei Yumeng for help? That's simply impossible."
Catherine glared at Song Lijun resentfully. She truly didn't understand why everyone around her had such an opinion of Wei Yumeng and why they all sided with her.
"Mom isn't siding with Yumeng. Think about it carefully. Now that things have escalated to this point, only Zhan Mohan can suppress this. Are you going to beg Zhan Mohan for help?"
Catherine remained silent. Indeed, if she were to beg Zhan Mohan, things would likely become even more difficult. Zhan Mohan might be waiting for her to do just that.
"Mom, I'd rather endure this forever than ask Wei Yumeng for help. Absolutely not!"