Chapter 207 National Media Station
Five days later, there was an uproar in P city again.
National Media Station had fired one of their senior employees who had been with them for more than ten years and had become a minor shareholder.
It was an unprecedented action that took everyone by surprise.
Moreover, National Media Station also did a feature on him, which was truly unexpected.
The fired employee, Steven Bryce, had been one of the specially recruited employees after his many commendable works.
The feature highlighted notable columns that Steven had run throughout his career.
The difficult conditions of the construction workers in the outskirts of P city; the red-light district; the underground drug cartel which had put his life at risk; the rescue project where he had outed a bunch of abusive pet owners; and so on.
Steven had been one of the most prolific reporters of his time. More than ten years ago, when Steven had joined National Media Station, it had been the talk of the town for a few days.
After he joined National Media Station, his works became even more prominent. Not only was he given full support from NMS, but also, he had received extensive security. A special helpline had been set up for emergencies for reporters only.
Steven Bryce and NMS had become a sore topic for corrupt government officials, pet abusers, tax evaders, underground law-breakers, people who used sexual favors, indecent directors and producers, and so on.
With the support of the P City Police and National Media Station, Steven had made himself popular and garnered many enemies.
However, a detailed investigation after Mariana’s incident in the Tansy’s Private Club had unraveled his corruption and misuse of authority in the last two years after his promotion as the Associate Director.
Instead of educating the new blood and leading them to the true path of journalism, he had sold the integrity and reputation he had built with more than 17 years of hard work amidst death threats.
The P-city was depressed.
Steven Bryce was a name that had brought journalism and free speech to a new height and showed the true power of media.
But he had also become the mask that hid the things he was known to expose.
The internet was in chaos once again.
Some people lamented the loss of a righteous soul who had turned to the dark side.
Some thought they should have hushed it up in favor of his previous contribution.
Some thought exposing him was akin to reinstating the purpose of media.
But those words did not affect the people involved in the conflict.
Inside an exuberantly decorated Villa, Steven and his family were having a heated discussion.
Alice Moss, James’s ex, cried, “Aunty, how can you blame me for what happened?”
Steven’s wife, and Alice’s aunt from her mother’s side, rebuked, “It was the investigation on those reporters who had been promoted by you and your father, those who you called to frame that Jacobsen girl, which led to all these.”
Alice’s mother was anxious. It was a massive blow to everyone because everyone in the family had benefitted from Steven’s position and connections. Now, they were all concerned about being investigated.
She questioned her daughter, “Alice, why would you target that girl in such a high-profile manner? You should at least check people’s background before going against them.”
Alice could not handle the rebuke from her mother.
“Mom, are you blaming me too? I thought Uncle would handle everything, being the associate Director and shareholder of National Media Station.”
She lamented, “How was I supposed to know that the mere Jacobsens would be able to dig all these?”
Her aunt ignored her words, “why are you so against that girl anyway?”
Alice cried, “Aunty, she stole James from me. James and I were together. But she showed up out of nowhere and hoodwinked James. I just wanted to reveal her true face to everyone.”
Steven finally asked, “James Miller has no sway over NMS, and neither do the Jacobsens. It is someone else who is helping the girl.”
Alice cried, “It must be that brute, Liam.”
Steven shook his head in distaste, “Alice, use your brains, and if you don’t have one, just obey, don’t think.”
Alice’s father rebuked him subtly, “Don’t be too harsh, Steve!”
Steven clarified, “That brute is Liam Preston, Colonel of P city Military, who had won accolades from Maple’s Military force. He is untouchable. Prestons have been a Military family for generations, well-reputed senior officials. They do not have any influence on NMS. Neither does Jonathan Smith.”
Alice’s father finally understood the gravity of the situation, “What do you suspect?”Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
“That girl Mariana Jacobsen has someone more powerful than the Smiths, Prestons, and Millers protecting her. Based on what I gathered, Jeffery Cruise investigated the entire thing, did a thorough investigation on Tansy’s Private Club, and reporters leading back to the NMS because of Jonathan Smith’s wife.”
Steven had, over the years, built a very reliable network across all fields. But even so, he could not find out who that woman was.
“That L&L Designs founder who is always knee-deep in controversy?” Steven’s wife asked.
Steven scoffed, “Based on my observations, all the controversies were easily suppressible, but they let it become a hot topic on purpose. As we all saw, every single time, she came out looking better.”
He continued before anyone could interrupt, “Her background is hidden. I have asked around but to no avail. She is the one who has some clout in NMS, and that should tell you something.”
Alice panicked, “Uncle, what should I do?”
Steven groaned, “Lay low for now. It’s a good thing that you have sent that waiter away. It’s better if he does not return to P city until the dust is settled, or better yet never.”
“What will happen to you?” Alice’s mother asked.
“I am not sure. If this is revenge, then you should be careful,” Steven analyzed, “All the reporters involved have been laid off with their licenses revoked. Being the main aggressor, you should be careful.”
“In my case, it depends on what the CEO of NMS decides. That person is as mysterious as Jonathan Smith’s wife. Despite working there for decades, none of us know his or her name. Besides, it depends on the connection between the CEO of NMS and Jonathan Smith’s wife, or that Jacobsen girl.”
Steven said with a sigh.
His unruly niece just had to provoke someone with deep connections. And now, his entire life had been discredited.