Chapter 11: The Smear Campaign
The media war began in earnest by the end of the week. Desperate to invalidate the leaked financial documents before the authorities could fully investigate, Marcus and his crisis PR team launched a calculated, vicious smear campaign. They needed the public—and the foundation’s board—to believe Evelyn was a disgruntled, unstable wife acting out of sheer spite.
Articles began appearing in prominent society blogs and local tabloids, featuring anonymous quotes from "close family friends." They painted a picture of Evelyn as fragile and deeply unwell, claiming she had fabricated the embezzlement accusations during a paranoid breakdown. The climax of their offensive was a televised interview with Eleanor. Wearing a conservative, high-necked blouse and perfectly applied makeup, Eleanor sat before a local news anchor and dabbed at her dry eyes with a tissue.
May you like
"We are just so terribly worried about Evelyn," Eleanor said, her voice trembling with practiced, theatrical sorrow. "She hasn't been herself since her father passed. My son has done nothing but try to support her, and this… this sudden outburst at a peaceful family dinner has broken our hearts."
Watching the broadcast on Sarah’s television, Evelyn felt a familiar twist of nausea. It was the same gaslighting she had endured for years, now broadcast to millions. But this time, she didn't internalize it. She simply muted the television, picked up her phone, and texted Arthur: “Let them talk. We stick to the plan.”
