Chapter 150

Sarah's POV

I lounged comfortably on the sofa in my apartment, savoring the satisfaction of sliding my finger across my phone screen. Over the past few days, the sales data for my comics had been'steadily climbing,bringing me unprecedented joy. Those numbers were like a sweet melody, constantly playing the tune of success just for me.

"Finally!" I couldn't help but exclaim softly, admiring the positive comments from readers.

All those luxury items I'd added to my shopping cart weeks ago suddenly seemed within reach. I cleared my cart without hesitation,imagining Max's ecstatic expression when he received his new gaming console.

I had even planned to take him to the most exclusive restaurant in the city.one of those places you need to book months in advance, where we could look down upon the city lights. The waiters would greet us with impeccable couresy, and other socialites would whisper among themselves:"Look, isn't that Sarah Johnson,the successful comic artist?"

Just as I was immersed in this delightful fantasy, a notification popped up on my phone screen-Betty Baker had become a trending topic.

"Betty Baker? Trending?" I frowned, my finger quickly tapping to see more. "What did she do? Host another charity event?"

The content on the screen made my eyes light up-Betty Baker had publicly discussed how she "disciplined" her so-called "former daughter-in-law." Though Annie wasn't directly named in the post, anyone in our social circle would know exactly who she meant. My lips curved upward,

thinking that Betty had finally snapped and decided to put that pretentious Boston country girl in her place.

I raised an eyebrow as I quickly scanned the content, a glimmer of amusement in my eyes. In her post, Betty admitted she had prepared clothing guidelines for Annie, corrected her table manners, and even bluntly stated that if she couldn't give the Baker family an intelligent heir,it would be better to end the marriage early.

"What's wrong with that?" I snorted softly, completely agreeing with Betty's viewpoint. That ordinary girl from Boston truly didn't deserve to enter high society; she definitely needed that guidance. Betty was merely fulfilling her duty as a mother, protecting her family's dignity and bloodline.

However, as I scrolled down to read the comments, the smile on my face gradually froze. Almost everyone was siding with Annie, condemning Betty's behavior as "appalling" and calling it "the true face of Upper East Side socialites." Others revealed that Betty had deliberately arranged incorrect cutlery just to embarrass Annie and seated her in corner positions at important social events to make her feel isolated.

"What fools," I muttered, feeling a wave of unease. These commenters clearly didn't understand the strict standards required to mnaintain a family's status.

Suddenly, I noticed another trending topic under Betty's name-Annie Baker and her comics. A sense of foreboding washed over me as I quickly tapped on it.

The sight before me felt like being plunged into ice water.

Annie's comic sales had surged nearly 300% in just a few hours! I stared

wide-eyed. unable to believe the numbers I was seeing. Her comment section was filled with supportive voices, and the traffic to her merchandise page was almost crashing the servers.

"That bitch!" I jumped up from the sofa, nearly crushing my phone in my grip. "She dares to exploit Betty's situation for her own gain!"

Anger boiled like magma inside me; my chest heaved violently, my breathing becoming rapid and heavy. I wanted to hurl my phone at the wall but controlled myself at the last moment-this was the latest limited edition, worth a small fortune.

I looked around, my gaze settling on the expensive crystal vases on the coffee table. The next second, I grabbed one and smashed it violently on the floor. Fragments scattered,water splashed everywhere.

"Aah!" I screamed, but it wasn't enough.

I seized a second vase and threw it with all my strength toward the corner.With a sharp "crash," the vase exploded against the wall,shards raining down like crystal hail.

"Damn you, Annie Baker!" I roared, grabbing the third vase, this time aiming at the decorative painting across the room. The vasesailed through the air and shattered the abstract artwork I had never truly appreciated.

I stood amid the wreckage, my chest still heaving rapidly, but my fury had finally subsided slightly. I pushed back my disheveled hair,catching my breath as I stared at those glaring numbers on my phone. This woman had achieved in one day what I couldn't accomplish even after spending over a million dollars on marketing. All she did was ride the wave of Betty Baker's scandal, stealing attention and profits that should have been mine.

I paced back and forth in the living room, my footsteps echoing in what now seemed an excessively spacious room. Everything I had planned-shopping, lunch, promises to Max-had evaporated. I picked up my phone to contact the marketing company, then realized that any additional publicity would only give that woman more opportunities to climb over me.

Suddenly, an idea struck me. I knew what to do.

I quickly fixed my makeup, wiping away the traces of tears from the corners of my eyes, and headed straight for the garage.

"To Philip Investment Group," I commanded, and the driver immediately started the car.

Upon arriving at Philip's company, I wwalked directly toward his office. The receptionist and secretary knew me as the boss's wife, and no one dared stop me. But at the door, I chose to knock-in case business partners were present, I didn't want to create an awkward situation.

"Come in," Philip's voice called out.

I pushed open the door to find my husband buried in a pile of documents.When he looked up and saw me, his brow relaxed slightly.

"Darling," I began straightforwardly, my voice carrying a slight tremor as if I were struggling to control my emotions, "do you know what's happening online?"

"What is it?" Philip set down the documents, his expression becoming alert.

"Your mother... she's trending," I said carefully, "and Annie is using it to promote her comics."

Philip immediately picked up his phone to search. Seeing the content on

the screen, his expression rapidly changed from confusion to shock,then to disbelief and anger.

"How dare these people comment on my mother this way!" he said through gritted teeth. gripping his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Mother was only doing what anyone who cares about their family would do!"

I sat down beside him, gently stroking his arm, soothing him: "Of course,she was just trying to protect the Baker family's reputation."

"These internet users don't understand the rules of high society," Philip said angrily, eyes still fixed on the screen. "They're portraying Mother as some kind of monster."

I seized the opportunity to add: "And look, Annie's comics are selling like crazy because of this. Her fan count has skyrocketed, and her sales have multiplied several times in just hours."

Philip stared at the data in shock, his eyes growing colder.

"This can't be a coincidence," I said softly, as if thinking aloud, "she must have planned all this... orchestrated this controversy just to promote her comics."

Philip was silent for a few seconds, the fire in his eyes burning ever brighter.

"Are you suggesting..." he began slowly, "that Annie might be behind this?That she deliberately directed public opinion against my mother for her own commercial benefit?"

"Think about it," I encouraged gently, "who's the biggest beneficiary? Only Annie. And Betty has never been the type to publicly discuss family

matters... unless someone manipulated her."

Philip suddenly stood up, adjusting his tie. "I'm going to confront her and get to the bottom of this. If she's truly been manipulating things behind the scenes, hurting my mother..." he didn't finish, but the determination in his eyes said it all.

"T'm going now," he declared, "wait for my news at home."

"Alright, darling," I responded softly, my eyes conveying concern, "don't be too impulsive, remember to stay calm."

But internally, I thought: *Be impulsive, the more intense, the better.*

Philip hurriedly left his office. I waited until his footsteps disappeared down the hallway before slowly allowing a smile to form on my lips. I knew what he would do-he would storm into Howard Technologies and confront Annie in front of everyone. All I needed to do was follow him and document everything.

I walked out of the office, took the elevator down, and watched as Philip's car drove away. I immediately got into my own car.

"To Howard Technologies," I instructed the driver, quickly organizing my phone in my purse,ensuring I had enough battery and storage space.

The plan was proceeding smoothly. Soon, Annie Baker would taste the consequences of betraying others.