Darkstone Code-Chapter 971 - 969: I’m the Innocent One

Some problems can be easily resolved by treating them with a cold approach. If the issues don’t escalate, refusing to deal with them might lead those causing trouble to calm down over time as they realize there’s no benefit.

However, certain issues escalate right from the start, and using a ’low-profile approach’ to handle them can appear overly ’wise.’

Like now, a group of store owners is protesting at the entrance of the Every Moment Building, with television stations and newspaper reporters covering the events, eager to let the whole world know what is happening.

Remaining silent and doing nothing at this time can lead to more unforeseen problems.

The self-esteem of the public, especially the lower class, is sensitive and fragile. When they mistakenly view ’low-profile’ as ’neglect,’ their fragile self-esteem can explode.

First, they might harm themselves, and then they could harm others.

Therefore, the best solution at this time is to stand up and clarify the issues, letting people understand Every Moment hasn’t done anything wrong; there aren’t those self-proclaimed moral models standing on their side. Continuing to cause trouble would thus be meaningless.

Regarding Lynch’s choice, the head of the legal department merely expressed acceptance. His relationship with Every Moment isn’t very close; Every Moment is just one of the many clients of the law firm he represents.

Subsequently, Lynch asked his secretary to arrange for him to attend the nighttime current affairs talk show "Don’t Talk About Current Affairs" on Federation News Television Station at 9 p.m.

Mo is the host’s name.

Once it was confirmed Lynch would appear on the show, Every Moment displayed some notices on the announcement board at the company entrance, informing people that acting President Lynch would discuss these matters on "Don’t Talk About Current Affairs" tonight.

If anyone has questions or things they wish to know, rather than shouting meaninglessly here, they should wait by their TV with a phone and communicate directly with Lynch on the show.

The crowd at the entrance gradually dispersed, and eventually, everyone was gone.

They needed to prepare; some were merely curious, others intended to communicate with Lynch.

In the evening, in the makeup room behind the studio hall, the makeup artist was making Lynch appear more mature.

Momo stood by the side.

Momo might be just a stage name; who knows? Anyway, she’s a professional woman in her thirties.

Federation citizens have different demands for program content at different times. Like the second half of last year, various political show programs nearly took over all channels.

Because the upcoming election, even if people had guessed the outcome from the start, they were still willing to watch programs related to politics.

Experts say this increases public participation, making them truly feel a sense of mission and pride in ’I voted for the President.’

Thus, when policy issues arose during the President’s term, at least most citizens wouldn’t strongly oppose—after all, this is the group responsible for choosing, and they must bear the consequences of their initial choice.

The best approach is to pretend that ’I can accept it, if you can’t, that’s your problem, not the President’s.’

Now, with the Presidential election over, current affairs and entertainment have once again become the top-rated shows.

Momo has already become Federation Television Station’s premier program host, and the fact that she hosts the 9 p.m. slot shows her importance.

At this moment, this renowned female host was looking at Lynch through the mirror, feeling a bit curious, "Do you really not need to know in advance some of our content for discussion?"

Lynch looked at Momo standing by the door through the mirror’s reflection, dressing in a neutral style, "If I read those scripts, how would I answer the questions later?"

"Would I say things against my wishes or express the truth I want to convey?"

"I don’t want to be a liar; I choose to speak the truth."

Momo couldn’t help but laugh, "You’re interesting, unlike others I’ve interviewed, they all seem intriguing. Shortly, there will be phone-ins as well. We will screen questions beforehand, is there anything you don’t want to answer?"

Lynch shook his head slightly, making sure his movements were not too big, avoiding trouble for the makeup artist.

Seeing Lynch’s confident appearance, Momo laughed and said, "I hope you’re not mad after the show; if you are, I’ll treat you to supper."

"Are you asking me out?" Lynch retorted with a question.

Momo giggled and turned to leave, leaving behind a beautiful silhouette, but not a definite answer.

The makeup artist acted as if he heard nothing and knew nothing, continuing to seriously apply makeup for Lynch.

At 9:55, the program started.

"Welcome to ’Don’t Talk About Current Affairs,’ I am the host..." She sat on a single sofa, crossing her legs, with some notebooks containing recorded questions placed above, short-haired, having a unique intellectual beauty.

She didn’t continue speaking after reaching this point; the enthusiastic audience shouted out her name, "Momo!" The atmosphere was very lively.

She smiled brightly at the camera, "Tonight, I’m quite lucky. I heard many people want to interview Mr. Lynch and keep calling him. Thankfully, my call got through, and that presents us our unique guest for tonight—"

She stood up, facing the guest pathway, beginning to clap, "Welcome, Mr. Lynch!"

As Lynch walked out from the guest aisle, the audience’s attitude towards him instantly showed two extremes.

Supporters were clapping hard and cheering, while those against him were making disapproval gestures, constantly booing him.

This might symbolize and reflect the spirit of Federation freedom; anyway, it’s very lively.

After shaking hands with the host, the two sat separately.

"Earlier, I spoke with Mr. Lynch, asking if he cared what questions I might ask him tonight, do you know what he said?" Momo was sorting materials placed on her legs while smiling and shaking her head, "He said he chooses to speak the truth."

At this point, irrespective of whether one likes him or dislikes him, everyone started applauding.

This is something they believe is true; Lynch has repeatedly expressed on other shows that he can choose not to appear, but he will definitely speak the truth.

Both supporters and detractors of Lynch admire him greatly for this.

The older one becomes, the more one understands how difficult speaking the truth is.

Having sorted the materials, Momo posed the first question, "Today’s victory for Every Moment in many people’s eyes signifies the law has lost its fairness. What are your views on this?"

Lynch shook his head, "I don’t know what you or others mean by this; the law has always been fair. In the eyes of the law, we are all equal; it won’t favor me, nor will it favor you; it is fair."

Momo was observing Lynch’s expressions changing, "Some people believe the company’s market value evaporation has nothing to do with those innocent store owners. Agreeing to some methods with the court backing your requests to compensate for losses, do you think this is appropriate?"

Receiving this, Lynch showed a slight ironic smile at the corner of his mouth, "Like I just mentioned, the law is fair; one can’t assume it’s unfair simply because I received a disadvantageous verdict."

"Due to acquisition cases inside Every Moment, these erupted lawsuits troubled the board and shareholders."

"Evaluating the company’s Every Moment valuation showed a pessimistic view owing to so many concurrent cases and impacted the stock price. Plus, their false claims caused significant harm to the brand image."

"I only sought accountability for actual economic losses, not the damage to the image. I don’t think my demands excessive; instead, I’m more lenient than people imagined."

Momo remained silent, perhaps contemplating, wanting more answers.

Or maybe she hadn’t reacted yet.

After waiting for a few seconds, she raised her hand signaling to stop, "Wait a minute, a company’s market value fluctuations should be a market phenomenon, why then assume it must have a connection with those accused merchants?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Lynch’s response came much faster than Momo’s consideration, "Suppose you’re selling a house, a realtor offers you a price of ten thousand bucks, suddenly some people claim your house is haunted, a murder occurred inside, jeopardizing its selling price or sale potential, would you hold those rumormongers accountable?"

"They’ve already inflicted substantial damage; housing fluctuations are part of market liberty, yet do you consider this fluctuation falls within a reasonable scope?"

With that explanation, several audience members displayed thoughtful expressions; complex cases they couldn’t grasp, but simpler examples touching everyday life brought clarity.

Every Moment equates to Lynch’s ’house,’ the litigations akin to false claims ’the house is haunted;’ in this sense, Lynch’s demands might not be excessive.

Momo swapped through materials, retrieving a sheet, "Those store owners claim individuals proactively contacted them alleging your breach of contract and offering free assistance safeguarding their lawful rights; from a certain perspective, they indeed were victims."

Lynch acknowledged, nodding once, "I recognize this; however, victimhood cannot justify why Every Moment should avoid bearing inflicted harm."

"Someone hands you a knife, urging a stab at me, you comply, now I’m seeking responsibility, and you retort claiming someone asked you. Would the courts or judges deem you innocent?"

The room erupted with slight laughter, who’s foolish enough to act upon another’s prompts?

Yet the realization soon dawned; regardless of the store owners’ intent, whether objective or subjective in suing Every Moment, their actions inevitably harmed Every Moment.

Following the laughter was silence, subsequently broken by sparse applause, eventually aligning cohesively.