Chapter 187 New Product Launch

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After a week, the damaging information was still a hot topic on business websites. Kate checked each and every day to see if anything had changed; she knew Joseph had a way of dealing with it, so she never mentioned it again. As they ate the supper she prepared, Kate did her very best to find something else to talk about.

Samuel thought Joseph would have acted after a day or two, so when he didn't, Samuel let down his guard and began to move on to the next step of his plan. While Joseph developed products, Samuel worked on creating the same ones. Then once, the negative publicity destroyed Joseph's reputation, Samuel began to launch the new product under Smith Group, defeating Joseph.

Just as Samuel was becoming overly confident in his abilities to harm Joseph's reputation, John was advised to take the countermeasures he and Joseph planned. As his assistant for many years, John was able to get positive comments out to the public immediately; it was the exact same as what Samuel did with his slander campaign.

Their retaliation against Smith Group was simple, but it won the support and approval of most companies. However, a few people were afraid of Smith Group's strength and felt obligated to stand by them. The ones who looked at the comments with a proper perspective supported Joseph.

Joseph was not failing; he had a vast payout, meaning Samuel was dealt a heavy blow.

After the Smith Group launched their product, Joseph took the time to redefine his item and make any changes so that they were no longer the same, attracting many consumers' and vendors' attention. Handling the negative criticism with a constructive attitude and promoting the product well, Joseph's business associates felt that it was a natural step in the right direction to praise him after the launch.

Kate finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the wonderful reviews people were leaving about Joseph and his company. However, her good mood changed slightly when Lisa called as she was about to leave the office.

Lisa explained that her mother still felt terrible for what had happened on the blind date. Kate had been so busy that she had forgotten all about it, but when Lisa mentioned it, she was slightly upset. Lisa's mother wanted to apologize in person and invited Kate to dinner.

As Kate got out of the taxi, Lisa's mother ran over to her, "I am so sorry, Kate. It was so very kind of you to help Lisa. I feel horrible for you being bullied by that bastard, even after Mr. Smith has taught him a lesson. I just wanted to apologize to you!"

In Kate's head, Lisa's mother was always a rude woman, so she was amazed by her kind words. The apology was not nearly as necessary as the lesson Lisa's mother could learn from the situation; she needed to stop casually arranging blind dates for Lisa.

Smiling, Kate said, "You do not need to apologize. I am fine, and it is in the past, so let's not mention it again."

"Lisa, you just need to promise your mother that you will be open to love and seize the chance when you meet the right man," Kate laughed. After she said it, she realized Lisa had commented that she liked someone but never said who it was. Kate was determined to find out more information the next time they were alone.

"See, Mom, did you hear what Kate said? She never blamed you; you were just overthinking," Lisa said, hoping her mother would feel better and not speak any further of it, but her mother had other plans.

"Kate, I heard that after that bastard was beaten, he has been lying in bed. One of his children is in school, while the other is just a baby and his wife has no job. He is the only person who can make money, but he is paralyzed. Their life has become extremely difficult."

"Mom, what are you talking about?!" Lisa interrupted her, "Don't tell me that you are here pleading for that bastard!"

Kate and Lisa were both stunned when they heard what Lisa's mother said. Neither said a word, so she added, "Kate, what he did to you was horrible, but he has learned his lesson. He will never be able to cheat anyone else, and you don't need to worry that he will seek revenge."

"You need to leave, Mom!" Lisa was furious and pushed her mother. She honestly believed that her mother just wanted to apologize to Kate; she never thought that she would beg for the man who treated them like dirt. Lisa knew that he was the nephew of her mother's friend, but it had nothing to do with her or Kate. The thoughts of his real intentions and actions that night made Lisa even angrier.

"Don't push me!" Lisa's mother shouted at her before appealing again, "I know you and Lisa have been good friends over the years. She has always told me how kind you are, so I am hoping that you can forgive him for the sake of his wife and children. I hope you will help them."

Lisa turned to Kate, "Do not worry about my feelings! Refuse her!"

Then she turned to her mother, "I don't have any objections to you making friends with that bastard's aunt. However, he is immoral, and if Kate and I did not see through his scheming, we would have been drunk. I don't think I need to explain to you what would have happened then, do I?"

Knowing that Kate would be too uncomfortable to turn her mother down, Lisa snapped, "You know that because of your plans, he hurt Kate. Yet, you are standing in front of her begging her to help him? As kind as she is, she would not show that bastard any mercy!"