Chapter 212: Chapter 212



Joelle’s eyes first landed on the post title that blatantly used her name. The content was nothing short of explosive. It blasted her for overcharging, and someone had even uploaded her photos. Further allegations suggested her studio was just a cover for illicit financial transactions.

Such absurd accusations made Joelle burst out laughing. However, the truly disheartening aspect was the misguided comments beneath these posts. Clearly uninformed about violins, some commenters attacked the quality of her instruments.

The power of the internet is formidable; it can build up or break down reputations in an instant. Within just a few hours, her studio’s official email was bombarded with thousands of hateful messages. Left with no alternative, Joelle decided to respond publicly.

She sought advice from her lawyer, who believed the man was trying to stir up public sympathy to coerce her into dropping the lawsuit. But Joelle was determined not to give in.

She took it upon herself to reach out to the man and confronted him over the phone. “Are you behind these online rumors?”

The man played dumb. “What rumors? What do they have to do with me? And how can you be so sure they’re just rumors? Who’s to say your business is as honest as you claim? Just thinking about my girlfriend buying a violin from someone like you disgusts me.”

Despite being unused to dealing with such crass behavior, Joelle remained calm. “This has gone far enough. Let’s arrange a meeting to resolve this. My attorney will contact you.”

“What are you up to? Are you trying to admit that your prices are too high?”

“I’ve already clarified that our prices are determined by official appraisals. While you may not agree, your girlfriend did. She chose to spend $360,000 on the violin, validating its value to her. Your disagreement doesn’t negate the violin’s worth.”

“How dare you!” The man’s indignation flared up. “Do you understand how long it takes for ordinary people to save $360,000? For many, that’s over a year’s expenses. You seem so detached, failing to recognize that $360,000 represents a significant sacrifice for me—it’s about survival!”

Joelle frowned, puzzled by his twisting of her words. “That’s not my intention.”

“Then what are you saying? Are you mocking me for not earning enough, for not having enough money? I might not be as wealthy as you, but it’s up to each person to decide if they want to buy a $360,000 violin. I can’t afford it, and you refuse to lower your price!”

The man hung up abruptly, leaving Joelle with a sinking feeling. Her instincts proved right; by evening, he had manipulated their conversation and shared it online. Joelle’s comments were twisted to portray her as heartless on social media.

“$360,000? Is the violin made of gold?”

“Is the owner of this violin shop even human? Look at how they’re exploiting ordinary people for money!” Several tried to provide context. “This store targets the high-end market. To the average person, a violin might not seem worth $360,000, but remember that historically, famous violins have sold for millions at auctions. In that context, $360,000 isn’t unreasonable.”

Yet, such attempts at clarification only sparked more anger. In an era where social sensitivities are at a peak and economic disparities starkly visible, Joelle’s perceived detachment and principles only served to distance her further from the public. With many struggling daily just to survive, her defense of such high prices seemed out of touch.

Amidst this turmoil, Joelle accepted her predicament. Her once-private life was now subjected to public scrutiny online. Accusations that she was merely a beneficiary of wealth overshadowed her genuine accomplishments as an award-winning violinist. Rumors circulated that her family had purchased her accolades. Joelle was overwhelmed by the rampant gossip and theories.

“The studio has definitely become well-known, but not in the way we wanted.”

The online hostility was unyielding, reaching even Katherine. Katherine offered some comfort over the phone. “Thankfully, the internet has a short memory. This will pass soon, and they’ll find something else to focus on.”

Joelle was very frustrated. “I was too naive. I didn’t expect that man to record our conversation.”

“That’s alright. You recorded it as well, didn’t you?” Indeed, Joelle started recording their interactions after consulting with her lawyer, who recommended documenting all dealings with the parties involved. Thankfully, she had that recording; without it, defending herself would have been impossible.

Katherine pointed out a potential silver lining. “Spreading false information and inciting harassment might get him a stint in jail for up to thirty days.”

“That’s true.”

“Joelle, do you need help? If it’s too much—”

“It’s alright, Kathy.”

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