Things were getting worse.
The online public opinion was escalating, stocks of the Northern China Business Association plummeted, and many investors began pulling out, leaving the executives of the associations' subsidiaries howling in despair.
The mounting negativity on the internet led to a wave of mindless mobbing against the Thirteen Hall.
Bystanders started gathering outside Thirteen Hall, and the situation seemed to spiral out of control.
Finally, the authorities stepped in, dispersing the crowd while promising to provide a satisfactory explanation.
...
Upon seeing a video of Eloise Torres being interviewed online, Ruth Dawn called immediately, "Mom, what nonsense are you spouting on the internet?
How could you defame William Cole like this?"
Eloise Torres responded dismissively, "Defame? Everything I said is the truth!"
"What truth? You're clearly slandering him." Ruth Dawn argued resolutely.