CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO – A NEW RIVAL TO CONTEND WITH

Over the next few weeks, Brenda's apology tour escalated. She donated money to charities, fired employees from the old regime, and parroted ethical manufacturing practices Karina had pioneered. With each ploy for forgiveness, Brenda's critics grew quieter as she rebranded herself as a champion for positive change. Karina couldn't contain her outrage any longer. "How dare she try turning my values into her big redemption act? It's all for show, to keep milking profits!" Lucinda shrugged. "She's a skilled performer capitalizing on society's desperate cravings for redemptive narratives. Lip service bounces off the cluelessly noble like a newborn cult following." The more Karina raged against Brenda's hollow conversion, the more Brenda played the persecuted, repentant visionary just trying to make amends. Her sickly-sweet pleas for forgiveness only amplified across media channels. Finally, Karina broke down in front of Lucinda. "I can't keep fighting her lies perpetuating more lies! H