Chapter 405

Leonard's temper flared at Hannah's remark, his tone climbing. "Me? Guilty? Don't make me laugh!Security is investigating you, not me! What do I have to be afraid of? What should I be scared of? I warned you to step aside while there was still a chance-that was me handing you a sliver of respect. Once the verdict arrives, it's over. You'll be dismissed, cast out with nothing. Let's hear how bold you sound then!"

Hannah's mouth curved faintly. "Then we'll wait for the verdict. What's your hurry?"

Her stare sharpened, slicing through him. "By the way, after I filed the report on the infractions in Warehouse No. 3, the penalty for you hasn't been declared yet, has it? Odd. You face no punishment,yet I'm the one under scrutiny. Interesting, isn't it?"

The remarks rippled across the workplace, provoking gasps and muffled chatter. What was happening?

Would Leonard end up penalized?

Leonard's skin drained of color. His hand quivered as he pointed at her. "Natalie, don't you dare defame me! The warehouse mess came from juniors-it's unrelated to me! You believe I'm scared of you? You think you can topple me?"

Hannah caught the slip at once, her eyes narrowing."Oh? So someone shielding you?"

Her gaze swept the crowd, pausing on Leonard's bloated features, and then drifting to the coworkers who swiftly looked away. "That explains plenty..."

No wonder the office followed Leonard's command-ostracizing her when he ordered it, fawning over her when he changed his mind. No wonder her report of grave misconduct had yielded nothing,leaving Leonard utterly unfazed. So, Leonard had backing.Could it be Calvin?

She recalled the day Calvin had demanded she deliver her report in his office the day after, the disdainful stares on her colleagues' faces. They must

have known her efforts would amount to nothing.Likely because Calvin backed Leonard.

Leonard's mouth twisted into a vicious smirk."Damn right I've got support. And what of it? You're nothing but a newcomer without allies, without influence.What do you possess to challenge me? Oppose me,and you're finished."

He leaned close, his tone venomous and low. "By dawn, you'll be stripped of everything. No career, no standing, no prospects. You'll be shattered-completely destroyed."

The atmosphere froze. Nobody dared stir.

At the edge, Marissa allowed the slightest sneer to tug at her lips.

Leonard's laugh erupted-crude, victorious-as if Natalie's downfall was already sealed. He jutted out his chest and paraded back toward his quarters.

Hannah's eyes gleamed with icy steel. "Very well.We'll see." She offered no further word, returning to her workstation.

Hannah pulled out her phone and entered the executive messaging channel. As Victoria Hale, she tapped a short note to Luminara Group's Vice President, Adrian Miller. "Private Room One,Cloudtop Restaurant, 8 p.m. tonight."

Leonard had barely settled back in his office when Marissa entered, locking the door behind her.

"Leo, wasn't I flawless? Perfect, wasn't it?" she asked sweetly. She was the one who had engineered the scheme unseen.

Leonard snapped the curtains shut and hauled her close, his greasy palms roaming boldly. "You were superb. Thanks to you, tomorrow she's gone entirely.Then, this department is ours again. We'll bleed it for every kickback we want!"

A flicker of scheming lit Marissa's eyes as she coiled around him like a serpent, fingertips sketching idle circles over his chest. "And how do you plan to reward me?" Leonard's chuckle was lewd. His thick hand gripped her bottom hard. "Come to my place tonight, I'll make you come. More than once." His stare blazed with raw lust.

Marissa feigned a coy shiver, voice dripping with tease."Alright, but you'd better keep your word."

... At 8 p.m., in Cloudtop Restaurant's Private Room One,Hannah sat at the head, her expression calm and unreadable.

The door swung quietly open.

Adrian stepped inside. He appeared near thirty, his aura sharp yet steady.

But once his eyes landed on Hannah, astonishment overtook him-swiftly chased by awe. "V-Victoria?"His tone quivered with disbelief and reverence."When did you return? Why didn't you inform me sooner? Should I prepare accommodations right away? Your executive office is still intact-cleaned daily,awaiting your comeback-" Hannah lifted a hand, halting his eager words.Her voice was firm, cool, and absolute. "Mr. Miller, spare the formalities. We can catch up later. I called you here tonight for one reason. To resolve a matter."