Chapter 426

Hannah received a call from property management, informing her that Vincent's vehicle had been barred from accessing Sterling Heights. For the past few days, Vincent had finally ceased waiting outside her door,giving her some much-needed peace.

Meanwhile, since the confrontation in the lobby amid the torrential rainfall, an uneasy quiet had hung over the departments.

Adrian had directly intervened, swiftly imposing punishment on several staff members who had circulated harmful gossip and defamation. Colleen and Esme were dismissed immediately, while others, including Jaclyn, were placed on suspension under review.

This development rattled the entire workplace, plunging them into collective nervousness. The chatter surrounding Natalie's sudden rise in rank and her association with Calvin vanished completely. Speculation spread that Adrian might, in fact, be Natalie's secret financial backer.

Inevitably, such talk reached Calvin. If that rumor proved accurate, then all the shady dealings he and Leonard had been involved in-the tampering of warehouse ledgers, siphoning profits from faulty goods,exaggerating deficits, pocketing bribes-even the current manipulations within the Stellink Plan-were unfolding right under Adrian's supervision?

A chilling dread overtook Calvin. He felt as though the very structure around him was collapsing inward. He resolved that he must uncover the truth regarding Natalie and Adrian's relationship.

Pushing back his unease, Calvin masked himself with his standard commanding demeanor and pressed the intercom. "Natalie, step into my office."

When Hannah entered Calvin's office, she instantly perceived that something was unusual. Although Calvin wore a grin, it failed to reach his eyes.

"Mr. Briggs, you asked for me?" Hannah said steadily, approaching his desk. Calvin withheld an instant reply. He instead picked up an arbitrary weekly file from the desk, skimmed it without interest, and then flung it before her with visible displeasure. "Natalie, review this. The data stream optimization report for this assignment was turned in two days ago, yet l've still not received the final version. Your pace appears somewhat inadequate."

Hannah smirked inwardly. He was plainly fabricating fault. The document had actually been delivered only yesterday. She stayed composed, bowing her head slightly. "Forgive me, Mr. Briggs. That was my mistake.I finalized it yesterday afternoon and intended to carefully verify the figures this morning before submitting it to you later today. I'll handle it immediately and ensure you have the finished draft by the end of the day."

Calvin responded with a dismissive grunt, reclining in his seat, his stare locked on her expression.

Abruptly, he redirected the subject, his manner adopting a pretense of concern. "Natalie, it appears you've been getting a bit too full of yourself of late."

Hannah lifted her gaze in staged puzzlement, her tone edged with inquiry. "Mr. Briggs, what exactly are you suggesting? I don't quite follow. Have there been shortcomnings in my performance?"

Calvin's eyes grew sharper. "Your output is outstanding, remnarkably so. In fact, it's so remarkable that I'm left to wonder whether you've confided in Mr. Miller about our dealings."

Hannah's brow twitched. Was this a deliberate probe? She widened her eyes in measured alarm, her tone urgent. "Mr. Briggs, why did you entertain such a notion? Why would I ever disclose anything to Mr. Miller? If he becomes aware, both of us are finished! Moreover, I barely know Mr. Miller."

"Barely know him?" Calvin's disbelief was evident, suspicion etched in his gaze. "Then why is he extending you so much protection? That clash in the first-floor lobby-several departments ganged up on you, and it got prettyserious! In the end, Mr. Miller personally stepped in to sort it out. At that day, you appeared to have Mr. Miller in the palm of your hand!"

Hannah sneered inwardly. Clearly, Calvin remained hung up on Adrian's intervention that day. She adopted a look of weary resignation, her tone laced with self-deprecation. "Mr. Briggs, you're giving me way too much credit! I'm only a modest supervisor. How could I possibly command Mr. Miller? He's simply rigid about procedures and corporate policy. I merely exploited that. I presented the internal codes alongside evidence of those employees' violations, compelling Mr. Miller to act according to regulations." Her explanation carried a convincing logic, polished and persuasive.

Yet, Calvin remained unconvinced. Even so, he acted like he accepted it-for the time being. Secretly,he had already laid a snare, prepared for her inevitable misstep.