Chapter 434

Hannah's heart lurched. Someone had caught onto the tampered data already?

Hannah stole a glance at Calvin. His head remained bowed, his silence betraying no hint of defense or shared accountability.

Yet, what struck her as odd was that Calvin showed not a hint of panic. If their doings had been exposed,how could the mastermind, Calvin, remain so unruffled?

Steadying herself, Hannah met Michael's piercing gaze with calm resolve. "Mr. Clark, I'm not sure what you're implying. I processed this document according to standard data procedures and guidelines.I didn't tamper with anything."

"No tampering?" Collin sneered, snatching up another document. "Take a look at this! The Finance Department just verified your bank statement. Your personal account received thirty thousand dollars yesterday afternoon, from an unknown source-right after you submitted this 'optimized' document! Natalie,how can you deny it? Isn't this solid evidence of your kickbacks?"

"Speak!" Michael slammed his fist on the table. "This is a major deal. A mere supervisorlike you couldn't pull it off alone. Who's behind it? Do you have accomplices?"

The weight of their accusations pressed down on Hannah. Every eye in the room locked onto her.

Should she betray Calvin? The thought crossed her mind briefly but was snuffed out just as quickly. The timing wasn't right-not at all. This felt like a carefully laid trap.

"Ms. Preston," Michael said, "provide the names of your accomplices, and we'll consider offsetting your mistakes and chalking it up to being misled. You're young. Your future matters."

Hannah refused to waver. She shifted the focus. "The thirty thousand dollars came from my side job. It has nothing to do with the company project."

Richard scoffed, tapping the′′problematic document" on the table with force. "Fine, let's say the money's from your side job. But what about this document? Are you claiming you didn't manipulate the data? Several key figures here don't add up!"

Michael leaned forward, his voice low and pointed. "Natalie, let's be blunt. Was it Calvin? Did he orderyou to falsify the data? Be honest. Confess, and we'll report him immediately. And..." He paused, dangling a tempting offer. "We'll promote you to manager. You'd take his place."

Calvin, silent until now, finally lifted his head, his eyes searching Natalie's face.

"NO,"Hannah said. "Mr. Briggs gave me no such instructions."

Michael's face twisted with exaggerated disappointment and fury. "You're being foolish, Natalie! Protecting him? Will he protect you? Look at him-he hasn't said a word in your defense. Is he worth it?"

Other directors joined in.

"Exactly, Ms. Preston! What's the point of staying silent? Speak now, and you can still salvage this."

"If we confirm it later, getting fired will be the least of your problems. You could face legal consequences.By then, you'll have no one to turn to!"

Hannah paused for a moment and then spoke with measured calm. "I didn't temper with the data. Mr. Briggs did not instruct me either."

Michael stared at her for a long beat and then waved her off with a dismissive flick of his hand. "Fine. You're done here. We'll notify you of your punishment later."

Wordlessly, Hannah turned and left the office.

The meeting room door closed behind her, sealing off the tension within.

The oppressive atmosphere in the room dissolved instantly.

Michael's scowl gave way to an amused smirk. He picked up his cup, sipping leisuely as he glanced at Calvin. "Calvin, this one's a cut above that fool Leonard. She's poised and unshaken. Even under that kind of pressure, she didn't turn on you. Quite impressive." Collin leaned back in his chair, a grin spreading across his face. "Her composure is remarkable. Mr. Clark's final offer of a managerial promotion would have swayed most people. Yet, she stood firm, insisting it wasn't Calvin's doing. That's an impressive level of composure!"

Their conversation rolled on.

Meanwhile, Hannah returned to the security center. She stood before the conference room's surveillance monitor, her gaze sharp. So, this really was a trap set by them.