Chapter 435
Hannah stood transfixed before the surveillance screen. She was more shocked than ever by the revelation that so many people in Luminara Group's top echelon were in cahoots with Calvin. They abused their positions, siphoned company funds, and rigged projects, weaving together an intricate network of corruption.
Rage and disbelief crashed over her in waves. She could barely contain herself, desperate to storm over and expose their dirty dealings to the world!
Yet, reason quickly reasserted itself. She couldn't act impulsively. These people had deep roots throughout the company; any rash action would only alert them.
Within the conference room, the group's plotting continued unabated.
Michael gave Calvin his orders. "Next, we observe whether Natalie lets anything slip in front of Adrian, and gauge his reaction to her. Bring this file with the fabricated data to Adrian. Let's see if he'l shield her. The moment Adrian shows even a hint of favoritism, or if she breathes so much as a word to him..." Hepaused,eyes glinting with cold malice. "Natalie cannot be kept anymore!"
Calvin bobbed his head eagerly, practically glowing with servile enthusiasm. "Absolutely! I'll take care of it immediately!"
Michael then addressed one of his technical allies, voice dropping to an icy whisper, "Ensure the surveillance footage is completely wiped."
"Consider it done!" came the swift reply, accompanied by a conspiratorial gleam.
"Very well, meeting adjourned. Return to your duties." Michael dismissed them with a casual wave, as though they'd merely discussed lunch plans.
Hannah's fingers flew across the control console. Using Victoria's top-level clearance, she copied Meeting Room 3's complete footage into an encrypted cloud storage that only she could access. Once finished,she slipped away from the surveillance area without attracting the slightest attention.
Back in her office, she secured the door. She briefed Adrian swiftly on the day's revelations, stressing that he must cooperate with her plan and maintain complete neutrality, showing her no special treatment whatsoever.
Adrian's agreement did little to ease Hannah's troubled expression. Luminara Group truly stood at a crossroads.
As anticipated, Hannah received a summons to Adrian's office shortly after. Both Michael and Calvin awaited her there.
The "damning evidence" lay spread across Adrian's desk.
Adrian confronted Hannah with harsh accusations about the data falsification, his tone cutting like a blade as he announced her immediate termination.
Hannah maintained her silence. She offered no defense and made no desperate pleas.
Her quiet defiance appeared obstinate and remorseless in the face of Adrian's wrath.
Just as Adrian prepared to deliver the final blow, Michael intervened with perfect timing. He first validated Adrian's righteous anger and unwavering principles and then smoothly shifted to advocate for Natalie."Fortunately, we caught this before any real damage occurred. Termination seems rather harsh. Perhaps docking three months' salary with a month of probation would suffice? Should anything like this happen again, immediate dismissal follows without question. What are your thoughts, Mr. Miller?"
Adrian considered Michael's proposal and eventually relented with a heavy sigh. "Very well, we'll go with that."
Hannah accepted the punishment without argument or gratitude, offering only a slight bow before turning toward the door.
As she stepped into.the hallway, Calvin materialized beside her, brushing past while murmuring quickly,"Well done. You passed the test." Hannah's stride faltered, her face cycling through a canvas of shock, bewilderment, and dawning terror, as though the true scope of her situation had just crystallized.
Calvin, pleased with her "stunned" reaction, flashed a meaningful smile and continued down the hall.
Once Calvin's figure vanished around the corner, Hannah's expression hardened to ice. They still believed they held all the cards. Soon, it would be time to sweep them all up in one decisive move.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Gavin."Ms. Scott, do you recognize this man? He confessed to sabotaging your brake system."
A photo accompanied the text.
Hannah's brow creased in confusion.Why was it him?