Chapter 629

The instant Hannah's words cut through the air, the entire conference room froze into a heavy, stifling silence.

Several executives exchanged uneasy glances, their faces darkening with visible discomfort-her blunt words had struck too deep, too mercilessly.

Hodge's complexion turned crimson, an ugly blend of rage and embarrassment twisting his expression as he snapped, "Ms. Scott, please don't twist our words. That's not what any of us implied! What we're trying to say is that there were gentler, more diplomatic ways to resolve this issue. You were far too forceful, and that's exactly what dragged us into this crisis!"

"Oh? So, I got the wrong idea about what you mean?" Hannah's voice rose, clear and sharp. "Then enlighten me. Because what I heard was that since

Rodney didn't get his way with me, the project collapsed, and I'm the convenient culprit for the company's losses-isn't that what you're suggesting?"

Silence pressed in once more-no one dared breathe a word.

Hannah pushed back her chair and stood, both palms resting on the polished table. Her gaze swept over the room like a storm front. "Tell me, when did Luminara Group sink to the point where óur CEO must sell themselves and crawl into bed with degenerates just to close a deal? Doing business with filth like that is beneath us," she said, her voice edged with scorn.

Hodge's chest tightened beneaththe weight of her presence, yet his stubborn pride refused to yield. His eyes darted to the stock graph projected on the wall -its plummeting red line feeding his indignation.

Grinding his teeth, he shot back, "Ms. Scott, why get worked up? I didn't say anything wrong, did l? If you hadn't gone overboard and injured Rodney-and his

private parts-would you be staring down a law/suit right now? Take a look for yourself! The stock price has been dropping since yesterday! This entire mess is your fault!"

He jabbed a finger toward the graph, his tone rising in accusation. "And as if that wasn't enough, you've completely alienated the Griffin family's only son!The partnership we spent years securing is gone!Ever since your return, everything has been in disarray. Honestly, we would've been better off if you'd just stayed abroad and never come back!"

The words hit like daggers, branding Hannah as a burden.

Murmurs rippled through the room as the executives began whispering among themselves, their attention flitting nervously between Hodge and Hannah.

Hannah's expression cooled to ice. She could tolerate differing opinions, but not a selfish agenda dressed as reason. Hodge's intent to pin the blame on a victim, to imply she should have stayed away for daring to stand her ground, revealed what truly

endangered the company-it was not her leadership,but his presence. Such a man, holding power,was the real liability.

With deliberate calm, she lowered herself back into her seat, her gaze no longer acknowledging Hodge.Instead, she addressed the room at large, her tone measured yet firm, "A temporary dip in stock value is hardly catastrophic. Losing the Griffin Group's channel is unfortunate, but not the end of the world.As for Mr. Carman..."

She paused, and when her eyes met Hodge's again,they were as sharp and cold as glass. "It seems you lack both the confidence and respect required for this company/'s future-and for me, as its CEO. Since you believe my return was a mnistake, I'll make things simple. You are no longer needed here. Effective immediately, you're dismissed. Gather your belongings and settle with Finance."

Her words cracked through the silence like thunder,reverberating off the walls.

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Hodge stiffened, disbelief etched across his face. His resentment toward Hannah's return-since it stripped him of authority-had fueled his rebellion today. He'd only meant to vent his anger, not lose everything in a single stroke. Panic flickered in his eyes. "Hannah Scott, you can't do this to me! I was only voicing valid concerns for the company's sake!And for that,you're firing me?"

His voice grew louder, trembling with desperation and fury. "Do you have any idea how much revenue I've generated these past two months? And how many major contracts l've secured? Without me,Luminara wouldn't even be where it is now! You can't just toss me aside like this! What gives you the right to run things like a dictator?"

Hannah's expression didn't waver. She didn't even glance in his direction. Her voice came out cool and detached."Security. Please escort Mr. Carman out."

The two guards stationed by the door immediately approached Hodge.

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Seeing them move, Hodge's outrage erupted. He slammed his fist against the table. "Don't you dare touch me! I'm the deputy chairman of this group!"

He turned sharply toward Hannah, glaring."You think this ends here? I'll call for a special shareholders'meeting! I refuse to believe you can dismiss a deputy chairman who's contributed this much without consequence. You don't have that kind of authority!"

His last words were a desperate attempt to claw back relevance, convinced that the shareholders would take his side.

At that moment, Adrian rose from his seat. Adjusting his glasses with a calm, almost pitying air, he said evenly, "Mr. Carman, perhaps you're unaware of the company's current equity structure."

He let the words hang for a beat before continuing,glancing around the entire board, "Ms. Scott is not merely the CEO. She also holds the largest individual stake in Luminara Group, granting her full control over company affairs. In other words-she is the chairperson."