Chapter 260

"Or was this some elaborate scheme of yours?" Adrian's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "What's your real objective? To have me expelled from Kingsley Industries?"

Silence thickened the air.

Adrian's carefully chosen words left Julian Hawthorne stumbling over his own tongue. The director's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, unable to form a coherent response.

Adrian dismissed him with a glance, turning his attention to Evelyn Carter instead. "What's your take on this situation, Ms. Carter?"

Evelyn's frosty gaze settled on Julian. Her voice remained steady as she stated, "Mr. Prescott is the heir to Prescott Enterprises in Frenda. Our families had once considered arranging a marriage between us."

"Now we've all witnessed Mr. Prescott's capabilities firsthand - how he single-handedly secured the Dunhill project." Her eyes swept across the room before landing pointedly on Montgomery Pierce. "I believe Mr. Prescott deserves a full explanation for today's events."

The contempt in Evelyn's eyes was unmistakable as she addressed the trembling accountant. "Since you've made these accusations, you must have evidence, correct?"

"Present your proof. Fail to do so, and you'll face charges for false accusation. That's a jailable offense."

Montgomery had merely been following Julian's orders. How had everything spiraled out of control? They'd assured him all the evidence was prepared - all he needed to do was file the report.

What went wrong?

The accountant collapsed to his knees, grasping at Julian's trousers. "Director Hawthorne, help me! I don't want to go to prison!"

Julian's face darkened as he jerked away. "Your actions have nothing to do with me!"

"Director, we're partners! You can't just abandon me now!" Montgomery's voice cracked with desperation.

Panic flashed across Julian's features.

"Ms. Carter, don't listen to him. While we may share distant relations, we're hardly close. We barely interact. He's clearly trying to frame me by-"

"Director Hawthorne, you gave me direct orders!" Montgomery interrupted hysterically. "You said I just needed to report Mr. Prescott and you'd handle everything else!"

"What's happening now? Are you throwing me to the wolves?"

Julian's face twisted in fury. "Silence!"

He pointed an accusing finger at Montgomery. "He's spouting nonsense! I never instructed him to-"

Evelyn paid no heed to Julian's protests. She knelt beside the trembling accountant, her voice low but carrying. "Mr. Pierce, you've been with this company for years. You understand how things work."

"I'm offering you one chance. From this moment forward, every word must be the absolute truth. Otherwise, no one can save you."

Montgomery nodded frantically. "I swear, Ms. Carter! Only the truth! Every word!"

Evelyn's voice turned icy. "Who ordered this? What did they promise you?"

"It was Director Hawthorne!" Montgomery blurted out. "No - it was his assistant, Donovan Pierce who approached me! They said Mr. Prescott was obstructing the-"

Montgomery swallowed hard before continuing. "They promised me a million dollars upon completion, enough to disappear. Donovan provided all the instructions."

Julian's face paled as he scrambled to shift blame. "It was Donovan! That traitor! I can't believe he'd use my name for such schemes. I won't let him-"