Chapter 476

The boardroom fell silent as all eyes turned to Harrison Whitmore. He leaned casually against the polished mahogany table, his piercing gaze sweeping across the assembled directors.

"I have a question that's been bothering me," Harrison began, his voice smooth yet commanding. "You're all executives of Kingsley Industries, correct?"

"Obviously," one director snapped, adjusting his tie nervously.

Harrison's lips curled into a knowing smile. "And your annual bonuses are directly tied to the company's performance, aren't they? So why, pray tell, are you making life difficult for Ms. Carter?"

A ripple of discomfort spread through the room. Several directors shifted in their seats, avoiding eye contact.

Julian Hawthorne's face darkened. "What exactly are you implying, Mr. Whitmore?"

Harrison straightened, his posture radiating authority. "Evelyn has been working tirelessly for this company's success, yet you treat her with nothing but contempt. It makes one wonder where your true loyalties lie."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Julian's face flushed crimson as he slammed his fist on the table. "That's outrageous! Every decision we've made has been for Kingsley Industries' benefit!"

"If Evelyn had followed our advice and invested in the southern district development," Julian continued, his voice rising, "the returns would have been astronomical! That project could have elevated our company to new heights!"

Harrison shook his head slowly, like a teacher disappointed with a failing student. "You're wrong."

The directors erupted in protest. "How dare you!" "What do you know about our business?"

A calm smile played on Harrison's lips. "I know enough to say with certainty that project isn't what you think. Give it a month. The truth will reveal itself."

Without another word, Harrison turned to Evelyn, his expression softening. He took her hand gently, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go, Evelyn."

Evelyn nodded, allowing Harrison to guide her from the tense boardroom. The heavy doors hadn't even closed behind them when the shouting began.

"Director Hawthorne, what was he talking about?"

"A month? What happens in a month?"

"Harrison Whitmore runs Horizon Technologies! If he's warning us about this project..."

Julian's face twisted in fury. "Enough! Since when do we take business advice from outsiders? Did you not see the reports? Sterling Enterprises is thriving because of this exact project!"

He glared at each director in turn. "I'll stake my reputation on this. If that project fails, I'll change my damn name! Only fools would listen to baseless rumors."

The directors exchanged uneasy glances but remained silent. None dared voice what they all knew - Julian had invested his entire fortune in that development, even taking out massive loans.

For Julian Hawthorne, failure wasn't just an option - it was an impossibility.

The car ride was quiet except for the hum of the engine. Evelyn stared out the window, her reflection ghostly against the passing cityscape. The tension from the meeting still clung to her like a second skin.

Harrison glanced at her profile, noting the tightness around her eyes. "You're thinking too hard," he murmured.

Evelyn exhaled sharply, her breath fogging the glass. "I just... I can't shake this feeling." Her fingers twisted in her lap, restless and uneasy.

The city lights blurred past as Harrison navigated the evening traffic, giving Evelyn space to process. Sometimes silence spoke louder than words. And right now, the quiet between them said everything.