CHAPTER 35: FACE SLAPPING

Thirty minutes later, Naomi returned to Stefan’s office, her steps uncertain, a deep frown carved across her usually composed face.

Ruby noticed immediately. "Naomi? What’s wrong?"

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Naomi hesitated for a beat before answering, her voice low and worried. "Mr. Winters... there’s a board meeting happening right now. I overheard in the hallway—it’s being led by your uncle and a few of the board members."

Stefan’s jaw tightened at her words. His fingers stilled against the armrest of his chair, the slow drumming ceasing entirely.

"Richard," he muttered, his voice edged with frustration.

Ruby turned to him, her brows knitted together. "I’m sure it’s because of the conference. How could Richard be doing this at this time," she said, trying not to get upset.

Stefan didn’t answer right away. He didn’t have to as even he was already getting angry at Richard.

Half of the board supported Richard Winters and that was why Richard would always try to discredit him whenever he encountered any difficulty.

They had always been a quiet majority—watching, waiting, never overtly rebellious, but their loyalty to Richard was no secret in the upper floors of Winters Corp after the death of Stefan’s father.

Ruby stepped closer, lowering her voice. "What do we do now?"

Stefan’s expression was unreadable. "Nothing. I wasn’t invited to the meeting, which means they don’t want me there. And I’m not about to barge into something they didn’t intend for me to attend. Or maybe I will, when the time for face slapping comes. Too bad I wouldn’t be able to see their faces."

Just then, the office door slammed open with full force.

Everyone jolted slightly as Mr. Sherlock stormed in, his face flushed with anger and disbelief. "What the hell was that stunt you pulled? A press conference?" he barked, voice echoing through the room. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Stefan."

Stefan didn’t flinch. Calmly, he turned toward the man, voice low and even. "You and I both know it wasn’t a stunt. You’re here because you’ve seen the contract."

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Mr. Sherlock stopped in his tracks, chest heaving slightly. He didn’t respond right away, but the fire in his eyes slowly dimmed, his posture relaxing.

It was because he had seen it, hence he had come running here to stop the contract from being terminated.

Silence hung between them for a moment, thick and tense as Mr Sherlock pulled a chair.

"Did you mean it?" Mr. Sherlock asked, his voice more composed now. "You’re actually terminating the contract?"

"Maybe," Stefan replied without hesitation. "We wouldn’t be at this point if you had shown up to the meeting I called."

Mr. Sherlock sighed heavily, rubbing his face with both hands. "Look... I messed up. I shouldn’t have ignored your invite. I just thought the construction company had it under control without having me involved. But clearly... they didn’t. I really can’t afford to lose this contract. So tell me—what can I do to fix this?"

Ruby stayed quiet, watching Stefan intently as he leaned forward. He already knew Mr Sherlock would come running here if he saw that clause.

"You’ll take full responsibility for what happened at the construction site well, except you’re getting the construction company to do it with immediate effect," Stefan said flatly. "You’ll get the construction company to meet the workers’ demands—wages, safety equipment, proper hours. All of it. They’re your workers whether indirectly as much as they’re mine. Treat them right."

"And," Stefan added, "you’ll apologize publicly. In a press conference. No excuses, no justifications. You’ll acknowledge your failings and promise changes."

Mr. Sherlock stared at him, eyes wide. "You’re not leaving any room for negotiation?"

"No," Stefan replied. "Not when lives were at risk."

Mr. Sherlock exhaled slowly, clearly weighing his options. After a long pause, he nodded. "Alright. I’ll do it. All of it."

Stefan gave a single nod of approval. "Good."

Mr. Sherlock stood up again, smoothing the front of his coat. "I know there’s unrest in the company. The board must be restless after that conference."

"They are," Stefan said simply. "Which is why I think it’s best if you come with me to their meeting. Show them the matter has been resolved. Calm the waters."

Mr. Sherlock blinked in surprise. "You want me to go in there with you?"

"Yes," Stefan replied. "Let’s put this to rest—for good."

Without another word, Stefan stood, adjusting his collar with Ruby’s help before she gently led him toward the door. Mr. Sherlock followed behind, a noticeable change in his demeanor.

As they walked toward the boardroom, murmurs echoed in the hallway. Naomi trailed behind them quietly, alert but respectful of the moment.

Inside the boardroom, the meeting had grown heated. Richard was at the head of the table, gesturing animatedly as several board members nodded in agreement.

The room went still as the door opened and Stefan walked in, Ruby beside him and Mr. Sherlock close behind.

"Stefan?" Richard’s voice was sharp. "This is a closed—"

"Meeting about me," Stefan interrupted. "So I think it’s only fair I be here. And I brought Mr. Sherlock to speak for himself."

Richard looked stunned, but before he could respond, Mr. Sherlock stepped forward.

"I’d like to apologize," he said, addressing the room. "To this board, to Mr. Stefan Winters, and most importantly—to the workers whose lives were put in danger."

The room fell into stunned silence.

"I take full responsibility for the negligence at my construction site. As of this moment, I have agreed to have the construction company meet the demands of those workers, and I will be holding a public press conference to address my company’s failings."

He paused, then turned to Stefan. "Mr. Winters stood his ground for the right reasons. His decision to call out this injustice publicly should be applauded, not questioned."

With that, he stepped aside, the room still stunned.

One of the directors at the far end finally cleared his throat. "Well... I suppose this puts the matter to rest."

Another nodded slowly. "Stefan, you did a commendable job. Most people wouldn’t have the courage to do what you did."

Richard looked around the room, clearly frustrated that the tides were turning against him. But he said nothing.

Stefan simply nodded. "Thank you. I only did what was necessary."

As they exited the room, Ruby cast Stefan a sideways glance, pride glowing in her eyes.

"That," she whispered, "was a masterclass."

Stefan smiled faintly, squeezing her hand. "Only because you were with me."