bChapter /bb224 /b

    When Ste returned to the office, she saw a crowd of reporters swarming outside, their cameras shing bnonstop/b. bShe /bslipped in through the underground garage, dodging those aggressive reporters.

    As soon as she arrived at the office, the receptionist hurried over. “Ms. Hayes, there’s awyer waiting for you in the conference room. He says he’s here on behalf of Mr. Andrew Hayes.”

    Ste frowned. ‘What is Andrew trying to pull now?‘ she wondered.

    She pushed open the conference room door and saw a middle–aged man in a sharp suit, busy arranging some documents.

    “Ms. Hayes,” thewyer greeted, standing up and handing her his business card. “I’m Winston Hensley from Golden Integrity Law Firm. Mr. Hayes sent me to discuss something important with you.”

    “Sit down, please,” Ste said, sitting down, her expression cold.

    Winston opened his briefcase and pulled out a thick stack of legal papers. “Ms. Hayes, after our investigation, we’ve found some procedural issues with Eleanor’s will. We have reason to question whether it is genuine, and we’re requesting that the shares be redistributed.”

    Ste let out a coldugh. “What kind of issues?”

    “First, there are doubts about Eleanor’s mental state when she made the will. We’ve found hospital records indicating she was diagnosed with mild dementia at the time,” Winston spoke methodically, clearly well–prepared for this meeting.

    “And…” he paused, his tone growing more meaningful. “We’ve also noticed that Eleanor fell seriously ill and passed away not long after you returned home. The timing makes it easy for people to draw certain conclusions.”

    His words were subtle, but the implication was obvious–he was hinting that Ste was somehow responsible for Eleanor’s death.

    Ste’s gaze sharpened, cold as steel. “Mr. Hensley, if you don’t have hard evidence, I suggest you take back your words. Otherwise, I’ll sue you for defamation.”

    “No need to get worked up, Ms. Hayes. I’m justying out the facts,” Winston replied,pletely unfazed. “Of course, if you’re willing to redistribute the shares, all these suspicions will simply disappear.”

    ‘So that’s what this is,‘ Ste thought. ‘He’s not even trying to hide the threat now.’

    Just as Ste was about to respond, her secretary rushed in. “Ms. Hayes, Mr. Nelson and several shareholders are waiting for iyou /iin another conference room. They have something important to discuss.”

    Ste’s heart sank. ‘Looks like I’m really cornered today,’ she thought.

    “Mr. Hensley, I’ll consider your proposal, but I need some time,” Ste said, standing up. “That’s all for today.”

    “Ms. Hayes, I hope you’ll think carefully about this. After all, public opinion online is having a significant impact bon /bthepany,” Winston said in a threatening–tone, packing up his documents.

    b1/4 /b

    b10:35 /b

    (2b) /bbAug /b0

    When Ste walked into the other conference room, she saw Percy Nelson and a few shareholders waiting for her. bThey /bwere always polite to her before, but today, every single one of them looked grim.

    “Ms. Hayes, please have a seat,” Percy said, his tone much colder than usual.

    “Alright, just say whatever’s on your mind,” Ste said, getting straight to the point.

    “Ms. Hayes, we’ve all seen that video going around online,” Percy said after clearing his throat. “We do trust you, but public opinion is really hitting us hard. People are starting to question thepany, and our stock price is taking a hit.”

    Another shareholder chimed in, “We think it might be a good idea for you to take a break for a while, until this whole thing

    blows over.”

    “And who would take over my duties?” Ste asked, cutting straight to the chase.

    “Well…” The shareholders exchanged nces. “We think we should hold a new election for the general manager

    ‘Figures,‘ Ste sneered inwardly and thought, ‘they’re just waiting to snatch power while I’m out of the picture.

    “Listen, I own 51% of thepany’s shares. ording to the bws, any major decisions need my approval,” Ste said, her voice calm but firm, leaving no room for argument.

    “But Ms. Hayes, public opinion isn’t something we can just ignore. If thepany takes a hit because of you, what about us small shareholders?” Percy argued, his tone growing more anxious.

    “Public opinion?” Ste scoffed. “Mr. Nelson, since when do you care so much about what people think? Or did someone put you up to this? Weren’t you kicked out for embezzlement? So how’d you manage to crawl back?”

    Percy looked a bit embarrassed, but he forced himself to reply, “Ms. Hayes, Mr. Andrew Hayes let us back in for old times” sake. We’re only thinking about what’s best for thepany.”

    “If you really care about thepany, then trust the facts, not public opinion twisted by outsiders,” Ste said, rising to

    her feet.

    “I’ll spell it out for you. I’m not stepping down and handing over control. If anyone has been dissatisfied, feel free to cash out,” she added.

    With that, she walked out of the conference room without looking back.

    Back in Ste’s office, N was waiting anxiously.

    “Ms. Hayes, we’ve got a huge problem,” N said, her face pale. “Three clients have already called to suspend their contracts. They’re all worried about the media bacsh.”

    Ste sat down and rubbed her temples. She thought, ‘This is the real killer move. They’re hitting me right where it hurts- my cash flow.i‘ /i

    “And the bank called too. They’re reevaluating our credit rating,” N added, delivering more bad news.

    “Got it,” Ste said, taking a deep breath. “N, call those clients and tell them I’ll meet them bin /bbperson /bband /bbexin /beverything.”

    b2/4 /b

    b“/bMs. Hayes, is it really okay for you to go out there now?” N asked, worry in her voice.

    “It’s fine. I can’t just hide from this,” Ste replied, her tone unwavering. “And get the PR team to pull together all bthe /bsurveince footage. We’ll hit back when the time is right.”

    N nodded and was about to leave, then suddenly remembered something. “By the way, Ms. Hayes, Alex, Mr. bErwin’s /bassistant, called earlier. He said Mr. Erwin saw the news and was worried sick about you.”

    Ste felt a flutter in her chest, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. “Got it.”

    Meanwhile, at the hospital, Jordan was in a heated argument with the doctor.

    “Mr. Erwin, you’re still not fully recovered. You can’t be discharged yet,” the doctor said, stepping in front of him.

    “I’ve got something urgent to take care of,” Jordan said, gritting his teeth against the pain as he started getting dressed. “Mr. Erwin, you’ll only make your injuries worse if you push yourself,” the nurse chimed in, trying to hold him backi. /iJordan stared at the news on his phone, fury burning in his eyes. He knew for sure someone was pulling strings behind the scenes, trying to bring Ste down.

    “Alex,” he snapped into the phone. “Find out who’s spreading those videos. Dig into every media outlet and every paid troll involved–leave no stone unturned.”

    “Yes, sir,” Alex answered.

    “And reach out to our media partners. Tell them to speak out and rify the truth,” Jordan ordered.

    “Don’t worry, Mr. Erwin. I’ll take care of it right away,” Alex replied.

    After hanging up, Jordan thought about calling Ste. His thumb hovered over her name on the screen, but in the end, he just couldn’t bring himself to make the call.

    He knew Ste was still angry with him, and reaching out now would only push her further away. But he couldn’t just stand by and watch her get bullied.

    Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open, and Max rushed in.

    “Jordan, I heard you got hurt,” Max said, his eyes going wide when he saw Jordan trying to check himself out. “Where do you think you’re going?”

    “What are you doing here, Max?” Jordan/said coldly. He’d never liked Max, not after the way he’d treated Ste at ithe /istart. “Don’t tell me you’re here to make things worse for Ste again.”

    Max looked conflicted. “I’ve seen what’s happening online. Actually, I…”

    After a moment of hesitation, he pulled out his phone. “bI /bfilmed the whole thing. iThis /ivideo bproves /bbmy /bdad bis /bbframing /bSte.”

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