Chapter 154: Blood Runs Thicker -1
Meanwhile, in the AWE company’s meeting room, tension hung as heavy as the silence. The sleek, glassy surface of the boardroom table reflected the furrowed brows and piercing gazes of shareholders and clients, each one visibly displeased. Just a few weeks ago, these same people had been full of praise for Evelyn, showering her with compliments and promises of future deals. Now, one scandal had been enough to shatter their trust completely.
One shareholder stood, voice edged with disdain, turning to Avery with an impatient glare. "Miss Avery, if you value the company, you need to cut ties with Grace. Keep her here, and AWE’s future is finished."
Several others nodded, murmuring agreement, their disdain simmering into open hostility.
Avery hissed in frustration, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the edge of the table. She was one heartbeat away from unleashing a tirade, ready to defend her best friend against the whole room if necessary, but a gentle hand landed on hers. Evelyn’s calm gaze met hers, a silent plea to hold back.
Taking a deep breath, Avery clamped her mouth shut, though every muscle in her body screamed for release. Evelyn rose slowly from her seat, the room falling into a tense silence as she moved to address the crowd.
"I understand your frustration," Evelyn began, her tone firm but touched with an edge of calm regret. "And I apologize for the strain my personal matters may have placed on this company. But let me be clear—" her voice hardened, "I will not apologize for baseless accusations regarding Annabelle’s death."
Murmurs of disbelief and suspicion rippled across the room, and one of the clients shot to his feet. "Baseless? The maid is dead! You can deny it all you want, but there’s no evidence to clear your name. You might as well admit it now if you’re responsible."
Avery surged forward, fists clenched, unable to contain herself any longer. "If you’re so eager to believe gossip, then maybe AWE doesn’t need you!"
Voices clashed, echoing in a chaotic swell as arguments broke out across the room. Evelyn sighed, raising her voice to cut through the noise.
"Enough!" Her words sliced through the air, chilling and sharp, freezing the room in an instant. "Sit down, all of you."
Her cold command struck like ice water, and one by one, the shareholders dropped back into their seats, stunned into silence. Evelyn turned to Bella, who stepped forward with a document in hand—a letter.