Chapter 252: The Fall of Abigial Bardot
Third person's pov
The silence in Abigail Bardot's office was stifling.
Just hours ago, Bardot Industries towered as a multi-billion-dollar empire. But now, in the cold and sharp echo of breaking glass and crashing markets, it was nothing more than a crumbling shadow of its former self.
Abigail stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of her penthouse office, staring down at the city below, her fingers trembling around the crystal wine glass. Her reflection on the glass looked pale, disheveled — broken.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
"Ma'am... the stock price... it's hit rock bottom," her assistant, Elora, said breathlessly, tablet in hand. "All the major investors have pulled out. We're getting flooded with lawsuits."
Abigail didn't turn. Her voice was thin. "And the factory?"
Elora hesitated. "The investigation confirms it. The explosion in Sector 7... dozens dead, hundreds injured. Media's blaming Bardot Industries for negligence."
A choked gasp escaped Abigail's lips.
"Impossible..." she whispered. "That factory passed all inspections. We... we had safety protocols..."
Elora swallowed, eyes downcast. "There are leaked documents. Internal emails. The public believes you ignored multiple warnings to avoid shutting it down during upgrades."