Chapter 3

The relatives around us heard Claire’s declaration and immediately started nodding in approval.

“Deputy Director Lawson really knows right from wrong.”

“A man like Ethan doesn’t deserve her at all. Honestly, Finn and Deputy Director Lawson would make a much better match.”

A faint glint of satisfaction flashed in Finn’s eyes.

Then he sighed, pretending to be generous, and spoke to Claire in a gentle voice.

“Deputy Director Lawson, don’t blame Ethan too much. He grew up in the countryside and never saw real money. Maybe he just made a bad decision in the heat of the moment.”

“As long as he admits what he did, I’m willing to ask Uncle to go easy on him and keep this from going to the police. At least let him leave with some dignity.”

Claire looked at Finn, visibly touched.

“Finn, you’re too kind. After everything he’s done to you, you’re still speaking up for him.”

“You come from a good family, and you’re smart, composed, and considerate. That’s exactly the kind of character someone in government should have.”

With that, she pulled a printed document from her briefcase and slapped it hard onto the table.

“Ethan, Finn is kind enough to give you a way out. This is a voluntary resignation and confession of leaking classified information. Sign it now. Admit to everything.”

“As long as you sign it and leave the department immediately, Director Hale may consider not turning you over to the authorities.”

I glanced down at the confession.

The terms were written out clearly.

Not only did it require me to admit that I had stolen classified material, it also stated that I had done it to repay personal debts.

This wasn’t a way out.

They were trying to nail the entire leak on me for good.

The floating comments went wild in front of me.

[This woman is unbelievable. She used the male lead’s resources to climb up, and now she’s turning around to bite him.]

[That confession was definitely prepared in advance. They’ve been waiting for today to trap him.]

[Sign it, male lead. Please sign it. Once you do, all of them are going straight to prison.]

I let out a cold laugh and picked up the confession.

When Leonard saw me grab the pen, a sharp flash of triumph crossed his eyes.

He barked, “Hurry up and sign it! Letting you leave with some dignity is already the greatest mercy I can give you.”

I lifted my head and looked at every ugly face around the table.

A mocking smile tugged at my mouth.

“Dignity? Uncle, is your idea of dignity built on crushing other people under your feet?”

Before anyone could react, I gripped the confession with both hands and tore it to shreds in front of them.

Claire’s eyes widened.

She snapped, “Ethan! Don’t push your luck!”

“Push my luck?”

I threw the scraps of paper straight into her face.

“Claire, who exactly do you think you are?”

“Do you really think I don’t know how you got that Deputy Director position?”

“For the past three years, who stayed up all night writing the department’s year-end reports, state-level briefings, and research papers for you?”

“You took my work and used it to impress your bosses. Now you have the nerve to stand here and lecture me about character?”

Claire went red in the face.

I had hit her where it hurt, and for a moment, all she could do was point at me and sputter.

“You… you’re making things up!”

I ignored her.

Then I turned to Leonard, whose face had gone livid.

“And you, Uncle. You keep saying Finn got into the department through the proper process. But as far as I know, his name wasn’t even on this year’s recruitment list.”

“He never took the written exam. During the interview, he directly took someone else’s spot.”

“Did you really think you could hide that kind of backdoor deal forever?”

Leonard’s pupils tightened.

He clearly hadn’t expected a new hire like me to know so much.

These were supposed to be highly confidential internal matters.

“What… what the hell are you talking about?” Leonard finally dropped the righteous act and shouted in fury.

I had refused to take the blame.

Worse, I had exposed his dirty secrets in front of everyone.

He knew this could not end quietly.

“Someone get in here! Security! Tell Kevin and the others outside to come in!”

At Leonard’s roar, the door to the private room swung open.

Several of his loyal subordinates rushed in, along with four or five hotel security guards. All of them looked ready for a fight.

“Director Hale, what happened?” Kevin asked, glaring at me.

Leonard pointed at me, his face twisted with rage.

“This man is suspected of stealing classified government material. He’s spreading lies, causing trouble, and slandering his superiors. Hold him down!”

“If he doesn’t put his thumbprint on that confession today, no one leaves this room!”