Chapter 3

If I missed the shareholders' meeting, I would lose this competition before it even began.

Fortunately, I planned.

As soon as Gwendolyn left, I got up, washed up, and got myself ready at top speed.

By the time I reached the door, the shareholders were already murmuring among themselves.

"Why hasn't Nathan shown up yet? Does he even take us seriously?"

"He hasn't been to the company in ages, and now he's late for something this critical?"

Gwendolyn looked like she was calming them down, but in reality, she was fanning the flames.

"This is partly my fault. Nathan looked so exhausted that I didn't wake him up. Lately, he's been going in and out of bars and those nightlife places, so he's completely worn out."

I frowned as I listened.

For the past three months, I was running myself into the ground for her so-called medical expenses.

Since when did that turn into hanging out at bars?

I glanced at my watch, then pushed the door open.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting, but I arrived on time. That shouldn't count as being late, should it?"

Gwendolyn clearly did not expect me to show up this early. Surprise flashed across her face, along with a trace of guilt.

Nicholas, standing to the side, sneered.

"Mr. Rivera, I thought you'd forgotten how to get to the company."

Just from those cutting remarks, I knew it.

Nicholas and Gwendolyn did plenty of back-channel gossip about me with the shareholders.

I let out a cold laugh.

"Save it. Let's start the meeting."

Nicholas opened his presentation slides and began presenting his recent achievements.

"These are my results from the past three months. I personally brought in six major projects, each worth tens of millions.

"Mr. Rivera, this is a fair competition. Let's see your performance."

When I saw those major projects on the screen, my expression darkened.

Were these not the very projects Gwendolyn assigned me half a year ago?

Even on the day I sold my house to raise money, I did not delay meeting clients for even a moment.

So from the very beginning, the names listed under those achievements were Nicholas's.

I, trusting Gwendolyn completely, did not notice a thing.

"If all of these count as yours," I said calmly, "then I have no achievements at all."

Nicholas and Gwendolyn exchanged a subtle glance, as if everything was unfolding exactly as planned.

"Fine, no achievements, is that it?

"This company doesn't exist to support freeloaders. Inform finance to dock Mr. Rivera's salary for the past three months."

They stole my projects and deducted my pay.

What gave him the nerve?

I let out a cold laugh.

"These six projects all closed within the last three months, but Mr. Hoffman, you haven't shown up at the company even once during that time.

"I've heard you went on vacation instead. Isn't that right?"

Panic was visibly written all over Nicholas's face.

"Nonsense! Nathan, you can't beat me, so now you're slandering me. That's truly despicable!

"My whereabouts these past three months were fully known to Ms. Sanders!

"Why don't you dare question Ms. Sanders?"

After Gwendolyn's car accident, I kept it hidden to prevent chaos within the company.

Now Nicholas dared to be this arrogant, openly claiming that Gwendolyn knew everything.

It was obvious she would back him up.

Flustered, Gwendolyn instinctively stepped in front of Nicholas.

"Nathan, you've gone too far.

"You lost, and a loss is a loss. Whether you accept it or not doesn't change that.

"If you won't acknowledge the performance results, then at least acknowledge the shares."

In her eyes, I already sold all my shares to raise money for her medical expenses.

There should not have been a single share left.

Seeing that I did not immediately present proof of my holdings, Nicholas grew smug.

"Looks like you've squandered all your shares already. Someone like you, who would trust you to run the Rivera Group?"

Gwendolyn could no longer keep up her affectionate act. Her gaze turned cold.

"Nathan, take a good look. This is what it means to be inferior."

Before she could finish speaking, I let out a soft scoff.

"Who said I sold my shares?"

I took out my shareholding agreement and displayed it to everyone.

Printed clearly on it was my ownership of twenty-five percent of the company.

Nicholas was stunned.

"You didn't sell them? Then?"

He instinctively looked at Gwendolyn, only to find the same shock mirrored on her face.

Just as I thought. They colluded from the very beginning.

With a cold smile, I threw a stack of photos onto the table.

"Everyone," I said calmly, "are you really sure you want to support two liars as the company's presidents?"