Summer looked at that woman. "I need to hear both sides of the story. Earlier, you told me you didn't make the scheduling sheet?""I was supposed to be in charge of it, but when I checked the schedule on Monday, I noticed that Wednesday's shifts had been altered. I couldn't have made the changes, and the only one with that level of access is Ms. Morrison," the woman answered.She then added, "After the incident yesterday, Ms. Morrison fired me with the reasoning that I made a mistake at work. But I really wasn't the one who made that schedule.""That's a load of nonsense!" Megan shot up to her feet as she raised her hand to slap the woman.A bodyguard immediately grabbed her wrist and shoved Magan back to her seat. "What are you doing, acting so violent in front of Ms. Hartford?""She's making things up! I never changed that schedule. I didn't even look at it!" Megan said loudly."Ms. Hartford, I'm not lying. You can check the system records. When I heard of what happened upstair
Summer looked at Edna. "I've checked the HR system, and her résumé never existed in the records. So, a mentally ill cleaner slipped into the hiring process. Even her welfare records were created later on. The person in charge of those records is Ms. Davidson."Jean Davidson was stunned when she heard her name. "I just create files based on the documents I receive. The files would already have been vetted and approved by previous departments by the time they reach me. This has nothing to do with me, Ms. Hartford.""The interview, records, and scheduling… Each of you claims that this incident has nothing to do with you. Yet, step by step, the mentally ill patient was somehow sent to the top floor," Summer said as she tapped on the desk lightly.Each tap seemed to land heavily on the hearts of the managers that were sitting across from her.She suddenly turned to Kate. "And you, Ms. Leeds. Don't you have anything to say?"Kate looked helpless. "It was definitely a failure on my part.
"You're right. You've worked at Hartford Group for over 20 years. You'd be truly heartless if you did something like this," Summer said.Kate kept up her kind smile. "If you ask me, it was just a mistake Ms. Morrison made with scheduling. There's no conspiracy like you suspect. If you're really upset, I can fire Ms. Morrison right now, maybe even Ms. Cole and Ms. Davidson. As long as it makes you feel better, Ms. Hartford.""Ms. Leeds, what do you mean I made a mistake? I already told you this has nothing to do with me. I just remembered that you know the password to my computer. You must have come back to the office on Friday night and used my computer to change the system!" Megan exploded."Megan, don't make accusations without any proof!" Kate replied."Check the security footage! Ms. Hartford, you'll be able to see who entered my office and change the schedule if you look at the security footage from that night!" Megan shouted."Sure. The security footage will prove my innocen
"Stop it! Turn it off!" Kate shouted frantically.But no one acknowledged her."Ms. Leeds, the security cameras are already off. I'm in Ms. Morrison's office now, but she has two computers there. Which one should I use?" a male voice said."The silver laptop. The password is 7642. Hurry up," Kate responded.Maegan shouted loudly, "So it was you! You vicious old bitch! You even tried to frame me?"Kate's expression darkened as she glared at Summer.After that was a short video clip. In that clip, the man filmed the changed schedule and hit submit. "Ms. Leeds, it's done. Now, you need to settle the rest of the payment. I'll leave after this, and I won't ever show up again.""Where did you get this from?" Kate asked as she stared at Summer.From the looks of it, the chat log wasn't even leaked by the other person. It had been from her end.She had always kept a close watch on her phone, and she had deleted that conversation a long time ago. So, how did Summer get her hands on it?
Kyle smiled and didn't respond to that provocation. "Then, let's vote. I don't support getting an interim CEO. I abstain from voting.""Mr. Griffin, is there really a need for a futile fight?" Aspen asked with a mocking smile.Kyle looked at him. "You'll find out soon enough if there is."Aspen thought Kyle was just making empty threats and didn't take it seriously at all.Just like that, the voting started.Nearly all of Mason's supporters abstained, and all of Aspen's supporters voted for him. There were a few neutrals who abstained as well, while the rest mostly voted for Aspen.The voting ended very quickly.With Stephen as a witness, they started to count the votes. In the end, with 34 abstentions, Aspen managed to officially become the interim CEO with 87% support.Aspen's joy was very evident.Standing on the stage, Aspen delivered his speech enthusiastically, "Everyone, don't worry. I ran Royal Financial Group for over a decade before my nephew took over. I won't let y
Rosanne's face stiffened even more.They had gone after Mason many times before. Every single time after it happened, both their side and Mason would act like nothing had taken place.Yet, this time, she felt like something was wrong.Aspen forced a smile. "Mason, you're getting better at cracking jokes. We've just been arguing for days because the company has been suffering from so much negative press. Since you're already back, everything can go back to the way it was." "There's no way we can go back to the way things were," Mason said calmly.The conference room fell into a dead silence at that moment. It was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard."Mr. Mason, what do you mean by that? Do you think we elected an interim CEO too quickly?" Stephen asked with a smile."Stephen, it has nothing to do with you. You were only looking out for your own interests. After all, the fact that I was dead seemed to be regarded as a certainty," Mason responded coldly."As long as you
Rosanna had a triumphant smile on her face as she raised her glass and toasted Leo.In the conference room, everyone was staring at the screen as the two of them chatted so happily.Stephen discarded his gentle demeanor as he slammed the table forcefully. "So, those rumors that cost the company so much money came from you. Is all this money from the shareholders just tools for your internal struggle in your mind, Mrs. Hunt? Aren't you crossing the line here?""Exactly! On one hand, you spread rumors that cost us money. On the other, you went around threatening and bribing people. The two of you really are something else!"The shareholders started to get furious. Some slammed their hands on the tables while others started cursing."Rosanna, so it really was you!" Aspen suddenly roared with an incredibly dark look on his face.Rosanna froze for a second before she snapped back to her senses. Then, she quickly shouted at Aspen, "Mason pushed me to do all these things! This company r
After that, Kyle clapped his hands.Immediately, several people came in carrying stacks of accounts—far exceeding the number of files that Aspen tried to use to smear Mason the day before."Mason, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to dig up my old scores?" Aspen's expression darkened.This was clearly something he hadn't expected. He had thought Mason would throw a fit at most. Since it was obvious Rosanna was going to take the fall, Aspen had thought the issue would be resolved with Rosanna being a scapegoat in front of everyone.But he never expected Mason to aim the knife at his throat this time."Mr. Aspen, you're mistaken. I'm thinking of impeaching you at the shareholders' meeting right now." Kyle raised his voice. "Aren't all the shareholders upset about the losses from the stock crash this time? Just look at all the accounts that have been ruined by Mr. Aspen in just these past five years."Kyle continued, "The total amount of losses is terrifying. It far exceed
"I got it." Summer knew that going head-to-head with the Hunt family this time must have caused Mason to be caught in the middle of some immense pressure and criticism.So, she didn't want him to worry about her too much.Chandler's incident had stirred massive public attention following Summer's live stream. In the next two days, more and more people were speaking out online.The police department responsible for the investigation was finally compelled to issue a statement, promising a lawful and thorough investigation into the case.Paul's family had rested at the Hartford residence for a day before they started to recover a little."We won't hold the funeral here. Our family back home is already handling the arrangements," said Paul's wife, Bailey Oak. Her eyes were still swollen from crying.Kristen nodded. "Alright. Don't worry. Mr. West has worked with our family for over ten years. He was practically one of us, so we'll make sure to take care of your family in the future."
"You know how vicious the Hunt family can be. Back then, I…" Kristen instinctively pressed her hand to her lower abdomen with an expression of grief. "I'm afraid of losing another child."Luke had an expression that was full of heartache. He gently pulled Kristen into his arms. "That won't happen. From now on, we will face everything together. We'll definitely protect Summer."Can I really do that?" Kristen's tears fell uncontrollably.Back then, she thought she could protect the child in her belly, too. But in the end…Luke said firmly, "You can. You definitely can. My wife has always been the strongest person I know!""Yes." Kristen nodded as she leaned against his shoulder.They had never spoken of that pain over the past 20 years. This was the first time. Summer's actions today had been like a key that unlocked this long-suppressed wound in Kristen's heart.Neither of them knew that Summer hadn't gone to sleep, either. She stood at the window in her room and could just see th
"Something like that happened?" Rosanna looked shocked. She had been locked up at the time.Jane sighed deeply. "I just heard about it, too. The kidnappers told her not to go to the police. They said they'd kill the kids if she did. In the end, she didn't report it and ended up paying 70 million dollars in ransom."Jane sighed again. "But she ran into some real monsters. After they got the money, they sent her a location to get the kids. When she got there, all she saw were their decomposing bodies!"Rosanna covered her mouth. "Oh, my God! Did they catch the kidnappers in the end?"Jane shook her head regretfully. "They were professionals, so how could anyone catch them? She lost her money and her children. Mrs. Mills fell seriously ill and is still in the hospital.""Those kidnappers are truly heartless!" Rosanna said."They were only missing for three days. Based on the state of the bodies, the kids were probably killed the moment they were kidnapped," Jane said.As Rosanna lis
Jane always outshone Rosanna in every way, so how could Rosanna possibly like her?Jane said softly, "Rosanna, I know you don't like me, but you're still family. I know you're just a straightforward and blunt person. You've never meant me any harm.Rosanna rolled her eyes internally at that. Jane couldn't be more wrong."I don't want you and Aspen to get divorced." Jane helped Rosanna sit down and crouched to examine her ankle. "It's sprained. I'll call a doctor.""No!" Rosanna was incredibly vulnerable at that moment.A vulnerable person's greatest weakness was someone being gentle to them.Jane frowned. "How could you not see a doctor? Just wait here. I'll go quietly. I'll make sure no one notices and bring the doctor over. No one will find out."After a pause, Jane continued, "I won't tell anyone about the divorce, either."Rosanna's ankle was throbbing with pain. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded. "Don't tell everyone!"Jane smiled gently and went off to find the doc
"As lawyers, we only need to achieve the desired outcome for our client. Nothing else matters," Malcolm said.The assistant fell silent.Aspen slumped down onto the hospital bed, looking defeated, while Rosanna sobbed uncontrollably."Enough crying. Go check on Mom," Aspen said impatiently.Rosanna choked out, "I refuse! Your mother never liked me to begin with. With what happened to Chandler, both of us are responsible as his parents, but your mother will definitely only blame me! You can go if you want!"After that, Rosanna grabbed her purse."Where are you going?" Aspen asked."I'm going to figure out a way to save my son!" Rosanna snapped and started to walk off.Aspen grabbed her arm. "I'm warning you. Don't go after Kristen again! This has nothing to do with her!""Kristen, Kristen! She's all you care about, even now. Her daughter stood there and humiliated you in front of everyone, making you out to be some creepy stalker, and you're still defending her?" Rosanna finally
"Chandler from that certain all-powerful family underwent a psychological evaluation every six months at his school abroad. Just over two months ago, when he had just returned to the country, he had one done. "His mental state is fine. You parents might've been driven crazy by anger, but not him."There was a frenzy online.The original post was quickly deleted, but people had already saved screenshots of all the relevant documents.Inside the Hunt residence, Aspen's hand was wrapped in gauze when he heard what the lawyer had to say. He exploded on the spot. "Who leaked something this private? Check with Chandler's school! I'm suing them! Every last person who leaked it!"The lawyer said gravely, "I've already checked. The school's digital database was hacked. Mr. Hunt, I told you yesterday to maintain a good line of communication with the victim's side. If you did, there might have been a chance for settlement. Why did you hire online trolls to spread lies?"The lawyer added, "N
"Mason, I'm not doing this for the Fridman family. I'm now a part of the Hunt family as your aunt. Even if you don't want Violet, that's fine. Summer really isn't right for you!" Jane still wore that sincere, gentle expression."Have you ever thought about why a girl with such ambition would want to be with you?" Jane asked.Mason looked at Jane. "That's where you're wrong. Summer wasn't the one who came looking for me. I'm the one who chased after her."Jane was speechless.Who in their right mind would believe that?At that moment, the elevator arrived. Mason didn't say another word to her as he got in the elevator and left.Jane stood in place.She never imagined that everything she had so carefully planned would be thrown off by the Hartford Group heiress who appeared out of nowhere."All that effort, Jane, and you were paving the way for someone else." A flamboyantly dressed woman walked over at that moment.She, too, was one of the many daughters-in-law of the Hunt family
"Tell Grandma I was here," Mason said before he turned to leave.These past few days had been unbearable for Aspen, especially with everything Summer exposed that day.All these years, people had assumed that there had been something between him and Kristen. It had always been something he could brag about, but the truth was exposed to the public today. That last shred of connection he had with Kristen had shattered as well.On top of that, Chandler was about to face serious criminal charges. Aspen felt like his heart was being set on fire."Mason!" he shouted after Mason, but Mason ignored him.Aspen clenched his teeth and rushed toward Mason with a sharp fruit knife in hand.Things had come to a point of no return anyway. If he had nothing left to lose, he might as well drag Mason down with him. If he killed Mason, maybe Royal Financial Group would fall back into Victoria's hands.But Aspen had underestimated Mason too much. His blade didn't even graze Mason. Mason merely gra
In the end, Mason still went to the private hospital that the Hunt family owned. As he stepped out of the elevator, all he saw were members of the Hunt family, gathered in full force.Mason knew exactly what was going on.These people hadn't shown up out of affection. They were just afraid that Victoria might actually die, so they were here early to wait for the inheritance."Mason, what the hell did you do to Grandma?"The moment they saw Mason, they pounced like a pack of wild dogs, but not a single one of them actually dared to touch him.If Victoria did die, Mason's threat level would skyrocket a hundredfold."This is a hospital. Why are you all being so loud?" Mason asked coldly.Jane ran over. "Everyone, calm down. This had nothing to do with Mason. She only got a heart attack because of Ms. Hartford's press conference."After that, Jane looked at Mason. "Mason, everyone's just worried, so they're a bit emotional. Don't take it to heart.""Where is Violet?" Mason asked.