Chapter 5

A large group of people filed in with great momentum.

At the front was a man with an overwhelming presence—the CEO of the group headquarters, Roger Beckett.

The room fell silent instantly. Everyone sprang to their feet, faces plastered with ingratiating smiles.

Mr. Jackman practically jogged over, bowing and scraping. "Mr. Beckett, you're here! Please, this way—your seat is ready!"

Patricia and the other two hurriedly adjusted their clothes, straightened their backs, and struck the pose of elite core staff, their eyes burning as they stared at Roger, as if he were a walking ATM.

Roger didn't spare them a glance. He strode straight toward the main seat.

As he passed by me, his steps paused—just slightly.

Patricia, sharp-eyed as ever, immediately jumped out and pointed at me, shouting,

"Chloe! Are you blind? Mr. Beckett is here, and you're not even standing up! You actually dare sit there so boldly—no manners at all!"

Her shout successfully drew Roger's attention.

Mr. Jackman snapped back to his senses, cold sweat instantly breaking out. He pointed at me and yelled, "Security! Where the hell are you? How did you let this kind of trash in here? Drag her out, now!"

Turning to Roger, he forced a smile. "Mr. Beckett, my sincerest apologies. She's a former employee our department fired—sticky fingers and not quite right in the head. She's been refusing to leave. I'll have someone remove her immediately so she doesn't offend your eyes."

Patricia seized the moment to add fuel to the fire. "That's right, Mr. Beckett. Her name is Chloe. Back when she was on the project team, she did nothing at all, stole our core data, and her private life is extremely messy. We pitied her and didn't call the police—but who knew she'd be this shameless?"

"Stole data? Private life… chaotic?"

Roger stopped walking and repeated the words calmly.

His tone revealed nothing.

Patricia took it as confirmation and went all in. "Exactly! We have evidence! She didn't just steal—she even tried to seduce Mr. Jackman. After being rejected, she held a grudge and tried to sabotage today's acceptance meeting!"

"People like her are a cancer in the company! She must be punished severely!" Tasha shouted righteously.

The three of them closed in around me, as if I were some unforgivable criminal.

Eager to perform in front of leadership, Vinny reached out to grab my arm. "What are you still sitting for? Get out!"

The moment his hand touched my sleeve, I flung it away.

I stood up and calmly adjusted my collar.

"This," I said coolly, "is what you call evidence?"

I looked at them, my gaze icy.

"Utter nonsense!" Mr. Jackman roared. "You dare assault our staff right in front of Mr. Beckett? You've got some nerve! Someone—call the police! We need to get her arrested!"

The room descended into chaos.

Patricia looked at me smugly, mouthing the words: You're finished.

Just as security rushed in to restrain me, Roger—who had remained silent the entire time—finally spoke.

"Enough."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried unquestionable authority.

Everyone froze.

Mr. Jackman stood there dumbfounded. "Mr. Beckett…"

Roger didn't even glance his way. He walked straight up to me.

Then, right in front of everyone’s stunned faces, he gave a slight, formal bow and held out both hands.

"Director Simpson," he said, his tone deeply respectful, "on behalf of the board, please accept our sincerest apologies for the ordeal you have endured these past few days."