Chapter 261

"Or was this your elaborate scheme all along?" Evelyn's voice cut through the tension like ice. "What's your real aim? To have me expelled from Kingsley Industries?"

Silence descended like a thick fog.

Adrian's carefully chosen words left Julian Hawthorne stumbling over his own tongue. The director's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, unable to form a coherent response.

Adrian dismissed him with a glance, turning instead to Evelyn. His gaze softened slightly. "What's your take on this, Ms. Carter?"

Evelyn's frosty stare could have frozen molten lava as she regarded Julian. "Mr. Prescott is the heir to Prescott Enterprises in Frenda. Our families once arranged a marriage between us."

"Now we've all witnessed Mr. Prescott's capabilities firsthand - how he single-handedly secured the Dunhill project." Her voice carried across the room like a winter breeze. "I believe Mr. Prescott deserves a full explanation for today's events."

Her piercing gaze swept the assembled executives before landing on Montgomery Pierce. The disdain in her eyes was unmistakable. "Since you made the accusation, you must have evidence, correct?"

"Produce it now. If you can't, you'll face charges for false accusation. That carries jail time."

Montgomery had merely been following Julian's orders. How had everything gone so wrong? They'd assured him all evidence was prepared - his role had been simply to file the report.

What fresh hell was this?

Montgomery collapsed to his knees, clutching at Julian's trousers. "Director Hawthorne, save me! I don't want to go to prison!"

Julian's face darkened as he hastily stepped back. "Your actions have nothing to do with me!"

"Director, we're relatives! You can't just abandon me now!" Montgomery's voice cracked with desperation.

Panic flashed across Julian's features.

"Ms. Carter, don't listen to him. We may share distant blood ties, but we're hardly close. This is clearly an attempt to frame me by-"

"Director Hawthorne, weren't you the one who gave the orders?" Montgomery interrupted desperately. "You said I only needed to accuse Mr. Prescott and you'd handle the rest!"

"What's happening now? Are you making me the fall guy?"

Julian's face purpled with rage. "Silence!"

He jabbed an accusing finger at Montgomery. "He's spouting nonsense! I never instructed him to-"

Evelyn cut through Julian's protests. Kneeling to Montgomery's level, she fixed him with an unblinking stare. "Mr. Pierce, you've been with this company long enough to understand consequences."

"I'm offering you one chance. From this moment forward, every word must be truth. Otherwise, no one can save you."

Montgomery nodded so vigorously his jowls quivered. "I swear, Ms. Carter! Only the truth! Every word!"

Evelyn's voice could have frozen hell over. "Who ordered this? What did they promise you?"

"It was Director Hawthorne!" Montgomery blurted. "No - his assistant, Donovan Pierce approached me! They said Mr. Prescott was obstructing-"

"They promised me a million dollars upon completion, enough to disappear. Donovan provided all instructions!"

Julian scrambled to distance himself. "Donovan! That traitor! Using my name for this - I'll make him pay!"