Chapter 356

Nathan's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Appreciate it, man."

Without another word, he rose and strode out, leaving Gregory blinking in confusion.

Dawn had barely broken when Evelyn arrived at Kingsley Industries headquarters. The biannual board meeting loomed ahead, and the top-floor conference room already buzzed with all directors and C-suite executives.

Maxwell intercepted her at the entrance, pressing a folder into her hands. "Ms. Carter, the six-month financials and corresponding accounting reports."

His voice vibrated with barely contained excitement. "First-half profits already exceed last year's annual total by ten percent."

Not just matching - surpassing their yearly target in half the time. Any CEO would consider this monumental, yet Evelyn had achieved it before summer's end.

"Present these figures to the board," Maxwell continued, "and even Julian Hawthorne will have to acknowledge your leadership. That wager of yours is as good as won."

Evelyn's expression remained unreadable as she scanned the documents. The calculations included both the Whitmore contract and several ongoing ventures.

"Strip out the Whitmore project. What's the adjusted margin?"

Maxwell's enthusiasm dimmed. "Without it... we're still thirty percent shy of last year's performance."

A curt nod. "Understood. Let's proceed."

Inside the conference room, Julian occupied the seat second only to the chairman's. He'd reviewed the preliminary reports earlier.

Evelyn's strategic brilliance showed in the thriving numbers, yet they still fell short of their bet's terms.

"Director Hawthorne," murmured a silver-haired board member, "seems your little challenge has reached its inevitable conclusion."

"Ms. Carter's youth shows. Competent management, yes, but the core profitability remains... inadequate."

"Without the Whitmore windfall, second-half projections look grim. Where will she find another golden goose like that?"

Julian's smug satisfaction barely concealed itself as he demurred, "Now, now. Ms. Carter seemed quite confident during our wager. I'm merely humoring her."

"Her efforts to boost performance are... admirable. Premature to draw conclusions."

Chuckles rippled through the group. "Your humility does you credit, Julian."

"Kingsley Industries needs steady hands like yours at the helm."

"When you assume leadership, don't forget us old warhorses, eh?"

Julian's chuckle oozed false modesty. "Naturally. Loyalty never goes unrewarded in my organization."

Evelyn's hand froze Maxwell as they reached the door, having caught every word.

"Ms. Carter, their insolence—"

A razor-thin smile. "Words are wind, Maxwell. Let them chatter. Our purpose remains unchanged - to remind every soul in this building that Kingsley blood built this empire, not Hawthorne ambition."