Chapter 266: The Last Straw Chris felt the tension simmering, like a storm cloud growing thicker each day. Despite his distance from the Brown estate, the whispers and stares he faced in the business world began creeping into every aspect of his life. Even his once steady clients began to withdraw, leaving vague excuses about "reputation concerns." The rumors were no longer confined to his family—they were seeping into every corner of his world, tarnishing his hard-earned name. Stephany noticed it too. She'd often find him deep in thought, staring into space with clenched fists, anger held barely in check. One evening, she couldn’t hold back anymore. “Chris, this has gone on long enough,” she said, watching him closely. “You need to confront this head-on. The family can’t keep playing you like this, and I know it’s not just coincidence.” Chris sighed, rubbing his temples. “I know it’s Georgina, Steph. She’s always had it out for me. I just… I can’t prove it, and if I act withou
Chapter 267, Georgina’s Victory Georgina stood at the center of the office, her eyes gleaming with triumph as she looked around at the executives who had once doubted her. Today, all the whispers, the side glances, the hushed rumors—they would all be silenced. She had saved the company from an imminent financial disaster, something no one had believed she could do.The Financial Investigation had loomed over them for months, casting shadows of uncertainty. When it seemed like all hope was lost, she had taken charge. Georgina had sifted through records, met with investigators, and pulled strings no one knew she had. This wasn’t just another corporate win—it was her victory, her triumph. And she wanted everyone to see it.As she looked around the room, she lifted her glass high. “To survival,” she said, a smirk playing on her lips. “And to proving that sometimes, we need fresh eyes to see things through.”A round of applause erupted, mixed with murmurs of agreement. She caught a f
Chapter 267; Georgina’s demotion Georgina stood confidently at the head of the conference table, her heart pounding with excitement as the room buzzed with voices of relief and gratitude. She had saved the company from collapse, securing a resolution to the Financial Investigation that had nearly destroyed them. She basked in the glow of her achievement, knowing that every eye in the room was on her, and finally, they were looking at her with respect. She knew Grandpa would recognize what she had done. Her actions had been bold, decisive, and unflinching. Today was the day he would acknowledge her as the company’s rightful leader. She had no doubts that her position as acting president would become official, and she’d hold the power she’d worked so hard to earn. She raised her glass, a smile stretching across her face. “To a future without fear,” she declared, her voice ringing with confidence. “And to all of us—who stayed strong when the storm seemed unbeatable.” The
Chapter 269: The Consequences of RecklessnessGeorgina’s jaw clenched as she stared at her grandfather, searching his face for any sign of sympathy. But all she saw was disappointment etched deeply into his features. Her chest tightened, the weight of his unspoken judgment pressing down on her, but she forced herself to stand tall. She wasn’t going to cower, not now.Grandpa took a deep breath, folding his hands on the table in front of him. He leaned forward, his gaze piercing, unyielding. “Georgina,” he began, his voice low and steady, “you know, as well as anyone, that every decision we make impacts not only ourselves but this entire company, this family, and the generations that come after.”“I understand that, Grandpa,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I did what I thought was right. I was trying to save the family from ruin.”He raised a hand to silence her, and she felt a flicker of irritation rise. She wasn’t a child anymore. She was capable of making de
Chapter 270: A Preemptive StrikeChris sat in his office at MTD Entertainment, his gaze fixed on the cityscape outside his window, lost in thought. His focus had been on navigating through the recent challenges that MTD faced, but a sudden buzz from his phone interrupted him.“Sir, I have an update on Georgina Brown,” his assistant’s voice crackled through the speaker.Chris’s brow raised, and he felt an unexpected sense of curiosity. “Go ahead,” he said, leaning back in his chair.“She’s been removed from her position as acting president,” the assistant reported, her tone edged with restrained excitement. “Apparently, her grandfather found out she’d signed over company shares to Sterling Horizon Capital without proper authorization.”Chris's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. So, her reckless ambition had finally caught up with her. He’d known Georgina would make bold moves to consolidate her power, but he hadn’t expected her to slip up so spectacularly, and in such a way
Chapter 271: A Calculated GameThe next morning, Chris was up early, feeling an unusual sense of calm as he reviewed the final statement Sandra had prepared for Sterling Heritage. Every line was crafted to dispel the baseless accusations Georgina had levied, while subtly hinting at the desperation behind her claims. The statement was straightforward, factual, and just the right amount of bold, showing anyone who read it that Sterling Heritage had nothing to hide.With a nod of approval, Chris forwarded it to the press contacts they had lined up, watching the message send with a sense of satisfaction. It was only a matter of hours before the truth would be out, and any attempt Georgina made to turn the tide would fall flat.He had just finished sending the statement when his phone rang. Connor Gebriel, the head of the local police department and one of his oldest friends, was calling. Chris picked up, leaning back in his chair.“Connor,” he greeted, a smile tugging at his lips. “Wh
Chapter 273, A Shocking RevelationGeorgina’s office felt like a cage. The sunlight streaming through the large windows only highlighted her frustration as she paced back and forth, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her mind replayed the events of the last 24 hours: the demotion, the humiliation, and now, the failure of her carefully orchestrated attack on Sterling Heritage. She slammed her hands on her desk, her face contorted with anger. How had this happened? How had Sterling Heritage managed to clear its name so quickly? And worse, how had her grandfather seen through her every move? “Something doesn’t add up,” she muttered, her voice low but venomous. Georgina had built her career on reading between the lines, on uncovering what others didn’t want to be found. If Sterling Heritage had survived her accusations so cleanly, it wasn’t just luck. There was something more—something she hadn’t seen yet. Determined to uncover the truth, she picked up her pho
Chapter 273: A Narrow EscapeStephany gripped the steering wheel tightly as she navigated through the busy city streets, her thoughts scattered. She had spent the day attending meetings for a project she had been managing, and exhaustion was beginning to creep in. Still, she was eager to get home, where Chris’s calm presence would ease her tension. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the sky was painted in hues of orange and purple. The roads, though less congested than earlier, were still busy with vehicles rushing to their destinations. Stephany sighed, turning on the radio to drown out her thoughts. As she approached the intersection leading to the highway, she pressed down on the brake pedal. Nothing happened. Her heart skipped a beat. She pressed harder, but the car didn’t slow down. Instead, it continued to pick up speed, the engine humming with a terrifying relentlessness. Her pulse quickened. She pumped the brakes again, this time with all her strength, bu