Chapter 417
At first, everyone was confused. Then, as the photos spread across the screen, uneasy whispers began to ripple through the room.
Eyes turned to Claude, who stood on stage, initially unaware of the growing unrest. But as the murmurs grew louder, he finally caught sight of the images—photos of him holding a woman’s hand projected on the screen.
Anxiety crept over him.
Suddenly, Angus’s faction rose to their feet, pointing at the screen. “Isn’t that Mrs. Harris?” they demanded. Other Yancey Bank directors quickly compared the photos to those on their laptops, confirming the match.
The atmosphere tensed.
Claude’s face hardened. Angus cut through the tension sharply: “Mr. Pearce, explain these pictures. What is your relationship with Mrs. Harris?”
Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire. Claude was the newly appointed vice president of Yancey Bank; his conduct reflected on the company’s reputation. Any scandal, especially one involving the powerful Harrises, threatened to shake the board’s confidence and the company’s future.
The meeting host was equally shocked. She scrambled to turn off the computer, pressing buttons repeatedly, but the photos stubbornly remained on the screen.
Angus pressed on, voice rising, “Mr. Pearce, this company represents integrity. You are the Harrises’ son-in-law, yet here you are in these compromising photos with Mrs. Harris. This is unacceptable for someone holding your position. How do you explain this?”
Even Claude’s long-time supporters began demanding answers.
Standing tall, Claude scanned the sea of faces before him—some expectant, some accusatory. He felt the sting of betrayal deep within. It was clear Tyler was behind this—either as a warning or a strategic move to force him out. The idea that Tyler would sacrifice his own family’s reputation and Olivia’s dignity just to win this battle was hard to accept.
Yet, Claude stayed composed, meeting the crowd’s demands with steady courage.
Angus’s voice took on a threatening edge, “If you don’t provide a satisfactory explanation, for the sake of the company and its future, I will propose your removal as vice president!”
Claude responded calmly, “What exactly do you mean by that?”
Angus pushed further, “Explain the pictures. Now.”
Claude countered, “Why don’t you ask Tyler?”
He then glanced at the host and instructed sharply, “Turn off the computer.”
It became apparent that the system had been hacked—no matter how many times they tried, the images remained.
Suddenly, Lilah dashed toward the main switch and yanked the plug, plunging the room into darkness.