?


    Jane thought this project would silence the board members who had criticized her since the Starlite Enterprise debacle and restore her standing with Pedro.


    Buoyed by euphoria, she stood up, her smile radiant as she addressed the crowd. "We at the Wilkie Group are honored to be selected. As always, we aremitted to quality and integrity, and we promise to deliver this project with the utmost efficiency and excellence—"


    A chilling voice cut her off. "Ms. Wilkie, bribing staff to sabotage apetitor''s bid in order to secure a win-do you really think yourpany deserves to im integrity?"


    All heads turned to see Damon stride into the room, his face unreadable, his sharp gaze fixed on Jane.


    His stare''s intensity made her skin crawl, and she felt her face go pale.


    Gritting her teeth, she retorted, "Mr. Sumner, your bid was disqualified due to an unsealed envelope. Now that the Wilkie Group has won, you''re jealous and trying to smear my name? That''s a bit much, don''t you think?"


    Damon smiled, his expression cold. "I''ve secured a copy of the venue''s surveince footage. Whether this is smearing or not will be clear once we y it for everyone to see."


    Jane''s face twitched as panic red in her chest.


    It was impossible. She had specifically chosen a blind spot in the cameras-there couldn''t be any footage.


    Forcing herself to remain calm, she said, "Mr. Sumner, falsely using someone is a crime. If you apologize to me now, I''ll let this slide. Otherwise, when you fail to produce evidence, I''ll involve the police to clear my name."


    Damon didn''t flinch. "No need. I''ve already called the police. Once they arrive, I''ll hand over the footage to them."


    Jane''s face drained of color, and herposure cracked.


    How could this be? Damon had called the police? Could he really have evidence?


    The murmurs in the room grew louder.


    "If Jane really tampered with Prospectus Technology''s bid, their legal team might press charges. She could be facing jail time."


    "I don''t care about their feud. I just care about this bidding. If Jane did sabotage Prospectus Technology''s document, does that mean the process starts over?"


    "The Wilkie Group''s a bigpany. Would they really stoop that low?"


    "Heh, you never know. Didn''t their finances take a hit recently? They might be banking on this project to turn things around."


    The whispers felt like knives to Jane. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms as she stared at Damon.


    "Mr. Sumner, if you have evidence,


    show it now. If you prove it was me, I''ll willingly give up this project to Prospectus Technology. But if you can''t I expect a public apology," she dered.


    Her voice was steady, but inside, her panic only deepened. She was betting everything on the idea that no footage existed and that Damon was bluffing.


    If she lost this gamble, all her efforts


    would be wasted. The Wilkie Group''s board would never allow her


    in her position, and Pedro stay


    would lose


    all faith in her.


    She had no choice. Any sign of guilt now would be as good as a confession.