?


    Years ago, one of Bernard''s subordinates made an offhandment about him, and Bernard retaliated with workce bullying that pushed the employee to the brink of suicide.


    Although the matter had been quietly suppressed, it was no secret within the industry. Given Bernard''s personality, it was unlikely he would let N''s words slide.


    Gabriel began formting a n.


    Meanwhile, Jane red at N, snapping, "Don''t think I''ll thank you for defending me!"


    "You''re mistaken," N retorted coolly. "I didn''t speak up for you. I spoke up because I can''t stand people using this incident to nder all women. This has nothing to do with you."


    Had Bernard not been so misogynistic over Jane''s actions, N wouldn''t have said a word.


    Jane gritted her teeth and shifted her pleading gaze back to Damon. "Mr. Sumner, I know I made a mistake. Please, give me another chance. I swear it won''t happen again."


    Damon replied coldly, "You''re not sorry for what you did. You''re sorry you got caught. You know this scandal will ruin the Wilkie Group''s reputation and cost you your position as general manager."


    Jane paled as her thoughts wereid bare. She felt utterly humiliated but didn''t know what else to do to salvage the situation except beg Damon. "Mr. Sumner -"


    Damon cut her off, "Take responsibility for your actions. Prospectus Technology has been disqualified from this bid. Our legal team will handle the damages and your behavior."


    Without waiting for a response, he turned and left, taking N with him.


    Jane tried to follow, but two security guards stepped in her path. "Ms. Wilkie, please stay where you are."


    "Get out of my way!" she shouted.


    "Ms. Wilkie, if you continue harassing Mr. Sumner, it will only make things worse for you," one of the guards said calmly.


    Frustrated and humiliated, Jane struggled, but there was nothing she could do as Damon and N disappeared from view.


    Soon after the project organizers


    announced the cancetion of the


    Wilkie Group''s winning bid. The project was awarded to the


    company that hade second in


    the bidding process.


    The representatives were already preparing to leave, their excitement barely contained as they epted the news.


    The crowd ridiculed Jane before dispersing.


    The room emptied quickly, leaving only Gabriel and Jane behind.


    Gabriel approached her and tried to help her up, but she pped him hard across the face.


    "You''re useless! If it weren''t for marrying you, I wouldn''t be in this humiliating position!" Jane cried.


    Gabriel''s face bore a visible red mark, but he remained unflinching, his gaze calm. "You''re ming me? If you hadn''t sabotaged Prospectus Technology''s bid, none of this would have happened. This is your mess, not mine. ming others just shows your ipetence."


    "What did you just say?" Jane stared at him in shock, as though seeing him for the first time. "How dare you talk to me like this?"


    Gabriel smirked. "Why wouldn''t I?


    After all, you''re about to lose


    everything The board won''t tolerate a general manager who keeps major projects, and your


    grandfather''s not giving young


    chance."


    S


    a third


    Jane''s face twisted with anger as she spat, "Don''t forget, you''re nothing without me. If I fall, you won''t have a good oue either!"