Chapter 249
No.1
The shockwaves from Helena's insult stilI echoed in the silent room.
Helena didn't sit down in her high-backed leather chair. Instead, she gripped her sandalwood cane and walked slowly down the three wooden steps from the platform to the floor level.
She walked directly toward the front row.
Allena, sitting in her isolated VIP chair, saw the Chairwoman approaching. Panic and desperate ambition flooded her brain. She thought Helena was coming to greet the team.
Allena shot out of her chair. She smoothed her white skirt and plastered a bright, sycophantic smile on her face. She stepped slightly into the aisle to block Helena's path.
No.2
"Chairwoman Hawthorne, it is such an honor," Allena said, her voice high and eager. "I am the founder of Vanguard Medical, and the lead clinical-"
Helena didn't even blink.
She didn't slow her pace. She didn't turn her head.She walked straight past Allena, treating her like a piece of invisible furniture.
Allena's hand froze mid-air. Her smile cracked. She stood in the aisle, completely ignored, looking like a foolish child who had interrupted an adult conversation.
A few suppressed snickers erupted from the rows behind her. The sound was like acid on Allena's fragile ego.
No.3
Helena stopped directly in front of August's desk.
August immediately stood up. He buttoned his suit jacket,trying to project dominance.
"Mrs. Hawthorne," August said, extending his right hand. "It is a pleasure to see you."
Helena looked at his outstretched hand. She didn't move.She placed both hands on the silver handle of her sandalwood cane and stared down at the front row.
"I am not here for pleasantries, Chambers," Helena
No.4
said. Her voice was cold and hard.
She looked at August, then at Elisa, and then back to August.
"I read the financial disclosures for this project,"Helena stated, her voice carrying clearly without the microphone. "I also read the gossip columns. Tell me,Mr. Chambers. Is your divorce finalized?"
The room went dead silent again.
The executives held their breath. A federal regulator was publicly interrogating a billionaire CEO about his private marital status during a technical hearing.
No.5
August's pupils contracted. A cold sweat broke out on the back of his neck. He was completely cornered.
"With all due respect, Mrs. Hawthorne," August said,his voice tight with suppressed anger. "My private life has no bearing on this hearing."
"Your private life is a liability," Helena snapped.She struck the floor with her cane. The sharp crack made August flinch. His gaze flickered for a nanosecond toward the second row, where his chief legal counsel
sat, a silent order to prepare an objection passing between them. But he knew it was useless; Helena held all the power here.
"If.your marriage is in a state of legal limbo, then the equity structure between Aethel and the Chambers Group is unstable," Helena declared. "I've reviewed the initial funding agreement. Your wife, Ms. Wilder,is not just an employee; she is listed as the primary patent holder for the Chiron core algorithm, which Aethel then licensed. Her intellectual property is the foundation of this entire venture. Therefore, her marital property dispute directly threatens the stability of the core asset. Explain how that is not a massive compliance risk. I will not approve a medical device whose ownership might be tied up in a messy family court battle for the next five years."①
No.6
Helena had flawlessly weaponized the law. She used compliance and patent risk to publicly strip away August's privacy.
August's heart hammered against his ribs. If Helena rejected the application based on compliance,Allena's company would be destroyed instantly.
He instinctively took a half-step to his right, placing
his body between Helena and Allena's chair. He was trying to physically shield his mistress from the fallout.
Elisa sat in her chair, watching the sweat form on August's brow. She watched him try to protect the woman who had ruined her life.
No.7
Elisa felt a cold, dark thrill. The fire was spreading,and August was burning.