Chapter 563
The mood in the room shifted in an instant.
Sylvie sat there, stunned, unable to speak for several long moments.
She truly hadn’t expected this-such unanimous agreement…
Which could only mean…
What Mr. Ferguson had written yesterday wasn’t just his personal opinion. It must have come from-
Her vision swam, a wave of dizziness washing over her. Still, she clenched her teeth so hard her jaw ached, her voice trembling despite her efforts to sound steady. “None of us here are direct witnesses. No one can speak with certainty. Your so-called suspicions are baseless. The developer of U.N2 isn’t even present. Who could possibly speak for them? I refuse to accept this kind of slander.”
But even as she spoke, a cold panic crept through her chest, growing steadily, uncontrollably.
Almost involuntarily, her gaze drifted toward Jarrod, sitting among the audience.
He sat with his legs crossed, far enough away that she couldn’t make out his expression. It was as though a mist veiled his face—she could never really read him.
Yet she believed… if things truly went wrong today, Jarrod would help her. He always had, every single time.
But now, with the mention of the U.N2 developer, the entire hall was buzzing with agitation.
Everyone understood-if this accusation proved true, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Grady, clearly rattled, went pale. “You can’t just throw accusations around without proof! Are we not here to discuss your own questionable dealings with Ms. Fielding? What is this-dodging the issue? Deflecting? Slandering someone on the spot?”
Elodie met his gaze directly, her eyes finally settling on Sylvie. “And what if… she’s actually here?”
The words cut through the chaos-calm, almost eerily so, sending a chill through everyone present.
Watts whipped his head toward her, his gaze suddenly sharp and intense. Even Patricia frowned, a sense of unease settling over her. The situation was spiraling out of control-no one could read where this was headed.
Elodie’s quiet statement was like tossing a lit match into a room full of gasoline.
A ripple of disbelief spread. “No way… Someone of that caliber? There’s been no word of her showing up.”
“Does this mean Sylvie really did it? But how would she know U.N2’s secrets?”
“This is an open competition-this isn’t just some corporate spat. If she’s found guilty, Sylvie… She’ll be facing serious charges.”
If it came to that, this wouldn’t be some petty squabble. The consequences would be grave, life-altering.
Sylvie’s entire future would be over-no chance of redemption.
Compared to this, the earlier threat of a year or two for defamation was nothing.
Sylvie understood all too well. Her face drained of color, but she forced
herself to glare at Elodie, her tone
icy. “Do you even hear yoursellele
Then go on, tell us-who is it? Elodie, is there any limit to how far you’ll go just to target me?”
Klein, watching her closely, realized she was banking on the developer’s identity being secret-using that to bluff her way out. But……
“Ms. Thorne is right. She is here.” Klein’s voice was cold, uncharacteristically so, as he stood up.
His words left Naylor reeling. His own father knew who the U.N2 developer was? And she was actually in the room?
Sylvie jolted in her seat, gripped by a sudden, sickening fear.
Before she could react, Charlie turned to Elodie. “At this point, we’re not just talking about
individuals-there are national secrets involved. This is serious. If you have nothing to hide, reveal yourself and let’s get to the bottom of this.”
The implication was clear as a bell.
Maurice and the others swung their heads toward Elodie, and as the possibility
dawned on them, someone nearly gasped, “It’s… it’s her…”
Patricia’s expression darkened, realization settling in as her eyes narrowed.
Klein didn’t hesitate any longer. He strode up to the stage, his face grave, locking eyes with Sylvie.
“You want an answer? Fine. Then let
me make it official right here. Five years ago, the U.N2 project’s developer-whose identity has been protected as a matter of national security…”
He paused for a heartbeat.
“Is standing right in front of you. It’s Elodie.”