Chapter 179
he shareholders. Each figone was laid out with absolute clarity, and for the most part, the earnings
Gabriel stood before the screen, presenting this month’s revenue figures in the wer inipress.
Pierre’clipsounded into a simile as he remarked, “Mr. Hall is trab
Alex turned to Austin, their eves gleaming with nitation. To be this young yet so shrewd, decisive, and far–sighted made him a rarity among the youths.
Walterscoffed coldly at Pierre’s flattery belove shitting his præe to the document Mandall had just tossed onto the table.
“Tamgh with the praise, Mr. Hall still owes man explanation “
This was, after all, the grand spectacle he had meticulously prepánest. Handall lifted his gaze in Austin, his voice ley, “Austin, It’s 1
time for you in explain yourself.”
A sharp glint flashed in Austin’s eyes as he met Randall’s state Wali acold smile playing on hits lips, he said, “Since you’re so eager, Uncle Randall, I’ll be happy to oblige. He lifteda hand, pesturing to Gabriel
Gabrielnodded
understanding and contioned. “These are the revenue figures for the Eastside project. The losses out to 1.5 billion dollars.”
mrds fell, the room erupted in shock.
For many of the smaller shareholders, their annual idends weren’t even a fraction of that sim. No matter how stellar past performances had beer, a loss of this magnitude could wipe out everything-
Someone finally broke the silence “Mr. Hall, what exactly is going on here?”
Walter serred, his voter dripping with mockery. “What else could it be? A young man, dok on success, thinks he’s minichable just because he’s made some money” Then, with La smug plance at Austin, he thought, “Now that this billion–dollar loss is out in the open, let’s see if these old fools still dare to stand by him.”
Though the others held their tongues, their darkenede
d’expressions said wonugh.
Gabel stepped forward to gather the les Austin had prepared and distributed them to everyone in the room.
Confusion flickered across their faces.
Once he was done, tabriel turned back to the screen and stated, “After acquiring the land, none of the original residents were willing to relocate. Instead, they demanded outtaprous compensation ”
His steady and composed gaze swept across the shareholders as he continued, “Hall Corporation has always offered the highest compensation rates. I believe you’re all well aware
Walter stiffened, his fingers clenching around the document. A sudden chill crept through him,
“How does Austin have this? And why is it recorded in such excruciating detail?” he pondered
Just then, the screen lit up with a series of photos and transaction records. Each piece of evidence unmistakably pointed at Walter,
Gabriel raised claser pointer and directed it at the schermi
“This mari contacted the residents, urging them to refuse relocation and compensation while inflating their demands beyond reason.” Silence fell over the room. Then, all at once, their eyes turned to Walter. They were Jurious.
At the head of the table, Austin sal immoving, has paze sharp as a blade.
“Mr. Bendey, quite the bold move,” he remarked.
Water’s eyes darted across the figures on the screen as his throat tightened the then shot to his feet, pointing a linger at Austin. **T- This wasn’t me! You’re setting me up!” he sputtered
Pierre slammed his copy of the port
tonto the table and stood abruptly, his face livid. “Walter, have you lost your danin mind?i
Belore, he had dumised Walter’s pelly scheming as harmless, but this was pure greed.
Walter’s late turned an ugly shade of gray. Ignoring Pierre, he turned back to Austin, his voice laced with venom. “Metall, is this because I said a few words about that woman you’te kemping? Is that why you’w fabricated this nosenise just to starar nie?
Austin’s eyes attowed as a glacial chill radiated from lain.
Walter dared to bring up Picame
The air in the conference coons plummeted to near–freezing temperatures.
or you’ll have to step down
Randall tossed his fleonto the table with a resounding land, his voice cutting through the silence, “You’d better have a damn good explanation for this or you‘
As an elder of the Landly, Randall welded strong authority. The two boked gazes an unspoken battle unfolded in the charged air.
Finstructed, “Daluriel, pad up the supwillance footage –
Caliphol modded swillly
He moved quickly, and within minutes, a video appear on the screen. It showed the heated contentation between Sonia and Suzanne in the lobby
Hetognition swept through the room. Everyone knew exactly who Sonia was -Waller’s daughter she was unreasonable and dismissed all logic as she tried to drive Suzanne unit.
