Chapter 18

On the top floor of Emmons Corporation, the conference room air was suffocating. James hurled his tablet against the wall. The sharp crack of shattering glass made every executive flinch. "Three days! Our market value has plunged by 50% in just three days!" His bloodshot gaze swept the room. "Who leaked the news about our financial fraud?" The CFO's voice trembled. "Mr. Emmons, the audit report shows there's indeed eight billion dollars unaccounted for…" "Shut up!" James seized him by the tie. "I pay you to fix problems, not dump them on me!" He turned to the legal team. "File a lawsuit against Ashford Corporation for commercial defamation. Now!" The head of legal dabbed at the sweat on his forehead. "Mr. Emmons, Derick Ashford's evidence chain is airtight. It even includes our confidential recordings with the bank…" James suddenly fell silent. He let go of the tie and slowly walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. Beyond them stretched the most bustling artery of Gildford'