Summer looked at that woman. "I need to hear both sides of the story. Earlier, you told me you didn't make the scheduling sheet?""I was supposed to be in charge of it, but when I checked the schedule on Monday, I noticed that Wednesday's shifts had been altered. I couldn't have made the changes, and the only one with that level of access is Ms. Morrison," the woman answered.She then added, "After the incident yesterday, Ms. Morrison fired me with the reasoning that I made a mistake at work. But I really wasn't the one who made that schedule.""That's a load of nonsense!" Megan shot up to her feet as she raised her hand to slap the woman.A bodyguard immediately grabbed her wrist and shoved Magan back to her seat. "What are you doing, acting so violent in front of Ms. Hartford?""She's making things up! I never changed that schedule. I didn't even look at it!" Megan said loudly."Ms. Hartford, I'm not lying. You can check the system records. When I heard of what happened upstair
Summer looked at Edna. "I've checked the HR system, and her résumé never existed in the records. So, a mentally ill cleaner slipped into the hiring process. Even her welfare records were created later on. The person in charge of those records is Ms. Davidson."Jean Davidson was stunned when she heard her name. "I just create files based on the documents I receive. The files would already have been vetted and approved by previous departments by the time they reach me. This has nothing to do with me, Ms. Hartford.""The interview, records, and scheduling… Each of you claims that this incident has nothing to do with you. Yet, step by step, the mentally ill patient was somehow sent to the top floor," Summer said as she tapped on the desk lightly.Each tap seemed to land heavily on the hearts of the managers that were sitting across from her.She suddenly turned to Kate. "And you, Ms. Leeds. Don't you have anything to say?"Kate looked helpless. "It was definitely a failure on my part.
"You're right. You've worked at Hartford Group for over 20 years. You'd be truly heartless if you did something like this," Summer said.Kate kept up her kind smile. "If you ask me, it was just a mistake Ms. Morrison made with scheduling. There's no conspiracy like you suspect. If you're really upset, I can fire Ms. Morrison right now, maybe even Ms. Cole and Ms. Davidson. As long as it makes you feel better, Ms. Hartford.""Ms. Leeds, what do you mean I made a mistake? I already told you this has nothing to do with me. I just remembered that you know the password to my computer. You must have come back to the office on Friday night and used my computer to change the system!" Megan exploded."Megan, don't make accusations without any proof!" Kate replied."Check the security footage! Ms. Hartford, you'll be able to see who entered my office and change the schedule if you look at the security footage from that night!" Megan shouted."Sure. The security footage will prove my innocen
"Stop it! Turn it off!" Kate shouted frantically.But no one acknowledged her."Ms. Leeds, the security cameras are already off. I'm in Ms. Morrison's office now, but she has two computers there. Which one should I use?" a male voice said."The silver laptop. The password is 7642. Hurry up," Kate responded.Maegan shouted loudly, "So it was you! You vicious old bitch! You even tried to frame me?"Kate's expression darkened as she glared at Summer.After that was a short video clip. In that clip, the man filmed the changed schedule and hit submit. "Ms. Leeds, it's done. Now, you need to settle the rest of the payment. I'll leave after this, and I won't ever show up again.""Where did you get this from?" Kate asked as she stared at Summer.From the looks of it, the chat log wasn't even leaked by the other person. It had been from her end.She had always kept a close watch on her phone, and she had deleted that conversation a long time ago. So, how did Summer get her hands on it?
Kyle smiled and didn't respond to that provocation. "Then, let's vote. I don't support getting an interim CEO. I abstain from voting.""Mr. Griffin, is there really a need for a futile fight?" Aspen asked with a mocking smile.Kyle looked at him. "You'll find out soon enough if there is."Aspen thought Kyle was just making empty threats and didn't take it seriously at all.Just like that, the voting started.Nearly all of Mason's supporters abstained, and all of Aspen's supporters voted for him. There were a few neutrals who abstained as well, while the rest mostly voted for Aspen.The voting ended very quickly.With Stephen as a witness, they started to count the votes. In the end, with 34 abstentions, Aspen managed to officially become the interim CEO with 87% support.Aspen's joy was very evident.Standing on the stage, Aspen delivered his speech enthusiastically, "Everyone, don't worry. I ran Royal Financial Group for over a decade before my nephew took over. I won't let y
Rosanne's face stiffened even more.They had gone after Mason many times before. Every single time after it happened, both their side and Mason would act like nothing had taken place.Yet, this time, she felt like something was wrong.Aspen forced a smile. "Mason, you're getting better at cracking jokes. We've just been arguing for days because the company has been suffering from so much negative press. Since you're already back, everything can go back to the way it was." "There's no way we can go back to the way things were," Mason said calmly.The conference room fell into a dead silence at that moment. It was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard."Mr. Mason, what do you mean by that? Do you think we elected an interim CEO too quickly?" Stephen asked with a smile."Stephen, it has nothing to do with you. You were only looking out for your own interests. After all, the fact that I was dead seemed to be regarded as a certainty," Mason responded coldly."As long as you
Rosanna had a triumphant smile on her face as she raised her glass and toasted Leo.In the conference room, everyone was staring at the screen as the two of them chatted so happily.Stephen discarded his gentle demeanor as he slammed the table forcefully. "So, those rumors that cost the company so much money came from you. Is all this money from the shareholders just tools for your internal struggle in your mind, Mrs. Hunt? Aren't you crossing the line here?""Exactly! On one hand, you spread rumors that cost us money. On the other, you went around threatening and bribing people. The two of you really are something else!"The shareholders started to get furious. Some slammed their hands on the tables while others started cursing."Rosanna, so it really was you!" Aspen suddenly roared with an incredibly dark look on his face.Rosanna froze for a second before she snapped back to her senses. Then, she quickly shouted at Aspen, "Mason pushed me to do all these things! This company r
After that, Kyle clapped his hands.Immediately, several people came in carrying stacks of accounts—far exceeding the number of files that Aspen tried to use to smear Mason the day before."Mason, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to dig up my old scores?" Aspen's expression darkened.This was clearly something he hadn't expected. He had thought Mason would throw a fit at most. Since it was obvious Rosanna was going to take the fall, Aspen had thought the issue would be resolved with Rosanna being a scapegoat in front of everyone.But he never expected Mason to aim the knife at his throat this time."Mr. Aspen, you're mistaken. I'm thinking of impeaching you at the shareholders' meeting right now." Kyle raised his voice. "Aren't all the shareholders upset about the losses from the stock crash this time? Just look at all the accounts that have been ruined by Mr. Aspen in just these past five years."Kyle continued, "The total amount of losses is terrifying. It far exceed
A moment later, the greenhouse was tidied up.Marge, having been shoved down by Joe, looked as humiliated as could be. "Joe, why are you even arguing with her? Let's go home!""Shut up!" Joe glared at her viciously.At that moment, Shane arrived with a large whiteboard.The moment Joe saw it, he rushed over and grabbed a marker. Then, he wrote down a difficult problem that he had seen on his phone, one that he couldn't solve himself. "Solve it!"Summer glanced at him and politely said to Shane, "Could you please help me hang this up? Thank you."Shane smiled respectfully before he had some others hang it up.Summer slowly walked to the whiteboard.The problem was definitely difficult. She had never encountered it before, so she stood in front and thought for a long time.Joe looked more and more pleased with himself as she constantly told those around him, "I said it. She cheated. There's no way she was capable of scoring so high."Kristen looked at Summer with some worry as
"Did you hear that? Class 3 of Saintwood Academy, Sum…" Joe never expected the name to come out from the teacher's mouth would be Summer's. He had been ready to mock Summer. But the words were caught in his throat as he started. Then, he turned off the speaker and hurriedly asked again, "What did you say her name was again?"The teacher repeated, "Summer Hartford! The principal just told me she's actually an heiress. You should know her, right?"Joe looked at Summer in disbelief. Before the teacher could continue rambling, Joe hung up the phone. "You must have cheated!" Joe suddenly broke the silence in the crowd with his shout.Summer's lips curled up into a smirk of disdain. "You're welcome to report me.""Summer, did you already know?" Kristen finally snapped out of her shock. She was so happy that she lost her composure for a moment."The principal called me on the way here. I was planning on telling everyone when we got home, but I never expected someone to be so willing
"Saintwood Academy?" The crowd erupted in shock.After all, while Saintwood Academy was a prestigious private school, its academics had always been mediocre."Yes." The girl nodded."Can you shut up? You think you know everything? You're so annoying!" Joe grabbed a fork and threw it at the girl.Summer happened to be beside her and immediately pulled the girl toward her. The fork shattered a plate and sent the shards flying everywhere."Oh, my God!"The table erupted into chaos."What the hell are you doing?" The girl's mother immediately stood up.Marge frowned. "Why are you shouting at my son? She wasn't even hurt.""Mrs. Dunn, you spoil your son too much. He just threw a fork at someone in front of all of us. Is this how you raised him?" the lady shouted furiously."Is that any of your business?" Marge shielded Joe.At that moment, Lanie suddenly asked Summer, "Summer, you're from Saintwood Academy, too, right? Do you know anyone at your school that could possibly be the
But Lanie didn't dare to openly defy Kristen, either, so she simply smiled and changed the subject.As they chatted, a wealthy lady suddenly frowned and said, "By the way, have your kids played that new game lately?" "Are you talking about that bloody one? I think it's called After School?" Lanie looked disgusted."Yes!"Lanie patted her chest. "My daughter plays it all the time! It scares me to death just watching her! I have no idea which company published it, but I really want to have a word with the publisher. Why would they make something so terrifying?"Kristen lowered her gaze and said calmly, "Hartford Group published it.""What? Your company made it?" Lanie was stunned.Kristen nodded. "Yes. I only heard my husband mention it in passing, but I never expected it to be so popular. I didn't know your children would be playing it, too.""Why would your company make such a terrifying game?""I remember Hartford Group has never been particularly strong in the area. How did
Marge's smile froze on her face.Then, she sneered. "What kind of joke is this? There are only two women in the top ten of our region, and both of them are on the tail end. I know them, and they already evaluated their scores and didn't do well. They even cried about it. It's not them, so who could it be if not my son?""There's no need to rush. The official results will be out soon, and we'll all see for ourselves," Gloria said with a smile. But Marge remained arrogant as she glanced at Summer.At that moment, Summer was replying to some messages from her company's tech team.Marge laughed when she saw that. "Summer, you seem so relaxed. You're even playing with your phone.""Mrs. Dunn, I know where I stand, so you don't need to worry about me." Summer glanced at her.Marge rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "With scores like that, of course you know where you stand."In the past, Marge actually liked Luke. Before she got married, she had believed she and Luke cou
"Oh." Terrence let out a chuckle.He had been struggling to find a way to get close to Summer. He was even rejected when he sent his résumé to her company. Now, fate had intervened, bringing his beloved right into his house."Tell the staff to prepare a bath for me," Terrence said after he caught a whiff of the stench of alcohol on him. Then, he rushed to his room.Shane stood in place, showing some clear dislike for Terrence."A perfectly good illegitimate child should just stay outside. Why is he back here trying to make the lady of the house uncomfortable?" he muttered. After that, he instructed the staff to make sure that Terrence was kept away from the greenhouse where the gathering was being held.The inside of the glass greenhouse was elegantly decorated.Those inside had been chatting with each other, but they stopped when they saw Kristen. One after another, they rose from their seats. "Oh, my! The superstar finally has time to come and have afternoon tea with us."Kris
The manor was quite grand. It was almost on par with the one owned by the Hartford family."Kristen, you're finally here!" By the entrance was a tall, slender woman in her 40s or 50s. She looked the image of someone who was very socially adept."I'm so sorry, Mrs. Dincht. I've been so busy helping my daughter with the SATs. I was preparing for my comeback afterward. That's why I've had to turn down quite a few of your gatherings," Kristen said calmly."Your daughter's education is the most important!" Mrs. Dincht, Gloria Nial, laughed as she looked over.Her gaze landed on Summer. "Summer?""Hello, Mrs. Dincht," Summer said loudly.Gloria looked even more delighted. "Why didn't you tell me you were bringing your daughter? Come on. Let me take a good look at you, Summer. After what happened at your birthday party last time, I didn't get the chance to take a proper look at you."Summer obediently walked over.Gloria studied Summer carefully before she looked at Kristen. "Such a p
Robin walked in and paused when he saw the three of them together."What is it?" Henry asked."News just came in. Rosanna and Aspen have been released," Robin said.The atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze."If they're out, then so be it. No need to make a fuss about it." Henry waved it off before he redirected his focus to the exams."Summer's SAT results are more important right now," Kristen said.Robin nodded. "Understood.""Mr. Cohen, who got released?" Summer walked down at that moment."Rosanna and Aspen," Robin answered.Summer frowned. "Why were they only locked up for a few days?""I heard they spent a lot of money to bail themselves out," Robin replied.Summer nodded. "That's good. Wouldn't want Ms. Rosanna to miss out on my exam results."Robin was speechless."Summer, you're up?" Henry immediately waved her over.Summer ran over with a smile. "Good morning, Grandpa. Why are you clutching the edge of the table like that?"Henry quickly released his hands a
Luke, ever the intellectual, looked shocked. "Dad, when did you believe in all this?""I'd rather be safe than sorry!" Henry then looked at Summer's arm with a heartbroken expression. "You must have been terrified.""I wasn't." Summer spent a long time comforting Henry.It was deep in the night when everyone returned to their rooms.Summer was feeling incredibly inspired after she spent the past few days on set, so she stayed up late working on her script. She only stopped when she started to feel hungry and quietly made her way downstairs.When she reached the kitchen, she found some bread to nibble on."Why are you eating bread here alone? Are you hungry?" Summer looked up to see Luke standing by the door."Yes." She nodded.Luke smiled and walked in. "Go sit in the dining room. I'll make you some chicken noodle soup.""You know how to make that?" Summer looked surprised."Back when your mom was an actress, her meal schedule was all over the place. It ended up causing stoma