Chapter 220
Chapter 221
However, Mr. Alfred was still uneasy. He was afraid that things might go sideways if they suddenly announced Julia’s removal from the company. They needed to be careful, especially while the truth behind the scandal was still unclear.
“We shouldn’t make the announcement yet,” Mr. Alfred finally said. “Instead, we should go and visit Julia. We can voice our concerns to her directly and make it clear that the company’s reputation is at stake. If she understands the situation, perhaps she will agree to step aside herself p>
Everyone exchanged glances before slowly nodding.
“That sounds reasonable,” Mrs. Alfred agreed.
After a few more minutes of discussion, they all stood up and began preparing to leave. Soon, most of the family members had walked out of the meeting room.
However, Victoria remained behind with Steven.
The moment the door closed, Victoria grabbed Steven’s arm and pulled him toward her.
“Look,” she said quietly, her expression suddenly serious. “Did you make sure you’re completely clean with this p>
Steven’s expression remained calm.
“Yeah,” he replied confidently. “Nobody is going to suspect us. I’ve already sent her out of the country. She can’t be traced anymore, so chill p>
Victoria stared at him for a moment.
“You’re certain p>
Steven smiled faintly.
“Completely. By the time anyone figures out what happened, she’ll be long gone p>
Victoria stared at Steven for another moment before finally letting go of his arm.
“All we have to do is make sure she steps down, and we’re done,” she said quietly.
Steven nodded confidently. “Exactly. Just leave the rest to me p>
Victoria gave him one last warning look before turning around and walking out of the meeting room. Steven followed shortly after, making sure his expression had returned to normal before joining the others.
A few minutes later, the Alfred family arrived at Julia’s house.
There were still several reporters gathered outside, although their numbers were considerably smaller than the previous day. A few cameras immediately turned toward the family’s vehicles, but nobody from the family stopped to answer questions. They simply walked through the crowd and entered the house.
Inside, Julia was sitting with Ms. Leah when they heard the sound of people approaching.
Julia looked up and immediately recognized the Alfred family.
She quickly stood up. “Grandpa…. Grandma” she greeted respectfully.
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Ms. Leah also stood and greeted them properly.
please, have a seat,” Julia said, gesturing toward the sofas.
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred sat down, followed by Victoria and Steven. Julia remained standing for a moment before sitting opposite them with Ms. Leah beside her.
“Would anyone like something to drink?” Julia asked politely.
Mrs. Alfred immediately shook her head. “We aren’t here to drink p>
Her cold tone instantly changed the atmosphere in the room.
Julia’s smile disappeared.
Mrs. Alfred continued, “We are here because we need to have a serious talk with you p>
Julia swallowed. “A serious talk about what p>
Mr. Alfred sighed heavily. He looked uncomfortable, almost as if he didn’t want to be the one delivering the message. “Julia,” he finally said, “we want to ask you to step down as the CEO p>
Julia’s eyes widened. Mr. Alfred continued before she could respond.
“With everything happening around you, the rumors, the accusations, and the damage it is already causing to the company’s reputation, we cannot allow this situation to continue affecting the business. We don’t want investors to lose confidence in the company p>
He paused. “So, kindly step down p>
For several seconds, Julia simply stared at him.
Then her jaw dropped slightly.
She scoffed in disbelief. “You came here for that p>
Nobody answered immediately.
Julia shook her head slowly.
“You didn’t even ask me whether the rumor was true. You didn’t ask me what actually happened. You didn’t even give me a chance to explain myself p>
Her voice became increasingly emotional.
“You just came here and decided that I should step down p>
Victoria leaned back against the sofa.
“What is there to ask p>
Julia immediately turned toward her.
Victoria’s expression remained cold.
“We know you did it, Julia. Every piece of evidence points toward you. The pictures, the accusations, everything that has come out so far. There is no room for some endless debate about whether you are responsible p>
Julia stared at her. “I was framed p>
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Victoria raised an eyebrow.
am being framed right now!” Julia shouted. “Someone is deliberately doing this to me, and instead of helping me find out who is behind it, you’re sitting here asking me to abandon the company p>
Mr. Alfred shifted uncomfortably in his scat
But Mrs. Alfred immediately interrupted.
“You don’t have to emotionally gaslight us p>
Julia froze.
Mrs. Alfred leaned forward.
“The evidence points toward you. Whether you want to accept it or not, that is the reality we are dealing with p>
“But I didn’t do it!” Julia protested.
Mrs. Alfred shook her head. “Evidence pointed that it’s you, and it’s you p>
Victoria’s expression suddenly hardened as she looked directly at Julia.
“The Senate President gave you this enormous mansion, and you expect us to believe he didn’t sleep with you in exchange for it p>
Julia’s face instantly turned red with anger.
“Watch what you say p>
In one corner of the room, Cory had been listening to everything in silence. His expression was tense, and he kept glancing between the women. He wanted to intervene, but he didn’t know how to stop the situation without making things even worse.
“Yeah, he fucked you!. I stand on what I said p>
Julia slowly turned back toward Victoria, her eyes filled with fury.
“stop making disgusting accusations p>
Victoria was about to respond when Steven finally raised his hand.
“Enough p>
Everyone looked toward him.
“We aren’t here to debate whether she did it or not, right p>
He glanced at Julia before continuing. “We are here because the current situation is seriously affecting the company. The rumors are spreading, investors are becoming uncomfortable, and the company’s reputation is being dragged into this mess p>
Steven leaned forward.
“So whether Julia agrees with the accusations or not doesn’t change the problem we’re facing. We are simply asking you to step down as CEO until this situation is resolved p>
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.