Chapter 332

Molly shrank back at the sudden outburst.

Verena shot back, her words sharp as arrows, "What effort? The effort to deceive? Hard work that feeds on lies and bends the law is nothing but empty talk.Even if I stop this project, the only casualty will be the Sampson Group's investment."

Her eyes narrowed, her voice chilled."The employees 'wages will still be honored. Not a single penny of what they deserve will vanish. But their toil must never serve as a mask for your personal profit!"

With those words, Verena pressed a protective hand to her rounded belly and strode swiftly out of the office.

"Zeke, summon everyone tied to this project. An emergency meeting in the conference room-immediately."

Her commanding tone rolled through the corridor like a drumbeat,leaving no room for delay.

Molly's face shifted, and without a second's hesitation,she rushed after Verena. However doubtful the employees were of Verena, she remained Luis' sister, and Zeke was sent here by Luis as well.

When Zeke announced, "Mrs. Bennett has called for an urgent meeting," a shiver of apprehension rippled through the team.

Though suspicion hung in the air, none dared to stall.

Within five minutes, the conference room brimmed with people.

Murmurs buzzed like restless bees, confusion etched on every face.

One whispered, "Could something have gone wrong with the project?"

Another frowned and muttered, "Who knows? She's stirring quite a storm so soon after stepping in."

While debating, their eyes flicked now and then toward the door.

"Is everyone here?" Verena entered, walked straight to the head of the table,placed both hands firmly on its surface, leaned forward, and swept a razor-sharp gaze across the room. On her right, Molly sat stiff,jaw tight,fingers clenched until her knuckles paled.

After the nods confirmed attendance, Verena straightened, her tone solemn. "Then I'll get straight to the point. As the one currently responsible for the company,I hereby announce-"

She paused deliberately, locking eyes with their puzzled stares, before declaring, "The new drug project for epidemic flu violates the pharmaceutical bureau's regulations and is steeped in unlawful conduct. Therefore, I have decided this project will cease at once!"

Her words dropped like a stone into a still pond, and silence swallowed the room.

One heartbeat.

Two.

Three.

Then chaos exploded.

The Kirk family had long been secretly developing their power within Sampson Group, so Molly also held sway in Benedict Pharmaceuticals.

At Verena's announcement, her followers could no longer hold back.

A flushed, middle-aged man leapt up, voice booming."Mrs. Bennett, we've poured so much investment into this! Just when the fruits are ready to be reaped, you want to cut the tree down?"

From the corner, a young man added quickly,"Exactly!If this project succeeds, every one of us could earn a generous bonus. Shutting it down now is like robbing us of our bread and butter!"

His glance slid to Molly, as though awaiting her signal.

Molly reclined slightly, eyes locked on Verena, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

So what if Verena dared tohalt the project?

The company's resolutions weren't hers alone to dictate; the senior executives held the final vote.

With smug ease, Molly let her gaze sweep the room.

Verena clearly didn't realize that most here had long been in Molly's camp, bound by years of shared profit and loyalty. They were not about to abandon her side.

She sat back, eager to watch Verena stumble in this snare.

A bespectacled man rose, pushing his glasses up with pointed emphasis, and spoke with mocking disdain."Accusing this project of illegality is no small matter.Such charges require hard evidence, not mere words."

Verena's expression did not waver as she scanned the room.

They resembled startled birds, shouting over each other,their faces flushed with greed.

To them, the company's reputation and future meant little; all they saw was the glitter of potential bonus.

In that moment, Verena saw the truth laid bare:most here were Molly's lackeys.

And beyond Molly stood Sherwood-his silence and indulgence spoke volumes.

He let Molly run wild, likely eyeing the company's throne for himself.

Well,she would never allow it.

Straightening, Verena radiated a power that silenced the noise. Her voice rang with iron. "If you insist on carrying this project forward, then I, as Evelyn, vow this-whether or not rivals expose its flaws,I will ensure the public learns it is a sham."

She paused, her gaze slicing the air like a blade,sending chills down the spines of all who met her eyes.

"Moreover, I will reveal every irregularity in the research process. Then the world will see you for what you are. And what awaits you will not be a mere loss of profit or reputation-but the heavy hand of the law."

The room froze again, her words hanging heavy in the air.

Seconds ticked before reality dawned, leaving faces pale and eyes wide as if struck by lightning.

Yes-Verena was none other than the famed medical expert Evelyn.

Her name carried weight across the medical world,and every syllable of hers bore authority.

If she spoke, the public would believe.

The project would crumble under the weight of truth,leaving only ruin, disgrace, and endless condemnation.

Worse still-prison bars loomed in their minds.

At this, fear slithered into many hearts, their earlier boldness melting into unease.

Molly watched, seething, as her once-boastful allies shrank back like deflated balloons. Fury surged hot within her.

Molly could no longer sit still.

Once, she had stood unrivaled in the company.Now,before this unexpected "disruptor," she had to grit her teeth. Her pride was choking.

Unable to stay seated, Molly sprang up and strode toward Verena, her words biting. "Mrs. Bennett,are you trying to drag Sampson Group's reputation through the mud?"

Verena,calm as still water, tilted her head slightly and met her glare without flinching. "As the head of Benedict Pharmaceuticals, the power to shape its reputation lies with me-for good or for ill."

Her voice was steady, every word carrying the weight of authority. "In the field of medicine,I stand with an advantage none of you can dispute."

Her eyes swept across Molly, then the room, before concluding, "Now then, let the voting begin."