Chapter 183

Silence fell over the hall.

The thunderous applause died instantly, as though someone had cut the sound from the room. Conversations halted mid- whisper. Even the clinking of glasses ceased.

For a brief moment, the entire venue seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.

Hundreds of eyes turned toward the stage, all fixed on CEO Zandrie Wallace.

No one had expected the scandal-one that had only been circulating in hushed rumors across Bay City-to be dragged into the open at a gathering filled with some of the most powerful figures in the global business world.

The tension was suffocating. Then a figure stepped forward from the crowd.

Roel Danes.