Chapter 167

Alexander

As I entered my office, my phone vibrated. The screen displayed a name I wasn’t surprised to see: Edward Knight.

Perfect timing, as always. I accepted the call and put it on speaker as I loosened my tie completely.

“Alexander.” His voice carried that familiar mix of authority and concern. “I just got off the phone with Harold from the board. What the hell is happening?”

“Hello to you too, Dad,” I said, dropping into my chair. “I’m handling it.”

“Handling it? The company’s losing billions in market cap over fraud allegations!”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m aware of the situation.”

“Are these allegations true?” he demanded, cutting straight to his primary concern.

“Of course not,” I snapped. “You know me better than that.”

There was a brief silence on the line. “I do,” he finally conceded. “But I also know how the market works. Perception becomes a reality unless you crush it immediately.”

Madison sli