Chapter 74

Chloe’s POV

Not long after, I got an email.

It was a company party. The 20th anniversary of the company. I was invited.

I stared at the screen for a long moment.

A company party.

The timing alone told me everything. This was not a celebration. It was a stage. A room full of cameras, shareholders, board members, business partners, media. A perfect place to observe reactions. A perfect place for mistakes to happen.

And a perfect place for traps.

I reread the email carefully. Formal tone. Neutral wording. My name listed clearly among the invited guests. No mention of my suspension. No conditions attached.

They wanted me there.

Margaret would never approve this unless she had a reason. Jack would definitely be there. Sylvia too. The board. Everyone involved. All in one place, dressed up, pretending nothing was wrong.

I leaned back in my chair slowly.

If I declined, it would look like fear. Like guilt. Like I was hi