Chapter 55

The security guard hesitated, but when he saw Giles raise his hand, he fell silent. Caspian noticed the guard's deference to Giles, a slight to his authority. He turned, glaring furiously at Giles. "Giles, you embezzled company funds and purchased expired medicinal herbs, substituting them with inferior products. The evidence is irrefutable. Those medicines were destroyed by Whitaker Medical Center, causing the company significant losses. Your continued employment is solely due to your years of service. Don't push your luck!"

The shareholders, aware of the scandal, now saw its perpetrator and regarded him with disapproval.

Giles retorted, "I did nothing of the sort. Your nephew in purchasing embezzled funds and procured those substandard herbs. My workshop team discovered this and reported it to me. The purchasing department attempted a cover-up with falsified orders. You also bribed someone in logistics to provide false testimony, accusing me of reselling the good herbs. I halted production, but you bypassed me, secured non-disclosure agreements, and continued production. Then, you blamed me after the scandal broke. I was dismissed without compensation, leaving all the incriminating documents in the office. You even forged my signature, didn't you? You are the one responsible for the company's losses!"

Giles's explanation was so plausible that the shareholders were uncertain who to believe.

"What's truly happening here?" Mark asked sternly. Caspian, one of Mark's men, reflected poorly on Mark himself, a situation Mark couldn't tolerate.

Caspian's eyes darted nervously. "Mr. Byrne," he stammered, "let me explain. It's not as Giles says. He's merely upset about his dismissal and has been demanding compensation, threatening exposure. Give me time, and I'll resolve this."

Turning to Giles, he attempted a tough demeanor but seemed shaken. "Giles, leave now, and I'll forget this. But if you persist, don't blame me for involving the police."

Giles remained unfazed. "Go ahead. I'll wait." He was confident Caspian wouldn't dare, knowing the weaknesses in Caspian's case. Calling the police would be ludicrous.

"You!" Caspian choked, speechless. His mind raced, searching for a solution, then recalling Giles's pregnant wife. A plan formed.

Harry interjected, "Ladies and gentlemen, I represent the major shareholder. This is my letter of authorization. My words reflect her decisions."

Doubt filled the room, attention shifting from Caspian and Giles to Harry. Experienced in such situations, Harry remained calm, subtly signaling the security guards to close the door. Positioning himself centrally, he activated the projector.

"Please be seated. Ask questions afterward," he announced. They complied, their questions unspoken.

Caspian smirked at Giles before seating himself in the front row next to Mark, beside Giles. Giles scoffed inwardly. Let's see if you're still smiling later!

Harry projected a document. "My client has transferred all her shares to Ms. Whitaker. Ms. Whitaker is now Sunrise Pharmaceuticals' largest shareholder."

Disbelief rippled through the room. "What? The major shareholder changed? This is unprecedented!"

"Who is Ms. Whitaker? Why isn't she here?" Mark demanded.

Harry produced another document. "This is Ms. Whitaker's authorization. My decisions represent hers."

A gasp escaped someone. "Who do you work for?" Whispers followed: Why did both previous and current shareholders choose him? Do they know each other? Sunrise Pharmaceuticals is worth billions. Who would relinquish such wealth?

Harry remained calm. "My employer is irrelevant. I have a third matter to address."

Mark sensed something amiss. "Wait. I want to examine Ms. Whitaker's authorization."

"Of course," Harry replied smoothly, his finger subtly obscuring Ms. Whitaker's name.

Mark examined the document, pausing at the top. "Let me see the name..." Harry's finger conveniently concealed the name.

Harry smiled subtly. "Ms. Whitaker prefers anonymity. We have a confidentiality agreement."

Dissatisfaction grew. "This is unprecedented!" one shareholder grumbled. Others echoed their complaints.

Harry's smile tightened. "Sue me."

Suing seemed pointless, and Mark's attempt to incite dissent failed.

Mark leaned back grimly. "Let's hear everything else." I'm not like the others. I'll discover who this Ms. Whitaker is.

Harry presented two more documents. "Former general manager Caspian Blake and his nephew, Jamison Blake, embezzled millions. Caspian is dismissed, and legal action will be pursued."

Caspian exploded, "Nonsense! It was Giles! I fired him!" He stood, slamming his hands on the table. "You're colluding with Giles!"

A security guard entered with police officers. "We received a report."

Harry raised his hand. "I called the police."