Isabel’s scream immediately drew everyone's attention. She clutched her chest, but the bright red liquid soaked her white shirt, clinging to her skin.
“Valerie,” Isabel cried, “we’ve worked together for three years, and I’ve always treated you well. Yes, I took your order last time, but I returned it and apologized. Yet you’re holding a grudge. If you’re still angry, tell me, and I’ll apologize again. But why humiliate me publicly? Are you trying to force me to grovel?” Anger contorted Isabel’s face.
Her accusation drew a growing crowd. Her tearful appearance prompted many to stare at Valerie. Someone even removed his jacket and draped it over Isabel to comfort her. A cold, stern gaze was directed toward Valerie.
Meanwhile, in another part of the venue:
“Mr. Grant, what do you think of this project?” the product manager asked. Getting no response, he called out, “Mr. Grant!”
Matthew finally looked up from the business plan. “The quarterly capacity of 45% on page 3, line 12 is incorrect. It should be 34%.”
The product manager, terrified and sweating profusely, stammered, “I’ll correct it immediately.” He thought, I can’t believe I made a mistake in such an important meeting! Oh my god, will I get fired? Surprisingly, Matthew seemed distracted. Instead of reprimanding him, Matthew paused the meeting and left.
“What’s going on?” Matthew asked, stepping outside the conference room and glancing coldly through the floor-to-ceiling anti-peeping glass at the commotion in the hall. His brow furrowed when he saw Valerie.
Charles, who had been outside, had overheard parts of the argument in the party hall.
Hearing Matthew’s question, Charles hesitated. “Mr. Grant, remember the complaint email Miss Warren sent earlier? It seems Miss Spencer, sitting opposite her, stole her client. Though Miss Warren got her client back, she can’t forgive Miss Spencer, so she just poured wine on her…”
Before Charles finished, Matthew interrupted, “No way.”
Charles froze, staring at Matthew’s darkened face, thinking he’d misheard. Matthew muttered, “It can’t be her.”
Had he not known Valerie, he might have believed Charles. But recently, he’d come to understand her. She wasn’t flashy, but she was intelligent and always maintained a gracious demeanor, even with her husband. She would never publicly insult someone, especially at such an important event.
Charles was astonished. Matthew never defended anyone. When Valerie had locked him out last night, Charles expected a furious divorce.
Instead, not only were they not divorced, but Matthew was taking Valerie’s side, trusting her despite the evidence against her.
“Strange,” Charles mused. “Could Mr. Grant be falling for Miss Warren?” He suppressed his curiosity. “Mr. Grant, since Miss Warren is innocent, what should we do?”