Chapter 128: Maxwell Admits His Guilt

Hannah extracted the papers from the file, one by one. Everyone watched intently, a palpable expectation hanging in the air.

“This document,” Hannah announced, “is a record of your hotel stays with Mason’s daughter, Ernie. It shows your first encounter was March 18th, two years ago, at a Kensbury hotel. Over the past two years, you’ve been there with her at least twice a week, the last time being yesterday.”

“You’re throwing mud!” Maxwell retorted. “You have a random hotel record and claim it’s mine? Are you mocking me?”

It was his last desperate attempt at denial. Hannah remained impassive, observing his unraveling.

“This,” she continued, “is a record of your spending on Ernie. It shows significant expenditures over these years. Designer handbags, jewelry, a sports car… over two million dollars total. That’s more than a million a year.”

“Do you think money grows on trees?” Maxwell scoffed. “I earn three million a year at Cooper Group! I wouldn’t spend almost half my salary on a mistress. It’s ridiculous! I give my entire salary to my wife; you can call her and ask!”

“Your salary might not cover a mistress,” Hannah countered, “but the Cooper Group’s yearly dividends are substantial. You consistently overdraw your dividends each month, and I suspect those funds went to Ernie.”

“Bullshit!” Maxwell exploded, his indignation palpable. “You’re trying to sabotage me! I’ve championed employee rights, and this is your payback? Hannah, you’re not here to work; you’re here to destroy this company!”

“Mr. Watson,” Hannah replied calmly, “the more you lie, the worse the consequences will be.”

“Stop threatening me and shut your fucking mouth!” Maxwell roared, his face contorted with fury and a hint of panic. He knew Hannah possessed the truth, but admitting it would be devastating. His recent public pronouncements of love for his wife and family would be utterly shattered.

“I don’t have time for this,” he spat, turning to leave.

“This is a photograph of you and Ernie,” Hannah stated, each word deliberate, sharp.

Maxwell spun around. He saw Hannah holding a large color print, visible to everyone. The explicit image left no room for doubt.

His composure shattered. Panic replaced his anger. He lunged toward Hannah, attempting to snatch the picture, but Jimmy intervened.

“Son of a bitch, get away!” Jimmy commanded, holding firm.

“Who’s the real bitch?” Hannah countered, her voice hardening. “Mr. Watson, don’t you know?”

“You!” Maxwell yelled, stung by her retort. “Tear it up! Tear it up now!”

“Only if you admit it,” Hannah replied.

“It’s a fake!” he insisted, his face crimson with rage. His uncontrolled outburst only amplified his guilt.

“Shall I release the video then?” Hannah asked, her brow furrowing momentarily.

Maxwell was stunned. He suppressed a murderous rage.

“Do you want me to?” Hannah repeated, her calm a stark contrast to Maxwell’s escalating fury.

His facade crumbled. The room's collective suspicion transformed into unwavering belief in Hannah’s accusations. Disgust etched itself onto the faces of those present.

Whispers filled the room: “I can’t believe Mr. Watson… his mistress is almost his daughter’s age.” “I saw him on a financial show with his wife… he seemed so nice.” “Mason sent his daughter to his boss’s bed? My faith in humanity is shattered.”

The comments fueled Maxwell’s escalating rage.

“Shut up! Shut the fuck up!” he bellowed, a wild man. Jimmy held him fast, preventing any further action.

“Shut up! Let me go!” Maxwell screamed, his tirade unrelenting.

Once a respected business elite, he was now a wretched, frustrated middle-aged man. His furious shouts echoed on the rooftop. Mason remained unusually silent, his earlier humiliation compounded by the revelations about his daughter.

Finally, after a protracted outburst, Maxwell surrendered.

“Yes, Ernie is my mistress,” he admitted. “So what? Did I break any law? There’s no law against that in Northfield! What can you do? You can’t get your father to fire me, can you?”

Hannah smiled faintly. “Your actions are morally reprehensible, and my father can't fire you for your personal life. However, the damage to the company’s reputation justifies his dismissal. But,” she added, “I believe my father won't. You’ve worked here for years, contributed significantly. At the very least, I’ll protect your family’s legacy. Their contributions to Cooper Group are undeniable.”

“Good to know,” Maxwell sneered, his defiance momentarily resurfacing.