Elodie''s voice was calm, but every word cut straight to the bone.


    Her gazended on Sylvie, whoseposure was unraveling fast. “Since Neural Intelligence operates under Nexus Analytics, we have zero tolerance for this sort of misconduct. Ms. Fielding, you will pay the price for your actions. Equally."


    The room was stunned. No one had seen thising.


    Even Maurice, who''d been outside, had been drawn in by themotion.


    He nced at Elodie, then at Jarrod seated beside her. Jarrod sat quietly in the storm, showing almost no emotion-just a figure in the eye of the hurricane.


    Sylvie stared at Elodie, utterly incredulous, her mind nk with shock.


    But Elodie left her no room to recover. She tapped a second document on the table, her tone unwavering. "Even if you rush to patch things up within the deadline-even if these funds are technically your dividend-Nexus Analytics policy is clear. No early withdrawals. From this moment on, you''re no longer part of Neural Intelligence''s management."


    Sylvie''s face went deathly pale.


    It was the worst possible oue, and she wasn''t prepared. Her striking eyes locked on Elodie. "Even if what you say is true, it should go to a shareholder vote -not be decided by you alone!"


    Jason looked at her, unable to hold back. "Even if there were a vote, it''d be internal to Nexus Analytics. The result would be the same..."


    Would it really make a difference?


    "If you''re unhappy with this decision," Elodie continued, her voice asposed as ever, "there''s one more thing you should know. Nexus Analytics'' bws are explicit: if a shareholder misappropriatespany funds, thepany can forcibly transfer their shares. In other words..."


    "You''re out."


    The moment she said it, the words hit Sylvie like a punch to the gut. She was too stunned to react.


    Forcible transfer of shares?


    If this was just a matter of employment, she''d simply lose her position at Neural Intelligence and stop working with Mr. Haywood. Her shares would still be hers— she''d remain a shareholder, her future returns untouched.


    But this... This meant losing everything.


    Even the dividends due to her in just two days would slip through her fingers.


    Even Jason was shell-shocked.


    He stared at the scene before him, mind racing. He''d never imagined things would turn out like this. When Mr. Silverstein had arranged that shareholding agreement months ago, Jason had thought it was just an investment quirk-nothing to lose sleep over.


    He''d had no idea it was a ticking time bomb.


    As for Nexus Analytics'' investment in Neural Intelligence, it was obvious now that thepany had set up internal controls, hiding the project from most shareholders. That would exin the dys in information trickling down to him, and why he''d only begun to understand the full picture once the finance team provided all the details.


    But still...


    Jason couldn''t help ncing at Jarrod.


    What had Mr. Silverstein been thinking when he set this all up? What was the real n?


    He remembered the agreement had been signed seven or eight months ago— long before Neural Intelligence was even founded.


    The dates didn''t add up. Sylvie had just returned to the country around then; the agreement wasn''t signed before Neural Intelligence even existed, so—


    "Elodie," Sylvie''s voice was hoarse, her eyes rimmed red as she stared at Elodie, desperate for any sign of weakness. "Is this why you asked Jarrod for Nexus Analytics in the first ce? Was this your n all along?"