Zev leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the room.


    External threats mattered, but the most pressing issue was the turmoil within.


    +8 Pearls


    "Mr. Zion, we can''t afford to let the Brooks pull out their investment! If our financial chain copses, Lockhart Group will take a massive hit. Besides, several major projects in Westville and Hopeville depend on their funding!"


    "Yeah, the Brooks are essential to Lockhart Group''s stability!"


    If the Brooks withdrew, everyone''s interests would suffer.


    "I heard that Thea attempted suicide recently because of your wife. Did she upset the Brooks? You need to handle this immediately and have her apologize."


    "Yes! If she doesn''t, things will only get worse!"


    rissa''s allies deliberately stoked the mes, heightening the tension.


    rissa shot a smug nce at Zev before provocatively looking at Ken. If the Brooks withdrew, not even Ken could save Zev.


    Ken''s expression darkened, and his fists were clenched. He knew Zev would never force Kelly to apologize.


    Just then, the secretary broke the tension from outside. "Mr. Zion, your wife is here ..."


    rissa''s smirk vanished as Kelly appeared at the door. "It''s inappropriate. This is the Lockhart Group, not the Lockhart Mansion. Meetings are for executives, not outsiders."


    Her supporters chimed in, fanning the mes. "Mr. Zion, we''re in the middle of a meeting. Your wife doesn''t work here-should she be interrupting?"


    Zev was taken aback. Kelly had finished her exam in the morning and was supposed to see Jasper and Shane. Yet, she hade here instead.


    "Honey..." He stood up, walking toward her in a silent show of support.


    Kelly wouldn''t havee without a reason, especially not during an ongoing meeting.


    "Is everything alright?" she asked.


    "I''ve got it under control," Zev assured her.


    "Mr. Zion, it''s meeting time! The Brooks'' matter hasn''t been resolved yet." "Exactly! This is uneptable!"


    rissa''s supporters quickly used Zev and Kelly of disrupting the meeting.


    "Aren''t you all concerned about the Brooks? Since I''m the one who supposedly offended Thea and drove her to attempt suicide, shouldn''t I be here to clear things up?" Kelly''s voice was steady.


    Herposure was striking, a testament to her experience as a doctor.


    18:38 THU 15 MAY #W


    hapter 912 Zex Venfronts rissa


    + Pearls


    riva let out a mockingugh Walking straight into disaster, are you? Since you admit to causing this crisis for the Lockhart Groups, let''s hear how you n to fix


    it


    Svarthy! This is courageous. You can''t let your matters drag thepany down!" others chimed in, shifting all the me onto Kelly


    said I came to exin, Kelly replied coolly. Then, turning to rissa he added, "Ms. Lynch, you seem a tinle too eager to stir up chaos when thepany needs unity the most."


    Ken''s allies spoke up in frustration, "That''s right. At such a crucial time, instead of standing together, you''re fueling internal strifed


    rissa''s gaze turned icy as the tension in the room thickened.


    "Fine," she said with a smirk. “Then exin yourself."


    Kelly checked the time before looking toward the door. "Since everyone''s so concerned about the Brooks pulling out, why not let Mr. Brooks speak for himself?"


    rissa scoffed. "Are you insane, Kelly? You angered the Brooks, pushed his beloved sister to attempt suicide, and now you expect him toe here and vouch for you?"


    The others joined in mocking Kelly, waiting to see how she''d get herself out of it.


    Just then, a soft knock came from the door. The secretary peeked in nervously and looked at Zev. "Mr. Zion, Mr. Brooks is here."


    Vincent entered with a dark expression. However, when his gazended on Kelly, a flicker of hesitation appeared.


    After a brief pause, he cleared his throat and, though unwillingly, stated, "The Brooks'' partnership with Lockhart Group remains intact and won''t be withdrawn."


    Kelly''s smile was soft yetced with an unspoken warning. "Mr. Brooks, you''ll continue to stand by Zion, right?"


    Vincent shot her a sharp look. But faced with her insidious smile, he had no choice but to clench his jaw and reply, "Yes!"


    Kelly held up her phone, having recorded the exchange. "Mr. Brooks is a man who keeps his word. Once he says something, he sticks to it. Everyone here heard him, so I assume your concerns are settled?"


    The room fell into stunned silence. Even Ken was taken aback.


    Throughout his years at Lockhart Group, he had never seen Vincent give in so easily. Thest time they negotiated, he had to make multiple visits just to secure a deal.


    rissa and her supporters were just as shaken. She studied Vincent closely, almost as if trying to determine whether Kelly had somehow brought in a fake.


    With unease creeping into her voice, she finally said, "Mr. Brooks, Kelly publicly humiliated your sister online. How can you just—”


    Before she could finish, Kelly cut in with a smirk. “Ms. rissa, are you suggesting that Mr. Brooks should sever ties with the Lockhart Group? It seems the real threat to ourpany''s sess is you."


    15:38 Thu, 15 May


    79%


    Revenge with My Undercover Cop Hubby