Chapter 1290:


    Yet the evening had taken an unexpected turn—this young woman iming Anti’s identity had emerged to champion Radiant Jewels. And now he found himself maneuvered into position as another piece in Kiley’s calcted gambit.


    Whispers of an impending partnership between Annie Crystal and Radiant Jewels would inevitably circte by morning—a scenario Richie refused to allow under any circumstances.


    His eyes narrowed to calcting slits as his measured footsteps carried him toward the illuminated stage.


    Upon the gleaming stage, Anti maintained a facade of sereneposure, yet beneath the surface, chaos churned through every nerve.


    Annie Crystal’s CEO himself? What cruel twist of fate had orchestrated this encounter?


    Istion crashed over Anti like an arctic wave. Neither Raegan nor Kiley had breathed a word about this devastating development.


    Her fingers curled into white-knuckled fists as she forced down the rising panic, fighting desperately to maintain herposure while beads of perspiration traced down her temple.


    As Richie’s authoritative presence finally loomed before them, Kiley’s honeyed voice sliced through the tension once more. “Mr. Ford, we would be deeply grateful if you might assist us with this verification matter—assuming, of course, you wouldn’t find it troublesome.”


    Richie took the microphone from the host, his faint smile carrying a trace of bitterness.


    His voice, low and steady, filled the hall as he said, “There are things I cannot turn away from. Anti isn’t just one of Annie Crystal’s founders. She stands as its face, its spirit, and the very image that inspires all of us.”


    He swept his gaze across the hall, his tone turning resolute. “For that reason, I will never permit anyone to pretend to be her.”


    The firmness of his words echoed through the room, leaving behind the unmistakable sting of restrained fury.


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    A chill crept into Anti’s palms as sweat gathered on her skin. At the same time, Maia eased the tight line of her brows and gave a small nod, quietly approving what Richie had said. Only a leader of his stature could steer Annie Crystal toward unbroken progress.


    “Well said!” Anti said as she moved forward, deliberately taking her ce beside him. “I came here today for one reason—to stop anyone from taking my name.”


    She turned her head toward Richie, her tone calm but sharp. “This must be our first meeting, isn’t it?”


    Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd as her words struck the air. Nobody realized she was taking a dangerous chance.


    Her entire act hinged on one risky assumption—that the current CEO of Annie Crystal had never seen Anti in person. She dared to stake everything on that thought for two clear reasons.


    To begin with, she had spent years perfecting her imitation of Anti. Every photograph, video, and article she could find had been studied carefully, and not once did shee across proof that the CEO and Anti had ever appeared together.


    Another thing that emboldened her was Richie’s behavior. Since stepping on stage, he hadn’t exposed her at once. Instead, his eyes kept darting between her and Maia, a reaction she found oddly revealing.


    That could only mean one thing—the elusive Anti had never met Richie in real life.


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