Chapter 5

Seeing Carter slowly regain control of the situation, how could I possibly let him have his way?

I took a step forward, my face displaying the perfect mix of confusion and worry.

"Honey, what are you talking about?"

My voice wasn't loud, but it acted like a needle, immediately popping the balloon of tension that had just begun to ease.

Every eye in the room locked onto me.

Carter's body stiffened visibly. He turned his head, shooting me a warning, murderous glare.

But I played dumb, continuing to "defend" him with an innocent, naive tone.

"How can you throw that proposal away?"

"Didn't you just tell me yesterday that the project has already started and the first wire transfer has gone through? If we stop now, who's going to cover the massive losses?"

My words made the board members' faces turn black instantly.

Arthur's softened expression hardened into stone once more.

"And besides, didn't you say that times have changed, and that Mr. Davis and the others are just dinosaurs who can't keep up with modern trends? You said they're just dead weight holding the company back, so this plan..."

At that point, I acted as if I had suddenly realized my slip of the tongue. I quickly slapped both hands over my mouth, my eyes wide with a perfect display of panic and helplessness.

Silence. Deathly silence filled the office.

Even the floating comments froze for a second.

「Is this woman insane?! How dare she say that out loud?!」

「Stupid btch! She's ruining everything! Why did the male lead marry such a brainless piece of trash!」

"Carter Vance!"

"You really are something!"

"Using our money to play games, and calling us dinosaurs behind our backs?!"

"I'd love to see just how capable you really are!"

His eyes bloodshot with rage, Arthur charged forward.

Carter's pupils dilated.

He wanted to scramble back, but his physical state made it impossible to react in time.

I knew he had reached his absolute limit.

He could only watch as Arthur's hand, veins bulging with fury, slammed down on his desk.

Arthur gripped the edge of the heavy oak desk, intending to lean over and drag Carter out of his chair by his collar.

But he moved too fast, putting too much force into it.

His thick knee slammed hard against the heavy wooden panel of the desk.

BANG!

A loud, heavy thud echoed.

The entire massive desk shook violently.

The folders, the pen holders, and the coffee cups rattled loudly.

With the sudden jolt of the desk, Carter's body pitched backward uncontrollably.

And at that exact millisecond...

"...Ah!"

A suppressed, high-pitched, and incredibly bizarre gasp escaped from beneath the desk.