Stretcher 16

Chapter 7

Thanks to Gemma’s tireless efforts, #Stellaris Corporation Manager Takes $500K in Chocolate Kickbacks# finally started trending.

At 2 PM, a sleek black Maybach pulled up to the company’s main entrance.

The moment Gemma saw my car, she rushed over and threw herself to the ground in front of it, hair disheveled, kowtowing frantically:

“Manager Rivers! Please, I’m begging you! Small businesses like mine aren’t easy–have mercy! For old times‘ sake, give me a way out…”

She’d worn an ultra short slip dress today with innocent makeup, looking pitiful and vulnerable.

Even thick foundation couldn’t hide the bruising around her eyes.

The reporters who’d been waiting pounced like sharks smelling blood, immediately swarming the Maybach with cameras and microphones. The source of thɪs content is Find1Novel.net

“Manager Rivers! Can you step out for an interview?”

“Running away won’t solve anything! Please explain the $500K kickback situation!”

“Your company hasn’t responded officially–are you enabling this corrupt behavior?”

The live stream chat exploded again with profanity and angry condemnation practically spilling off the screen.

Finally, the Maybach door opened.

A tall, elegant figure with an intimidating aura stepped out first from the back seat.

Gemma’s eyes immediately lit up.

Before she could process why Ryder would be in my car, she crawled on hands and knees from the front bumper over to his polished leather shoes, collapsing at his feet with tear–filled eyes turned upward:

“Mr. Thorne, you have to help me get justice! I’m filing an official complaint! Your company’s procurement manager Maya Rivers abused her power to extort $500K in outrageous kickbacks from me! Here’s the transfer record!”

She held up evidence with one hand while casually tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with the other, gazing up at Ryder with wet, pleading eyes.

The assistants and secretaries nearby looked like they wanted to say something but held back.

Ryder raised an eyebrow, his gaze ice–cold:

“Oh? You’re reporting her? Aren’t you two old classmates?”

“Exactly!”

Gemma lifted her chin defiantly:

“I’m loyal to my friends! Out of respect for our school days, I agreed to help with her procurement needs! But I never expected such betrayal! She took me for everything I had! Why should someone like her get to live luxuriously off dirty money while honest business people like me get bled dry?”

“This behavior is embezzlement! It’s criminal! The losses come directly from your company’s shareholders and employees! You have to investigate thoroughly! Fire her! Make sure she rots in prison!”

“…Mr. Thorne, anyone can see you’re a perceptive, fair leader! Given that I’m turning against my own friend for justice, could your company consider me for future procurement? I guarantee quality products at great prices!”

Her eyes held desperate hope and a hint of barely concealed seductiveness.

The surrounding reporters were fired up again by this emotional accusation, shoving microphones toward Ryder demanding a statement.

Gemma lowered her head slightly, hair falling across her face, lips curving in a triumphant smile.

She could already see me disgraced and imprisoned while she climbed over my corpse to bigger contracts, and maybe… even more,

Just then, Ryder turned slightly toward the back seat, extending his arm unhurriedly:

“Honey, she wants to report you. What do you think?”

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.