Chapter 461
Chapter 461:
Each headline felt like a dagger to her heart. Each article was more damaging than the last. Someone was feeding the financial press a steady stream of poison, and Kane Industries was dying from a thousand cuts.
Alexander entered their bedroom carrying fresh coffee, his face carefully arranged in an expression of concern and support. “Any updates from the crisis management team?”
Camille looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. She hadn’t slept in thirty-six hours, and exhaustion was written across every line of her face. “It’s getting worse. Three more articles went live in the past hour.”
She handed him the tablet, watching as he read the latest attack. The Financial Times had published a piece titled “Kane Industries: Built on Questionable Foundations?” that cited unnamed internal sources claiming safety protocols had been ignored during Phoenix Grid construction.
“Anonymous sources,” Alexander muttered, shaking his head with what appeared to be disgust. “Cowards hiding behind reporters while they destroy your reputation.”
“The stock opened down another four points,” Camille said, her voice barely above a whisper. “At this rate, we’ll lose twenty percent of our value by the end of the week.”
Alexander sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for her hand. Her fingers were ice cold, trembling with stress, caffeine, and fear. “We’ll get through this. Kane Industries is stronger than these attacks.”
“Is it?” Camille’s voice cracked. “Alex, what if they’re right? What if there really are safety issues we missed?”
The doubt in her voice was like acid eating away at Alexander’s chest. He had started this campaign to destroy Victoria Kane, but watching it tear apart the woman he loved was agony beyond anything he had imagined.
“You know better than that,” he said softly. “You’ve personally overseen every aspect of the Phoenix Grid. Your safety standards exceed federal requirements.”
“Then why won’t these stories stop?” Camille pulled her hand away, standing abruptly to pace across their bedroom. “Someone is feeding reporters information about our internal processes. Details that only employees would know.”
𝐿𝖆𝙩𝑒𝓼𝓉 сհ𝖆ρ𝑡𝓮𝓇𝘀 g𝖆ⅼ𝓃𝗈ν𝓮𝗅𝓈[.]ⅽ𝑜𝗆
Alexander’s pulse quickened. “Have you considered the possibility of corporate espionage? Competitors trying to steal market share?”
“Victoria thinks it’s more personal than that.” Camille stopped pacing, turning to face him. “She thinks someone with intimate knowledge of Kane Industries is orchestrating these attacks.”
The words hit Alexander like physical blows. Victoria’s suspicions were growing stronger, more focused. How long before her investigation led her to the truth?
“What does Victoria plan to do?” he asked, keeping his voice neutral.
“Increase internal security. Review all employee access logs. Investigate anyone who might have a motive to damage the company.” Camille’s eyes were haunted. “She’s turning Kane Industries into a fortress.”
Alexander nodded sympathetically while his mind raced through the implications. Victoria’s investigation would eventually uncover his digital footprints, his connections to ‘Guardian,’ his late-night visits to Kane Industries buildings. The net was closing around him.
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