Chapter 5
Gavin ignored Pierce’s greeting and walked straight to me, nodding slightly: “Miss Stone, we’ve just detected an abnormal signal from your phone.”
I nodded and handed him the phone.
“Yes, it was dropped.”
Gavin took the phone and after careful inspection, his expression became grave: “The damage is severe. The cost for repairs and replacement parts alone is estimated at seventy million.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it hit everyone’s heart like a heavy hammer.
Leah’s face instantly turned ashen, her lips trembling: “No… impossible! What kind of phone costs so much to repair?”
“This is a globally limited custom model, equipped with military-grade chips and encryption technology far beyond ordinary flagship phones. Its market value exceeds one hundred million, and money can’t even buy it.”
Gavin coldly glanced at her and took out a document from his briefcase.
“Miss Stone, here’s the phone’s appraisal report and purchase contract. Do you need me to read it aloud?”
I waved my hand.
“No need, I believe everyone here has heard clearly enough.”
The conference room fell completely silent.
The CFO’s glasses had slipped to the tip of his nose, and he forgot to adjust them.
The marketing director’s mouth hung open like a fish gasping for air.
And Leah completely collapsed into her chair, cold sweat dripping from her forehead.
Pierce finally came to his senses.
“Sherry, who… who exactly are you?”
I didn’t answer him directly but looked at Leah instead.
“Leah, now, shouldn’t we discuss compensation?”
Leah suddenly stood up, screaming hysterically: “You’re all conspiring to deceive me! This phone can’t be worth one hundred million!”
Gavin frowned and made a subtle gesture to the bodyguards behind him.
Two men immediately stepped forward, restraining Leah on both sides.
“Miss Leah, if you question us, you can pursue legal proceedings at any time.”
Gavin’s voice was emotionless.
“The legal team of 3,865 people from the highest government levels will ensure this matter is thoroughly handled.”
Leah’s face gradually turned pale, large beads of sweat rolling down her forehead.
Leah was just a small assistant. Even counting the entire Blake Group, they wouldn’t be able to cover even half the compensation.
Her voice trembled as she shouted: “Pierce… Pierce, save me!”
Pierce took a deep breath, stepped forward to block Leah, his tone regaining its usual composure: “Mr. Gavin, there might be some misunderstanding here. I’ll take responsibility for Leah’s compensation.”
Gavin didn’t respond immediately but turned his gaze to me.
I nodded slightly, and only then did he put away the documents and say to Pierce: “Since Pierce has spoken, I’ll give you three days to handle this.”
With that, he turned and left with his bodyguards.
The conference room door closed softly, yet it felt like thunder striking everyone’s hearts.
I scanned Pierce and Leah, the corner of my mouth curving slightly: “Suddenly having a hundred million expense, doesn’t Pierce need board approval?”
Before Pierce could speak, Leah suddenly poked her head out from behind him, the fear on her face replaced by triumphant smugness.
“Sherry, did you forget?”
“You’ve been fired! Company matters have nothing to do with you!”
Leah’s words were like a fuse, igniting the conference room atmosphere again.
Other executives exchanged glances, observing cautiously.
Someone whispered: “Right, Sherry isn’t a company employee anymore.”
“Who do you think
you are, telling Pierce what to do?”
“Exactly!”
