A thunderous realization hit me like a lightning strike. Why did Lorelei lie, too? Her words basically confirmed the accusation that I had taken advantage of my male subordinate.

"Trash!"

"You're rich but a scum! How could you abuse your power like that?"

"How can someone like this be CEO? Get out of Spencer Group!"

The crowd of onlookers and guests erupted. I didn't even notice who started it, but a plate with a half-eaten slice of cake flew at me, smashing against my body. Then came napkins, fruit peels, and even wine glasses, raining down on me like bullets.

My trusted aide, Alex Holland, threw himself in front of me, shielding me with his body as we staggered toward the corner of the ballroom. Even so, a wine glass caught me at the temple.

Warm liquid ran down my cheek. I couldn't tell if it was blood or red wine. I wiped my face, and the cold fire in my eyes felt tangible.

"Enough!" I shouted, silencing the noisy crowd. "If you all think I'm guilty, feel free to call the police and check the surveillance! Let the authorities find out the truth!"

I pulled out my phone, unlocking it, ready to dial, only for a shadow to dart from the side and snatch it from my hand out of nowhere. A sharp crack rang out. My phone hit the ground hard, and the screen shattered into a spiderweb of glass.

The one who lunged at me was Zachary Smith, Charlie's close friend and a member of the technical department at the company. He glared at me, spittle flying from his mouth and practically hitting my face.

"What do you take the authorities for?" he spat out. "The evidence is clear. Why waste the cops' time? I knew you wouldn't admit it, so that's why I got a technical appraisal ready in advance."

With that, he clapped his hands. A man in a suit, a badge from some appraisal institute hanging on his chest, stepped out from the crowd. In his hands was a sealed report.

"I'm an expert from the appraisal center," he announced. "This is a polygraph report and video authenticity assessment commissioned by Mr. Langford three days ago on an expedited basis."

He continued, "After verification, we can confirm that Mr. Langford's statements regarding his encounter with Ms. Spencer are truthful. Furthermore, the video clip provided has not been edited or manipulated in any way.

"The findings support Mr. Langford's claims as factual."

The room erupted. Even the faintest trace of doubt vanished. I looked at the report and couldn't help but smile instead of getting angry.

Very well. Even the expert was lined up. This scheme was flawless.

Faced with my silence, Charlie straightened his disheveled clothes and put on a mask of patience and magnanimity. "Maddie, I really love you, but I don't want to force anything. I only ask for some compensation for emotional damages and a non-disclosure fee.

"After this, I'll leave the city and never appear in front of you again."

Zachary immediately pulled out two pre-prepared contracts. "Ms. Spencer, I advise you to be reasonable. Don't push such an honest man to the edge. If you don't want to take accountability, just sign this agreement and give him five million dollars."

At the same time, he held up his phone, pointing it at my face. On the screen, a live stream was running. The chat feed was scrolling wildly, every comment an insult to me.

"She toyed with her subordinate's feelings and refused to commit. Now that she's being asked to take accountability, she's pretending to be clueless."

"That's infuriating. Whoever's at the scene, please curse her out for me!"

"Hahaha! Sucks to be her! She thought she could play that pretty face like a fiddle, but look who's getting exposed now?"

"How's five million enough? He deserves some shares! Let this be a painful lesson for her!"

…

What an extravagant performance. They thought that by cornering me, I would have no choice but to pay up, all for my reputation and the company's stock price. Unfortunately for them, they miscalculated.

I smoothed back my tangled hair, wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, and looked at Charlie with a calmness that sent chills down one's spine.

"Fine. I'll marry you."