Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 256: Davis and his wife just returned...

While Davis and his wife were having a good rest after a long journey and work time, Desmond’s case was a stark contrast to their situation.

The morning sun filtered through the floor to ceiling glass windows and walls of the Allen Corporation’s executive conference room, casting cold shadows across the polished marble floor.

The air was sterile, perfumed faintly with fresh lavender fragrance and fresh coffee, but the tension beneath it was palpable.

Desmond Allen walked in, his tailored suit immaculate, his steps deliberate. His eyes swept over the seated board members made up of fifteen men and women whose loyalty he’d secured through years of careful manipulation, favors, and intimidation.

He took his seat at the head the table without greeting anyone. His assistant silently slid a stack of documents in front of him with the morning’s agenda tucked behind layers of reports.

Desmond’s fingers tapped against the glass desk, each beat calculated, his composure that of an emperor as his icy eyes scanned the faces of the members in silent appraisal.

"Let’s begin," he said curtly.

The COO, a slender man with sharp glasses and sharper instincts, cleared his throat. "Before we proceed to the quarterly review, there’s an item that’s come to our attention regarding project expenditures under Division 4C."

Desmond’s stern eyes settled on the man, his chest tightened, his hand paused briefly before resuming its action.

That division was one of his shadow budgets—used for siphoning funds under R&D cover and had long being concealed but bringing it up at this point is a clear indication that something had gone wrong.

Desmond’s lips curved into a thin smile. "4C is a confidential defense tech initiative in early-phase prototyping. We’ve used black-budget methods to protect IP. If you’re unfamiliar with the protocol, perhaps we can schedule a separate briefing."

He let the statement hang, daring them to question further. But this time he underestimated the reasons and positions of the board members.

Ms. Dexter, a fierce blonde lady from the Audit Committee leaned forward, a cold smirk playing on her lips.

contractor that has no traceable

didn’t expect them to be persistent and to dare press further on the case. He took a deep breath. "Like I said we trying our best to

a secondary authority. This one wasn’t. And our crosscheck shows no official briefing with Legal, nor oversight

Silence followed.

back. "Are you questioning my authority to protect Allen

met his gaze. "No. I’m questioning whether this is about

eyes were locked in the air, the tension settling in the room palpable as the air around

spoke next. "I think, for clarity and board confidence, we should request a neutral audit. Not an

the transparency," Desmond growled, his mask slipping

past years plus is because I

quickly, trying to diffuse the mood yet it continuously

was the usual agendas, familiar voices, but to Desmond, it all felt

usual

felt it replaced by piercing clarity as department heads now came armed with crisp figures,

were they preparing

throat, half-rising from his seat in greeting which also

report from the R&D department was just circulated. There are... other anomalies

brow twitching ever so slightly.

discontinued projects. We assumed it was an accounting error but in

the financial review."Desmond

the board meeting,

as well. One of the campaigns listed