The Queen They Buried

Chapter 505

Patrick’s slightly trembling fingertips betrayed that he wasn’t as relaxed as he pretended to be. He forced a chuckle. “Calling all of us in so suddenly…

He hesitated, eyes shifting toward the row of phones laid out on the table. They had been summoned abruptly and, upon entering the room, were ordered to hand over their devices.

Patrick silently broke into a cold sweat. He thought he had been exposed.

But then he reasoned. He hadn’t done anything overtly suspicious. Neither Birgitte nor Aubree had shown any indication they suspected a mole in their midst. He’d saved both of them, and he was even in a relationship with Birgitte. If they knew something, surely he’d be informed.

That fleeting thought calmed him. Putting his trademark grin back on, he said cheerfully, “Birgitte, if you want to check my phone, that’s fine, but isn’t it a bit much to take everyone’s?”

He winked. “Besides, what’s this all about anyway?”

Birgitte finally looked up, eyes sweeping across the room. “Sit down.”

Her expression was cold, her tone stern, showing no special treatment despite her relationship with Patrick.

Others in the room shifted uneasily. They didn’t know what had happened. Birgitte even treated Patrick like that.

Patrick gave a sheepish smile and obediently sat back down. As he lowered his head, a flicker of resentment passed through his eyes. But from the look of things, Birgitte wasn’t here to check the phones. He would just let her play her game.

Everyone present had been handpicked by Birgitte as top suspects. She’d called them in first thing that morning, so none of them knew what was happening online yet.

The sound of fingers tapping on the table made everyone tense and restless.

Birgitte crossed her arms, tapping her fingers rhythmically. “Unless something extraordinary happens, you’ll all be free to leave after the end of the workday. If you’re innocent, you’ll get five times your normal pay as compensation.”

“What does that mean?” someone finally asked, unable to sit still. If they were going to be fired, they deserved an explanation.

Others didn’t care. “So we’re getting paid to sit here and do nothing? Can’t use our phones, but whatever.”

“Five times the pay? I’ll camp in this meeting room!”

demanding to leave. One hot–headed employee grabbed their phone from the table.“I’m leaving! What, you gonna

She simply gestured

the black–suited bodyguards standing outside turned

is this?

reason, said, “Birgitte, what

“If there’s an issue, let’s deal with the issue. I know the company’s in a rough spot lately,

began

the company’s going under, then just declare bankruptcy. Why

saying we caused the mess?

and looked directly at the

can consider this a very special kind of meeting.” She stood up. For a moment, her presence filled the room, silencing

still stands. If you’re clean, you’ll walk out of here with extra pay. If not, expect prison

Cherniavsky, what do

“Exactly what it

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2.32 PM

Chapter 505

mental preparations crumbled instantly. ‘What did she mean? She knew? How could she

the others. Patrick lowered his face, his usual mask cracking to reveal something venomous beneath. He had to stir the others

he could act, a sudden ringtone

was the sound of a phone

recognized the ringtone

asked, “Birgitte, that might be my phone…

caller ID. An unmarked number. Her

reached for the phone. If it were from Bryan, he would be doomed. And

*Patrick, you…”

the

protest halted abruptly, like a car driven off

calm, though her heart was heavy. She should’ve known.