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!”

irritated and began demanding to leave. One hot–headed employee grabbed their phone from the table.“I’m

move. She simply gestured toward the

the door opened, the black–suited bodyguards standing

is

playing the concerned voice of reason, said, “Birgitte, what are you doing?

let’s deal with the issue. I know the company’s in a rough spot lately, but we can’t let it come to this. Ms. Miller’s not

people began

declare bankruptcy. Why take

caused the mess? You trying

eyebrows and looked

special kind of meeting.” She stood up. For a moment, her presence filled

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

Cherniavsky,

what

1/2

2.32 PM

Chapter 505

preparations crumbled instantly. ‘What did she mean? She knew? How could she know? Is she holding

to reveal something venomous beneath. He had to stir the

before he could act, a sudden ringtone broke the

was the sound

the ringtone instantly. His face

asked, “Birgitte, that might be my phone…

ID. An unmarked

her expression and relaxed. He reached for the phone. If it were from

*Patrick, you…”

interrupted the call, startling

why are you answering my phone?” His protest halted abruptly, like a car driven off

by my first name earlier. What, changed your mind already?” Birgitte smiled, her voice calm, though her heart was heavy. She should’ve known. When Aubree was arrested during the first incident, they’d suspected an internal mole. The timing had