?Chapter 1251:


    Noise crashed over her in waves—the lobby was sheer pandemonium. “Over here! Sadie Hudson’s here!” someone bellowed, and in a heartbeat, the media surged toward her, encircling her like predators closing in on prey. Any security posted at the doors found themselves hopelessly outmatched by the sheer force of the crowd.


    “Ms. Hudson, are the rumors true? Did you coerce the senior shareholders to sell just so you could seize total control?” A reporter shoved a microphone so close to Sadie’s face it almost brushed her cheek.


    Another voice called out above themotion, “Ms. Hudson, how do you answer these usations? What’s your response to the ims against you?”


    “Can you tell us whether the recent acquisition of those shares was orchestrated by you, Ms. Hudson?”


    Relentless questions pelted her, every word pointed and insistent.


    Just then, Tina burst into the fray, nked by security who muscled their way forward to create a protective barrier around Sadie.


    “Ladies and gentlemen, I ask for your cooperation,” Tina announced, her voice rising above the crowd. “Wall Group’s PR team will release a formal statement soon. Please remain patient until then.”


    Juggling crisis control, Tina worked hard to keep the chaos from spiraling further.


    Instead of shrinking back, Sadie slipped out from behind Tina’s shield, her posture unyielding. She met the crowd’s gaze head-on, coolly reading each expression—some brimming with anticipation, others savoring the spectacle, and a few simply along for the ride. A thin, chilling smile touched her lips.


    By now, she saw no need to protect the dignity of those who’d already betrayed her.


    “Let’s be honest. Who among you couldn’t wait to dump your shares for a quick profit and then tried to use the fallout to pressure me out? I don’t think I need to say names—we all know the answer. Justice doesn’t need my voice. The authorities are already involved, and I trust the police to reveal the facts before long.”


    Her tone was calm but cut through the uproar with undeniable authority. Shock swept through the group of shareholders who’d been shouting only minutes ago.


    Involving the police was a move they hadn’t seening, and panic set in. Backed into a corner, they scrambled to salvage what little they could, even if it meant bluffing for survival.


    One man mustered aposed front and told Sadie, “Ms. Hudson, no one wants this to escte. If you’re willing to return our shares at the original price, we’ll put this behind us—let’s just return to business as usual.”


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    Dread gnawed at the shareholders, knowing what that request truly meant: everything they’d worked for now hung in the bnce. Their ns had been upended, leaving them with nothing to show for their schemes.


    With desperation mounting, they clung to the faint hope that Sadie might just agree to their terms. If she relented, they could ept the oue. Yet every one of them knew, deep down, Sadie was not someone so easily swayed.


    The shriek of approaching patrol vehicles pierced the air, growing louder by the second.


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