Chapter 7 Don't Blame Her

By the nextmorning, the atmosphere in the conference room was suffocating.

Core company members filled both sides of the long table, with Nicholas sitting at the head and Emily right beside him.

Hannah was placed in the farthest corner.

"The purpose of today's meeting is to review the public opinion crisis from the Sunrise City project launch and quantify the resulting financial fallout

Nicholas's voice was cold and hard. "As the focal point of the scandal, Hannah must participate and explain the situation."

All eyes focused on Hannah—contemptuous, scrutinizing, gloating.

Emily, however, wore a meticulously calibrated mask of concern. "Nicholas, isn't this too cruel for Hannah? She's already been punished." She paused. "Even though Mr. Hill has come forward to clarify, public opinion has still had quite an impact on the company."

"Mistakes require taking responsibility." Nicholas interjected sharply, turning to look at Hannah. "Begin."

Hannah took a deep breath and was about to stand when Emily neatly preempted her turning on the projector. "Before Ms. Nguyen takes the floor,, I'd like to show everyone some data."

Stock price charts and public opinion analysis reports appeared on the screen.

"After the launch, the company's stock price dropped for three consecutive days. Mr. Hill's clarification had limited effect, and topics about 'Robinson Enterprises' Secretary trading favors for benefits' are still trending."

"Look at these top comments—[If Hannah hadn't done these things, would Tom make false accusations out of thin air?] [I heard Hannah was pulling these stunts three years ago]... These comments have seriously damaged the company's reputation."

Anxious murmurs rippled through the conference room.

Emily sighed. "There's one more complication. Although Mr. Hill clarified, shareholders in his company are questioning the partnership with Robinson Enterprises. Mr. Hill called this morning saying if public opinion isn't completely settled, the project might be indefinitely suspended."

Finn, the CFO, frowned. "We've already given up three percentage points in profit. He's still not satisfied?"

"The three-point concession merely kept them at the table." Nicholas's gaze swept over Hannah.

Hannah held her breath. She knew this project's profit margins better than anyone. Nicholas had gutted the project's profitability just to salvage it—no wonder he looked like he wanted to tear her apart.

"Mr. Hill proposed that to continue the project, we need to resolve the negative press, and He is also formally requesting a new project liaison." Emily continued.

"Wait, a three-point concession?" Lynn, the marketing manager, raised her voice. "That leaves us with only two percent net profit! Everyone's year-end bonuses will be affected!"

Others nodded in agreement.

"I've been working overtime for half a year—are you kidding me?"

"All because someone couldn't behave properly and brought this huge mess to the company."

"Why can't we suppress public opinion? Is there something else we don't know about?"

The collective fury of the executives zeroed in on Hannah.

Emily intervened with perfect timing. "Everyone, please calm down. Mr. Hill has already clarified this matter, but netizens just won't believe it. Maybe they think Mr. Hill's clarification was too official, or they think Ms. Nguyen's usual behavior..."

She carefully chose her words. "We can't blame Ms. Nguyen for this. She does often have business dinners late at night, drinking with clients until very late, but this shows dedication to work.It was just maliciously twisted by opportunists."

Emily's words were clever—seemingly defending Hannah while actually confirming she had "behavioral problems."

The atmosphere in the conference room grew even more awkward.

Hannahraised her chin, her voice exceptionally clear. "All my business dinners have corporate expense reports and itinerary logs. The times, locations, and participants are all documented."

She looked directly at Emily. "Anyone with doubts is welcome to audit them."

"Ms. Nguyen, don't misunderstand—I didn't mean anything by it." Emily looked somewhat troubled but insisted on continuing. "I've always believed in you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked Nicholas to get you a lawyer."

"This incident has not only caused company losses but has undeniably crippled the company's reputation. The Sunrise City project is the company's focus this year, and now the profit has shrunk so much."

Her voice grew hoarse. "Everyone has been working overtime on this for so long, and now it's affected by something like this. As the manager, I must take responsibility for the fallout."

"Ms. Brown, don't say that. You just moved back to the country; you couldn't have known."

"This was Hannah's personal indiscretion. Why should others pay for it?"

"She should compensate the company for thelost margins!"

"Right! Compensation!"

The discussion grew louder, and Nicholas's expression grew darker.

He tapped the table. "Quiet!"

The conference room fell silent instantly.

He looked at Hannah, his eyes holding a complex expression. "What is your defense?"

"I didn't do those things." Hannah was exceptionally calm. "Mr. Hill's clarification was the truth. As for why public opinion continues to spread, I suggest the company investigate who is funding the troll farms driving the narrative."

Emily clenched her fists, but her expression remained serene.

Because she believed Nicholas knew how to weigh the pros and cons—continuing to investigate would oplunge them into an endless, messy cycle of self-justification.

"Enough." Nicholas's tone carried impatience. "Now isn't the time to play detective. We need to close this case, not let public opinion continue to spread."

"Given that this incident has caused catastrophic financial damage to the company, after discussion, management has decided."

"First, all of Hannah's bonuses and salary for this year will be withheld."

"Second, Hannah will be removed from the Sunrise City project team andShe has twenty-four hours to complete a full handover."

Hannah's fingers tightened slightly. "Twenty-four hours is physically impossible."

The project files included over thirty core contracts, hundreds of supplementary materials, plus all meeting minutes and communication records from the past six months.

There was no way she could finish in one day.

"That's your problem." Nicholas replied coldly. "The clock starts now."

He stood up, scanning the room. "Meeting adjourned."

People gradually left, and as they passed Hannah, their glances held sympathy, but more often dissatisfaction and blame.

Hannah closed her eyes briefly, then turned and left the conference room resolutely.

Nicholas watched her retreating figure. An inexplicable irritation rose in his chest.

Sensing his mood, Emily softly consoled him. "Nicholas, I know you can't bear it, but if we don't punish severely this time, how will we lead the team in the future? Everyone will think you're unfair, and it will affect company unity."

Nicholas grunted in agreement

He thought Emily was right.

He was doing this for the company.

Hannahwas a professional; she would understand the necessity of her sacrifice.

Back at her corner workstation piled with files, Hannah took a deep breath and opened her computer to start working.

As the sun set and the office emptied out, until only her corner remained lit.

The pain in her lower abdomen grew more intense. Hannah gritted her teeth and endured it, fine beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.

She knew her body had reached its limit, but she also knew clearly that if she couldn't deliver the files tomorrow, all that awaited her was harsher punishment.

Nicholas wouldn't pity her; he would merely brand her incompetent.

By 2 AM, Hannah finally finished organizing the last file.

She tried to stand up, but her vision suddenly went black, and she collapsed heavily to the floor.

That night, Nicholas drove back to the company feeling restless.

He told himself he was only coming back to get a file needed for tomorrow morning's meeting, definitely not because he was bothered by Hannah not being home.

But when he pushed open the office door and saw Hannah crumpled form on the carpet, his heart stopped.

"Hannah!"

He rushed over and found her unconscious. He immediately picked her up.

Just as he was about to leave, the office door opened again.

"Nicholas? Why are you still at the company?" Emily looked surprised. Seeing Hannah in his arms, her expression changed. "What happened to Hannah?"

"She collapsed. I'm taking her to the hospital." Nicholas said, moving to leave.

"Wait." Emily stopped him. "Look at her—her complexion is pale, but her breathing is steady. If she were really unconscious, how could she be this quiet?"

She bent down to pick up a medicine bottle from the floor. "Painkillers?"

She looked at Hannah, then at Nicholas. "Nicholas, did Hannah know you'd come back tonight to get files, so she deliberately fainted here to get your attention?"

Nicholas paused.

Emily continued, "These imported painkillers make you drowsy after taking them. She likely took a dose and simply lay down to wait for you to 'find' her."

"After all, she resorted to self-harm in the detention center before." Emily sighed softly. "She just wants your attention too badly. You really can't blame her for trying."