Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption

In the large conference room on the presidential floor, the atmosphere was heavy. Major board members and directors of various units sat in silence, their faces grim.

The large brown mahogany table shone under the light. Papers sprawled before them.

The projector hummed softly, displaying the current trend of the Allen Group stock on the market.

The chart dipped steeply, its red line cutting across the screen like a blade.

Their faces hardened and ashen, some paled, as if watching the lifeblood of the Group drain away before their very eyes.

Murmurs of dread rippled beneath the surface, but no one dared to voice the full extent of their fears or the outcome of such stock fall.

Vera took a deep breath and began her address. Luke sat at the edge of the table closer to the door, and the president's seat had his note and ballpoint pen ready to write down.

He had already decided to do just his work as an assistant but not for Vera.

For him, he really wanted to see how far Vera would go in handling this situation, while contemplating the possibility of this being another plot of the Louis family.

From the records he studied last night, it's no doubt that Louis is the biggest enemy of the Allen Group.

Yet it is quite ridiculous how they shared a marriage tie and alliance between them.

"I summoned this meeting to discuss the way forward, looking at the situation of the stock and its possible effect on the Group. Our president isn't on the seat, and this happens," she said, her gaze sweeping across the room.

"I just think something needs to be done to counter this problem, and it has to be done really fast; otherwise, if the current trend continues…I doubt if the Allen Group will survive this storm," she said.

Her words tightened the air further.

Several members nodded grimly, their eyes flicking once again to the damning chart on the projector, as though willing it to reverse. But the line remained the same, continuously plummeting mercilessly.

"Since the president isn't on seat, I suppose the vice president should act in his stead," a member suggested.

"Yes, with the stock plummeting at this rate, we should think about the countermeasures and means of stabilizing it."

"I think the Vice President should assume this role immediately and let's see how to weather this storm."

"I suggest since the president isn't on seat, maybe an external investor could be given the chance to inject funds into the group."

"For me, I have a different idea. Why had the Louis Group decided to bring this matter to the press without first consulting the Allen Group?"

Vera's gaze narrowed at the speaker, but she remained silent. Her finger drummed the table rhythmically, her thoughts spinning at a rapid rate.

According to Sylas, he had handled every possible setback, and she only needed to use her office and handle the transition smoothly without hitches.

And with Davis nowhere in sight, there was no doubt it was a won battle.

But then, why was there someone ready and willing to probe the facts before them?

Her teeth pressed lightly into her lower lip.

" I need to end this. "

"Once I get the Alpha Project out of my hands, I'll finally be free of the Louis family." Not what he thought it.

While she was still lost in thought, the voice continued:

"Also, if my memory serves me right, this project seems to be in the office of the vice president," the young man concluded.

A hush fell over the room. Heads turned towards Vera, their eyes sharpening with inquisitiveness.

And then…

The doors swung open.

A sharp crisp clap echoed against the thick silence. "Well said."She smirked..

Every gaze snapped toward the entrance. Jessica stood there, her presence

commanding, her cold smirk cutting sharper than the red trendline on the screen.

Standing at the door, her aura intimidating, her face cold and expressionless, her lips curled into a cold arc.

Her tailored navy-blue maternity blazer exuded coldness, yet complemented by light blue chiffon, flowy enough not to cling on her baby bump, was tucked neatly into navy-blue trousers.

A black loafer on her feet gave her a good balance without straining her legs, delicate silver earrings and wristwatch complementing her outfit, giving her a classy and elegant look.

Her hair tumbled down behind her like silk. In measured steps, she moved further into the room.

Luke, who had been watching silently from his seat at the side, immediately rose to his feet. With a smooth motion, he pulled out the president's chair at the head of the table.

Jessica's eyes met his briefly, her expression unreadable. "Thank you," she murmured with a curt nod before taking her seat.

Jessica settled down, carefully placing her laptop and files on the table while her cold gaze scanned through the room. "You can continue." She smirked.

Vera took a deep breath. Ever since Jessica stepped in, she felt uncomfortable. She hadn't expected she would be showing up at this meeting.

Jessica casually flipped open her laptop as she powered it up, her well-manicured nails subtly scratching the edges of the file she placed on the desk.

"Let's continue," she said coolly.

The young man who had just spoken before Jessica entered continued, "I think, Mr. Vice President, you should give the board a breakdown on why the project was a failed project and how the Allen Group had not been able to fulfill its own part of the deals."

Jessica subtly glanced at Vera, who shifted uncomfortably on her seat.

But with the arrow pointing at her, she definitely wouldn't keep silent.

"Well, the Alpha Project was a project launched during the days of Desmond in the office, and by Providence, the Louis Group was able to win the tender."

"After a few months of deliberations, the Louis family swooped into action, and along the line, the supposed capital injection to be done by the Allen Group stopped." Vera carefully narrated.

"I hope the house can now ask their questions," Jessica said.

Members of the board glanced at each other with no clear idea of where this matter was really heading.

Vera felt her palms getting sweaty, and Luke, standing behind Jessica, took a deep breath.

"Vice President, you mentioned the capital injection to be done by the Allen Group stopped?"

"Yes," Vera answered swiftly.

Murmurs erupted through the board as they each wondered what might have transpired.

Allen Group had carefully embarked on this project not as a sham project, but every detail of this project had been carefully planned.

"Were the board members aware of the delay in capital injection?" another member asked.

Vera took a deep breath, casting a subtle glance at Jessica, who had been quiet.

"Well, the matter was supposed to get on the table of the board members, but then the sudden change of office halted it."

"If that is the case, I think the blame for these failures should be taken by both companies," another member said.