After Warner's arrest, the public uproar made The Bright Group the center of a scandalous storm.
Though concrete evidence linking The Bright Biopharmacy to human drug trials was yet to surface, suspicion alone was enough to tarnish their reputation. In a world where perception often outweighs truth, the mere hint of doubt could seal one's fate.
"Mr. Chambers, you're a genius! Your foresight is unmatched!"
In the office, Harvey scrolled enthusiastically through comments on his iPad, showcasing them to Avery. "Warner has become our perfect scapegoat. Public opinion has turned against The Bright Group, painting them as the real villains behind the unethical experiments! Mr. Chambers, everything is playing out exactly as you predicted!"
Avery, hands wrapped around a golf club, swung smoothly, landing the ball in the hole with ease. "Those who work for me must be under my control. I have no use for those who can't be managed. I promised that this matter would be handled cleanly. When I make a promise, I keep it."
Harvey, smug with success, chimed in, "Now, Warner's caught in a web of his own making, with no easy way out! If he dares mention your name to the police, even in passing, the video of him drugging a woman, leading to her cardiac arrest, will be all over Elmsworth. Drug trafficking might get him a decade or so in prison with a good lawyer, but manslaughter, coupled with evidence tampering, could land him on death row! As long as we have this evidence, he'll take this secret to his grave!"
"You're right; he should take it to his grave." Avery's tone was calm, as he swung again.
Harvey gasped, "You mean—"
Avery smiled slightly, "Find the right moment. Eliminate him."
"Mr. Chambers, at a time like this, why add more fuel to the fire?"
Harvey, puzzled, handed back the golf club, "With this leverage, Warner won't dare speak out. You could rest easy."
"Firstly, I trust no one but the dead."
Avery approached the sofa, picked up a wine glass, and swirled it elegantly, his lips barely touching the rim, "Secondly, if Warner dies now, what do you think the public will believe?"
Harvey had an epiphany, his eyes widening, "They'll think he couldn't handle the pressure and took his own life?!"
"I like to extract all possible value from something. Warner's final worth lies in this."
Avery sipped the wine, tasting the sweet flavor of imminent victory, "Make it happen soon. Make it look a suicide."
"Yes, Mr. Chambers!"
"Any news on Wayne recently?" Avery's glasses glinted coldly.
"I've had someone on him since he helped Warner dispose of the body. Except for work and visiting his comatose wife at the nursing home, he's been laying low."
"Keep me informed of any developments."
"Mr. Chambers, I mean, if Director-General Wayne does something drastic, what will you do?"
"How I always do."
Avery glanced at him with a hint of irritation, "Don't play coy."
Harvey bowed repeatedly, feeling a chill run down his spine, treading on thin ice.
To Mr. Chambers, the world was but pawns in his game.
Only Ms. Evadne shone like a bright moon in his dark sky, the most unique and precious.
Leaving the nursing home, Wayne felt the weight of the day. He decided to spend the night in the hospital room, keeping his wife company. Exhausted from caring for her, he took a walk to clear his head.
Passing an electronics store, he saw a crowd watching a news report on Warner's arrest and the illegal drugs scandal. Wayne walked by, feeling disconnected from the chaos.
He entered a quiet café, ordered the cheapest coffee, and sat in a corner, lost in thought.
Recalling his wife's latest medical report, his eyes reddened with pain.
"Ah, my dear."
Wayne closed his eyes in anguish, pulling out a cigarette. Searching his pockets, he realized he had no lighter.
Suddenly, a spark of orange light appeared before him.
Looking up, Wayne's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the tall, elegant man standing there.
"Director-General Wayne, what a coincidence."
Thaddeus, with a slight smile, lit Wayne's cigarette for him.
A gesture that spoke volumes, considering the few who could claim such attention from Thaddeus.
"May I join you?" Thaddeus asked, his demeanor gracious and approachable.
"Be my guest."
Thaddeus sat down, alone, without any entourage, creating an atmosphere of silent confrontation.
"Mr. Thaddeus, a man of your stature wouldn't normally frequent a place like this for coffee."
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