Chapter 97 — The Accusation
The dining room felt colder.
No one touched the food anymore.
The name Victor Dawson had changed the atmosphere completely.
Amber rested her elbows lightly on the table, watching Alex.
"You're going to tell me what he's planning," she said.
Alex didn't sit immediately.
He stood near the end of the table, phone still in his hand, reading something quickly.
Richard Wilson looked calm—but Amber noticed the way his fingers tapped once against the table.
Controlled irritation.
Mrs. Wilson folded her napkin neatly.
"Victor never makes announcements without an audience," she said.
Amber frowned.
"Meaning?"
"He enjoys spectacle," Mrs. Wilson replied.
Alex finally looked up from his phone.
"He's already started."
Amber blinked.
"Started what?"
Alex turned the screen toward her again.
This time it wasn't a news article.
It was a live broadcast.
Victor Dawson stood behind a podium in front of several microphones.
Amber recognized the setting immediately.
The Dawson Global headquarters press hall.
The man himself looked exactly how she imagined.
Mid-sixties.
Silver hair.
Expensive suit.
Confident smile.
The kind of smile people used when they were about to ruin someone's life.
"…Well," Amber muttered, "he looks like a villain."
Richard's mouth twitched slightly.
The broadcast volume rose.
Victor Dawson's voice filled the dining room.
"Thank you for attending on such short notice."
Flashes from cameras lit the screen.
Victor continued smoothly.
"As many of you know, Wilson Group recently made headlines regarding a sudden engagement involving its CEO."
Amber rolled her eyes.
"Here we go."
Alex watched silently.
Victor clasped his hands together.
"I have no interest in discussing anyone's personal life," he said.
Amber snorted.
"Liar."
"But," Victor continued, "when personal relationships begin influencing corporate leadership decisions, it becomes a matter of public concern."
There it was.
Amber leaned back in her chair.
"Predictable."
Victor continued speaking.
"Wilson Group currently controls multiple joint ventures that affect the broader investment market."
He paused dramatically.
"And recently, a number of those ventures have involved consulting work connected to a Ms. Amber Gareth."
Amber blinked.
"…Wait."
Richard's expression hardened.
Mrs. Wilson watched quietly.
Victor raised a folder.
"For transparency, Dawson Global has submitted documentation requesting an official review of these connections."
Amber sat up straighter.
"That's ridiculous."
Alex's voice remained calm.
"He's suggesting conflict of interest."
"I've never worked for Wilson Group," Amber said sharply.
"I know."
"Then what's his point?"
Alex's eyes stayed on the screen.
"He doesn't need proof."
Victor opened the folder slowly.
"The public deserves to know whether corporate leadership decisions are influenced by personal relationships."
Amber's jaw tightened.
"He's twisting facts."
"Yes."
"And people will believe it?"
"Yes."
Victor looked directly into the cameras.
"And while I cannot yet confirm the full extent of Ms. Gareth's involvement in Wilson Group negotiations…"
Amber's stomach dropped slightly.
"…we have reason to believe several major acquisitions were influenced by her private connection to Mr. Wilson."
Amber laughed once.
Sharp.
Disbelieving.
"I met you months ago."
Alex nodded.
"He knows."
"So he's just making things up?"
Richard answered calmly.
"He's planting doubt."
Victor continued.
"For the sake of market transparency, Dawson Global will formally request a regulatory investigation into Wilson Group leadership decisions."
Amber stared at the screen.
"…He's accusing us of corruption."
Alex corrected her.
"He's accusing me."
"No," she said quietly.
"He's accusing me."
Silence settled over the table.
Victor finished his speech with a polished smile.
"I believe accountability strengthens the market."
Then the broadcast ended.
The screen went dark.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Amber exhaled slowly.
"…Well that's annoying."
Richard actually laughed.
Once.
Short.
"You handle pressure well."
Amber shrugged.
"It's not pressure yet."
Mrs. Wilson tilted her head.
"You don't seem angry."
Amber looked at the phone again.
"Oh, I'm angry."
Her voice stayed calm.
But Alex recognized the tone.
Dangerously calm.
"Good," Richard said.
Alex finally sat beside her.
"You don't need to deal with this."
Amber turned toward him slowly.
"Yes I do."
"No."
"Yes."
"Amber—"
She pointed toward the phone.
"He just attacked my integrity on live television."
Alex's gaze hardened.
"I'll handle him."
Amber shook her head.
"That's exactly what he wants."
Richard watched the exchange carefully.
Amber continued.
"He wants you to react."
Alex frowned.
"And you don't?"
"I want to win."
Silence followed.
Mrs. Wilson's lips curved slightly.
"Alexander," she said softly, "I believe your fiancée understands strategy."
Amber glanced at Alex.
"If you fight him directly, it becomes a billionaire feud."
"And?"
"And investors panic."
Alex leaned back slightly.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Amber smiled faintly.
"Let me answer him."
The room went quiet.
Richard raised an eyebrow.
"You want to respond publicly?"
Amber nodded.
"Yes."
Alex's voice was firm.
"No."
Amber turned toward him.
"Why?"
"Because he'll drag you through the mud."
"He already started."
"That doesn't mean you walk into it."
Amber leaned closer to him.
"And it doesn't mean I hide behind you."
Their eyes locked.
Tension.
Not anger.
But something stubborn.
Finally—
Mrs. Wilson spoke again.
"Victor Dawson made one mistake tonight."
Amber looked at her.
"What mistake?"
Mrs. Wilson smiled faintly.
"He underestimated you."
Amber's smile matched hers.
"Yes," she said quietly.
"He did."
Across the city—
Inside a sleek glass office—
Daniel Dawson watched the same broadcast replay on a large screen.
He leaned back in his chair slowly.
Dark hair.
Sharp suit.
Eyes colder than his father's.
"Alexander Wilson," he murmured.
Then his gaze shifted to Amber's photo on the screen.
The engagement ring shining under camera lights.
Daniel smiled slightly.
"Interesting."
Because he didn't just see a scandal.
He saw an opportunity.
And Daniel Dawson loved opportunities.