Jacobs’s blood boiled as she watched. She wanted nothing more than to punch Joanna Sherman square in the face.

’How dare she scheme against my boss! She must have a death wish!’

"Who was it just now that said they always act with integrity?"

Jacobs tapped insistently on the screen. "Miss, is this what you call ’acting with integrity’?"

"You bribed someone to assault my boss just to get the project lead position! You’re a complete hypocrite!"

She was furious. ’If this isn’t the perfect time to expose her, I don’t know when is.’

"If you were truly confident in your abilities, you wouldn’t have to resort to such schemes. You must know you’re not as skilled as her."

"If you suck, then practice more!"

The team of experts and the executives were also stunned by the video’s contents.

That Joanna Sherman, who seemed so cold and detached, could do something so malicious?

It was true what they say: you can’t judge a book by its cover.

Even they wouldn’t dare to act so recklessly. It was simply atrocious!

Chester Stone was so furious he slammed his palm on the table. He didn’t say a word, but his glare looked like it could devour her.

Shane Grant’s charming eyes gradually darkened, a light sharper than any blade shooting from their depths.

It was a look that could pierce right through her.

Joanna Sherman’s heart leaped into her throat for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. "What does this video prove? It’s just Young Master Judd’s word against mine."

"I sympathize with what Miss Shaw went through, but I had nothing to do with it. I refuse to take the blame for something I didn’t do!"

Layers of wronged emotion flickered in her eyes, as if she had been truly and deeply wronged.

’Besides, her deal with Young Master Judd was purely verbal. Sophia Shaw couldn’t possibly have any evidence, so she could say whatever she wanted.’

Jack Holloway couldn’t help but jump to Joanna Sherman’s defense. "Miss Shaw, this sort of thing wouldn’t even hold up as evidence in court. Frankly, I have every reason to believe you staged this whole thing yourself, just to snatch the project lead position away from Miss Sherman."

"If you’re not good enough, just admit it. Why do you have to make things so ugly?"

Jack Holloway was utterly disgusted with Sophia Shaw.

’She’s always targeting Ms. Sherman, just because Ms. Sherman is close to President Grant.’

’Ms. Sherman is a rocket scientist, exceptionally capable. Nothing like this woman, who’s completely useless but loves to cause drama!’

Hearing Jack Holloway’s words, the crowd snapped back to their senses.

’That’s right, a video like this isn’t enough to prove Joanna Sherman is guilty.’

Joanna Sherman, acting as if she had been gravely wronged, raised her voice several notches.

"Miss Shaw, I know you’ve always held a grudge against me. I didn’t want to bicker with you, but you’ve gone too far today!"

"I never wanted the project lead position for myself; everyone else just felt I was the more suitable candidate. If you wanted the position that badly, you could have just told me. I would have gladly stepped aside and supported you. But instead, you chose to do this. It’s absolutely shameless!"

"What are you so upset about?" Sophia Shaw, far from being anxious, was the picture of calm composure.

’Listening to Joanna Sherman’s righteous indignation, I’m almost embarrassed for her.’

"As for whether it’s just my word against hers, why don’t you all take a look at this before you decide!"

The screen flashed, and a second video began to play.

In the video, Joanna Sherman was sitting in the corner of a bar, lazily taking a drag from a cigarette. Her decadent posture was a world away from the cold, aloof woman standing before them now.

"Young Master Judd, if you like her, don’t be so hesitant. I mean, Sophia Shaw... she’s been sleeping alone for years. Just get a little creative, and she’s yours, right?"

"It’s not that easy. I barely even met her, offered to see her home, and I was shoved aside by her whole entourage!" The voice belonged to Young Master Judd.

He took a sullen sip of his drink, his frustration written all over his face.

"That woman... she’s way out of my league. I can’t get to her."

"There’s no such thing as a woman you can’t win over, only a man who isn’t trying hard enough. Young Master Judd, just think of another way."

"What other way is there?"

"For example... find a way to lock her up somewhere. After the... deed is done, even if she tries to raise hell, it’ll be her word against yours. You just have to stick to the story that *she* was the one who came on to *you*. No one will be able to touch you."

"I... I’d better not. I don’t dare provoke the man who backs her."

"Fortune favors the bold. I’ve given you a method; whether you use it or not is up to you."

"Oh, right. Zenith has a big deal in the works. If you can handle her by tomorrow—make sure she can’t show up to the presentation where we’re both competing—I’ll make sure that deal goes to you."

"For real?"

"Of course."

"Fine, I’ll do it!"

Their glasses clinked together.

"I bet you didn’t see that coming," Sophia Shaw said quietly, looking at Joanna Sherman. "The same Young Master Judd you thought was an utter fool secretly recorded this as evidence."

Joanna Sherman looked as if she’d been turned to stone.

’She never would have dreamed that Young Master Judd, who she thought was as dumb as a pig, would dig such a huge pit for her to fall into!’

’Even less did she imagine that Sophia Shaw would be able to squeeze this video out of him!’

"It’s fake!" Jack Holloway shouted, refusing to believe Joanna Sherman was that kind of person.

Jacobs shot him a speechless glance. "If you don’t believe it, feel free to take it to a forensic lab for authentication. What are you shouting for here?"

Jacobs puffed out her chest. "We welcome an appraisal from any qualified agency!"

’The truth is the truth. If anything, she was worried not enough people would try to authenticate it!’

Sophia Shaw lowered her gaze slightly, her curled eyelashes catching the incoming sunlight and turning a beautiful shade of gold.

’Young Master Judd had recorded the video because he was afraid Joanna Sherman would go back on her word.’

’He only dared to try and force himself on her because he thought she was alone, that if something happened, no one would be there to back her up.’

’But he was just a coward who bullied the weak and feared the strong. All she had to do was show up with the people her godmother had provided, apply a little pressure, and he spilled everything.’

"Who was it just now saying they didn’t want the project lead position?" Jacobs demanded, staring at Joanna. "If you didn’t want it so much, why would you arrange for someone to stop my boss from competing?"

Her voice was loud and clear, deliberately ensuring everyone could hear.

Joanna Sherman looked as if she had been slapped dozens of times, her face swelling and turning beet red.

Feeling the shocked and disdainful gazes of everyone around her, she had a sudden realization.

’Everything Sophia Shaw did today... it was all a lead-up to this final video!’

’She had led her into a trap, bit by bit, step by step, baiting her into saying all those noble, high-minded things.’

’She pushed her up onto a moral high ground, only to shove her off it again!’

Jacobs rarely got the chance to put a scumbag in their place so thoroughly, and she wasn’t about to miss it.

"You want the project lead position, but you won’t compete for it honorably. On the surface, you put on this act of being aloof and above it all, like you couldn’t care less. But behind the scenes, you’re using these venomous schemes. Aren’t you disgusted with yourself?"

Joanna Sherman’s face burned with humiliation at Jacobs’s words. All she could do was shoot a venomous glare at Sophia Shaw.

Sophia Shaw’s eyes were placid. She met the glare head-on, not flinching or looking away.

Though her gaze held no malice, it sent a chill straight down Joanna Sherman’s spine.

Causing her to break out in a cold sweat.

"I never would have guessed. The one who acted like she was above it all is actually the filthiest of all."

"Going on and on about how she didn’t want to be the project lead, but then she pulls a stunt like this."

"That woman... she’s terrifying."

"Terrifying? She’s shameless!"

"..."

The unending murmurs continued to rise from the crowd, every accusation once leveled at Sophia Shaw now thrown back at her.

As for the corporate bosses, they wanted to cry but had no tears.

They had already pledged their allegiance to Joanna Sherman. What were they supposed to do now?

Joanna Sherman had really ruined them.

The executives were so furious they wanted to tear Joanna Sherman to pieces!