âCough, cough⦠Iâm fine!â Liam clutched a handkerchief soaked in blood to his nose, a clear testament to the ferocity of Ryanâs attack.
The board meeting continued, albeit awkwardly.
Logan casually picked up the documents from the table, flipping through them nonchalantly.
Under Ryanâs intimidating gaze, he was the only one who dared to move.
âLiam, are you sure this report is genuine?â Logan asked with a look of disbelief.
Liam immediately shouted, âThis report bears the stamp of a certified institution. You can get it verified, too!â
Ryanâs brows furrowed deeply as his suspicious gaze slowly shifted to his grandfather.
He knew his grandfather well enough to know that if it were his first time hearing about the matter, he would not be this calm.
Besides, such a psychiatric report about a member of the Salvador family was highly confidential. It was inaccessible to outsiders.
Only Carrieâs parents, Gregory and Shannon, would have it.
Shannon was dead. Even if Gregory disapproved of Ryan marrying Carrie, he would not have leaked his daughterâs private information to prevent the marriage.
Even if Gregory did not care for his daughter, he had a strong sense of pride and would not resort to such measures.
So, where did Liam get this report?
âThe Salvadors wouldâve guarded such information closely and wouldnât have allowed it to be leaked. This reportâs origin seems dubious.â
Logan tossed the document back on the table, and his expression remained calm. âYou mightâve been tricked, Liam. Donât present a fake document and make a fool of yourself. That would be a grave mistake.â
Liam slammed the handkerchief on the ground, his eyes filled with a dark fury as he gritted his teeth. âI have evidence proving that Salvador girl is insane!â
With those words, the large screen suddenly lit up.
Everyoneâs eyes turned toward it.
Ryanâs dark eyes turned cold as his blood seemed to freeze. He felt like someone was crushing his violently beating heart, about to tear his flesh and drain his blood dry.
On the screen, Carrie was out of control. She was crying, shouting, and screaming in an empty room.
Her piercing cries echoed through the board meeting room.
Her distraught state caused everyone present to frown in confusion and concern.
âCarrie⦠Carrie!â Ryanâs eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse as he desperately called her name.
His heartfelt cries seemed futile against the thin screen that separated them into two different worlds.
âChairman Hoffman, youâre seeing this, right? I wasnât slandering her at all. That girl is clearly mentally ill!â
Liam pointed at the screen, his eyes gleaming with the triumph of his scheme. âNo one did anything to her, and sheâs already screaming like that. What normal person does that? What else could it be but madness? If we let such a woman become the future Mrs. Hoffman, what would become of our familyâs dignity?â
Everyone shook their heads.
No matter how they looked at it, the girl on the screen did not seem sane.
âTurn it off. Thatâs enough. Itâs too noisy,â Logan said, his brows tightly furrowed and his eyes filled with disgust.
âLiam⦠Where have you taken my wife?!â Ryanâs eyes were bloodshot and gloomy.
âTaken? Thatâs a strong word to use.â
Liam crossed his legs and his lips curled into a smug smile on his battered face. âToday is your big day. I know youâd want to see your beloved wife as soon as you officially became the CEO, to share the joy with her. So, I kindly invited her to the office. Who knew sheâd go mad the moment she left you? Tsk, tsk⦠Her mental state is really concerning.â
Ryan felt his chest burn. Ignoring everyoneâs eyes on him, he got up and sprinted toward the door.
âRyan! The meeting isnât over yet! Get back here!â Logan shouted at Ryanâs retreating figure.
Ryan stood abruptly, his faze as sharp as knives slicing into Liamâs face.
Liamâs smile froze. He felt like Ryan had plunged him into hell with that single look.