Chapter 182
Freya
Dawn was breaking when Lucas finally stilled beside me. Only then did I allow myself to sink into deep sleep.
Meanwhile, the online storm was reaching a fever pitch. The comment sections were flooded with vicious attacks against me.
[Freya Welch is disgusting. How many Alphas does she need? Look at all those Alphas circling her like she's some kind of prize. It's insane.]
[Paxton Sterling - Sterling heir, Lucas Morgan - Morgan heir, Valor - another heir. She's obviously targeting these inheritors specifically. I don't get it - these men are supposed to be smart, so how did they all fall for the same Alpha? What the hell do they see in Freya Welch?]
[Focus on what matters, people! Who cares about her love life? I want to know if she really stole those trade secrets.]
The mockery and skepticism kept escalating, threatening to spiral completely out of control.
Just when everyone was targeting me, Lucas, who had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal, posted something on social media.
[She's mine now.]
He'd attached a photo - our hands intertwined, and you could clearly see the bite marks on my wrist.
After Lucas had marked me, I could feel him becoming more possessive. He wanted to be close to me constantly, his Alpha instincts heightened now that I bore his mark.
After several days of recuperation, I finally recovered from Lucas's mark.
Early that morning, my assistant called.
For the past few days, I'd been absent from Morgan Group, and the people there were practically going insane. They wanted to find fault and create problems, but since I wasn't even in the office, their frustration had nowhere to go.
My assistant was calling to inform me that Lekstar's parent company was hosting a test drive event today at Satan's Track, with full live streaming. The news had already spread across the internet.
Audiences were paying close attention to this test drive, anticipating it with great interest.
Hearing this news, I wasn't particularly surprised. I'd already guessed that Lekstar would strike first.
They wouldn't rest until they completely destroyed Morgan Group.
This technology could only be controlled by one company, so Lekstar would definitely try to bankrupt us.
"Tell everyone in R&D to gather in the conference room this afternoon. We're watching the livestream together." I gave the instruction calmly.
"Watch the livestream together?" My assistant hesitated. "Alpha Freya, is that really a good idea? Everyone's going to be heartbroken watching it."
"Notify everyone. Every single person needs to attend." My tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
My assistant had no choice but to agree.
"Do you have to go to the office now?" Lucas asked reluctantly, his arms tightening around me instinctively.
"Yes, I've had sufficient rest." I gave him a soft kiss. "Wait for me at home."
Lucas asked, "Are you sure you don't need me to come with you?"
I shook my head softly. "I need to show everyone at Morgan Group that I can handle them perfectly fine without you there."
Lucas nodded. "Alright. I'll watch the livestream from home. Call me immediately if anything happens."
At 2:30 PM, the entire R&D department gathered in the conference room, including Ben.
As I'd predicted, the council couldn't find evidence of the stolen confidential files, so they had to release him.
Ben should have taken time off to recover, but he didn't.
His psychological resilience was impressive.
What he really wanted to see wasn't Lekstar's grand victory, but my complete downfall.
He wanted revenge, wanted to see me humiliated, wanted to watch me flee in disgrace.
Just imagining that scene filled Ben with pure joy.
Before the livestream began, Sean and I were discussing something in low voices when someone carefully interrupted our conversation.
"Alpha Freya."
It was Ben.
I didn't look at him directly. Instead, I scanned the room and spotted Iris in the back row.
Iris looked terrible - pale and haggard, staring at Ben with unmistakable hatred.
She was smart enough to understand by now that Ben had used her completely.
She knew that even though Sean hadn't fired her yet, this job was over. No research institute would dare hire someone involved in stealing trade secrets.
Her career was finished.
But Ben was different. Even if Morgan Group fired him, he could always go abroad.
Besides, he'd definitely received a fortune for selling those secrets.
Looking at Ben's face made me feel sick, but I maintained a gentle smile.
"Ben, what can I do for you?" I said.
"Alpha Freya, I want to clarify something. I really didn't steal company secrets. Iris and I have a normal romantic relationship." Ben's cheeks flushed slightly. "The emails I sent her were love letters, nothing malicious. The council checked everything - we're both clean. Please believe us."
Of course I knew he was acting, and Ben knew that I knew he was acting.
But so what?
Morgan Group was beyond saving, and I couldn't turn the tide.
Ben lowered his head in a humble bow, putting on an innocent act.
I leaned against the conference table, arms crossed, watching his dark head with an unreadable expression.
I remained silent, which meant Ben had to stay bowed.
Everyone was looking our way, their faces showing confusion.
"That's a very standard bow. You must have learned that technique from overseas companies," Sean observed curiously.
Ben didn't respond. He just straightened up, gave Sean a meaningful look.
It was unmistakably a challenge.
This confirmed that Ben had covered his tracks perfectly, or he wouldn't be so brazenly provocative.
The council investigation would likely lead nowhere.
I looked up at the large screen and said, "Let's watch the livestream."
Ben drew himself erect and fixed his gaze upon Sean. "Professor Sean, should my conduct have caused you any distress, you are at perfect liberty to dismiss me from your service."
His mission was complete - he could leave anytime. Being fired would even get him severance pay.
It was naked provocation.
Sean's face darkened, but before he could respond, I spoke first. "Ben, do you think you've won?"