Chapter 266
Chapter 266
But none of these materials could prove Cedric had acted with malicious intent.
At most, they showed poor decision-making. Immature judgment.
She thought for a moment, then photographed each document and sent them to Cedric.
Less than five minutes after hitting send, his call came through.
"You've seen them?"
"I have," Katniss said. "What he gave me are the files on the Worston Properties acquisition. They're unfavorable to you, but the damage is limited."
Cedric's voice was calm. "These are just bait—he's testing you. He's waiting for the critical moment before the shareholders' meeting to play his real hand."
"So what do we do?"
"Keep playing the part."
Cedric said.
"Go see him tomorrow. Tell him the materials are useful but not enough. Ask if he has anything more direct."
Katniss was silent for two seconds. "What if he gets suspicious?"
"He won't."
His tone was absolute.
"He's too confident right now. He thinks he has everyone wrapped around his finger. The more eager you seem, the more convinced he'll be that he has you exactly where he wants you."
Katniss gripped her phone, listening to Cedric's steady voice on the other end, and felt a strange sense of disorientation wash over her.
Not long ago, they'd been at each other's throats over the smallest things—suspicious, guarded, hurting each other at every turn.
Now they stood back to back, facing the same enemy.
"Cedric."
She spoke suddenly.
"Hmm?"
"…Never mind. See you tomorrow."
She hung up, set her phone on the nightstand, and turned off the light.
In the darkness, she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, a feeling she couldn't name settling deep in her chest.
---
Early the next morning, Katniss stepped out of her apartment and organized her thoughts before dialing Leon's number.
"Uncle Leon, I finished going through the materials last night."
A hint of excitement crept into her voice.
"They're definitely useful, but I can't help feeling they're not enough to make the board commit."
Leon was quiet for a few seconds on the other end. "What more do you want?"
"Something with real weight."
The line went silent for a long time.
Just when Katniss thought she might have pushed too hard, Leon's voice finally came through—tinged with hesitation, yet edged with resolve.
"Come to my office at three this afternoon."
Katniss's heart skipped. "The office—won't that be too conspicuous?"
"No. I'll have my secretary say you're here to discuss a settlement proposal. No one will think twice."
"Alright."
---
That afternoon, Katniss arrived at the York Group headquarters right on time.
She wore a sharp black suit dress, understated makeup flawlessly applied, and a pair of stilettos that clicked with quiet authority down the corridor.
She passed several former colleagues along the way. Every one of them ducked their heads and hurried past. Katniss didn't spare them a second thought and walked straight toward Leon's office.
His secretary spotted her and stood immediately. "Ms. Astor, Mr. Peterson is expecting you."
"Thank you."
She pushed open the door and stepped inside. Leon sat behind his desk, an unlit cigar pinched between his fingers. He glanced up when she entered and gestured to the chair across from him. "Have a seat."
Katniss sat down, her gaze sweeping the office in one quick pass.
The floor-to-ceiling curtains were half-drawn, casting the room in muted light. A laptop sat open on the desk, surrounded by several loose documents.
In the corner stood a safe, its door firmly shut.
Leon set the cigar in the ashtray, laced his fingers together on the desk, and studied Katniss with a scrutinizing look.
"Katniss, I'm going to ask you one more time. Are you sure about this?"
Katniss met his gaze without flinching. She nodded. "I'm sure."
Leon held her stare for several long seconds. Then he rose slowly, walked to the corner, crouched beside the safe, and punched in a code.
A soft click. The door swung open.
He pulled out a black folder, carried it back to the desk, and set it down—but didn't push it toward her.
Katniss's pupils contracted ever so slightly.
Leon slid the folder across to her. "With this, there's no coming back for him at the board meeting."
Katniss reached out. Her fingertips brushed the cover of the folder, but she didn't open it.
She looked up at Leon and asked quietly, "Uncle Leon, how long have you been preparing all of this?"
Leon blinked, caught off guard. Then he laughed.
"Since the day Cedric took the chairman's seat. That's when I started."
His tone was light, almost casual. But Katniss caught something deeper in his eyes—an obsession buried for years.
She lowered her gaze and slipped the folder into her bag. "Uncle Leon, thank you. I won't let you down."
---
That evening, scanned copies of the black folder appeared in Cedric's inbox.
He sat in his study, turning through the documents page by page. His expression darkened with every page.
Much of it was information even he hadn't been aware of—traps Leon had quietly set for him over the years.
"That old fox."
His eyes narrowed, his voice tight with barely contained fury.
"The fact that he handed all of this to me means he trusts me completely now."
Katniss was silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
"The day before the shareholders' meeting, I'll tell him I've secured enough board votes to support the removal motion. That'll force him to show his final card. When he does, your people can move."
"I've already coordinated with the authorities."
Cedric paused.
"The financial crimes unit traced the money flow through his offshore accounts. Combined with the materials he gave me, there's enough to charge him with commercial bribery and money laundering. The search warrant's already been approved."
Katniss nodded, set down her glass, and stood. "Then I should go."
"Katniss."
She stopped. She didn't turn around.
"Be careful."
She didn't answer. She pulled open the door and walked out.
---
The night before the shareholders' meeting.
Leon sat in the leather chair of his study, a glass of whiskey before him. The amber liquid trembled gently in the crystal tumbler.
He picked up his phone and called Katniss.
"Katniss, the shareholders' meeting is tomorrow. Are you certain your people will support the removal motion?"
"Certain."
Katniss's voice was steel.
"I've spoken privately with six board members. They all agree Cedric's recent performance has been disappointing. They're willing to support a change in leadership."
Leon smiled, satisfied.
"Good. Tomorrow morning at nine sharp, the meeting begins. I'll formally introduce the removal motion. All you need to do is stand up and lay out your reasons for suing the York Group to every shareholder in that room."
"No problem."