As Donald finished speaking, the other directors present showed expressions of disapproval.
"Old Mr. Mercer, we all know your connection with Miss Jones, but under these circumstances, we can't let emotions cloud our judgment!"
"After such an incident, do Old Mr. Mercer and Mr. Mercer intend to cover up for this woman? Aren't they afraid of chilling our hearts?"
"Indeed, we cannot downplay a major issue into a minor one."
"I even suspect that the first data leak was also done by Miss Jones."
Facing these accusations and pressure, Deanna did not argue but stared intensely at Donald, rapidly thinking of a way to resolve the situation.
If she were to be blamed for this, it would be extremely detrimental to the Mercer family.
However, the more anxious she became, the less she could think of a solution, feeling extremely agitated.
Just as she was unsure of what to do next, Old Mercer's calm voice echoed again, "Everyone, please calm down and let me say a few words."
"Old Mr. Mercer, what do you want to say?" Donald asked somewhat discontentedly.
Old Mercer glanced coldly at him but ignored his comment and turned to a technician nearby, saying, "I was watching you review the video footage and noticed a few odd things. Could you enlarge those parts for me to see?"
The technician naturally did not refuse.
He followed Old Mercer's instructions on the video timing and enlarged several sections of the video.
Logan and Deanna watched Old Mercer's actions, a glint of hope flashing in their eyes.
Was Old Mercer onto something that could turn the tables?
Donald also harbored the same thought, his previously relaxed brows now slightly furrowed with worry that their plans might change.
This was the Joyner family's closest chance to their goal in years.
The others also murmured among themselves.
"Why does Old Mr. Mercer want these images enlarged?"
"Not sure, let's see."
"If this missus did it, I absolutely won't allow the Mercer family to smooth things over. This concerns the company and cannot tolerate personal feelings!"
As everyone discussed, the technician followed Old Mercer's reported timings and enlarged all the relevant video frames.
These images had one thing in common: they clearly showed Deanna.
"Dad, why are you having someone find and enlarge Deanna's images?" Logan was the first to ask.
Deanna also looked puzzled.
Everyone else looked at Old Mercer curiously, wanting to know the reason.
Old Mercer looked around and pointed at the enlarged images on the screen, his brows furrowed, "Notice anything different between the Anna in the video and the Anna you see here?"
"Different?"
The crowd murmured and looked back at the screen again.
Perhaps because of Old Mercer's comment, everyone watched very carefully.
Deanna was the first to notice something amiss.
She pointed at two screenshots and instructed the technician, "Find the videos for these two screenshots."
The technician promptly complied and soon displayed the complete videos.
Deanna watched herself in the video walking with synchronized movements of her arms and legs, her brows nearly knotting in confusion.
Then, she heard Old Mercer's voice beside her, "Anna, did you also notice something off?"
"Yes, in the video I walk with synchronized movements of my arms and legs, but I never walk like that normally."
Deanna nodded and shared her observation.
Old Mercer's eyes flashed with satisfaction upon hearing this. "Good, I noticed that too. Also, did you notice anything about your facial expressions?"
"Facial expressions?"
Deanna repeated in surprise and looked back at the video.
She hadn't noticed anything unusual about her expressions before.
Seeing her confusion, Old Mercer explained directly, "Your eyes are different from usual. Normally, your eyes are very lively and gentle. But in the video, they look dull, as if you were hypnotized..."
His voice suddenly stopped there.
Old Mercer's expression turned grave.
Deanna was no fool.
Seeing Old Mercer like this and connecting it with what he hadn't finished saying earlier, she said somberly, "Gramp, are you suggesting that I was hypnotized?"
Although she addressed Old Mercer, her peripheral vision swept towards Donald next to her, catching a hint of something unusual.
But before she could observe more closely, she heard Old Mercer's restrained voice again, "It's just a suspicion. If you don't mind, I'd like you to come with me for a check-up."
"I naturally wouldn't mind."
Deanna nodded in agreement but her brows remained tightly furrowed.
She was very concerned about the clue she had noticed on Donald earlier.
Old Mercer didn't know about this and seeing her worried expression thought she was scared. He reassured her, "Don't worry. I know a few good doctors who will make sure you're alright."
"I know."
Deanna responded to Old Mercer's concerned gaze with a gentle nod.