Chapter 549

That evening, Alexander was at home. In his study,a partition still divided the room.

This time, Hackett didn't argue about it like before. He was already backed into a corner, with the public turning against him.

Even the association members were keeping their distance.

He had to fight back, and hard.

"Alexander, please, you have to help me! That recording going around online is a complete lie!Cedric fabricated the whole thing-I had nothing to do with it. Cedric is ruthless! He showed up at my family,and all I did was introduce my daughter to him. That's it! But now he's twisting everything. The worst part?I never even said those things! It's all slander!"

On the other side of the partition, Alexander sat at his desk,leisurely pouring himself a cup of coffee.

Hackett, sweating, glanced to the partition, trying to push past it, but the bodyguards stopped him.

He wiped a shaky hand across his forehead. "Alexander, if you help me get through this, consider it a favor you can cash in anytime. What do you say?"

Silence stretched between them, until a soft,mocking chuckle drifted from the other side of the partition."You can barely keep yourself afloat right now.What makes you think your favor is worth anything to me?"

Hackett's jaw clenched. He pulled a check from his pocket and held it up. "This is just a small token of my gratitude. Once this whole mess is taken care of,l promise you'll be repaid tenfold."

The bodyguard carried the check over to Alexander,who barely spared it a glance. "I need you to agree to one condition."

Hackett's pulse stuttered. "What condition?"

Alexander's voice was smooth but unyielding. "Once this crisis is over, you'll resign from the association,and I'll take over as president."

Hackett's forced smile twitched. His original plan had been to let Alexander take the role temporarily, only to rally the other seven members and force him out once the dust settled.

Alexander gave him no time to dwell on it. "The other seven must step down with you."

Hackett's fingers curled into fists. This wasn't just a minor concession-this was handing over an empire he had spent years cultivating.

He drew in a sharp breath, barely masking his frustration. "Don't you think you're asking for too much?"

For years, he had ruled over the association,overseeing annual revenues that exceeded a million dollars under normal circumstances.

And now Alexander expected him to give it up just like that?

Alexander's tone remained indifferent. "Have you not grasped the situation yet? Daniela is coming for you and the others. I may not know the full story, but based on what I do know, there's only one reason she would go to such lengths.Brylee's death."

Hackett's chest tightened.

Then,Alexander delivered his next words with unwavering certainty. "You were involved in Brylee's death. That's why Daniela wants revenge. Do you really think your association is worth more than a human life?"

Hackett didn't hesitate. "Of course! My association is my life's work! No one's life-especially not Brylee's -compares to it!" Alexander exhaled lightly, almost amused. Then you'd better think carefully. You've seen what Daniela is capable of. Would you rather end up with nothing? Or lose the association but keep Graves Group intact?Take your time deciding."

Hackett's gaze darkened with suppressed rage.

Alexander leaned back in his chair, his voice steady."The first twenty-four hours in PR are critical. You don't need me toremind you of that, do you? If you don't mae a decision now, I won't be able to pull you out of this mess."

Hackett stood stiffly, his fists clenching at his sides.

His voice shook with barely contained fury-losing the association felt like tearing away a piece of himself.

But Alexander's composed demeanor made one thing painfully clear: he had no other options.

A long silence stretched between them before Hackett finally spat out, "Fine! But I have one condition. I want Cedric dead. I want Daniela to lose the man she loves forever!"

Behind the partition, Alexander's lips curled into a slow,calculated smile. "As you wish."

Once the agreement was signed, Hackett's voice turned cold. "Now tell me-how do we fight back?" Alexander let out a low, mirthless chuckle. "Cedric released a recording that painted you as someone who disrespects women. You'll counter with footage of Cedric drinking, getting cozy with your three daughters, and later, entering a hotel with them. After that,you..."

His voice dropped, every syllable laced with a quiet,lethal intent.

Hackett's lips curled into a sinister grin as he listened.

"Alexander,you really are a master at manipulating public perception. I won't deny that your plan could throw Cedric intodeep trouble. But the person in the video must be Cedric himself. If the footage is unclear,it won't hold up. Besides, Cedric isn't an idiot -he won't give us the chance to frame him. We could end up facing serious charges for falsifying evidence."

Alexander let a beat of silence pass before drawing out his response."Is that so?"

Hackett nodded firmly, his confidence unwavering."Of course. Do you think Phillips Group's PR team is weak? They'll scrutinize every second of that video,tearing it apart for inconsistencies. If Cedric himself isn't clearly visible, the whole plan is useless.I can't back this strategy."

His words were polite, but his expression made his opinion clear-Alexander's idea was ridiculous.

"Then make sure Cedric appears in the footage."Alexander's response was cold and direct.

"What?" HHackett's eyes widened in disbelief."Alexander, you can't be serious! How the hell would Cedric ever cooperate with me? Have you not seen how obsessed he and Daniela are with each other?They're practically glued at the hip! No one could ever come between them!"

Frustration twisted in his chest, and he felt like he was wasting his breath trying to reason with Alexander.

Just as he was about to rise from his seat in exasperation, the bodyguards stepped forward,gripping the parttion on both sides and removing it.

At the center of the room, Alexander sat composed,his presence commanding.

Hackett's breath hitched as their eyes met.

Slowly,Alexander lifted his gaze and asked, "What if I play the role of Cedric?"