CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE - The Price of Ambition

Ava felt her temper flare. "Will you just listen to me for once?" she snapped, slamming the folder of evidence on his desk. "I have proof that Victor is playing you." Max's eyes narrowed. "Proof? What are you talking about?" Ava spread out the documents, pointing out the discrepancies and the hidden clause. "Look, these emails show that Victor has been manipulating the market for months. And this clause here? It's a trap. If we don't meet these specific metrics—metrics that Victor can influence—he gains controlling interest in the company." Max leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable. "And where exactly did you get these emails, Ava?" Ava hesitated. "I... I did some digging. Off the books." "Off the books," Max repeated, his voice dangerously quiet. "So, you're telling me you illegally accessed confidential information?" "That's not the point, Max!" Ava exclaimed, frustration coloring her voice. "The point is, Victor is trying to take over the company!" Max stood up abrupt