The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 300

Claire sat at the head of the conference table. Her eyes were slightly red from lack of sleep, but her voice was remarkably steady.

"Contact a highly credible, independent inspection agency to retest everything. We'll livestream the entire process."

"Get the lawyers. We're suing Julian for defamation and commercial disparagement. He wants to act crazy? Let's give him crazy."

Down in the OCHH parking lot, a sleek black car sat quietly in the shadows.

Inside, the man dialed his assistant's number.

"Suppress all domestic news coverage on this."

The next morning, cheers erupted from the PR department. For some inexplicable reason, all negative news regarding the West District fire had vanished from social media.

Claire changed into a sharp business suit and headed to the private restaurant across from the administrative building.

She had set up a lunch meeting with the heads of the Quality Inspection Bureau, the Fire Department, and the Bureau of Industry and Commerce.

The internet wasn't going to buy her side of the story over a rumor. Only a joint official statement from these three departments could quell the storm.

Inside the private room, Claire toasted the three men with utmost humility and respect.

"Director Lawson, Director Ziegler, Director Wallace. Here are our inspection reports. OCHH's product quality is open for re-testing at any time."

"While OCHH hasn't been in Empire City for long, our revenue is excellent, and we're a major taxpayer. If this public outrage continues..."

The three officials exchanged nervous glances. None of them wanted to stick their necks out.

Issuing a statement required thorough investigations. If it turned out OCHH actually had issues later on, they, as public officials, couldn't bear the fallout.

A knock interrupted the tension. A waiter walked in and leaned down to whisper something into Director Wallace's ear.

He stood up immediately. "Ms. Jenner, something's come up. We need to step out for a moment."

Claire froze. Before she could even get a word out, the three men hastily exited the room.

In the adjacent private room.

Miles leaned back in the seat of honor, a cup of steaming tea sitting in front of him.

Seven or eight men stood nervously before him. Alongside the three who had just arrived, there were also representatives from Urban Planning, Public Utilities, and even the Board of Education.

Director Ziegler quickly chimed in.

"Absolutely. We have complete faith in OCHH's product quality. The Fire Department will issue a joint statement immediately. We'll publish it alongside your inspection reports to flip this narrative around."

Director Wallace had already pulled his official seal from his briefcase and slammed it onto the table. His tone bordered on sycophantic.

"CEO Jenner, whatever you need the statement to say, we can finalize it right here, right now."

Claire couldn't wrap her head around their sudden change in attitude.

"Thank you so much for your support, gentlemen. Once this blows over, OCHH will personally thank you."

The three men waved her off, spewing more polite pleasantries than she could even manage.

Their attitude had done a complete 180, practically fawning over her.

Her phone buzzed. Claire glanced down—a message from Miles.

[Are you done? I'm waiting downstairs.]