Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 436

"Roxanne, if you're so innocent, empty your bag for everyone to see!" Ethan demanded, his voice ringing through the hall.

"Empty it! Let's see you prove your innocence!" the crowd jeered.

"I didn't steal anything. Why should I show you my bag?" Roxanne snapped back. She was starting to suspect this was an elaborate trap set by Ethan, and the idiotic Mara had walked right into it. But if she confessed now, her reputation would be irreparably destroyed.

"You refuse? Fine. Everyone, keep your eyes on her so she doesn't destroy the evidence. I'm calling the police right now," Ethan declared, pulling out his phone.

"Wait. Don't call! The proposal is right here."

Roxanne knew the difference between a PR nightmare and facing serious charges. Exposing herself would result in vicious public backlash, but if the police found the stolen corporate documents on her, she'd be doing time in a prison sweatshop.

Always calculating, she chose the lesser evil.

"But let me make one thing perfectly clear," Roxanne said, tossing the document onto Ethan's table. "Your idiotic sister shoved this into my hands. Her little stunt has absolutely nothing to do with me. Believe whatever you want."

"How can you say that?" Mara wailed, tears streaming down her face. "You ordered me to steal Ethan's proposal! I risked everything to get it for you, and now you're throwing me under the bus? No way!"

"Shut your mouth, Mara! Who gave you any orders?" Roxanne screamed, losing her composure. "Even if I did, why would you listen? Are you completely brain-dead?"

The crowd watched the meltdown in absolute awe.

However, Ethan made sure his team recorded the entire chaotic confrontation and leaked it online, letting the public serve as judge and jury.

The results of the bidding war aligned perfectly with Harvey Rivers' predictions. The Mavaria Procurement Board awarded the Hudson Subway Center project to the Rivers family, who partnered with the Mercers for construction.

Porter Entertainment lost the bid, suffering a catastrophic defeat that officially stripped them of their status as Melvion City's top conglomerate.

Roxanne's reputation was thoroughly obliterated. Any lingering hope of salvaging her engagement with Xavier Bennett vanished into thin air.

Despite severely damaging the Mercer name yet again, Mara faced minimal consequences. Shielded by Adrian and Lacey, she received a stern lecture at home and went back to school the very next day as if nothing had happened.