Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 229

Soon, only Zena, Slater, and a self-appointed Carla remained in the conference room.

Zena glanced at Carla, her tone even. “Carla, you can go. I need to speak with Slater alone.”

“Mom, I’ve been assisting Slater with company matters these past few days,” Carla insisted. “If there’s a problem, I share in the responsibility.” In truth, she knew that if she weren't present, she would lose any chance to defend herself, leaving her in a vulnerable position. If Zena discovered the leak originated with her, her place in the Bradley family would be over. Staying was her safest bet.

Slater, who had dreaded facing Zena’s wrath his entire life, looked at Carla with a flicker of gratitude. His brother had called her character into question, but at a moment like this, she was standing with him to share the blame. Who else would do that?

“She’s right, Mom,” he chimed in. “Carla has been handling most things at the company. She knows more about the situation than I do.” Carla was family; there was no harm in her hearing this.

Zena didn’t press the issue further and cut straight to the chase. Her eyes bored into Slater. “Tell me, Slater. Did you leak those files?”

The information about the new perfume had been locked in the safe just a few days ago. This clearly had nothing to do with Swain, which left Zena with only one suspect: Slater.

“Mom, I didn’t. It wasn’t me,” Slater said, a pang of hurt in his chest. Of all the people in Rutledge Group, his own mother suspected him first.

“Mom, don’t be angry,” Carla interjected, moving to Zena’s side to gently pat her back. “Even if only Slater knew the combination, it’s impossible that he would have been the one to leak the files.”

Zena snorted. “Carla, don’t defend him. Slater has always been reckless. While he may not have leaked the files directly, he was certainly responsible for it happening indirectly.”

“He might have been indirectly responsible,” Carla conceded smoothly, “but I’m sure it wasn’t his intention.

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