Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 474: Chapter 474

"Can't even keep your talent—what a joke! If they're this eager to leave, they're nothing but trash."
Aileen's arrogance made her look like a ridiculous clown in front of Zoe. Zoe cast a cold, piercing glance at those who had defected. "Do any of you regret your decision now?" she demanded, her voice icy.
"Ms. Evans, our apologies, but we have to look out for ourselves. It's nothing personal—we just have to do what's best for our future."
"Exactly! If the company goes under, we still need to put food on the table. We've got to find new jobs."
"Everyone has to fight for themselves. That's just the way of the world."
Many people openly voiced their true thoughts.
Emmett noticed Zoe's displeasure and immediately stepped forward to show his support. "Anyone willing to stand with Marlowe Group through thick and thin, come stand behind me."
Fortunately, there were still plenty of people who stepped forward to speak up for Zoe. Convinced she could turn the company around, they rallied behind her without hesitation, making it clear where their loyalty lay.
Seeing the two opposing sides and realizing she had the numbers on her side, Aileen was brimming with triumph.
With her chin raised haughtily, she waited smugly for Zoe to surrender. "Just give up, Zoe. There's no way you can undo my decisions in half an hour. Your company is doomed—unless you beg for mercy, just like I said."
Zoe suddenly curved her lips into a faint smile. "Oh really? Let's see who has the last laugh."
As soon as she finished speaking, Aileen burst into laughter. "Oh my god! I've never seen anyone so stubbornly refuse to concede. Fine, let's see who will win."
Zoe gestured for Emmett to lean in. He immediately complied. As she rapidly whispered a few commands in his ear, Emmett's expression changed dramatically.
"Got all that?" Zoe asked. Emmett nodded immediately, his expression resolute.
"Go ahead," Zoe said calmly.
Aileen sneered at Zoe putting on an act. "You actually think you can turn the tide? Don't make me laugh—you're just clowning around!"
Zoe met Aileen's taunts with unshakable calm, completely unfazed by her sarcastic remarks.
A few minutes later, Aileen's phone suddenly rang. Recognizing the caller, she immediately broke into a triumphant grin. "Zoe, your company is finished!" she crowed, putting the call on speaker so everyone could hear.
Aileen raised her voice haughtily, "Well? Has everything been taken care of exactly as I ordered?"
"Ms. Carleton, I'm sorry—just now we received word that several unknown parties suddenly intervened and stole much of our company's key evidence. We're now under official investigation, all our accounts have been frozen, and I'm afraid we can't move against the Marlowe Group anymore."
"What the—" Aileen was utterly shocked. She turned to stare at Zoe in disbelief.
Just then, Emmett strode over with a satisfied look. "Ms. Evans, everything's been handled exactly as you instructed," he reported.
Zoe merely nodded, her expression unreadable. In stark contrast to Aileen's flamboyance, Zoe exuded a quiet, unfathomable aura of danger—like the calm before a storm.
Only then did those turncoats who had defected to Aileen realize they'd backed the wrong horse. Now, facing the loss of their jobs, these self-serving cowards began groveling for mercy—a complete 180 from their earlier eagerness to join the enemy camp.
One of the defecting employees pleaded, "Ms. Evans, I was wrong—please forgive me!"
Another added, "Ms. Evans, we were just trying to keep our jobs. Please don't fire us!"
One of the employees couldn't hold back anymore and snapped, "Shut up, all of you! What you're doing is outright betrayal. And you still have the audacity to want to stay in the company?"
Emmett stepped in quickly, facing those who were pleading for Zoe's mercy. "You're not being fired because you changed sides during the crisis," he said firmly. "It's because you lost faith in your own company and didn't understand what it means to have integrity in your work."