His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 109

That form of address sent a subtle shiver through Lumina’s ears.

Hilton pressed on, “And what about Ms. Tatum? She accessed the company’s surveillance system without authorization. Shouldn’t there be a penalty?”

Cedric replied, “She’ll receive the same punishment as the security guard in the control room. Three days’ suspension, plus a three-thousand-word statement of reflection to be submitted to HR. As for Tonia…”

“She’s fired.”

His decision came without a hint of hesitation. He turned his watch absently, the cold glint catching in his dark, lacquered eyes. “Someone who does nothing but fuel the company rumor mill is useless to us. Give her a generous severance, make sure she leaves with her dignity intact.”

Lumina looked up at him again.

“Understood,” Hilton nodded.

Once he hung up, Lumina’s expression cooled, and she let out a soft, sardonic huff. “Mr. Royce, you have a real talent for using others to do your dirty work.”

Cedric’s slender fingers traced his phone, a faint smile curving his lips as he glanced at her. “And what’s your brilliant insight, cousin?”

Lumina answered, “You had the security staff leak the footage to Winona on purpose, didn’t you? You knew she and Tonia have been at odds for ages, so you counted on her to spread that video throughout the company.”

The Royce Group’s surveillance system held countless internal secrets—naturally, it was under lock and key, guarded around the clock. Without Cedric’s tacit approval, there was no way someone as junior as Winona could have accessed it.

He’d used Winona to expose Tonia’s repeated misconduct, effectively airing her dirty laundry for everyone to see.

That way, he could fire Tonia with a clear conscience, all without getting his own hands dirty.

Let the two rivals tear each other apart while he reaped the rewards.

Cedric gave a low chuckle, unscrewed his water bottle, and took a sip. “Tonia’s been working in your department for two months now, and the numbers haven’t improved at all. She’s accomplished nothing. The only reason I kept her this long was out of respect for you. I’ve been more than generous.”

Lumina could see that. Earlier that afternoon, when she visited her colleagues, she’d glanced at the department’s performance reports. The numbers had taken a nosedive; even she had felt a pang of anxiety looking at them.

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