The Boardroom of Croft Enterprises was silent. William stood at the head of the table, projecting Maya’s isotope report onto the screen.
“This is scientific proof,” William argued, pointing to the spectral analysis. “The chemical markers in his hair prove he wasn’t in a dungeon. He was eating high-altitude dairy and drinking glacial water. He was in the Swiss Alps, likely Zurich. The kidnapping is a hoax.”
He looked around the table, expecting outrage. He found only pity.
“William,” the Chairman of the Board said gently. “We know you’ve been under… tremendous strain. The kidney transplant, the divorce, the ‘Silent Winter’…”
“This isn’t about stress,” William snapped. “This is evidence!”
“Mr. Croft has already explained this,” the Chairman interrupted, sliding a folder across the table. “He warned us you might fabricate evidence. He showed us your psychiatric evaluations from Season 4. The paranoia. The grief hallucinations.”
William froze. Alistair hadn’t just beaten him to the punch; he had poisoned the well. He had weaponized William’s past trauma to paint him as the unstable son attacking the “miracle survivor”.
“We suggest you take a sabbatical, William,” the Chairman said. “For your health.”