Veronica's expression remained calm as she reminded them of the contract breach penalties. She wouldn't bat an eye at terminating DataPulse Enterprises's collaboration with Stellar, provided they received the substantial compensation stipulated in their agreement.
"You!" Bonnie's face flushed with anger, itching to draft the contract violation paperwork right then and there.
Yet she paused, acutely aware of her limited authority within Stellar. Even with Niall's support, going against Dario, who clearly backed DataPulse Enterprises, would be foolish. The entire Crystal family, from Niall to Jade and Sophia, valued their relationship with Dario too much to risk antagonizing him over this.
Jade's lips thinned in distaste watching Bonnie flounder for a response. Even Penny's expression had hardened into something dangerous as she stared at Veronica. Neither had anticipated such a bold retort from someone they'd considered a mere business associate.
Penny recovered quickly, her voice dripping with condescension. "Quite the sharp tongue you have there. But I wonder—are you truly confident your signature carries any legal weight?"
Vincent tensed beside Veronica, not having expected her to engage in a confrontation with members of such powerful families. He gently tugged at her hand, silently urging her to back down before the situation escalated beyond repair.
Veronica shook off his cautioning touch, meeting Penny's frosty gaze with one even colder. Her voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Why don't we find out? Draft the agreement and I'll sign it. Then we'll all discover exactly how legally binding my signature is. Go ahead. I dare you."
Confidence radiated from every syllable she uttered.
Penny's lips pressed into a thin line. Since Niall and Cullen had begun their relationship, she'd grown accustomed to deference from everyone in both the Crystal and Mack families. With Cullen's support, she'd never faced genuine opposition or felt belittled.
The fact that it was Veronica who now made her feel small only intensified her humiliation.
"What's happening here?" Niall's voice broke through the standoff as she approached the group.
Before anyone else could respond, Veronica seized the moment. "Ms. Mack accused DataPulse Enterprises of incompetence, suggesting that's why our staff needs to perform such frequent maintenance at Stellar facilities."
She continued without pause, "I simply informed her that if you find our services inadequate, you're welcome to terminate our contract. Ms. Mack then questioned my authority to make such statements."
Veronica's tone remained measured yet unyielding. "I invited her to draft a violation of contract agreement, which I would sign, proving my authority in the matter. This lady," she pointed directly at Penny, "claimed my signature wouldn't be legally binding. I challenged her to test that theory with the agreement, so everyone could witness the power my signature actually holds."
Her eyes never wavered from Niall's as she concluded, "They insulted my company without cause, yet when challenged to act on their accusations, they suddenly lost their nerve. What's your position on this matter, Ms. Crystal?"
Niall's lips tightened. This confrontation was completely unexpected and unwelcome.
She recognized that if Veronica spoke with such certainty about her signature's validity, it must indeed carry legal weight. Signing a contract violation agreement would not only mean paying substantial compensation but would also force Stellar to find another collaborator—potentially delaying their autonomous vehicle launch by months. The financial implications would be devastating.
Noticing Niall's hesitation, Veronica pressed further. "So you lack the courage as well, Ms. Crystal? Your people freely insulted DataPulse Enterprises's capabilities, yet when I requested formal documentation of contract violation, everyone fell silent. Is this how it works? Do you believe your wealth and influence give you the right to belittle others without consequence?"
"You're overreacting," Niall responded, her tone glacial. "Ms. Murray, why must you escalate something so trivial?"
"Trivial?" Veronica's eyebrows rose. "Your cousin recklessly disparaged DataPulse Enterprises while your mother backed her in attempting to intimidate me. Now that you recognize your family's error, instead of apologizing to my company, you accuse us of overreaction."
She studied Niall with undisguised disappointment. "I've heard stories about your compassion, sensibility, and extraordinary kindness. But what I've witnessed today contradicts that reputation entirely."
Her final words hung in the air like a verdict. "Ms. Crystal, neither you nor your family embody the virtues others attribute to you."