Chapter 195
The Polygraph Test.
The polygraph test was initiated by the Vander side that same day, and it was conducted publicly in front of a small group of media outlets, right at the lobby of VanderMed Technologies.
Silas stood on an elevated platform with a private examiner beside him. Behind him was a huge LED screen featuring Silas’s face, his movements, and every reaction. Both he and the examiner had small microphones clipped to their clothing.
Serena felt nervous as she sat in the front row. Sterling looked stiff.
Behind her, Melvin also looked nervous. He leaned in and said, “I hope Silas pulls through p>
Serena looked around. She saw familiar faces.
The employees were full of expectation.
Xavier, who was guarding the seats for the media, nodded her way.
Serena turned to the opposite row of seats and saw a mix of reactions from executives and shareholders. She was no longer surprised by Graham Whitlock. He had been showing displeasure toward Silas since the recent problems within the company. However, a few other names were surfacing, judging her brother based solely on a one-sided accusation.
‘Reactions are more telling than accusations,’ Serena thought.
Soon, the interview began. Silas answered all questions confidently.
Examiner: “Did you personally interact with Janice Bennet during the executive summit seven years ago p>
Silas: “Yes p>
Examiner: “Did Janice Bennet enter your hotel room during the summit p>
Silas: “No p>
Examiner: “Were you alone with Janice Bennet in a private setting p>
Silas: “No p>
Examiner: “Did you engage in sexual activity with Janice Bennet p>
Silas: “No p>
Examiner: “Did you initiate any physical intimacy with Janice Bennet p>
Silas: “No p>
Examiner: “Did you use your position of authority in any personal capacity that night p>
Silas: “No p>
He was supposed to answer only Yes or No; that was the requirement. So far, everything was going smoothly and according to plan until… the questions started to change.
Examiner: “Did Janice Bennet enter your hotel room that night p>
Silas: “No p>
Examiner: “Did you enter Janice Bennet’s hotel room that night p>
Silas: “No p>
Examiner: “Were you alone in your hotel room the entire night of the summit p>
That was when Silas hesitated.
Examiner: “Please answer, Mr. Vander p>
Silas: “No p>
Gasps filled the air.
Serena turned to her father and saw the surprised look on his face. Clearly, Sterling did not know.
Examiner: “Did you wake up alone the next morning p>
Again, Silas took his time, but eventually, he replied, “No p>
Examiner: “Did you consume alcohol that impaired your memory that evening p>
Silas: “Yes p>
Examiner: “Is it possible that you engaged in conduct you do not recall p>
Silas: “No p>
Examiner: “Have you chosen not to disclose certain facts about that incident p>
Silas gulped. He gazed at Sterling before answering, “Yes p>
Examiner: “Was any woman present in your hotel room that evening p>
Silas sighed. “Yes p>
Examiner: “Was Janice Bennet present in your hotel room p>
Silas: “No p>
Everyone was in an uproar at that point. It became clear that the interview had shifted tive but at the same time, it sparked even more questions. Some, especially certain executives and shareholders, still doubted him.
“Is this a misunderstanding… or a cover-up p>
“So, Silas slept with another woman? Or is he very good at navigating through a polygraph test p>
“I think it’s clear, he was with another woman, not Janice Bennet p>
“This doesn’t clear him. It complicates things p>
Later, the results came out. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the examiner stood on the elevated è platform and announced, “Based on the physiological data collected during this examination, there were significant indicators,
го
deception in Mr Vander responses to the relevant questions p>
He paused briefly.
“In my professional opinion, Mr. Vander was truthful when he denied engaging in
sexual intercourse with Ms. Janice Bennet p>
Many of the employees looked relieved, but despite that, questions still arose, especially from the media.
“Mr. Vander, if you were not intimate with Janice Bennet seven years ago, who were
you with that night that can corroborate your story p>
“Who were you really with, Mr. Vander p>
On the stage, Silas adjusted his cufflinks before answering, his voice steady. “Tunderstand your curiosity However, the person was with that night is not involved in this matter and does not deserve to be dragged into public speculation. I will not
compromise someone else’s privacy to satisfy headlines p>
He scanned the crowd and added, “This is simply about the truth, and the truth is… I
never slept with Janice Bennet that night, seven years ago p>
Later, at the Vander residence, Sterling was walking back and forth in the living
room. He looked disappointed.
“Silas, this complicates things,” Sterling said.
Nathaniel was there, massaging his brow. When he stared at Silas, the latter
averted his gaze.
“I mean, I get it. Men,” Serena muttered.
“Love, I’m not like that,” Nathaniel said.
“And I’m not a manwhore either!” Silas snapped. “I swear, I was drugged. I had to
be. I told you about that, Dad. But I still remember clearly who I was with p>
“Are you sure about this, Silas?” Celine asked.
“I’m certain… I’m certain because—” his voice trailed off. “Because I’ve always known… her p>
“Then who is she? Tell us!” Sterling said. “Let’s ask for her cooperation p>
Silas shook his head, leaning his elbows on his knees. “I don’t want to complicate
things for her. Her life is already… as complicated as it is p>
“Besides,” he leaned back, “she doesn’t remember… it was me p>
All the more, it left Serena and the others curious.
Silas, her brother, was rarely associated with women. Since Serena came back, he
had only tried dating once, and that ended before it could even take root.
Which made the revelation of a one-night stand all the more surprising.
It would be much later when Serena discovered that the woman Silas refused to
name had been standing within arm’s reach of her world all along. Their paths had crossed too many times to dismiss as a coincidence.