Irene had asked the secretary to keep the news that the goods were intercepted by the customs from others in the company. She didn't expect that the board would know the news.
As soon as the meeting began, a middle-aged man named Collin Linnet sitting on the right side asked seriously, "Ms. Wade, are you hiding something from us?"
Collin was the biggest shareholder on the board except for Irene and her grandfather. He was more influential than other members of the board.
Therefore, Irene was very polite to Collin.
"Mr. Linnet, you're our family friend. I won't hide anything from you." Irene pretended that she didn't know what Collin meant. She thought that the board had just heard the rumor and didn't get the evidence.