If I were an HG, I'd be so good at convincing people, including telling Frankie not to backdoor Zach. I make it believable, and the fact that I tear up easily when trying to thoroughly explain something would definitely make my point.
The meeting is gonna be 273949292x worse since they're already pissing him off by trying to convince everyone it's his fault. When zach blows up on them they'll deserve it