<b>Chapter </b>715
<b>It </b>was 10 AM on the dot when Ms. Ashbourne’s Rolls–Royce, as steady as a temple, pulled up in front of the K Group headquarters.
<b>A </b>handful ofpany bigwigs, bouquets in hand, lined up outside to greet her. Before she took over the K Hotel, she was merely considered as Chairman Ashbourne’s “love child“. Having gone through tons of setbacks, she’d carved her own path in Elmsworth, and acquired a name for herself in the cutthroat world of business.
The lobby had been meticulously prepared for her arrival, with an opulent red carpet rolled out and a wee ceremony of the highest order awaiting her.
No one dared to underestimate Ms. Ashbourne.
<b>Inside </b><b>the </b>car, Jason, seated shotgun, adjusted his tie and peered through the rearview mirror at Evadne, who was resting with her eyes closed, “Ms. Ashbourne, we’ve arrived.”
Evadne’s pretty eyes fluttered open.
Jason’s eyes lit up with an earnest curiosity, “Ms. Ashbourne, your blush is quite fetching today -rosy with just a hint of pink. Might <b>I </b>ask the brand? I’d like to get one for Nydia.”
Evadne’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade, her mind shing back to two hours earlier when shey beneath Thaddeus, flushed and blossoming.
His hands had caressed her waist, lingering with a possessive tenderness.
Could she admit the blush was called “Guilty Conscience“? Cursing the man who still left her weak in the knees, Evadne deftly changed the subject, ncing towards Jason’s impably tied n*ecktie, “Nice tie, Jason. Nydia’s gift?”
“Ms. Ashbourne, how did you know?” Jason’s perpetually youthful face turned a shade of pink.
“You don’t have the eye for it.”
Grinning sheepishly, Jason touched the tie lightly, his eyes brimming <b>with </b>contentment, “This pattern was hand–stitched by Nydia herself. She even embroidered my initials on the back. It’s my most treasured possession – truly one of a kind.”
Evadne nodded, her l*ps curling into a smile, “I can tell. It’s Nydia’s handiwork. With something so precious, I’m surprised you dare
to wear it to work.”
“Returning to the office, I’m a bundle of nerves. Having something from Nydia with me calms my spirit<b>, </b>and I believe <b>it’ll </b>bring me good fortune.”
<b>“</b><b>Indeed</b>, one <b>needs </b><b>all </b>the luck they can get in this game.”
Evadne’s eyes squinted slightly, a wry smile ying on her l*ps, “There’s <b>a </b>tough battle ahead<b>, </b>a dragon to be in.”
Jason’s gaze grew serious as he handed her a prepared dossier.
In the boardroom<b>, </b><b>all </b>thepany directors were present<b>, </b>including a disgruntled Bevis. The <b>room </b>was <b>abuzz </b>like <b>a </b><b>farmer’s </b>market, with incessant chatter.
“Although Chairman Ashbourne is indisposed<b>, </b>the reins should rightfully <b>fall </b>to <b>you</b><b>, </b><b>his </b>only <b>brother</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
The group might have been Emeric’s subordinates, but loyalty varied<b>, </b><b>and </b><b>with the </b><b>chairman’s </b><b>illness</b><b>, </b>coupled with Cassius‘ resignation, a few directors had started <b>to </b>secretly lean towards <b>Bevis</b>.
Bevis shrugged helplessly, ying the reluctant sibling <b>to </b>perfection, “I <b>may </b><b>be </b><b>his </b><b>brother</b><b>, </b><b>but </b>you’ve <b>seen </b>my influence here. I don’t have any say <b>in </b><b>this </b>Group. And besides, <b>even </b>if my brother steps down<b>, </b><b>with </b>Bet around<b>, </b><b>it’s </b><b>hardly </b>my <b>turn</b>. Please, spare me the jest.”
“Which of the Ashbourne children has the makings of a leader<b>? </b>If <b>they </b><b>did</b><b>, </b><b>Chairman </b>Ashbourne would have groomed <b>them </b>by now They can hardlypare to you.”
“Casting aside that<b>, </b>they shouldn’t<b>.</b>”
The room was plunged into <b>stunned </b>silence when the doors swung open. Jason marched in with a stern face, followed by the sharp click of Evadne’s high heels that seemed to tread upon the directors‘ very throats, sending <b>a </b>shiver down their spines. Tve been standing at the door for a while, overhearing your lively discussion. I even feel it’d be rude <b>to </b><b>interrupt</b>.” Evadne remarked with an amused smile as she strode forward, “But we do have a meeting to conduct. You can resume your chat afterward
The directors were taken aback, each mentally reviewing if they had spoken out of turn
Suddenly, Evadne paused behind Bevis, making him tense up, not daring to look back.
Her presence was overwhelming. Yet, she said nothing, merely taking her ce at the head of the table with aposed smile.
“Everyone, my father has taken ill and left yesterday for treatment abroad.” Evadne’s demeanor wasmanding yet restrained, “As I’m sure everyone is aware, the formal appointment has been received by all within the K Group. As of its issuance, I am the <b>acting </b>CEO. Besides, today, there are two things. One is to elect a new vice–chairman for the board.”
Some directors exchanged nces, their expressions thoughtful.
“Ms. Ashbourne.” A director allied with Bevis interjected, unable to contain himself, “You may be Chairman Ashbourne’s daughter, but surely your experience doesn’t suffice to lead the K Group. Even if you’ve achieved some sess at the Elmsworth K Hotel, running a hotel is not the same as managing a conglomerate. You need at least two more years of ground–level experience and <b>our </b>vote to earn your ce at the helm.”
“That’s right. Chairman Ashbourne’s made such a hasty decision!” Others quickly echoed the sentiment.
Bevi? saw more members start to hold against Evadne, his smugness deepening as a smirk yed on his l*ps.
Jason, barely containing his anger at Bevis‘ arrogance, was itching to knock some sense into him.
“Oh<b>, </b><b>so </b>you’re saying my father’s decision was hasty. Then please, enlighten me with a method that isn’t,” Evadne spun casually in her chair.
“We think as Chairman Ashbourne’s own brother, Bevis has served ourpany for nearly three decades, and either for themitment or the credentials, he’s qualified to run thispany.”
<b>This </b>man was a conservative member, having good terms with Bevis. Surely he wouldn’t be willing to bow down to what he deemed a “wet behind the ears” youngdy, so he intended to seize the moment to challenge, “A decision of this magnitude should be put to a vote. Even Chairman Ashbourne can’t just dictate terms. This isn’t monarchy!”
a
“Ah!” Evadne tapped her temple with slender fingers, swiveling her chair to face the assembly directly, “Thanks for reminding me; there’s an important matter regarding President Ashbourne I nearly forgot. President Ashbourne, your little foray into junk bonds <b>turned </b>out to be a spectacr flop, didn’t it? And let’s not forget about the cool five million ofpany funds you embezzled. We really ought to settle that ount today, shouldn’t we?”
The rest were like, “?!”
Embezzled five million ofpany funds? Didn’t that mean corruption?
“Even though five million means merely some numbers, since we’veid it out, there’s no such thing to cover it up!”
Bevis‘ color drained from shock to fury as he leapt from his seat, “Evadne! What in the world are you implying?!”
Evadne’s icy gaze was fixed on him, “What am I implying? And remember, in public, it’s ‘Ms. Ashbourne‘ to you. We’re not at a family barbecue here<i>.</i><i>” </i>
The room <b>fell </b>silent<b>, </b>the tension palpable. This heiress, she didn’t mince words<b>, </b>did she? No saving face with her!
Bevis‘ face <b>was </b>turning <b>the </b>color of burgundy wine<b>, </b>“<b>Does </b>my brother know about this<b>?!</b>”
“No need <b>to </b>involve my father. As the acting CEO of the K Group<b>, </b>I’m perfectly capable of handling this minor issue.”
Evadne <b>leaned </b>back on <b>the </b>chair<b>, </b><b>her </b><b>half</b>–sneer dancing <b>at </b>the corners of her l*ps, “Before, because of you ying <b>a </b>pitiful card to my father, <b>who </b>considering <b>you </b>are his only brother<b>, </b>even covered your <b>mess </b><b>with </b>his personal savings<b>, </b>it led <b>to </b>cerebral infarction and <i>the </i>current instability of ourpany. The hit our stock took, the medical bills and hospitalization expenses, totaling hundreds of millions, are <b>a </b>direct result of your actions. But <b>I’m </b><b>not </b>even going to quibble over that. What I am concerned with is the five million you owe thepany. Debts must be paid; it’s the rule, and <b>also </b>the moral bottom line<b>!</b><b>” </b>
The directors were stunned<b>, </b>all eyes on Bevis as his face twitched with barely suppressed rage. Even the one who had spoken on his behalf remained silent <b>now</b><b>, </b><b>not </b>daring to utter a word.
“The money’s been reced, even if it was by my brother. That’s done!<b>” </b><b>Bevis </b>cast <b>a </b><b>vindictive </b>re<b>, </b><b>“</b><b>That’s </b>already been a history You’re dredging this <b>up </b>for personal vendetta<b>!</b><b>” </b>
“Who said this was over?” Evadne’s gaze turned icy cold as she pped the table, making everyone jump, “In my book, right is right, wrong is wrong. There’s no room for ambiguity here<b>.” </b>
Bevis, pale as sheet, felt chilly inside
Next to Evadne, Jason watched with almost fanboy admiration, internally cheering for his boss’s gutsy move.
“The K Group is a listedpany, not your personal piggy bank for your relentless extravagance, <b>Bevis</b>!<b>” </b>Evadne’s sharp eyes pierced through him, her unruffled elegant posture made people present unwittingly submit themselves to her. “If I keep <b>a </b>blind eye on that, not to speak of unfairness it would cause to other directors, you’d get a taste for easy money and next <b>thing </b>we
know, <b>you’re </b>digging us into a ten–million<b>–</b>dor hole. At that time, it’d be toote to regret it. So, the money has to be pay back by you!”
Bevis, noticing the situation not good for him, yed the pauper, “Even if you want me to pay, I don’t have that much money on hand. What do you want me to do? Sell my house? Leave your cousin and me homeless<b>?</b><b>” </b>
He attempted to use the stalling tactic: after the meeting adjourned, he’d call Emeric and tell him what happened right away!
Unexpectedly, Evadne raised her voice ndly. “Jason, show him the file, please.”
“Will do, Ms. Ashbourne.”
Jason, with a cool demeanor, walked over and flung the document in front of Bevis, who fl*pped it open, and his mouth fell open in disbelief.
“This is a summary of all the assets you own.” Evadne uttered at a steady pace, “You have two restaurants in Elmsworth, ten chain beauty salons across Skyrim and Elmsworth, vis in Aetheria. These are all your current properties. Sell a couple of those, and you’ll have your five million.”
“Evadne!” Bevis was livid, his vision blurring. Was she trying to ruin him?
“I’m giving you two weeks to sort this out. If you don’t, I’ll have the courts enforce it.” Evadne’s l*ps were curved into a sneer, “And I’m sure they’d be interested in those little tax discrepancies at your restaurants and salons.”
The directors murmured among themselves. What a juicy piece of drama!
Shoulders shivering, Bevis looked at the file unfolded, his head swirling. This time, Evadne gave his hard time, for she had dug deep into his business and came prepared to fight, and fight d*rty.
“Ms. Ashbourne, you just mentioned there were two things?” A director dared to speak.
“The second also concerns President Ashbourne.” Evadne’s assertive voice was pleasant to hear, resonant through the air, “Today, I will lead the charge to remove Bevis from his positions on the board and as a managing director of the K Group!”