"Chasel." Suri''s voice brimmed with joy, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
The crowd, upon witnessing the sudden appearance of the younger Bright, were taken aback, their initial shock quickly morphing into disdain.
Everybody knew that he had been edged out by the Bright family, never involved in the business, relegated to a mere office doctor poring over CT scans, clueless about the market''s ebbs and flows.
Not to mention, he was mired in scandal, his intimate photos with Cassius stered everywhere, tarnishing the Bright family''s reputation.
"Mr. Bright, this is a board meeting, not one of those bars you frequent. You''re a bit out of your element here!"
The director''s mocking words sparked a wave of snickers among the attendees.
"You''re standing on Bright territory, I''m a Bright, and if you can''t respect that, at least show some basic decency. Or is that too much for your brain to handle?"
Chasel''s eyes narrowed, a chill shing through them, "Would you dare such insolence in front of my grandfather, my father?"
The director, choked with rage, nearly bit his tongue in frustration.
Another voice piped up indignantly, "Mr. Bright, the boardroom is a ce of seriousness. Irrelevant persons have no business here!"
"Oh, so you do know it''s supposed to be a serious ce?"
Chasel couldn''t help but chuckle, "When I walked in, I thought I''d stumbled into a kennel. A bunch of old dogs, snarling over their bones without a shred of dignity. If I hadn''t shown up, I was afraid they''d turn on my aunt, and then we''d have to worry about rabies shots."
Suri shook her head, a smile ying on her lips.
This boy, always so sharp-tongued, fiercely protective.
Whether it was Cassius'' fortune or misfortune, only time would tell.
The instigators, now as red as boiled lobsters, could only stew in their humiliation, unable to directly respond without incriminating themselves.
"I know you all don''t wee me, and frankly, the feeling is mutual. It seems we''re at a mutual understanding then."
With a scoff, Chasel casually tossed a document onto the conference table, "I may not know much about business, but I do know that shares talk. This is a transfer of shares from my father, Zachary, all to my aunt Suri. My shares, too, are now hers."
A slight smile curved his lips as he thought of someone, a soft glow in his eyes, "Oh, but that''s not all. During our stock''s downturn, a mysterious buyer went on a spree, securing a significant portion of Bright Group shares. He now owns ten percent and is one of the shareholders. Just before, he called to say if needed, he''s willing to hand over all his shares to my aunt and fully supports her taking over my father''s position as the chairman of the Bright Group. Any objections?"
As the directors passed the transfer document around, their faces turned ashen, their arrogance deted.
Then, one by one, they raised their hands in vote, their stancepletely reversed, supporting Suri''s ascension.
Chasel let out a silent sigh of relief, maintainingposure despite his racing heart.
His goal had been achieved.
Just as Chasel was about to leave, having aplished his mission, Suri called out to him:
"Chasel, please wait."
He turned, puzzled, facing her determined expression.
"Now, as the new chairman of the group, I have an announcement to make."
Suri''s voice was firm,manding attention, "Due to my nephew Warner''s passing, the president''s position within the Bright Group is vacant. As of today, Chasel will assume the role of group president. Any objections?"
Her words, echoing with authority, left no room for challenge.
Was it the influence of Emeric, or simply her own innate dignity? Despite being a woman in a man''s world, her presence demanded respect.
"Auntie." Chasel was stunned, speechless.
What could the dissenters do? Not only did she hold a significant share and veto power, but she also had formidable support behind her, securing her position.
As the meeting concluded, the announcement of Suri and Chasel''s new roles hit the screens of all Bright Group employees.
Stepping into the CEO''s office, Chasel immediately sought refuge in Cassius'' embrace, his face glistening with a slight sheen of sweat as he nestled against his shoulder.
In his partner''s arms, all of Chasel''s tensions dissolved, his worries melting away. "Congrattions on your sessful power grab."
Cassius'' hand, warm andforting, stroked his head, his voice a soothing baritone, "Now you''re a man of status, the second inmand of the Bright family. You''ll have to have my back from now on."
"Cut it out, will you?"
Chasel exhaled deeply, his voiceced with affection, "If it weren''t for your secret acquisition of Bright Group shares, stabilizing our stock price, thepany would''ve been ripe for a hostile takeover by now. I''m just a figurehead president, with less stock than you. I''m practically working for you, nothing more."
"Chasel, don''t say that."
Cassius held him close, his words filled with emotion, "I''m yours, so are those assets and shares. Besides, the shares I acquired were always meant for the Bright family. It''s just returning to its rightful ce, hardly worth mentioning." Touched, Chasel''s eyes welled up with emotion.
As he looked up, their breaths intertwining, Cassius'' hand cradled his head, their lips meeting in a tender kiss.
Who would have thought? Just as they were getting all cozy, the office door swung open, and in waltzed Suri, catching us totally off guard.
"Whoopsie daisy! I didn''t see anything, swear! I''m as blind as a bat here. Carry on, you two!"
Suri, red as a beet, was about to make a run for it, hands covering her face, when Cassius called out:
"Suri, it''s alright. I''ll step out. You and Chasel seem to have a lot to catch up on." "Cassius, don''t go," Chasel pleaded, clinging to him like a lifeline.
Cassius, with a tender smile, yfully tapped Chasel''s nose with a curled finger, utterly indulgent.
"Cassius, I knew from the get-go. The one backing us up, the mysterious benefactor had to be you."
Suri shot him a grateful look, "You''ve gone above and beyond, really. Once the Bright Group project is up and running, we''ll make sure you get a handsome share of the profits."
"Suri, you''re part of the Ashbourne family, and it''s all staying in the family. You''re being too formal."
Cassius gently shook his head, "If you really want to give, give it to Chasel. It''s all the same."
"Cassius, you''re the business whiz here. I''m counting on you to mentor Chasel. The kid''s a whiz at saving lives and curing folks, but running a business? I''m half afraid he''ll get duped."
Suri joked, but the concern was palpable.
Cassius, with an arm around Chasel''s waist and eyes full of steadfast resolve, assured:
"Don''t worry. With me by your and Chasel''s side, the Bright Group will weather any storm and thrive."
Right then, all three phones pinged simultaneously.
"Huh? An invitation."
Chasel was the first to check, lighting up at the sight of Jareth and Mari cozying
up on a swing, "Ah! Jareth and Mari are tying the knot!"
"I heard from Evadne that Mr. Fairhaven and Mari are nning a wedding in
Bastan, just family and close friends. Super private, no media frenzy, no outsiders."
Suri let out a wistful sigh, "Such a pity. Mari is such a stunner, and Mr. Fairhaven a true catch. A wedding of the century, in full view of the public, would''ve been marvelous."
"Dear aunt, Jareth adores Mari to the moon and back. Forget a wedding - if Mari wanted his heart on a tter, he''d probably borrow a scalpel from me and serve it up warm."
Suri, eyes full of worry, nced at Cassius, who seemed unfazed.
"Ah, to be so in love," Chasel couldn''t help but envy.
"Chasel." Cassius'' voice was a whisper against his ear.
"Hmm?" He looked up, eyes locking with Cassius''.
"It''s nothing."
Holding him close, Cassius thought to himself:
What they have, you''ll have too.