"Cassius, please don''t be so pessimistic." Perhaps because she had just seen Thaddeus and gone through another heart-stopping moment, her emotions were raw, and her eyes were still moist. "Loving someone doesn''t mean you have to possess them to be happy. As long as he''s okay, living freely and safely somewhere in the world, isn''t that enough?"


    "You''re right, Evadne," Cassius said, his voice filled with sorrow and a bitterugh. "Chasel lost so much, sacrificed so much for me. I don''t deserve someone as good as him. He''ll find true happiness only by leaving me."


    After Chad took office, his first major task was taking over the A5 Project bid from Thaddeus. Although Thaddeus had fallen from grace, Chad, as the eldest son, was the natural sessor to lead the Abernathy Group. However, he knew there were still dissenting voices within thepany, questioning whether he possessed the same decisive,manding leadership as Thaddeus.


    If he could secure this project, all opposition within the Abernathy Group would be silenced. Not even his grandfather would be able to challenge his position.


    That day, in the chairman''s office of the Abernathy Group.


    "The stock was in a slump for a few days, and someone was secretly buying up our shares. Thankfully, you were here to stabilize the situation, Chad." Frederic pped a hand on Chad''s shoulder, his eyes full of approval. "You''ve never once disappointed me, from the time you were a boy. I''m truly proud of you."


    "Thank you for the praise. The Abernathy Group is your and Grandfather''s life''s work. I will protect it, no matter what." Chad raised his lips in a slight smile and, with his well-defined hands, poured Frederic a cup of tea. "Father, although I''m now managing the group''s daily affairs in Thaddeus''s ce, there''s something I need to ask you. Did you let me take over because of the circumstances with Thaddeus, or did you genuinely want to give me a chance to prove myself?"


    Frederic was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a question. After a few seconds of silence, he smiled sincerely. "Chad, you are my eldest son. I''ve watched you grow up. Of course I wanted to give you a chance. Besides, you''ve already proven your capabilities. The coboration with William and his son from Country M, and the crisis with the illegal drug scandal-you stepped in and saved the Abernathy Group both times. You''ve shown that you are more than capable of being CEO."


    Frederic was past his prime, but he wasn''t a fool. He could hear the probing in Chad''s words. With Thaddeus out, the stock fluctuating, and a crucial project on the line, he had to appease Chad and ensure he felt secure, preventing any internal conflicts that could harm thepany.


    "I''m d to hear you say that, Father," Chad replied, seemingly satisfied. He smiled faintly. "Please rest assured, I will win the A5."


    Just then, there was a knock on the door. After Frederic''s permission, Dennis hurried in, holding an iPad. "Mr. Frederic, although our PR department has been doing its best to control the narrative online the


    three major televisionworksafe still relentlessly attackingpus. They''re official state media; we can''t force them to retract their stories!"


    "Damn it! The nerve of them!" Frederic mmed his teacup on the floor in anger. "We''ve given them advertising business! How can they betray us like this?!"


    "Father, calm down. This isn''t a major issue," Chad said calmly, his brow smooth as he lifted his own teacup and took a sip.


    "How is it not a major issue?! This negative press could directly impact our chances of winning the A5 Project! Frederic paced anxiously, his hands sped behind his back. "We may not have anypetitors in Elmasworth, but KS Group in Skyrim is eyeing this prize. If we don''t get it, the project will most


    likely go to them!"


    Chad''s eyes narrowed into a half-smile. "If it goes to Ms. Evadne, that wouldn''t be


    so bad. I''d be willing to concede and help her seed."


    "Chad, I know you''re fond of that girl,


    but you can''t let yourself be blinded


    by beauty and ignore the bigger picture! Your brother''s luck started to turn the moment he got involved with her!" Frederic knew of his son''s interest in Evadne but couldn''t help his frustration from boiling over.


    "What''s done is done with Thaddeus. Trying to rify things now is pointless," Chad said calmly. "Instead, let''s hold a press conference, broadcasted live nationwide. As CEO, I will personally appear and offer a sincere apology to the public."