The sudden appearance of Thaddeus sent a chill through the conference room, the atmosphere instantly bing thick with tension.


    Chad slowly lifted his gaze, his dark eyes bottomless pits radiating a cold, gloomy


    aura.


    "Thaddeus? What are you doing here?" Frederic stared, his face a mask of shock.


    "I may no longer be the CEO of the Abernathy Group," Thaddeus said calmly, "but I am still a shareholder and a member of the board. My presence here is perfectly reasonable."


    As he spoke, he walked toward his designated seat. Passing behind Chad, he paused, hisrge hand mming down on the back of Chad''s chair with enough force to make him jolt. "Wouldn''t you agree, big brother?"


    Chad''s expression darkened several shades, a stiff smile barely touching his lips. "You''re a board member. Even if you''re not involved in the day-to-day operations, you have every right to attend this meeting. That''s indisputable."


    "In that case, why wasn''t I notified that a board meeting was being held?"


    Thaddeus settled into his chair, his long legs spread slightly. He lowered his gaze, his every move exuding a roguish nonchnce that was sharply at odds with the powerful, invible aura he projected.


    Chad offered a faint smile. "Perhaps you should ask your secretary. It seems he''s been terribly negligent in his duties, failing to inform you of such an important meeting. A gross breach of professional conduct."


    The tension in the room was palpable, sharp as a drawn de. Frederic''s face was rigid. He knew if he didn''t start the meeting soon, the ugly family feud would escte, providing more gossip for the onlookers.


    He cleared his throat and began, his eyes downcast. "The press conference caused significant disruption for the group. While the situation has mostly stabilized, I felt it was necessary to convene this meeting to rify matters openly."


    Frederic took a deep breath, his voice uncharacteristicallycking its usual confidence. "Although my two sons had a very public and unpleasant falling out, I believe it was all a misunderstanding. Chad and Thaddeus are brothers. Chad even saved Thaddeus''s life when they were children. Blood is thicker than water. I refuse to believe he would use such despicable means to frame his own brother." The room was utterly silent.


    Chad coughed lightly, his gaze lifting to fix on Thaddeus, who sat across from him,posed and inscrutable. His handsome face was a cidke, as if he were a mere spectator, not the subject of the discussion. Chad let out a soft sneer. The man certainly had an iron will.


    "The police have concluded their investigation, Frederic continued, his voice strained. "It has been confirmed that the female doctor on Chad''s staff was solely responsible. She confessed to everything and Chad had no involvement


    whatsoever."


    He took a sip of water, but his throat still felt as dry as desert sand. "Therefore, I hope that none of you will hold this incident against Chad. His capabilities as CEO have been proven time and again."


    The message was crystal clear: Frederic was going to protect Chad at all costs.


    He was the eldest son, Frederic''s chosen heir. This was the kind of favoritism that would stand by you against the world, a privilege


    Thaddeus could never earn ne


    no


    matter how wlessly he performed. Some gaps, it seemed, were etched in stone from birth. No matter how hard you ran, you''d always be a step behind.


    Still, protocol had to be followed. Frederic adopted a formal tone. "We will now hold


    a vote by show of hands on whether my eldest son, Chad, should continue in his


    role as CEO of the Abernathy Group..."


    Before he could finish, the conference room doors swung open again.


    Every head in the room, including those of the three Abernathy men, turned toward the entrance. A momentter, eyes widened in astonishment. The board members immediately stood, buttoning their suit jackets and bowing in unison.


    Hamilton Abernathy, radiating an aura of indisputable authority, entered the room in his wheelchair, pushed by Mr. Murray.


    "Mr. Abernathy, Sr.," they murmured respectfully.


    Chad''s eyes remained dark, his expression unreadable.


    Frederic shot to his feet, stunned. "Dad? What are you doing here?"


    "Grandfather, "Thaddeus also rose, his eyes shining with a mixture of surprise and deep concern. His grandfather''s advanced age and deteriorating health had long since forced him into a quiet retirement. While he retained his board seat, he hadn''t participated in anypany decisions for years, entrusting full control to Frederic.


    This was his first appearance at a board meeting in a long time, and it was already


    causing a stir. It was clear that not only Thaddeus, but Frederic and Chad as well,


    had been keptpletely in the dark.


    ***