The board meeting ended, and the attendees dispersed. News that Chad had secured his position as CEO and that Evadne had joined the board spread like wildfire throughout the Abernathy Group. After the meeting, Evadne escorted her grandfather back to Havenbrook Manor, while Thaddeus remained at the office to handle some matters.


    Followed by Gordon, he walked with a steady, resolute stride toward the chairman''s office, his gaze cool.


    "Hey, do you think Evadne joining the board is a sign? Is she teaming up with Thaddeus to take down our new CEO?" a couple of employees whispered in a nearby corner.


    "But the tabloids have been saying they haven''t been seen together in ages, that they broke up. Then again, at the press conference, she totally ripped into Mr. Chad, like she was ready to go to war for Thaddeus. So are they broken up or not?"


    "For people at their level, it''s always business first. Even if they broke up, they can still be partners. Who''s going to turn their back on a profitable alliance?"


    "Really? I thought they were true love..."


    "Get real! There''s no such thing as true love in these wealthy dynasties. Besides, I don''t think Ms. Ashbourne joined the board for Mr. Thaddeus at all."


    Thatstment made Thaddeus stop in his tracks, a flicker of an unreadable emotion crossing his face.


    "Think about it," the employee continued, oblivious. "Who''s in charge of the Abernathy Group now? The eldest son! And even after that massive scandal, his position is rock solid. That means both Mr. Frederic and Mr. Hamilton, Sr. are backing him. Thaddeus is out of the session race for good! Ms. Ashbourne broke up with him, and she has her own family''s interests to consider. It only makes sense for her to align with the winner. Unless she''spletely blinded by love, but that makes no sense... they already broke up..."


    "Ahem!" Gordon, unable to stand it any longer, coughed loudly.


    The gossiping employees jumped, snapping to attention against the wall, their heads bowed.


    "Got a lot of free time, do we?"


    Gordon said, his expression grim as he approached the one who had been most vocal. "Should I bring you a bowtof sunflower seeds to snack on while you chat? He stared the man down. "You''re fired. Someone from HR will be by this afternoon to process your dismissal. Don''t bothering in tomorrow."


    The employee looked up, his face draining of color. "What? Why?!"


    "Because you said things you shouldn''t have about people you shouldn''t be discussing," Gordon said tly. "It''s explicitly stated in thepany handbook discussing the personal al affairs of the Abernathy family in public spaces is strictly forbidden. It''s in your contract."


    "I don''t ept this!" the employee retorted, ring at Thaddeus''s impassive face


    but directing his words at Gordon. "The eldest son is the CEO now! He''s the heir! You''re not the CEO''s executive assistant anymore. You have no right to fire me! This is an abuse of power!"


    "No right?" Thaddeus, who had


    remained silent, finally spoke, a cold, unreadable smile on his lips. "As a major shareholder of this group and a member of the Abernathy family, I have every right to dismiss you. If you don''t ept it, you can take yourint to your new CEO, We''ll see whose side he takes-yours, or mine."


    The employee''s face burned with humiliation as he slunk away like a beaten dog. The others quickly scattered.


    Gordon''s eyes were red with fury. "Damn it... a ssic case of kicking a man when he''s down. When the tiger leaves the mountain, he''s prey for dogs!"


    "That''s just how outsiders see it," Thaddeus said calmly. "I don''t feel that I''m at a disadvantage."


    ***