Chapter <b>11 </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>11 </b>
Edgar couldn’t believe what had just happened–Briar had actually be the new head of Jennings Group. It felt like <b>a </b>bad joke.
He always thought thepany was his, especially after Rosalia passed away. Yet in less than an hour, Briar had snatched it <b>right </b><b>out </b><b><i>of </i></b><b>his </b>hands<b>. </b>
After the final vote, Briar kept that calm smile on her face. She nced at the stunned Edgar and said, “Sorry, Dad. But this is what everyone agreed <b>on</b>. Starting today, I’m the president of Jennings Group.”
She pped for herself. The shareholders joined in awkwardly, their apuse weak and hesitant.
But with all the dirt Briar had on them, none of them dared to speak up against her.
Edgar stared at her with pure hatred. If they were alone, he might’ve tried something crazy.
But Briar didn’t care. In fact, she kind of wished he’d lose it and keel over from the rage.
She didn’t even want the president title that badly. With her skills, she could easily make Jennings Group’s yearly profit by picking up a few side jobs.
What she really wanted was control–so she could put her own people in ce and dig into the shady stuff Edgar had been hiding, especially those secret projects he’d funneled his money into.
And most of all, she needed to find out if he had anything to do with her mother’s disappearance.
“Oh, right,” Briar added casually. “I’ll be starting at Shoneport University soon, so I won’t be here every day. I’ll be handing over day–to–day operations to someone I trust.”
She then nced at the shareholders. “My dad’s worked hard for thispany all these years, so I’ll keep him around as vice president. Anyone got a problem with that?”
It was a clever move. Instead of kicking Edgar out, she gave him a face–saving role.
Though his power had been stripped, <i>no </i>other personnel changes were made within thepany. From the worst–case perspective, if Briar didn’t mess with him any further, he could still call the shots like nothing changed.
Of course, that all depended on who Briar put in charge.
Nobody objected. Honestly, most of them trusted Edgar more than Briar. She was sharp, but also a little too ruthless <i>for </i>their taste.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” Briar said with a knowing smile.
Everyone turned toward the door<b>, </b>curious about who would be bold–or crazy–enough to step in as Briar’s pick.
A tall man in a sharp suit walked in. His expression was cold.
Gasps rippled around the room.
“Wait. Is that Nathan Longley?<i>” </i>someone whispered.
“Yeah, that’s him,” another replied, stunned.
“Nathan’s working for Briar, huh? Isn’t that a waste of talent?”
Briar enjoyed their shocked faces. She motioned for Nathan to sit next <b>to </b>her, then introduced him like it was no big deal.
“Looks like you all already know Mr. Longley. Then it should make things easier,<b>” </b><b>she </b>said. “But just to be clear–this is <b>Nathan</b><b>, </b><b>one </b><b>of </b><b>the </b><b><i>top </i></b><b>names </b><b>in </b>international finance. He’ll be acting president while I’m in school. Hope you all get along.”
13.35 <b>Mon</b>, 28 Jul
<b>Chapter </b><b>11 </b>
<b>The </b><b>apuse </b>was a lot louder this time. Nathan stood up<b>, </b>calm <b>and </b>confident. “Nice <b>to </b>meet you all, <b>I’m </b><b>Nathan </b>Longley, I’ll <b>be </b>working <b>with </b><b>you </b>for th <b>next </b><b>three </b>and <b>a </b><b>half </b>years. Let’s make it a good one.<b>” </b>
Edgar feltpletely cornered. If Briar had taken over thepany herself, maybe he could’ve still pulled a few strings behind <b>her </b><b>back</b><b>. </b><b>She </b><b>was </b><b>young</b>. spoiled<b>, </b>and didn’t really know how to run a business–at least that was what he thought.
But then she brought in Nathan, who had been a financial prodigy since he was fourteen and was now one of the top 100 <b>richest </b><b>people </b><b>in </b>the world. <b>With </b>him watching over everything, there was no chance of sneaking anything past.
Edgar’s hand slipped into his pocket, where he kept an old phone–one he only used to contact his secret backers.
Things had spiraled out of control way too fast. If he didn’t <b>fix </b>this soon, those people mighte for him.
He was so deep in thought that he didn’t even notice the meeting had ended and that the others had cleared out.
A hand waved in front of his face. “Dad?” Briar’s voice snapped
He blinked. “What?”
d him back.
“The meeting’s over. Nathan’s waiting for you to walk him through how things work,” said Briar.
Edgar didn’t want to. But he didn’t really have a choice. Wordlessly, he got up and left with Nathan.
Briar stayed behind in the now–empty conference room. She leaned forward on her elbows, her chin resting on her hands. The smile she wore earlier was gone, reced by something quieter and sadder. Her eyes were distant as she was lost in thought.
Just then, her phone rang, pulling her back. It was Ashton.
“Mr. Wade?” she said in her usualid–back tone.
“Miss Jennings, your eptance letter <i>from </i>Shoneport University is ready. Want toe pick it up, or should I send someone?” Ashton said.
“That was fast.” Briar raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.
“The president of Shoneport University signed it himself,” Ashton replied. “No one dared stall.”
Briar had already nned to head over to the Wade family’s ce after finishing things at thepany, so she said, “No need to send anyone. I’ll be there soon to treat Griffin anyway.”
“Perfect. I’ll be home. See you then,” Ashton said. After exchanging a few polite words, they hung up.
Briar rubbed her temples and checked the time. It wasn’t even ten yet. If she went over now<i>, </i>she’d probably finish Griffin’s acupuncture right around lunchtime, and that might make things a little awkward.
Almost as if he read her mind, Ashton messaged her again, inviting her to stay for lunch–and asking her not to say no.
Briar stared at the screen<b>, </b>a little caught off guard. He really did know how to read people.
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ing over
AD
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