Chapter 197
All eyes locked on Audrey, questioning har presence.
“Audrey, Serena misspoke earlier. That was wrong of her,” Jocelyn said with a diplomatie smile. “But this is a shareholders‘ meeting. Your position doesn’t wariant entry.”
“Jocelyn Clark, right?” Audrey Blipped open the folder, scanning its contents. “You represent Fluor Group’s subsidiary investment in Stride Commence. It’s the third–largest shareholder.”
Jocelyn’s smile stiffened. Her gaze sharpened, studying Audrey with new intensity.
Audrey met her eyes. “Fluor Group invested 15 million dollars. What right do you have to question someone who invested 30 million dollars?”
Paul’s pupils dilated. He thought, ‘The 30–million–dollar injection was from StrideVestment. I planned to disclose details after the meeting. How the hell did Audrey know?
The answer loomed, absurd yet undeniable.
“This meeting lacks legal validity without Ms. Henderson’s presence,” Emilia said, sweeping a glance over the stunned crowd. “I’m Emilia Hadley, legal counsel for Stridevestment. Audrey is my client, and she’s also Stridevestment’s principal.”
Jocelyn’s smile vanished.
Paul’s face cycled through shock, confusion, and dawning realization. He thought, Audrey was involved this whole time? Where did she get 30 million dollars? Or has she had a powerful backer, planning for this day ever since she joined the company?*
No one found the news harder to swallow than Serena. She was dumbfounded, thinking she had misheard
“What? Audrey owns StrideVestment? Bullshit! She’s nobody. How could she have 30 million dollars?” Serena’s voice cracked. “This is a setup!”
“Feel free to report me,” Audrey smiled, flashing a razor–edged grin as she strode into the meeting room. “Security, ban Serena and her cousin from the premises. Effective immediately.”
Malcolm’s legal team filed into the meeting room behind Audrey.
The atmosphere crackled with tension–the kind only a true leader could command.
Audrey moved with the innate authority of someone born to power, striding to the head of the table and taking her seat under the shareholders‘ stunned
gares.
at the man on the phone was her backer.
As Malcolm outlined the procedures, Paul’s eyes burned into Audrey. He believed that t
Whatever personal feelings Paul had harbored, they shriveled now. She was leagues beyond him.
Jocelyn kept her head down, listening to the legal formalities while texting Talla frantically. Only Talia knew the truth about Audrey’s backer.
But the message vanished into silence, unanswered Jocelyn’s unease slowly grew.
Talia always replied instantly. Even if she was busy she would at least send a quick reply. This silence was a screaming alarm.
Once Malcolm finished the formalities, it was Audrey’s turn to speak.
Audrey adjusted the mic and opened her folder. Paul finally understood why:
y she had refused to show it earlier, Inside was her speech draft, packed with
technical jargon she had memorized overnight
Near the meeting’s end, Jocelyn received a reply–not from Talia, but from a subsidiary executive: New software axed by Darkshell international. What about our two pending projects?]
1/3
Chapter 191
Jocelyn’s grip lightened, sweal slicking the screen.
Those two projects had both been set up to support the new software, and they were already one third completed. But the software ha obsolete. It was doomed to hemorrhage millions before launch.
Jocelyn’s gare ficked up, straight into Audrey’s,
Audrey was staring at her.
Jocelyn tried to muster a polite smile but found herself physically unable to do so.
To suppress Audrey, Fluor Group had poured 15 million dollars into Stride Commerce. But Darkshell International’s move would cost Fluor Group hundreds of millions. This was the price they were paying for targeting Audrey.
In the end, Jocelyn managed only a strained smile, texting the executive to hold the fort while she rushed back to handle it.
As the meeting concluded, Malcolm and his team departed, leaving Emilia by Audrey’s side.
Matthew showered Audrey with sycophantic praise.
Paul was still in shock, Hours ago, hel
had b
been Audrey’s boss, but now, she held the company’s reins.
Jocelyn had no patience for niceties. The moment the meeting concluded, she left the company.
Outside, Serena stood, still fuming Seeing Jocelyn’s pale face, she rushed over and asked, “Ms. Clark, what the hell just happened? Is Audrey really StrideVestment’s owner?”
Jocelyn barely slowed. “If you had half her cunning, I wouldn’t be cleaning up this mess.” She paused before her car, eyeing Serena. “Your family has assets in Ashbourne, right?”
Serena nodded, “Small ones. My father won’t let me touch them.”
“Go visit someday.” Jocelyn’s mocking laugh hung in the air as her car peeled away.
Serena choked on exhaust, bewildered. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
in
the company,
Paul offered his office, but Audrey declined.
“I’d like to set up an office in the corridor area over there. Better light, better air.” Audrey pointed toward the space connecting the break room and the corridor.
Paul immediately made arrangements
Tiffany approached, grinning “Congratulations, Audrey.”
“Thanks,” Audrey smiled.
Tiffany teased, “You’re a boss now.”
“Manager is fine. This place isn’t big enough for that title” Audrey’s smile was bright. “How did you know about Stridevestiment?”
“Guessed. The real owner never showed up for negotiations yet knew everything. It had to be an insider.” Tiffany smirked. “I suspected Serena before, but then I realized it wasn’ther”
The interns gaped, scrambling to offer congratulations.
MONT, 9 JUNI
Chapter 197
Soon, department heads swarmed, probing for confirmation
Audrey stepped onto the walkway, unclasping her necklace and sliding the ring onto her left hand. She raised it toward the sun, snapped a photo, and sent it to Yann
Yann, who was halfway through a report from senior staff, smiled when he saw the picture. It was their prearranged signal.
The presenter mistook his smile for approval and ramped up his pitch, oblivious that Yann’s mind had alrearly left the building.
“Pause the meeting.” Yann stood. Now, he had a far more important appointment to keep.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
