Chapter 231
Chapter 231:
“My father once said that this seal represents the rightful owner of Shaw Group,” Brinley declared.
She grasped the seal and pressed it firmly onto the merger proposal’s final page. The mark emerged with striking precision.
“Oh, Mr. Myers.” Brinley’s tone stayed light, but her eyes were sharp. “I came across something interesting about you. I discovered there was a sudden acquisition of that riverside villa in your son’s name just last month, but the source of those funds raises some eyebrows. Care to explain p>
At those words, Absolon’s complexion drained of color. His lips trembled, and he found himself utterly speechless.
The rest of the room fell into stunned silence, casting wary side glances at Absolon. They had known of his alliance with Lachlan, yet this revelation caught them completely off guard.
Brinley swiped again, and a set of documents appeared on the display—procurement contracts and invoices duplicated across the screen. The quoted rates soared nearly thirty percent beyond standard market values, and the counterparty’s name pointed straight to Lachlan’s nephew, Davies Hussain.
Lachlan’s gaze sharpened in alarm.
He had believed his scheme was airtight. How on earth had Brinley uncovered it?
The atmosphere in the boardroom shifted in a heartbeat. The once-wavering board members now regarded Lachlan with fresh skepticism. They could stomach a bit of in-house rivalry, but plundering the company’s coffers crossed an unforgivable line.
A𝖼𝘵𝗂𝘷е 𝗰o𝗺𝗆𝗎𝗇і𝘁y 𝗼n
“Any further reservations?” Brinley’s eyes roamed the assembly, her tone serene but laced with authority.
Silence reigned.
Absolon stared at the floor, his pallor ghostly. Lachlan clamped his mouth shut, his face dark with gloom. The remaining attendees either bowed their heads in contemplation or exchanged uneasy looks, no longer bold enough to challenge Brinley outright.
“Effective immediately, as the principal shareholder, I will assume hands-on oversight of Shaw Group.” Brinley rose to proclaim. “Lachlan, your vice presidency will stand for the moment, though your nephew’s procurement agreement is hereby paused and forwarded to auditing for scrutiny. Absolon, your ongoing initiatives will be supported by fellow team members in the interim, and you will fully assist the review process p>
She paused, her attention settling on the other board members. “Rest assured, if your loyalty truly lies with Shaw Group’s welfare, I’ll turn a blind eye to bygones. That said, should anyone persist in undermining our collective prosperity p>
The unfinished warning—paired with the ice in her stare—sent a collective chill through the room.
“Meeting concluded,” Brinley stated, gathering her belongings before striding out.
Inside the boardroom, uneasy glances passed between those present. Lachlan remained rooted to his seat, knuckles whitening as he clenched the table’s rim.
His eyes tracked Brinley’s retreating silhouette, a spark of sinister intent flashing in their depths.
Once the post-meeting loose ends were tied up, Brinley reclined in her office’s plush leather armchair and massaged her forehead wearily. The day’s strain finally began to dissipate, leaving her enveloped in a tide of exhaustion.
She reached for her phone and called her assistant.
“Corbin, book a restaurant for me,” she said, her tone relaxed after the hard fight in the meeting room. “Something secluded, set for eight this evening, accommodating three guests p>
“Certainly, Mrs. Moore,” Corbin replied promptly.
Moments after disconnecting, he forwarded the venue’s location and suite details. Brinley sent a quick note of thanks, then switched to her chat with Austin.
“Eight sharp tonight at Silver Kitchen. Don’t keep me waiting p>
The response pinged back in a flash. “As you wish, sweetheart p>
Brinley’s lips curved into a smile as her eyes lingered on the words. Her fingers hovered over the screen before she opened Felix’s chat.
“Eight tonight at Silver Kitchen. Private suite secured. Swing by for dinner with us p>
Felix’s reply buzzed with enthusiasm. “The chaos at the company is settled, right? I knew you could handle it! Catch you tonight p>
At ten minutes to eight, Brinley stepped into Silver Kitchen.
The private dining suite exuded timeless elegance, its ambiance enhanced by a pristine garden visible through the window. The gentle murmur of a trickling stream outside wove a tranquil escape from the city’s relentless clamor.
Barely had she settled into her seat when the door swung open. Austin and Felix entered, one trailing the other.
Austin, clad in a sleek black suit, carried himself with his signature effortless poise. Yet as his eyes landed on Felix, a subtle chill flickered in his gaze.
Felix, dressed in stylish modern clothes, clutched a delicately wrapped parcel. Spotting Brinley, his face lit up. “Brinley! I brought you a little something to toast your grand debut at Shaw Group p>
Brinley’s lips curved into a warm smile as she reached for the gift, but just as her fingers grazed the ribbon, Felix gently caught her hand.
“Hold off on unwrapping it until after we eat,” he said. “Trust me, it’ll be worth the wait p>