Chapter 273
Brinley set her phone aside and drew in a steadying breath.
She flipped open her laptop, pulled up the latest progress report for VantagePath Realty, and began mapping out the key tasks that needed to be tackled over the coming month.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside Moore Group’s massive conference room was heavy and suffocating, as though a storm cloud had settled over it.
The sharp thud of a file hitting the conference table reverberated through the silence.
Austin’s cold eyes swept across the directors seated before him. His voice was like ice as he demanded, “This project has been stalled for half a month, and our cash flow was on the brink of collapse. What am I hiring you for if you can’t take care of things while I’m gone?”
The director in charge of the project blanched, but still forced himself to respond. “Mr. Moore, the situation was unexpected. The suppliers suddenly increased their prices, and we’re still negotiating…”
“Unexpected?” Austin let out a derisive laugh. “This doesn’t look unexpected to me. Some of you think that because I’m unwell, Moore Group can be toyed with however you please.”
His gaze snapped to Merritt Ford, tucked away in the corner. “Mr. Ford, I’ve heard you’ve been in frequent contact with other shareholders lately. Do you believe my seat here is unstable—and that you can hedge your bets elsewhere?”
Merritt’s hands shook, his face draining of color as he frantically waved his hands. “Mr. Moore, you’ve got it wrong. I was just handling ordinary business negotiations…”
“Ordinary business negotiations?” Austin pushed back his chair, rose to his feet, and walked slowly toward Merritt. Looking down at him, he spoke with biting calm. “You even leaked Moore Group’s core technologies to competitors. Are you plotting with outsiders to push me out of this position?”
The last words were spoken almost against Merritt’s ear, and their menacing chill sent shivers through his entire body. Merritt was so terrified he nearly slid off his seat, sweat breaking out and soaking through his back.
The other directors, who had been quietly nursing complaints, instantly lowered their heads. It was as if winter had swept through the room; no one dared to meet Austin’s eyes, let alone speak.
In that moment, they all grasped the truth: even if Austin’s health wasn’t at its best, his decisive control and forceful authority remained completely intact. Their fleeting ambitions dissolved into pure fear.
Austin surveyed their bowed heads, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. “Moore Group belongs to the Moore family. Anyone bold enough to play tricks behind my back shouldn’t expect mercy from me.”
His voice returned to its usual indifferent register. “Mr. Ford, I’ll have someone purchase your shares at market value. From this day forward, you won’t have any role in Moore Group’s affairs.”
Merritt collapsed back into his chair, despair etched across his face, unable to utter a single word.
With the internal threat eliminated, Austin returned to his seat and began laying out the next phase of work.
His speech was crisp yet precise, every decision straightforward and effective.
Miguel stood to the side, quietly noting each instruction while secretly admiring Austin. The man’s presence alone was enough to crush any opposition.
By the time the meeting finally ended, it was late at night.
In the CEO’s office, Austin massaged his aching temples before taking a sip from a cup of coffee that had long gone cold.
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