Chapter 101
The noise made Stella glance back. At lint, Mas lay motionless on the ground. Then, as consciousness slowly returned, he lifted his head and locked i with her. Weakly, he reached out a hand, pleading for her help.
Stella hadn’t expected her words to come le so quickly. But her lace remained cold, detached. Without hesitation, she turned and walked away.
Max’s outstretched hand trembled with desperation, but within seconds, the had vanished from sight. Disbelief flooded him.
Had she really left Had Stella truly abandoned him? There was a time when even a scratch on his hand would we chattered her heart.
But now, all she gave him was one indifferent glance before turning her back on him keever. He muted, ‘Have L… really been that terrible of a brother?
Not long after leaving, Stella pulled out her phone and dialed Eleanor, “Grandma, I’m about to do something”
“Then do it” Eleanor replied without hesitation. “Whatever it is, I stand with you.”
Warmth bloomed in Stella’s chest. “Aren’t you even going to ask what it is?”
“Whatever you choose is right, my child. You’ve endured so much for this family- don’t want you to keep sacrificing yourself. You have your light. Shine as brightly as you deserve. If I get to see it, nothing would make me happier.”
A faint smile touched Stella’s lips. This was what a real family felt like. As long as Grandma wasn’t hurt by her choices, nothing else mattered.
After hanging up, Stella hesitated, her thumb hovering over Jordan’s name. She should call him. Then again, she already knew–no matter what, he’d stand by her.
Some things didn’t need to be said aloud. They were allies, partners. Every sacrifice he’d made for her, she understood.
Tucking her phone away, Stella hailed a cab. “Hayes Group,” she told the driver.
Meanwhile, chaos regned at Hayes Group. The boardroom was in disaray, with major shareholders–usually mild–mannered–now.red–faced and shouting over conflicting interests.
Man’s assistant, Ricky, tried to maintain order. “Even if Mr. Max Hays is currently hospitalized, he’ll recover soon and resume his duties.”
Percy snorted, not bothering with tact. “Ricky, we all know you’re Max’s lapdog. But let’s be real–you’re just another Hayes family lackey.
“After everything that’s happened, we’ve stayed quiet out of respect. But now? With the entire Hayes family in shambles, who’s left to run this company? Don’t tell me you’re throwing your hat in the ring.”
Ricky’s jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.
Percy leaned back, smug “I don’t care what you think. After Mr. Hayes, I’m the largest shareholder here, if the Hayes family can’t manage their own company, I propose a vote. And my first vote goes to me.”
Jasper Linwood, another major stakeholder, cut in. Percy, you do have significant shares, but let’s not forget–Eleanor still holds more than you.”
“Eleanor?” Percy scoffed. “She’s barely holding on as it is. If she were capable, would she have handed the company to Max in the first place? Fine. Since you brought her up, I’ll humor you–l call her myself and see who she endorses.”
The room fell into uneasy murmurs. They mused, ‘Has Percy already secured Eleanor’s support?‘ Shareholders exchanged wary glances, but no one dared challenge him outright.
Percy smirked. “If there are no objections, let’s proceed with the vote.”
12
21:18 Sat, 2 Aug AO
Chapter 101
Five names were listed–Ricky, Percy, Jasper, and two others. Ricky spoke first. “I withdraw from the running”
Percy raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”
sitive,” Ricky said flatly
“Positive,
“Then it’s down to four” Percy’s tone dripped with satisfaction.
All eyes stayed locked on the vote tally. Percy and Jasper were the clear frontrunners, their supporters divided but fiercely loyal. Both men were powerhouses in their own right, and the numbers reflected it–neck and neck, neither gaining a clear edge
Percy leaned back, the picture of calm, while Jasper’s team watched the screen like hawks, Then, suddenly, Jasper’s numbers surged. His supporten visibly relaxed, shoulders dropping in relief. Across the room, Percy’s jaw tightened.
But just as quickly, the tide shifted again. Percy’s votes began climbing–slowly, then all at once. When his count finally overtook Jasper’s, a smirk tugged at Percy’s lips
By the time the results were finalized in Percy’s favor, the room was electric. He rose smoothly and extended a hand to Jasper. “Better luck next time,” he said, though the glint in his eyes said he wasn’t sorry at all,
Jasper ignored the gesture. Percy shrugged and turned to address the room. “Well then, since the decision is dear, I’ll take over as
The doors swung open. Stella walked in, her steps measured but commanding. A faint, unreadable smile played on her lips as she locked eyes with Percy. “Sorry, Percy,” she said, her voice cool. “You’re fired.”
Percy’s face twisted in shock. “Stella, what the hell are you talking about? You have no right to fire me!”
Without hesitation, Stella slapped a file onto the table. “You conspired with accounting to commit fraud, evading over a hundred million in taxes. You’d better cover that hole yourself–and fast–or I’ll go to the authorities. Then you’ll lose everything”
“You-!” Percy lunged for the file, but someone else snatched it up first. The room erupted as everyone pored over the damning evidence inside. Percy’s shady dealings were no secret, but no one expected Stella to have gathered such concrete proof.
By the time the file finally reached Percy’s hands, his earlier bravado had vanished. He staggered back, his face pale. “No… this can’t be real.”
“Security,” Stella called, her voice icy.
“Throw Percy’s things out. As of today, he is no longer an employee of Hayes Group.”
The response was immediate. Guards rushed in, dragging Percy away before he could even process what was happening. He thrashed, screaming “Stella, you heartless bitch! After everything I’ve endured for the Hayes family–this is how you repay me?”
Stella ignored him as if he were nothing more than background noise. One by one, she exposed the misdeeds of Percy’s allies. The smarter ones stood and left before she could name them. The stubborn ones tried to fight back–only to fail spectacularly.
Stella had come prepared. By the time the conference room had emptied by two–thirds, only a third of the original attendees remained.
Stella studied them coolly, “Your records are clean–I’ll give you that. And I know you don’t respect me. But…”
