Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103

A heavy silence settled over the boardroom after Cassidy’s departure.

It pressed down on everyone–thick, uncomfortable, inescapable.

Ashton and Zandrie exchanged a brief look, one loaded with frustration and restraint, before both men let out slow, measured breaths. The other board members sat stiffly in their seats, unease rippling through the room as they processed what had just unfolded.

All except one.

Elvira Knowles leaned back in her chair, a thin, satisfied smirk curving her lips as she stared at the door through which Cassidy had vanished–victory gleaming in her eyes.

“Let us all settle down,” Ashton said calmly, breaking the silence.

His gaze swept across the board before coming to rest on Madame Elvira and CEO Red Knowles, lingering just long enough to remind them he had not missed a single word spoken earlier.

“CEO Wallace,” Ashton continued, turning to Zandrie, “we may proceed with the meeting now.”

He gestured toward the head of the table–the seat Red Knowles had occupied for years, a symbol of unquestioned authority. Today, however, it belonged to Zandrie.

Zandrie had just begun to move toward his chair when his phone vibrated. A glance at the caller ID made his expression shift subtly. Without hesitation, he slipped the phone into his hand.

“Give me a minute,” he said evenly. “This is important.”

He exited the room swiftly.

Outside, Zandrie answered the call but said nothing at first. He listened intently, jaw tightening and relaxing in measured intervals. Now and then, he nodded, murmuring brief acknowledgments.

“I’ll make sure your plans go through,” he said quietly, as though sealing a promise.

He ended the call and returned to the boardroom without delay, reclaiming his seat at the head of the table with renewed composure.

“Meeting is now in order,” Zandrie announced, his voice steady as his eyes met each member in turn. “Let us begin.”

He paused deliberately.

“First agenda,” he said, “the abolition of the position of Chairman of the Board of the formerly known Knowles Corporation.”

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the room.

Elvira Knowles stiffened, shock flashing across her face before outrage quickly replaced it.

“What do you mean–abolishing the position of Chairman of the Board?” she demanded, slamming her palm against the table. “I have held that position for nearly a decade!”

Zandrie remained composed.

Before he could respond, Ashton spoke–his tone calm, precise, and mercilessly clear.

“This is part of the company’s restructuring,” he said evenly. “It was explicitly stated in the acquisition agreement.”

He fixed his gaze on Elvira, unblinking.

“Dr has Madame Knowles failed to review the document?”

Cster 103

+25 BONUS

The room fell silent once more, before Elvira heaved a loud sigh.

“I have fully understood the agreement, CEO Pierce,” Elvira said stiffly, lifting her chin as she met his gaze.

“But out of respect, at the very least, the position of Chairman of the Board should not be affected.”

Her words were firm, but beneath them lay insistence–almost desperation.

“That is not how business works, Madame,” Zandrie replied calmly, his hands clasped together as he addressed the board. His voice carried the weight of finality.

“Holt Corporation has invested millions of dollars into this acquisition. As a subsidiary under its parent company–the Malakai Group of Companies–we are bound to comply with its governing structure and policies.”

He paused deliberately.

“At Malakai Group of Companies,” Zandrie continued, “we do business our way.”

Across the table, Red and Elvira exchanged a quick, anxious glance. The uncertainty they had long feared–once dismissed as unthinkable–was now unfolding inescapably before them.

“As the governing body of Holt Corporation,” Zandrie continued evenly, “the Chairman of the Malakai Group of Companies has mandated a comprehensive restructuring of the newly acquired Knowles Corporation.”

His gaze settled on Elvira and did not waver.

“This includes the dissolution of redundant positions–beginning with the Chairman of the Board.

The words struck the room like a gavel.

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What had once been untouchable authority was reduced, in that instant, to a mere line item in a restructuring agenda. For the first time, the iron certainty that had defined Elvira Knowles faltered, uncertainty flickering across her face.

“All business dealings of Knowles and Greene Corporation will now be overseen by Holt Corporation,” Zandrie added, his tone measured but absolute.