hapter 90
“Come, Cassie.”
Zandrie extended his hand without hesitation.
Cassie accepted it gracefully, her fingers resting lightly in his as they followed behind the men. They had barely reached the steps when Mirriam stepped forward, deliberately blocking their path.
“Only the stockholders should be on the stage,” she said sweetly–too sweetly–as if merely stating protocol.
The men ahead halted and turned back at once. Ashton and Jefferson faced the scene fully now, their attention sharpened.
Ashton looked poised to intervene–his expression sharpening with intent–though confusion flickered beneath it as he tried to understand why Zandrie Wallace wanted to bring Cassie onto the stage with him.
“Cassidy,” Rima added sharply, pointing to a spot below the stage, “you may stand there and wait for them to finish.”
Cassie didn’t move.
She simply looked at Rima–calm, composed, unruffled. The silence that followed made the rejection unmistakable.
“Cassie will be with me on stage.”
Zandrie’s voice was low, firm, and edged with authority as his gaze cut toward Mirriam and Rima.
“CEO Wallace,” Mirriam tried again, her charming smile strained as she angled her body to keep Cassie blocked, “only significant individuals should be on the stage for this announcement.” Her eyes flicked toward Cassie, a thinly veiled sneer slipping through.
“Cassidy is a significant individual at this event,” Zandrie replied coldly. He lifted his hand in a sharp
gesture.
“Move.”
“But-” Rima started, indignation flashing across her face.
She stopped when Zandrie turned his full attention on her. The chill in his stare was unmistakable.
“Get.Away.”
His words fell like a verdict.
Mirriam stiffened. Rima’s lips pressed into a thin line. Under the watchful eyes of Ashton, Jefferson, and the gathered guests, they had no choice but to step aside–forced to watch as Cassie, hand in hand with Zandrie, ascended the stage without a backward glance.
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“See you later,” Cassie said, her smile teasing and edged with playful defiance.
Zandrie led Cassie straight to the center of the stage, his grip firm and unyielding. A ripple of confusion swept through the crowd–whispers rising, heads turning–yet before anyone could question the move, CEO Jefferson Holt stepped into place beside Cassie with calm authority, offering neither protest nor surprise.
It was as if father and son shared an unspoken accord, Cassie’s place was there–at the center, between the two of them.
Ashton took his place beside Zandrie, yet his gaze lingered on Cassie–the lone flower standing unscathed among thorns.
While Mirriam and Rima shot daggers in Cassie’s direction, their stares sharp and venomous, heavy with disbelief and barely contained fury. Cassie acknowledged them with nothing more than a fleeting glance -cool, detached–before turning her attention to the guests before the stage, dismissing them as though they no longer existed.
“That shameless woman,” Rima hissed through clenched teeth, each word dripping with barely contained venom.
The ceremonial announcement began, polished and formal, but the Knowles family could hardly focus. Their eyes remained fixed on Cassie–who stood poised and radiant, as though she belonged there all along, quietly savoring every second of the moment.
“Knowles Corporation is now officially under the umbrella of Holt Corporation,” the spokesperson announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the grand hall.
“This strategic undertaking will propel Knowles Corporation to unprecedented heights, backed by new management and vast resources to secure its continued growth and global influence.”
A wave of applause erupted through the venue, echoing off the crystal chandeliers and polished marble
floors.
Guests rose to their feet, clapping and cheering, celebrating the monumental breakthrough that Knowles Corporation had achieved–now cemented before the eyes of Bay City’s most powerful business figures.
“And now,” the spokesperson announced, his voice resonant across the hall, “to formally seal this historic undertaking, Holt Corporation and its Board of Directors have agreed upon–and approved–a resolution to rename Knowles Corporation.”
The words landed like a thunderclap. Red Knowles, Rima, and Mirriam stiffened instantly, their expressions frozen in disbelief.
“What do you mean, ‘renaming the company,‘ CEO Holt?” Red demanded, turning sharply toward Jefferson, his voice tight with restrained fury.
“As you just heard, CEO Knowles,” Jefferson replied evenly, his tone measured but unwavering. “Under the terms of the acquisition, Holt Corporation now holds full authority over Knowles Corporation.
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