Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 305

“Did something go wrong after we left last night?” Director landers frowned, tapping his fingers anxiously on the mahogany table. “This family drama... do you think Pierce was forcibly ousted from the company?”

“Watch your mouth! Do you know who Pierce is? The Sterling Group's entire empire rests squarely on his shoulders. If he's forced out, the whole company will collapse!”

The room murmured in agreement. Pierce's aggressive leadership had propelled the Sterling Group to its current unrivaled dominance. He personally controlled all the core resources and partnerships. If he was sidelined, the Sterling Group would essentially be cutting off its own arms.

The frantic whispering grew louder as pure panic rippled through the boardroom.

“Silence!”

A hoarse but overwhelmingly commanding shout instantly killed the noise.

The shareholders tensed and looked toward the door. Arthur strode in, leaning heavily on his carved cane, his footsteps slow but deliberate. The board members exchanged terrified glances—the patriarch, who had retired years ago, suddenly showing up only made the situation feel incredibly ominous.

Arthur took the head seat. His cloudy but piercing eyes swept across the room, projecting his absolute authority.

“Listen well. I am here today to announce two things.” Arthur's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a crushing weight. “First, Pierce is suffering from severe health issues and can no longer manage the company's affairs. He will not be making any public appearances for the foreseeable future.”

The room drained of color.

Their absolute worst nightmare was true—Pierce really had been ousted! 'Health issues' was nothing more than a pathetic cover story for a corporate coup.

“Arthur, this is unacceptable!” Director Landers shot to his feet, his tone desperate. “Pierce has bled for this company for years, and his track record is undeniable. The entire staff views him as our pillar. If he suddenly vanishes, what will the employees think? How will the market react?”

He demanded a legitimate explanation, not this blatant lie.

Arthur narrowed his eyes, staring coldly at the director. “Pierce has exhausted himself for years. Does he not have the right to rest? Or are you suggesting Pierce is permanently abandoning the Sterling Group?”

“That's not what I meant. I just think... without him, the company...”

“Are you saying the company can't function without Pierce?!” Arthur slammed his hand on the table, roaring in fury. “You absolute parasites! No wonder Pierce worked himself to the bone—it's because of useless executives like you who do nothing but collect a paycheck!”

Under the sheer force of his wrath, the board members bowed their heads in terrified silence. They had gotten so used to coasting under Pierce's protection that they had entirely lost their survival instincts.

“Letting Pierce take a long vacation will force all of you to wake up. Stop expecting him to handle everything.” Though Arthur's logic was heavily twisted, it successfully shut them up.

He paused, sweeping his gaze over the panicked faces before dropping the second bomb.

Silas stormed in, radiating sheer malice. He marched straight up to the shareholder who had yelled the loudest, shoved him out of his chair, and aggressively sat down.

“Object? None of you have the right to object.”

He scoffed coldly, arrogantly kicking his feet up onto the polished conference table, aiming the soles of his shoes right at their faces. “Because as long as Pierce isn't here, I am the majority shareholder of this company.”

Arthur watched his arrogant son with complicated emotions, his mind flashing back to the completely unhinged gamble they had made in private last night.

— “Arthur, make a bet with me. Just let me run the company, and I will prove I am better than Pierce!” Silas's eyes had gleamed with desperate madness. “If I fail, I will personally kneel before Percival and spend the rest of my life repenting!”

Perhaps out of a momentary lapse of weakness, or perhaps to force his arrogant son to finally face reality, Arthur had agreed.

Tap. Tap.

Arthur knocked his knuckles against the table. The sharp sound acted like a gavel, instantly killing the commotion.

With a completely blank expression, he announced, “The decision is final. Starting right now, Silas is the Acting CEO of the Sterling Group.”