The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397

Aria’s POV

The Four Seasons conference room fell silent three days after the press conference. William had resigned in disgrace, Victoria was in

police custody, and I’d officially taken control of the thirty percent Harper Group shares my mother left me. But the real challenge was just beginning–I had to prove myself to a boardroom full of skeptical executives who saw me as nothing more than a twenty–four–year-

old inheritor playing at business.

Devon sat beside me in the back of his Bentley as Marcus navigated through Manhattan traffic toward Harper Group headquarters. His

hand rested on my knee, thumb tracing absent circles that should have been comforting but only reminded me how much I’d come to

depend on these small gestures,

“They’re going to question everything,” I said, staring at my reflection in the tinted window. The woman looking back wore a charcoal suit and my mother’s pearl necklace–armor for the battle ahead. “My experience, my qualifications, my right to even be in that room,”

“Let them.” Devon’s voice carried that edge of steel I’d learned meant he was already three steps ahead. “That’s why I’ll be there. Not to fight your battles, but to remind them that dismissing you means dismissing Kane Technology’s investment.”

I turned to look at him. “You bought enough shares to attend board meetings?”

1 bought enough shares to make sure you’re not outnumbered.” His gray eyes met mine. “Consider it a wedding gift.

The elevator to the executive floor moved too fast and too slow at once. My stomach churned–morning sickness had evolved into all–day

nausea that I’d learned to hide behind careful breathing and strategic timing. The baby was still our secret, a truth I kept close like the

key my mother had left me.

The boardroom stretched before us, mahogany and glass, power and judgment. Twelve directors sat around the table, their faces ranging

from openly hostile to carefully neutral. I recognized most of them–Richard Lawson, who’d worked with my father for twenty years;

Patricia Chen, the venture capitalist who’d pushed for digital expansion; others whose names I’d memorized from annual reports but

whose loyalty remained uncertain.

I took my mother’s seat at the head of the table. Devon settled into the chair beside me, his presence a statement all its own.

“Mrs. K Kane.” Richard Lawson’s voice carried across the room, polite but weighted. “While we acknowledge the legal validity of your

share

Inheritance, Harper Group is a two–billion–dollar media conglomerate, Forgive my directness, but you’ve spent the last two years running

a boutique marketing firm. Do you truly believe you’re qualified to participate in strategic decisions at this level?”

Several heads nodded. I’d expected this–the dismissal wrapped in corporate courtesy.

I opened the folder before me with steady hands. “Mr. Lawson, I understand your concern. But perhaps you should review this report.” I slid copies down the table. “Over the past two years, Stellar Impressions achieved a hundred and fifty percent growth rate. We service three Fortune 500 brands, with client retention at ninety–three percent. My mother didn’t leave me these shares solely because I’m her daughter. She left them because she believed I could honor her vision for this company.”

1/2

19:48 Fri, Jan 16

Chapter 397

I paused, meeting each director’s eyes in turn. “Elizabeth Harper hullt this company on innovation and integrity. I intend to do the same.

Patricia Chen leaned forward, designer glasses catching the light. “Innovation and integrity don’t address our immediate crisis, Mrs. Kane. Since the press conference, Harper Group’s stock has dropped eighteen percent. Multiple advertising clients have suspended contracts. What’s your solution?”

The room went quiet. This was the test–not my credentials, but my ability to navigate the wreckage my revelations had caused.

Comments

LIKE

Write Comments

<SHARE

2/2