The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 197

Acting Chairman?

“Sterling, none of us is getting any younger,” Melvin said calmly. “For the sake of stability, some of us have suggested that perhaps we should formalize a contingency plan. In the event of illness… or unexpected circumstances.”

On a Friday morning, Melvin’s faction requested another emergency board meeting to advance their proposal. Sterling agreed to convene the board.

“Yes,” Jonathan Pierce said next. “Especially with the recent scandal with Silas—”

“But that is not true,” Sterling said. “We are prepared to countersue Janice Bennet for slander.”

“Of course,” Ethan Rowe said. “We believe Silas, but what we are trying to say is, if anything happens to you—if you get sick—who will lead the board?”

The other board members looked at each other. Richard Halston said, “Should that ever happen, we just follow the rules and take a vote—”

“But we have to take into consideration the major shareholders, and that will take time,” Miriam commented. “If Sterling is just unwell, we don’t even need to cast a vote. We just need him to be represented.”

“Sterling, what we are suggesting is that someone can temporarily take over within the board—take control in case anything happens to you,” Graham Whitlock said. “While you recuperate, or, God forbid, the situation calls for a new board chairman.”

“Of course, we know who that will be,” Miriam said, smiling at Melvin’s suggestion. “If you could trust anyone, it would be family, right?”

“And it will just be a temporary appointment—just in case,” Ethan added.

“Well, that does make sense,” Dominic Hale, another board member, said.

“It doesn’t have to be me,” Melvin added before motioning to someone else. “It could be Mr. Whitlock.”

Melvin immediately saw the frown on Sterling’s face. He knew Sterling would never consider handing the chairmanship to someone like Graham Whitlock, given how much he had opposed Serena and Silas recently.

“Or Jonathan,” Melvin suggested.

Mr. Jonathan Pierce was a very wealthy man, but in reality, his money came mostly from investments. He had very little experience in running a company, so Melvin knew Sterling would not choose him either.

“Do the rest of you agree?” Sterling asked the other board members.

There were ten members on the board, though board seats were not determined solely by share size. Silas owned the second-largest stake after Sterling, but governance rules kept the board separate from executive leadership for the sake of transparency.

Melvin stared at the board members who refused to join him.

They looked clueless about his plans.

Some clearly saw the logic and reason behind it.

“I guess it’s alright,” Isabelle Grant said. She was a friend of Celine’s side of the family. Even she didn’t see through Melvin’s plans.

“Shall we take a vote to appoint an Acting Chairman in the event of temporary incapacity?” Melvin suggested.

Everyone agreed, and as expected, Melvin was voted in as Sterling’s Acting Chairman, with the appointment activating only when necessary.

For a second, a look of disappointment seemed to flash in Sterling’s eyes.

‘What was that?’ Melvin thought, but Sterling eventually smiled and flipped through the pages.

Sterling was about to affix his signature when he paused. Again, he stared at Melvin, his mouth opening. Then Sterling shut his mouth again, shaking his head.

‘I guess he is hesitating because he’s old,’ Melvin thought. ‘Because he’s afraid. Because he knows I’ve outgrown him.’

But to his shock—

“I won’t sign this.” Sterling stood up. “I won’t give you—”

Sterling pointed to Melvin, then to his group. “Or you, and you, the satisfaction of taking over the company my family has worked so hard to build!”

Melvin’s face paled, his heart pounding. “Sterling, what are you trying to say?”

Without warning, Sterling grabbed Melvin’s coat and pulled him closer. “I’m saying it’s over for you, Melvin. We have all the evidence we need to keep you locked up for Serena’s kidnapping—on both occasions—corporate espionage, and even conspiracy to commit murder!”

“What?” Melvin gulped.

Before Sterling could say more, the doors to the conference room burst open, and soldiers rushed in with Nathaniel Thorne and the rest of the Vanders.

“Melvin Vander, we have a warrant for your arrest!”