The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 318

But the veteran businessmen in the room aren't buying it.

One of the shareholders sneers, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Jake, those empty promises don't inspire much confidence. How long has it been? The problems aren't solved, the Dennis Group's reputation is in the gutter, and our stock has been bleeding out for over a month! You want more time? Until when? Until we're bankrupt?"

A chorus of agreement ripples through the room, followed by overlapping voices of doubt and anger.

A fine layer of sweat breaks out on Jake's forehead. He forces a calm facade. "Everyone, this is only a temporary setback. I—"

Before he can finish, another shareholder slams his hand on the table and stands up. "Stop feeding us fairy tales! We want concrete results! If we let you keep dragging this out, you're going to drag the entire Dennis Group down with you. Honestly, you're entirely unfit to be the successor. You haven't accomplished a single thing of value, and all you do is create messes. You're not even half the businesswoman Tara is!"

The mention of Tara drops the temperature in the room. Being openly compared to his biological sister—and found lacking—turns Jake's face a sickly shade of pale.

He has heard the whispers. He knows there is a faction pushing to replace him with Tara as the heir. But those were always shadows, backroom gossip that no one dared speak aloud. For them to throw it in his face during a formal board meeting means their disappointment in him has hit an absolute breaking point.

Charles has always been wary of him, but Nathaniel is diligent, deeply loyal, and has never made a single misstep. Sabotaging him is nearly impossible.

Nathaniel isn't one for idle gossip. When he speaks, it carries immense weight. So, his open endorsement of Tara sends a shockwave of surprise through the room.

However, the most elite shareholders aren't shocked at all. They know that Cian always favored Tara, going so far as to leave her thirty percent of the company's shares. Even though Tara never attends these meetings, her status as a major shareholder is an undeniable fact.