The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1444

Queen Julia's speech had just concluded, and there was an instant silence in the audience. Following that, thunderous applause erupted. The blessings kept coming in waves.
Ava swayed a bit, nearly tumbling over.
"Watch out." Cole was by her side and helped her steady.
Just as Ava steadied herself, her face had turned pale. Barbara didn't look any better, but compared to Ava's panic, she was more filled with anger and unwillingness. The wine glass in her hand was unconsciously crushed, the liquid trickling down her hand onto her dress hem, but she remained oblivious.
Chloe was the real princess?! Then what about her?! She had spent so much time and effort proving she was worthy of being a princess, only to see the title so easily given to someone else?
She had been seeking a princess coronation, but now, she had nothing.
Now the Queen was going to hold a grand ceremony for this woman who just appeared out of nowhere? What did her efforts over these years amount to?
The applause and blessings around Barbara felt like a mockery of her hard work over the years, like everything that she had ever done was in vain.
…
Wendy, who had been kicked out of the banquet hall, heard the Queen's clear voice and the expression on her face was indescribable.
A princess coronation!
Why did Chloe… why did she still have to outshine her in the end, why couldn’t Chloe just drop dead?!
"You're all a bunch of idiots, falling for such a cheap trick. What princess, the princess is long dead, where did this real princess come from, a bunch of fools…"
The guards didn't understand what Wendy was saying; they just looked at her like she was insane.
The news of Queen Julia preparing to host the princess coronation ceremony for Chloe had resulted in all the reporters present actively documenting this significant event. They believed that this would cause quite a stir internationally.
Chloe stared at Queen Julia in surprise, her eyes widened open for a few seconds before she slowly asked, "Why all of a sudden…"
Queen Julia patted her hand, "How can it be sudden? I owe you all this. Chloe, rest assured, I will give you and Jasmine all I have in my life."
Chloe wanted to refuse, but Queen Julia just shook her head with a smile, "Let it be a fulfillment of my wish."
In the end, Chloe didn't say anything else.
As the banquet came to a close, reporters began sending this explosive news back to their respective magazine offices and companies. Magazine editors promptly assigned staff to write articles, aiming to release the news as quickly as possible.
At this time, it was 9:30 in the morning in P City.
The double doors of the conference room were open, and the directors and senior executives of the Harper Group walked in one after another. People were whispering, constantly sighing and shaking their heads.
"I really don't understand Presley's intention. Why did he bet on the Alonso family?"
"Alas, Mr. Harper has a significant cooperation on hand. If it succeeds, the Harper family will far surpass the Alonso family."
"Do you still not understand? Presley is looking at the future. If Mr. Harper can get together with Ms. Wendy, he can easily bring the Alonso family under his control. Isn't there anything easier and cheaper than this?"
"That's true. If he can get the Alonso family, it's worth it…"
"But even if he gets the Alonso family, so what? I'm afraid that the situation now is irreversible."
Several directors sighed and shook their heads again, feeling regret and helplessness about the situation they could foresee. However, there were also those who seized the opportunity. Now that Robin was about to take over as chairman, naturally there were a few directors leaning towards him. Compared to the worried faces of the other directors, these people appeared much more relaxed. This included Percy.
Although he was unwilling to see Robin take the chairman's seat, compared to Damon, he was more accepting of the current situation.
At the very least, Damon's actions in the past, when he didn't come to the aid of Ivan, his son, because of Chloe, had long fueled Ivan's resentment towards Damon.
Seeing that Damon was about to lose not only the right to succeed as chairman of the Harper family due to Chloe, but also his current position as CEO, how could Percy not be pleased?
Reading the news in his hand that Chloe had been exposed as a fraud at the Y Country's state banquet, he couldn't help but feel elated. "What goes around comes around, it's just a matter of time…"
As soon as Percy spoke, everyone's eyes turned to him.
"All these years, Mr. Harper's ability is there for all to see. Are you just going to watch him fall from grace? Can't you temporarily give him your shares to help him through this crisis?"
Percy scoffed as if he'd heard a joke, "Damon's quite capable. If he needed me, he would have come to me already. Why would he need you worrying about him?"
Why would he help Damon when he was happy about his downfall?
At this point, several people stood up from their seats. Everyone looked over to see Robin and Presley entering the conference room together.
The conference room fell into complete silence as Presley walked in, expressionless, lips tightly sealed, and his gaze exuding authority. He took his seat at the head of the table, surveyed the room briefly, and let out a cold, disdainful grunt.
Everyone shut their mouths, no one daring to speak.
The meeting was about to start. Even though Presley was here, Damon was still absent; no wonder Presley looked unhappy.
"Let's start." Presley said without mercy, clearly not planning to give Damon any opportunity.
"Mr. Damon hasn't arrived yet…"
Percy tossed the magazine he was holding onto the table, chuckling as he said, "Does it really matter if he comes or not? What's he gonna do if he does come? Just make a fool of himself, that's all. It's better if he doesn't come. He's pretty sharp. He sure knows this better than anyone..."
"Of course, I should be here in person to hear the outcome. Otherwise, if this matter gets out, it would make me look like I lack responsibility, wouldn't it? I have a reputation to uphold, and I certainly cannot tarnish it at a time like this." Before Percy could finish his sentence, Damon's indifferent voice chimed in.