Just moments ago, Theodore Lancaster had been surrounded by a bustling crowd, but now the space around him was deserted.
The moment they heard Nathaniel Sloan had arrived, everyone subconsciously shifted their positions.
Nathaniel Sloan had founded Evernight International on his own and rarely came to the Sloan Group. This meant the Sloan Group’s shareholders never had a chance to curry favor with him. Now was their golden opportunity—Mr. Sloan was here!
The smile on Laura Jennings’s face vanished, replaced by a grim expression. "Does Nathaniel have any sense at all? All he knows is how to steal Theodore’s thunder!"
Yvonne Lancaster was also fuming. "Dad! Look at that illegitimate son! He’s so ungrateful!"
Old Mr. Lancaster’s expression soured as well, but compared to his daughter, he was far calmer. "That’s enough. What’s with all this fuss? It’s just a fleeting moment in the spotlight. What’s there to be afraid of?"
Old Mr. Lancaster turned his head. "Theodore, you are the one who will inherit the Sloan Family in the future. There’s no need to compare yourself to some petty clown, understand?"
Theodore Lancaster smiled gently. "Of course, I understand."
Yvonne Lancaster huffed, still not satisfied.
’Why does Nathaniel Sloan always get all the attention? Why are all these people scrambling to get on his good side?’
’It’s just like back then, when all eyes were on Miranda Lancaster, simply because she was the eldest daughter of the Lancaster Family, the legitimate, true-born heir!’
’But now, Nathaniel Sloan is nothing more than an illegitimate son. How can he be so shameless?!’
Suddenly, an idea struck Yvonne Lancaster, and a flicker of calculation appeared in her eyes...
’That’s right. Nathaniel Sloan is an illegitimate son. Nothing anyone does can change that fact.’
’Haha, if Miranda could see this from beyond the grave, she’d probably be in agony, wouldn’t she?’
’But there’s nothing to be done. Dead men tell no tales, after all. The living are the real winners.’
Across the crowd, Estelle Lockwood exchanged a look with Nathaniel Sloan. Without a word, she found her seat and sat down.
"Everyone." Suddenly, Ethan Sloan’s voice rang out from the stage.
"I’m sure you all already know Theodore’s identity. That’s right, he is my and Miranda Lancaster’s son."
"The Sloan Group today owes a great deal to the Lancaster Family’s help. Without the Lancaster Family, the Sloan Group wouldn’t be where it is today. Therefore, the position of heir to the Sloan Group should rightfully belong to Theodore."
"However, I was previously unaware of Theodore’s existence, so I entrusted this heavy responsibility to Nathaniel. But now, Theodore has returned!"
Having finally welcomed back his most beloved son, Ethan Sloan was in high spirits. "My father-in-law raised Miranda’s child, and I am grateful for the Lancaster Family’s help. Therefore, today, I announce—"
"I am officially naming Theodore as my heir, and I will be gifting him twenty percent of the company’s shares!"
A tremor went through the room as the shareholders’ eyes widened in shock.
Twenty percent of the shares! The right of succession!
Ethan Sloan’s speech was impassioned, but it landed like a dud in the deep sea—there was no response.
The attendees looked at each other, their gazes inevitably drifting toward Nathaniel Sloan.
One shareholder frowned in disapproval. "Chairman Sloan, the return of your and Miss Lancaster’s son is indeed a joyous occasion, but perhaps the matter of succession requires a bit more deliberation..."
"Indeed. For years, we have all implicitly considered Mr. Sloan to be the next chairman. For you to suddenly change your mind, I’m afraid..."
Although everyone wanted to curry favor with the Lancaster Group, business was business, and interests came first. Moreover, as shareholders, the success or failure of the Sloan Group directly affected how much money they could make.
What had Theodore Lancaster accomplished over the years? No one knew. But Nathaniel Sloan’s achievements were tangible and laid bare for all to see. The choice was obvious.
But Ethan Sloan just gave a helpless smile. "I don’t deny Nathaniel’s talent, but Nathaniel has to manage Evernight International. His focus isn’t on the Sloan Group, which has led him to make erroneous decisions."
"As his father, I don’t want to see Nathaniel so overworked. It just so happens that Theodore has returned. Shareholders, please rest assured, Theodore will not let you down."
Laura Jennings quickly shot a look in a certain direction.
The shareholder who received the signal deliberately frowned. "It’s true, Mr. Sloan has made too many mistakes recently. For example, that plot of land in Sorhaven—he failed to secure it... Sigh! The Sloan Group had already made plans for that land. Our losses are going to be significant!"
Estelle Lockwood clicked her tongue and rested her chin on her hand. ’Just as Nathaniel predicted,’ she thought. ’The Sloan Family is going to use that land to make their case.’
Hearing that their own interests were at risk, the shareholders immediately grew restless.
"What?! Mr. Sloan didn’t secure that land?"
"Then-then what about the Sloan Group? Are all our preliminary investments going to go down the drain?"
"Who has that land now? I remember it was auctioned off a few days ago. Nathaniel, didn’t you know how important that land was?" someone asked, their tone laced with complaint.
Estelle Lockwood was stunned by their shamelessness.
’If Nathaniel Sloan had actually won the bid for that land, were they really expecting him to use his own money for the Sloan Group’s benefit?’
But the most shameless part was yet to come.
Ethan Sloan smiled and shook his head, then said with emotion:
"Everyone, there’s no need to worry. That land is now in Theodore’s hands! That boy, Theodore, he just likes to get things done and has great foresight. That’s why, when Nathaniel thought it was too expensive and gave up, Theodore persisted."
"Because Theodore knew that the benefits of buying that land were innumerable. How could one give up on that just to pinch pennies?"
"It is also for this reason that I feel Nathaniel is not suited to be the heir of the Sloan Group. After all, he lacks Theodore’s vision and methods. I am doing this for the good of the Sloan Group!"
Only then did Old Mr. Lancaster speak up. "As you all know, my eldest daughter, Miranda Lancaster, was quite talented in business. Theodore is her son. He can do even better."
The shareholders could barely process the reversal.
Just a moment ago, they thought the land was lost, their initial investments would go down the drain, and they would suffer losses.
But now they learned that the land was in Theodore Lancaster’s hands, and their capital was safe!
The same shareholders who had been fawning over Nathaniel Sloan moments before immediately turned to Theodore Lancaster. "I never imagined Young Mr. Lancaster had such courage! The apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree!"
"I fully agree with making Young Mr. Lancaster the heir. He has my vote."
"Sigh, Nathaniel, it’s not that we uncles don’t trust you, but this mistake of yours was just too outrageous..."
Yvonne Lancaster beamed, casting a smug glance at Nathaniel Sloan.
’Now, Theodore is the heir to the Sloan Group. Once that land is developed, who will be able to stand in his way?’
’As for Nathaniel Sloan, that "illegitimate son" who made such a disastrous decision, what right does he have to even show his face in the world!’
Laura Jennings’s eyes darted around before she suddenly spoke up. "Ethan, I must apologize to everyone. As Nathaniel’s biological mother, I failed to teach him properly, which is why he has become so arrogant and reckless..."
"How is this your fault? Haven’t you given enough over the years?"
Ethan Sloan’s brows furrowed as he glared at Nathaniel Sloan with disgust. "Nathaniel, giving up that land nearly brought disaster upon the Sloan Group. Do you admit you were wrong or not!"
In an instant, all eyes in the conference hall focused on Nathaniel Sloan.
Old Mr. Lancaster scrutinized him, Yvonne Lancaster scorned him, Laura Jennings hated him, and Ethan Sloan, for Theodore’s sake, was determined to force him to admit his ’mistake’.
’Admit he was wrong?’
Nathaniel Sloan glanced at the time and a faint smile touched his lips.
’Someone certainly needs to admit they’re wrong,’ he thought, ’but it’s definitely not me.’
Rage surged in Ethan Sloan’s heart. "I’m asking you a question! Do you even have any respect for me?!"
TICK. DING—
The clock in the conference room struck ten o’clock sharp.
"Chairman Sloan, Chairman Sloan!"
Just then, the conference room doors were pushed open in a hurry, and someone rushed in, completely out of breath.