Chapter 716
Chapter 716
The room fell silent and people were all shocked. Ms. Ashbourne’smanding presence sent shivers
down everyors was as if Chairman Ashbourne had returned spine it
Bevis fidgeted nervously under the table, but then, with a face as red as a beetroot, he shot to his feet
and challenged Evadne. “Evadne! Just because your dad was the chairman and you’re the CEO
doesn’t give you the right to fire me! You think this boardroom is your personal yground? You’re way
out of line! You can’t dismiss me without a board vote!”
It was clear cs day, he was retaliating against Evadne’s previous jab about thepany being his
personal piggy bank. Old Bevis sure was petty!
With a scoff, Evadne retorted, “Well, you’re absolutely right. And that’s exactly why we’re having this
meeting about you, isn’t it?” Gabriel and Bevis had shared interests; the former had stakes in those two
restaurants; he couldn’t afford to let his ally fall. So he spoke up in defense, “Ms. Ashbourne.”
“It’s President Ashbourne,” Jason fixed his sharp gaze on Gabriel.
Gabriel, taken aback, corrected himself with a softer voice, “President Ashbourne, Director Ashbourne
has made significant contributions to thepany over the years. We’ve all seen it. And he’s your
uncle, your father’s own brother, a legitimate member of the Ashbourne family. This issue isn’t that
serious, and since Chairman Ashbourne settled the ount, it indicates he didn’t want to pursue it.
Besides, leaking this out could tarnish not just thepany’s reputation but also that of the Ashbourne
family!”
Evadne smirked dismissively at his words, “Not that serious? Then, Gabriel, perhaps you’d like to pay
the five million on his behalf.”
Gabriel’s face turned ashen.
“The only reason I’m merely removing him from his position is exactly because he’s my father’s brother.
If I didn’t, the person talking to him right now would be the police.”
The smile on Evadne’s rosy lips faded, “As for the reputation of the Ashbourne family, that’s none of
your concern. By acting on behalf of my father and thepany to clean house, anyone with a
conscience and eyes to see will know I’m doing the right thing. They’ll see that the leadership of the K
Group is upright and not afraid to act against its own when necessary. If everyone here wishes for the
The room was dead silent.
Gabriel’s face turned from ck to green as Evadne’s words implied he was both corrupt and blind.
“Only you can’t make this decision!” Bevis clung to hisst card, invoking Emeric’s name in desperate
deflection, “I’m calling my brother! I need to see him! Your words mean nothing!”
Before Bevis could finish, Jason’s eyes zed with fury, and though his voice was not loud, it carried
an undeniable authority, “Director Ashbourne, this is the boardroom! Your antics are out of line!
Moreover, in Chairman Ashbourne’s absence due to illness, President Ashbourne has the special
privilege to preside over meetings and make crucial corporate decisions. Everything is done by the
book. Are you defying Chairman Ashbourne’s decisions, or do you simply disregard President
Ashbourne?”
“You’re just a secretary; how dare you raise your voice to me!” Bevis fiercely pointed at Jason’s face,
looking desperate and dangerous.
There was zero sign of grace apany’s executive from a renowned family remained. The venomous
look was pretty much like one from a gangster.
“You, a disloyal and deceitful schemer, have no ce before my father, lest you taint his sight,” Evadne
turned her chair away the table, dismissing Bevis without a nce – her ultimate sign of contempt.
“Who’s disloyal?”
“The video of my father’s episode during the meeting was leaked by you, wasn’t it?” She went straight
for the jugr, no time for nonsense.
The board members gasped, and their gazes becameplex.
Bevis felt his heart sink; his face turned pale, “On what grounds do you suspect me? What does that
have to do with me?!”
“Everyone present when my father fell ill is here today. Not one more, not one less. They all signed
confidentiality agreements.”
Evadne’s voice was as cold as ice, “Whoever leaked the information not only faces a heavy fine for
breach of contract but will also be expelled from the board and stripped of all positions within the K
Group. We all know this, and nobody would risk their annual bonuses just for augh at my father’s
expense.”
Beve felt his heart pounding in his chest. They a knew about the confidentiality agreement, and not one
person including Gabriel had warned hire
“At the time you were the only director who didn’t sign the agreement Plus, the footage came from our
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
security cameras, which only our own people could ess, anyone not from thispany can’t even
meddle in staring caffously at that old man, Jas continue presenting the evidence
Bevis was in a fit of rage and fear. “There are thousands of employees in this building alone! Plenty of
people have ess to the security room! You’re just trying to pin this on me!”
Evadne let out a half–smile, shaking her head, “Actually, if you had uploaded the video from a public
perhaps due to your old age, you’re not so familiar with these modern methods. You used your own
your daughter for advice. Such stubbornness and arrogance are indeed characteristic of you, Uncle
Bevis.*
Talked about a killing rage!
The room couldn’t help but snicker, the way they gazed at Bevis as if they were looking at an idiot.
Bevis, flustered and furious, face contorted, body shaking, was on the verge of copse, “You’re
spouting nonsense!”
“Jason, once this meeting wraps up, hand over the evidence I’ve collected to the police. Let them run a
quick trace on the video upload path and the IP address, and the truth will reveal itself like day follows
night.”
“No, please, no!” Bevis blurted out in panic, beads of sweat dotting his forehead like morning dew!
In that moment, his face went stiff as if he’d been struck by lightning! Admission of guilt couldn’t have
been clearer.
“Good Lord. Blood should bond, not lead to a brawl. To think he’d do something so treacherously
cutthroat to his own flesh and blood, that’s just low.”
“Tell me about it. Best keep our distance from Bevis in the future. If he can scheme against his own
brother, what’s to stop him from double–crossing us?”
Whispers filled the room like a restless wind. At the very least, Bevis‘ reputation in the K Group had
sunk lower than a snake’s belly.
“Let’s proceed with the vote.”
Evadne slowly swiveled her chair back around, sweeping her gaze over the crowd with an air of
nonchnt authority, “All in favor of stripping Bevis of his roles as president and managing director,
raise your hand.”
Then, she lifted her delicate hand. Next second, every hand shot up as if on cue, Gabriel’s rising the
quickest.
Bevis gripped the edge of the table, his arms trembling, eyes locked on Evadne’s with a mix of fury and
disbelief!
He had schemed with a few directors to use this board meeting to oppose Evadne’s presidency and,
leveraging their collective power, to dethrone her and take the reins himself. He had promised them the
moon and the stars, but now, all he had was a one–way ticket to Palookaville.
Evadne was really cold as ice, ruthless as a storm!
“I hereby dere that, effective immediately, Mr. Bevis Ashbourne has no further association with the K
Group.”
Evadne’s clear eyes were as icy as a winter’ske, “Mr. Cassius Ashbourne still holds a small share, so
just sit back and enjoy the dividends. As for thepany’s affairs, you’re off the hook. For the good of
the other directors and to protect our interests, we can’t employ someone with such a shattered
reputation like you.”
Bevis felt a dark cloud descend over him, clutching his chest as if he was about to cough up a lung!
“Now, on to thest item of today’s agenda,”
Evadne’s voice was calm and unhurried, faint smile dancing at her lips, “It’s time to nominate the new
vice–chairman for the K Group board. I hold two votes, one in my father Chairman Ashbourne’s stead,
and my own. If anyone has a nomination, feel free to speak up, and Mr. Dempsey will tally the votes.
Self–nominations are also wee.”
The room fell quiet once more. Eyes darted around until an older director took the lead; smiling, he
uttered with a courteous and respectful tone, “We all back President Ashbourne. From now on, we
follow your lead.”
Nods and murmurs of agreement followed. With Bevis out of the picture, the rest of the meeting flowed
smoother than a greased whistle.
After wrapping up the major three items, Evadne rose gracefully, smiling, “Thank you all for taking the
time to attend this meeting. I look forward to a pleasant coboration and a brighter future for the K
Group. I won’t take up any more of your precious time. This meeting is adjourned.”
With that. Evadne strode out of the room, her presence asmanding as a queen’s, Jason following
close behind
Suddenly, she paused behind Bevis again, her razor–sharp stilettos pivoting as she leaned in to
whisper in his ear with a chilly mockery. “A blunt de and a skinny horse won’t win you the race, what
makes you think you canpete with me?”
Bevis trembled with rage, his hands shaking uncontrobly.
“Uncle Bevis, if you find a quiet corner to live out your days, I won’te after you. But if you dare
cook up any more schemes, next time it won’t just be getting kicked out of the K Group.”
“Ms. Ashbourne! You were absolutely smashing today! Did you see the look on Bevis‘ face?”
On their way back to the CEO’s office, Jason was buzzing with excitement, his eyes gleaming,
bbering on, “Like a rotten peach at a summer fruit stall swarmed by flies, it was priceless!”
“Did Bevis really think he could stop me from taking my rightful ce with a few pawns? Does he think I
am so easily bullied?” Evadne marched on, “I’ll make him pay back everything he owes us, with
interest.”
“But there’s one thing I don’t understand. If you had evidence of Bevis framing Chairman Ashbourne,
why not just hand it to the cops and let them handle it? Lock him up for a few weeks.”
“First off, detention won’t solve the root problem and would only bring more unwanted attention to
Emeric, causing him further harm.”
Evadne’s charming eyes were stormy, “Secondly, to hit it where it hurts most. Bevis‘ core part is here at
the K Group. He’s been parading around as Emeric’s brother, as a director of the K Group, getting up
to all sorts of mischief. Emeric has turned a blind eye, out of brotherly love, but I won’t stand for it. My
eyes won’t tolerate a speck of dust, let alone such tant fraud!”
Though Jason felt exasperated after hearing that, he still couldn’t help butugh secretly. Reaching the
office door, Evadne pushed it open while Jason stayed outside, knowing his ce.
“Thaddeus?!”
Evadne’s eyes widened, her heart pounding as she took in the sight of the striking Thaddeus standing
in the center of the office with a massive bouquet of vibrant red roses.
999 roses to be exact.
“Ms. Ashbourne, you look radiant. I take it the board meeting went well?”
He plucked the most brilliant rose from the bunch, his eyes twinkling like stars, and approached her.
Dropping to one knee, he offered her the rose, his voice husky and trembling slightly, “You’ve done a
lot, my dear wife. Here’s a small gift for you. Please, don’t dismiss it.”
Evadne, cheeks tinged with red, reached out to touch the rose, teasingly remarking as she pretended
to be calm, “Mr. Abernathy, you have good taste. They’re quite beautiful.”
Suddenly, her wrist was in his firm grasp. Thaddeus stood up, his hand supporting her slender waist,
and he leaned forward to gently nip at her tempting lips. Soft and jelly–like, as enticing as strawberry
fudge.
“No rose canpare to your beauty.”