Chapter 118: Taken Away Along with the Person

"How could this happen?" Alessia said in disbelief, unable to accept it.

On the other hand, Lennox glanced at them before dismissing the matter entirely.

Things had come this far; there was no one Alessia could save.

Even with the general manager's seal, the shares hadn't been called in yet.

Once at the Public Security Office, they could easily force her hand. If she dared not comply, she'd face the consequences.

"As everyone is probably aware, last night, lawyers from the North State Group approached me," Lennox said with a smile, invigorated. "After negotiations, they believe the White Group has great potential and offered a substantial amount of funding to acquire forty-nine percent of the group's shares, becoming our company's top shareholder. With this money, Nicholas amounts to nothing."

Members of the White family's board were all elated upon hearing this. They had heard about it, but now that the chairman had personally confirmed it, there was no doubt.

They weren't worried about the North State Group owning such a high percentage of shares, believing they could cause no trouble.

After all, the remaining shares were in the directors' hands. Together, they held fifty-one percent of the shares, just enough for them to maintain the upper hand over the North State Group, ensuring that the White family still had actual control of the White Group.

That was Lennox's bottom line; he was only willing to give away forty-nine percent of the shares, not a single share more.

In truth, if not for the immense threat from Nicholas, he wouldn't have given up any shares at all, but he had no choice.

Fearing that the North State Group might be controlled by Nicholas, he even had it specially investigated; making sure that this substantial, funding-rich top shareholder was indeed independent of Nicholas's influence.

"I've heard that there has been constant warfare in North State, and only in recent years has there been a slow return to peace. This North State military unit could very well be involved in arms trafficking, having so much money isn't surprising."

Lennox smiled to himself, while a courteous smile appeared on his face, "Next, we welcome Mr. Ford to speak."

The door to the guest lounge on the other side of the conference room opened, and a handsome young man in a sharp suit walked out.

"Look at that, now that's a true young talent!" Lennox exclaimed, "Not like some low life, who was kicked out of his own family and is still fooling around with a woman he once assaulted."

"That's right, Mr. Ford is extraordinarily handsome," Fabio said, rising from his seat with a flattering smile, trying to shake hands with the young man. But the young man didn't even glance at him, walking straight past.

Fabio stiffened momentarily, a flash of annoyance crossing his face, but still pretending nothing happened, he hurried over and pulled out a chair: "Sir, please take a seat."

On the other side, Alessia caught sight of Mr. Ford's face and was taken aback, finding him very familiar. The more she observed him, the stronger her suspicion grew that she had seen this young man when she first met Henry, could it be… could his name be Stefano?

She suddenly looked up at Henry, but found that Henry had no particular reaction, as if he had anticipated this, a smile still playing on his lips.

"The agreement was reached last night, we've acquired a stake in your company, and now, I have an announcement to make," Stefano said without mincing words, getting straight to the point, "I propose a change of the company's chairman!"

"What?" Everyone was shocked, Lennox stood up instantly, almost unable to believe his ears.

To replace himself?

Lennox felt a sense of absurdity in his heart, unsure what North State was plotting.

"Fortunately, I have kept a card up my sleeve." He sneered: "Mr. Ford, you may be the primary shareholder, but you're not the sole one, to replace me, you'll need a vote from all the shareholders!"

The shareholding of the White family was going to overpower that of North State; the outcome of the vote was already determined, his position as chairman was unquestionable.

"Then let's vote," Stefano smiled, nonchalantly, "It's up to you."

"Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention, " Stefano continued, "Replacing Lennox naturally means a new chairman would take over, and the person I recommend is Miss Alessia."

Hearing this, Alessia looked towards Stefano and noticed he nodded at her with an affable demeanor – a stark contrast to how he behaved with the other members of the White family.

"Trouble!" Lennox only now remembered this detail: indeed, the White family's shares totaled fifty-one percent, but two percent of that was tied to the position of General Manager. And though Alessia's position had been verbally terminated, the formalities were not yet complete; Alessia still held an actual two percent controlling interest.

"Alessia, don't do anything foolish. Don't think that North State Group is doing you a favor by putting you forward; they are anything but well-meaning!"

"Even if you become chairman, if the other Whites don't support you, North State can still overthrow you at any time. It's completely meaningless!"

Lennox felt a rush of panic inside, but his face remained calm. "Just give me your vote, and I won't hold you accountable for your financial crimes. After all, you have no idea what North State Group is really up to - they're outsiders!"

Alessia remained silent, while Henry laughed. "That's not necessarily true. The boss of North State Group might not be an outsider, might even treat her better than any of you so-called family members."

"Do you think you have a say in this?" Lennox rebuked. "What does anything you say matter? You're just an ex-soldier!"

"Lennox, you better watch your words," Stefano suddenly interjected.

Lennox was taken aback, not grasping the implication of Stefano's words.

At that moment, Stefano bowed to Henry and then stepped aside.

"Hadn't you wondered why you couldn't find out who the chairman of North State Group was? Let me tell you now, the absolute controller of North State Group is Henry. In other words, your forty-nine percent of shares is now in his hands."

Lennox collapsed into a chair, while Anthony staggered backwards and fell.

Henry, taking Alessia's hand and under the solemn gazes of the board, slowly walked to the end of the conference table, glanced at Lennox, and with a swift kick, sent him and the chair sprawling.

"On behalf of North State Group, I initiate a shareholder vote to propose that Lennox step down and that Miss Alessia assume the position of the new chairman. The voting may commence."

In the room, all the shareholders and board members sat rigid, none speaking, none casting a vote, because they all knew that it was already over.

"North State Group votes for Miss White, holding forty-nine percent of the shares."

Henry turned to Alessia. "Miss White, you have shares too. How do you vote?"

Alessia looked at Lennox on the ground, then at Anthony, and the shareholders' anxious eyes, and smiled. "Of course, I vote for myself."

Henry nodded, "Then there's no need for the rest of you to vote. I hereby announce that Miss Alessia, with a voting share of fifty-one percent, is elected Chairman of the White Group!"