Chapter 134 Tristan the new CEO

Chapter 134 Tristan the new CEO
Authors pov.

The grand boardroom of Graham Corporation was completely silent as they waited for Grandma Winifred's speech. She had called for an urgent meeting. And everyone was present including Dandy.

For the past decades, this specific room had been a battlefield of greed and hidden threats, thanks to Viola.

But now, the heavy toxic atmosphere was completely gone.

Grandma Winifred Graham sat at head of the long table.

"For decades," she began, her voice commanding respect from every single person in the room, "I have guarded this company like a second child. I have fought to keep the Graham legacy alive through terrible tragedies and really dark times."

"But my time is far spent. Last year when I turned seventy, I had passed on the position of CEO over to Alexander my first grandson, and he proved to be competent enough to handle it well, as you all know. But after everything that has happened in my family we have decided to make a new decision, one that will still be of the good of our company."

A quiet murmur raised through the seated board members.

She looked over at Alex, "Over to you Alexander."

Alex who stood right next to her, nodded. He wore a neat black suit, his dark hair neatly styled.

"I have decided to officially step down as Chief Executive Officer," Alex announced.

The murmurs between the board members grew louder as they all shared a surprised look.

They knew what it meant now that Alex was stepping down, but they were probably wondering why, especially after everything that Viola did.

Alex didn't care what they thought, he already made his decision. He wanted to focus completely on his own independent company, Eco Oil. And also have more time to take care of Dandy.....if she lets him, but he was hopeful.

"We have thoroughly reviewed the candidate involved," he stated, looking down at his organized papers. "And I'm very sure I've made the right decision."

Alex turned toward the side of the long table. He looked directly at his younger brother.

Tristan wore a clean, tailored gray suit. His arm was better now, he sat straight.

"Tristan my brother will be the new Chief executive officer of Graham Corp." Alex declared, his deep voice filling the quiet room.

"He has earned it. I'm sure you all heard the news of how Tristan saved my wife. He saved my unborn child. He stood against his own mother, and took a bullet for our family. He chose to be good and not evil. He is exactly the leader Graham Corporation needs right now."

Tristan stood up slowly. His eyes filled with gratitude, as he walked to the front, standing proudly beside Alex, the same Alex he used to secretly envy.

The board members broke into a loud, genuine round of applause.

"Thank you," Tristan appreciated everyone, He looked directly at Alex. "You showed me what real strength actually looks like, Alex. It is not about manipulation or control. It is about choice. You chose to protect people even in the most painful way, and I am choosing to follow your lead.... Big brother."

Alex let out a deep laugh, at Tristan's teasing, he hasn't called him that in years.

Tristan smiled and turned his head to look at Dandelion, who was sitting gracefully in the right row, in a beautiful red maternity dress, her hands resting softly over her round stomach.

"And thank you, Dandelion," Tristan said, "You've always believed I could be a better man when I did not even believe it myself. And I'm grateful for that, you are indeed the sister I never had."

Dandy smiled, "You're welcome Tris. And thank you too." she said with shaky voice, she was almost about tearing up again....damn this annoying hormones.

Tristan continued, "I want you all to know that I am dedicating this new position to making amends for the past. And I hope we all work hand in hand to make Graham Corp better."

Alex reached out, pulling Tristan into a fierce hug.

"I am so proud of you, brother," Alex murmured into Tristan's ear.

Tristan hugged him back tightly. They were no longer bitter rivals competing for inheritance. The dark poison Viola had poured between them was completely gone. They were truly brothers.

Grandma Winifred watched them from her chair, wiping happy tears from her cheeks. The Graham family was finally whole.

.................

The large dining room at the Graham Estate was really loud that evening.

The long table was completely covered with different types of food, and wine.

Grandma Winifred sat at the head of the table, sipping her hot tea and watching her grandchildren with pure joy.

Alexander and Dandelion sat close together. Xavier sat close to Lilian, who was laughing loudly at a terrible joke he had just told.

Nicholas sat directly across from Tristan. He was busy swirling a glass of dark red wine. He wore a bright purple velvet jacket, looking absolutely ridiculous and yet fabulous.

"So," Nicholas drawled pointing his silver fork directly at Tristan across the food. "Now that you are CEO, are you also going to get yourself a girlfriend? You and I are the only single men left in this depressing room."

Tristan froze with his water glass halfway to his mouth. He actually blushed. A bright red flush crept rapidly up his neck and colored his cheeks.

He looked down at his plate, pushing a piece of roasted potato around with his fork.

"Actually," Tristan mumbled, his voice dropping to a kind of shy tone. "I am already.... working on it."

Everyone at the table went dead silent.

Grandma Wini's eyes were wide with surprise.

"What?!" Dandelion said in surprise, nearly dropping her wine glass onto the white tablecloth.

"Who is she?" Alex demanded suspiciously, leaning forward over the table with shock.

"Where did you meet her?"Xavier added quickly.

"Okay, I'm definitely not telling you all now, not when you all sound so desperate to know," Tristan chuckled, his face turning even redder under the intense scrutiny of his entire family. "All I can say is, It's recent and we're still trying to figure things out slowly. But she is a very nice person."

Nicholas gasped loudly, clutching his chest in fake horror.

"Traitor!" Nicholas snapped shaking his head dramatically. "You are abandoning our sacred singles brotherhood! Look at this table! It's a terrible, suffocating nightmare of romantic bliss!"

"You are just jealous," Lilian taunted, throwing a white cloth napkin directly at his purple jacket.

Nicholas scoffed and caught immediately, "I am living my best life, I have no drama in my life. I go out every single night to party, and I sleep until noon. In fact I am thriving!"

"Nope. You are lonely Nick." Xavier corrected, taking a slow sip of his drink.

"No way. I'm just enjoying my peace." Nicholas argued, crossing his arms defensively over his chest. "Being single is highly underrated."

The entire table erupted into loud laughter. Nicholas would never admit it, he was in denial.

Grandma Winifred cleared her throat, "No matter what you say Nick, two joined hearts, is way better than one. In this life there's always one person meant for you to love, you would always feel it deep in your heart. Even when you aren't on good terms."
Noona had intentionally said the last part, as she took a quick gaze at Dandy and Alex.

Everyone seemed to have gotten a hint of what Noona meant by the last part.

They all went silent.

Dandy who had stopped eating turned her head slightly. And Alexander was already looking at her.

They shared a look for a moment, different thoughts racing through their minds. Eventually Dandy quietly turned back to her plate.

Alex sighed quietly.

Lilian seemed to have noticed the sudden awkwardness, She immediately cleared her throat. "Uhmm....Dandy you know I'll be our baby's godmother right, just want to make sure you know that spot is taken."

Dandy gave a soft laugh, "of course, who else would take it."

Lilian nodded happily clapping her hands in excitement.

Soon the loud conversations and easy banter continued, clearing out the previous awkwardness.

Nicholas joined for a while but soon he quietly chewed his food and looked around the dining room.

He watched Xavier press a soft, loving kiss to Lilian's cheek.

He watched Tristan smiling down at his glowing phone screen, clearly texting his mysterious new girl.

He watched Alex and Dandy steal glances, even though they were still hesitant, it was obvious how much they cared about each other.

He watched Grandma Winifred looking at them all with complete happiness and fulfillment.

A sudden, strange emptiness settled deep inside Nicholas's chest.

He truly loved his freedom. He loved his crazy VIP parties and his endless string of meaningless dates.

But looking at the strong bond his best friends had built through love, he actually wondered if he was missing out on something real.

He wondered what it felt like to have someone look at him the way Alexander looked at Dandelion.