Chapter 205

Chapter 205

She heard her own voice—hoarse, as if it were coming from somewhere far away.

He didn't move, but she knew he was looking at her.

"Your eyes—are they better?" She asked a question that wasn't really crucial at this moment. "Can you see me now?"

But still, he said nothing.

Moonlight fell across him, softening his outline.

She wanted to move closer, to see his face clearly, but her feet felt nailed to the floor. She couldn't take a single step.

"Leopold!"

Octavia woke up.

She was lying in her own bed, the comforter still covering her, one hand stretched into empty air, fingers curled around nothing.

Her heart was racing—so fast she couldn't catch her breath.

She stared at the ceiling for several seconds before slowly lowering her hand.

Forty-eight hours after Leopold's disappearance, she'd finally dreamed of him.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly let it out.

Leopold's face lingered in her mind. Those details she couldn't quite make out—so blurry in the dream—somehow felt crystal clear now in retrospect. His eyes in the dream—had they really healed? She wasn't sure. All she remembered was him standing there, looking at her, saying nothing.

Octavia lay in bed a while longer before heading downstairs. Sierra was standing in the middle of the living room, holding Octavia's phone. When she saw Octavia coming down, she frowned.

"Why didn't you sleep a little longer?"

"Couldn't sleep anymore." Octavia came down the stairs. "Was there a call?"

Sierra hesitated before handing over the phone.

"People from the board. They said they wanted a conference call. I told them you weren't available, but they insisted you had to take it."

Octavia took the phone and scrolled through the messages the shareholders had sent, one by one.

"Call them back for me."

Sierra opened her mouth to protest, but looking at Octavia's expressionless face, she swallowed her words. She picked up the phone, dialed the number, and once it connected, handed it to Octavia.

A man's voice came through—Daniel, who had visited yesterday.

"Mrs. Seymour, you've finally picked up. The shareholders are all on the line. We'll say a few words, and you just need to listen."

Octavia said nothing.

Daniel cleared his throat.

"Mrs. Seymour, we're all devastated about Mr. Seymour's situation, but the fact remains—the company can't just stop operating. Today, several of us major shareholders discussed the matter and decided that until Mr. Seymour returns, we should appoint an interim leader to temporarily fill Mr. Seymour's position. This person needs to be familiar with the Seymour Group's operations, have sufficient capability and authority, and be part of the Seymour Family. That way, the shareholders can have peace of mind."

Another voice chimed in. "Exactly. We've thought it over and believe Mr. Lucas Seymour is the most suitable candidate. Like Mr. Leopold Seymour, he's part of the Seymour Family, and after all these years abroad, he's accumulated extensive management experience. With him in the interim role, everyone can feel confident."

A new voice joined in, sounding less aligned with the others.

"If we're talking about Seymour Family members, Mr. Leopold Seymour has biological siblings. Shouldn't they come before Lucas?"

But the objection was immediately countered. "Monica and Patrick just graduated—what experience do they have? Lucas is Leopold's cousin, always been excellent and steady. He's the most appropriate choice right now. They're all Seymour Family—what's the difference?"

Octavia listened without saying a word.

Only after she was certain no one else would speak did she say one sentence.

"I don't agree."

Silence fell on the other end of the line.

After a long moment, Daniel's voice returned. "Mrs. Seymour, this is the shareholders' consensus."

"The shareholders' consensus?" Octavia's voice wasn't loud, but it was cold. "When you say 'the shareholders,' you mean just you few? The Seymour Group has how many shareholders? Can you really speak for everyone?"

Another board member spoke up. "Mrs. Seymour, don't get so worked up. We're not trying to seize power. We're just temporarily finding someone to stabilize the situation. When Mr. Seymour returns, the position will naturally be his again."

"Then we'll discuss it when Leopold returns." Octavia's tone left no room for argument. "Until he comes back, the Seymour Group's affairs will be handled jointly by Leopold's senior executives. Any decisions that need to be made will be discussed among Monica, Patrick, and myself. We don't need an interim leader, and we don't need a proxy head of the family."

"Mrs. Seymour, you're not a member of the Seymour Family. You don't have that authority—"

"I'm Leopold's wife." Octavia cut him off. "Legally, I'm his closest person. When he's unable to exercise his authority, I have the right to act on his behalf. If you don't believe me, feel free to consult a lawyer."

The line went quiet again. After a few seconds, Daniel sighed. "Mrs. Seymour, your stubbornness isn't good for anyone."

"I'm not being stubborn." Octavia's voice softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "I simply believe that Leopold will come back. Until he does, I won't let anyone do anything that affects the Seymour Group's stability. That's my position, and it's the Seymour Family's position. If you insist on fighting over this at such a critical time, then wait until Leopold returns and discuss it with him face to face."

No one spoke again. A few sighs came through the line, then one board member's voice.

"Fine, we'll wait a bit longer then. Meeting adjourned."

The call ended.

Octavia set down the phone and leaned back on the sofa, closing her eyes for a moment.

Sierra watched her, wanting to say something, but seeing how exhausted she looked, kept quiet.

At the same time, at a private club in Morning Glow District.

Lucas sat on the sofa in a private room. On the coffee table before him sat an already-opened bottle of champagne. Imogen sat across from him, a smile playing at her lips.

"The board called." She swirled the wine in her glass. "Octavia blocked them."

Lucas lifted his glass and took a small sip, his expression unreadable.

"She's just one person. How long can she hold out?"

Imogen laughed. "Not long. The shareholders aren't easy to deal with. No matter how capable she is, she can't last more than a few days. Once they run out of patience, even without a proxy CEO, they'll sideline her."

Lucas looked at her, his lips slowly curving into a smile. "Then we'll wait a little longer."

Imogen raised her glass and clinked it against his. The crisp sound rang out especially clear in the quiet room.

"Here's to your speedy appointment as CEO," Imogen said.

Lucas didn't respond, but he raised his glass and drained the remaining champagne in one gulp.

Outside the window, the sky darkened again as new storm clouds rolled in.