Chapter 208

Chapter 208

Three days later, the shareholders couldn't wait any longer and called an emergency board meeting.

Not only shareholders and Lucas attended—Imogen was there too, representing the Obelon Family, who had deep business ties with the Seymour Group.

Octavia took a seat on the right side of the long table, Monica beside her, Patrick next to Monica. The three sat shoulder to shoulder, facing Lucas and Imogen across from them, along with the shareholders who'd already sided with them.

Daniel was the first to speak. "Mrs. Seymour, we can't put this off any longer. Mr. Seymour's been missing for over a week now. The search and rescue team hasn't made any progress, and the media's reporting that Mr. Seymour is dead."

He paused. "Of course, I don't mean to jinx him, but the company needs someone at the helm. Mr. Lucas Seymour is our unanimous choice. I hope you understand."

The other shareholders chimed in one after another.

"That's right, Mrs. Seymour. We can't keep waiting."

"Lucas is ready. Just sign the appointment today."

"Mrs. Seymour, do you actually know what's going on with Mr. Seymour? Holding out like this isn't good for anyone."

Octavia looked at each of them in turn. Not one person across from her avoided her gaze. Not one showed the slightest hint of guilt.

They'd already made up their minds. Today, clearly, wasn't about discussion.

"I'll say it again." Octavia's voice was quiet. "Leopold isn't dead. No one gets to take his place. Patrick and Monica can temporarily handle the Seymour Group's affairs together."

Monica spoke up. "That's right. Patrick and I, together with Octavia, hold the largest share of the Seymour Group. We're giving Claire full authority to handle all decisions until Leopold returns."

"Octavia isn't part of the Seymour Family!" One shareholder couldn't hold back anymore, his voice rising. "She's only been married into the Seymour Family for a few months—how much does she even know about the Seymour Group's business? Besides, she's a fraud who stole someone else's identity. What right does she have to sit here and speak?"

Monica shot to her feet. "What did you just say? Say that again!"

The shareholder flinched at her intensity but quickly steadied himself. "Miss Seymour, I'm not targeting you. I'm stating facts. Octavia isn't part of the Seymour Family. She has no right to participate in the Seymour Group's decisions."

"She's Leopold's wife." Monica stared him down. "I'll say it one more time—Patrick and I have authorized Octavia to handle the Seymour Group's decisions. Can you understand what I'm saying?"

Other shareholders pushed back just as hard. "This isn't proper procedure!"

Monica's temper flared. She let out a cold laugh. "Patrick and I are the largest shareholders. What we say 'is' the procedure!"

"Enough." Lucas stood, his tone still mild. "Monica, don't throw a tantrum. This is a shareholders' meeting. Let's all talk this through civilly."

He turned to Octavia, softening his voice slightly.

"Miss Boleyn, I know you don't want to accept this, but the company can't grind to a halt just because you refuse to. The shareholders' patience has limits. The market's patience has limits. If you keep being this stubborn, it won't help anyone."

Octavia studied him for a long moment before smiling faintly.

"Lucas, you're right. The shareholders' patience has limits. The market's patience has limits. But my patience has limits too. While Leopold's been gone, you've been rallying shareholders, buying off board members, telling everyone you're the rightful heir to the Seymour Family. Have you ever stopped to think—Monica and Patrick are still here? Have you thought about what happens if Leopold comes back?"

Lucas's smile didn't waver. "Everything you just said is speculation. I haven't rallied anyone. I haven't bought anyone off. The shareholders support me because they trust me. If you disagree, show me proof."

Octavia said nothing.

The atmosphere in the conference room grew more tense. Shareholders started murmuring to each other, voices growing louder, more impatient.

Someone stood up. Someone called for a vote.

"Fine, let's vote." Octavia rose to her feet. "But before we do, I want to ask everyone here one question."

She looked at the shareholders, enunciating each word. "When Leopold was here, how much did you collect in dividends every year? How much did the Seymour Group's stock price climb? How many times did your assets multiply? Who gave you all of that?"

The room fell silent for a beat.

Octavia didn't care whether they answered. "Leopold carried the Seymour Group alone. He carried all of you. That's how we got to where we are today. When he was hurt, did any of you step up to share the burden? When he was holding the company together single-handedly, did anyone speak up? No. Even when he was blind, all you did was complain behind his back that he was too cold, too difficult—while you hid behind him and fed off the Seymour Group's dividends. Now that something's happened to him, you're running faster than anyone else, terrified his absence will hurt your interests, desperate to hand his position over to someone else."

She paused, her voice growing colder. "Can any of you look him in the eye after this?"

No one spoke.

A flash of coldness crossed Lucas's eyes. He knew he couldn't let her keep talking. If she kept going, these shareholders might start wavering.

"Miss Boleyn, none of this is relevant." His voice turned cold. "This is a shareholders' meeting. Everyone's here to solve problems, not listen to your speeches."

"Right." Octavia looked at him. "Everyone's here to solve problems. So let's solve them. You want this position? Fine. But you'll wait—until the day Leopold is officially confirmed dead. And you'll follow the rules. You want to be president of the Seymour Group? Sure. As long as your shares exceed Monica's and Patrick's combined. As long as the rest of the Seymour Family acknowledges you."

The rest of the Seymour Family—who else could that be? Leopold only had Monica and Patrick, his biological younger siblings.

Lucas stared at her, his gaze growing icier. He was about to speak when the conference room door suddenly swung open.

"Mrs. Seymour!"

Everyone turned.

John stood in the doorway, his face showing more emotion than usual.

"Mrs. Seymour, the search and rescue team just called!"

Octavia's heart lurched.

John steadied his breathing, his gaze sweeping across the shareholders' faces before a faint smile appeared.

"They found Mr. Leopold Seymour. He's on his way to the hospital right now. He's conscious. No life-threatening injuries."

The room went silent for a beat, then erupted into chaos.

"Mr. Leopold Seymour's really back?"

"Thank God—I knew Mr. Leopold Seymour was still alive!"

"So are we still holding this meeting or what?"

"Even if Mr. Leopold Seymour's back, who knows if John's telling the truth? What if Mr. Leopold Seymour's injured? The Group still needs someone making decisions."

But Octavia couldn't hear any of it.

She didn't know why she pulled out her phone, opening her message thread with Leopold.

That message—she'd read it countless times already.

Octavia closed her eyes. Finally, tears fell.