Chapter 271

Stella's POV

My heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as Adam and I walked toward Lancaster Group's main conference room. With each step, I could feel the tension building like the oppressive pressure before a storm.

"Remind me again why I have to be here?" I asked, tugging slightly at my beige Chanel suit. Adam had selected it—minimalist but ridiculously expensive. The perfect Lancaster wife attire, apparently.

He didn't answer immediately, his hand resting on the small of my back guiding me forward. I hated that such a simple touch could still send warmth through my body. Damn inconvenient.

"Because the show is about to begin," he finally murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

What show? I thought we were just here to decide who's playing boss while William is in a coma. God, these rich people and their dramatics.

As we rounded the corner, I could see the conference room through its glass walls—nearly thirty Lancaster family members already seated, expressions ranging from feigned concern to barely disguised ambition. The moment we appeared, the room fell silent as if someone had hit a mute button.

Adam paused briefly before pushing open the door. I felt his hand tense slightly against my back—the only indication that he might not be as calm as he appeared.

The conference room reeked of money and power. A massive oval table surrounded by leather chairs that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. At the head of the table sat two special high-backed chairs. Thomas had already claimed one, looking like a king on his throne.

The other, clearly intended for Adam, remained empty.

I nearly tripped when Adam guided me directly toward the empty chair beside Thomas. Seriously? This is his grand plan? To have me sit in the head position like some corporate trophy wife?

"Adam," Thomas said, annoyance evident in his voice, "today's meeting concerns internal Lancaster family matters. Is your wife's presence really appropriate? She shouldn't even be in this conference room."

Murmurs of agreement rippled around the table. A woman old enough to be my grandmother pursed her lips as if she'd just bitten into a lemon, and some young man—a cousin, probably—even openly scoffed.

Screw you too, buddy.

Adam deliberately took his time pulling out my chair, his face a perfect mask of indifference.

"Is there a problem?" he asked, his voice suspiciously casual. "My wife owns a private island and a helicopter. Who else in this room can say the same? Who here is qualified to question her place?"

I sat down, struggling to keep my expression neutral while internally screaming. What the hell, Adam? Since when do we flaunt these things in front of your family?

Thomas's face darkened like a thundercloud. From my peripheral vision, I could see Brian practically trembling with anger. Neither of them had their own private islands or helicopters—clearly high on the Lancaster measuring stick.

"Besides," Adam continued, dropping into his seat with casual confidence, "it's not like we're discussing nuclear launch codes. Unless there's something you don't want her to hear, Thomas?"

Oh, now I get it. Adam hadn't brought me just as his partner. He was using me as a pawn in some game he was playing with Thomas.

Well, if he wants a show, I'll give him one.

A middle-aged man with thinning hair leaned forward, his Rolex glinting under the lights. "Forgive me for asking, Mrs. Lancaster, but do you have any background in financial management? Will you understand what we're discussing today?"

His tone was so condescending I was surprised he didn't pat my head while he was at it. Before Adam could intervene, I turned directly to the jerk.

"Actually, Mr. Thompson," I replied with a smile sharp enough to cut glass, "Rouge nightclub has been operating quite successfully under my management." I paused for effect. "If I'm not mistaken, you once had someone privately contact Rouge's manager about investing in my club, didn't you?"

The man's face turned ashen as whispers erupted around the table. Rouge's ownership was one of Manhattan's best-kept secrets. Brian's expression turned stone-cold—probably remembering his blacklisting experience after that mess.

"Just a small business," I added with a dismissive wave. "Hardly worth mentioning."

From the corner of my eye, I caught Adam's barely visible smile. That flash of pride made my stomach do a stupid little flip.

Get it together, Stella. Focus.

The atmosphere in the room had shifted. Where before there was dismissal, now I could almost see them recalculating, reassessing, wondering what other secrets Adam Lancaster's wife might be hiding.

Thomas cleared his throat loudly. "Let's focus on why we're all here," he announced in that practiced authoritative tone that men who think everyone wants to hear them speak tend to use. "My father remains in a coma, and the doctors aren't optimistic. Even if he wakes, he'll need extensive recovery time. Someone must make decisions regarding our family businesses and affairs."

An elderly man with white hair and green eyes spoke up. "I believe Thomas is the most suitable candidate. He's been handling many family matters and the old man has always trusted him."

Heads around the table nodded like a rehearsed choir, murmuring in agreement. God, they could hardly be more obvious if they printed a script.

Adam remained silent, watching each speaker with unsettling intensity. While others fidgeted like guilty children, his fingers remained motionless on the table.

After a few minutes of family members taking turns kissing Thomas's ass, the conference room door opened. The elderly family butler, Joseph Smith, entered carrying a leather portfolio. The room fell suddenly silent as he walked toward the head of the table, his expression grave.

"Excuse the interruption," Joseph said, his voice clear in the sudden quiet. "I have an important document relevant to today's meeting."

Thomas frowned. "Can't it wait, Joseph? We're in the middle of a family meeting."

"I'm afraid not, sir," Joseph replied, untroubled by Thomas's irritation. "This document contains William Lancaster's explicit instructions regarding family leadership during his absence."

The room went so quiet you could hear everyone's collective inhalation. Joseph opened the portfolio and extracted a sealed envelope.

"William Lancaster prepared this document several days before his medical incident," Joseph explained. "It outlines his wishes regarding the distribution of power within the Lancaster family."

Thomas and Brian exchanged glances, their expressions bright as children on Christmas morning.

"According to this document," Joseph continued, "William Lancaster has designated Thomas Lancaster to oversee all internal family affairs."

Thomas's face lit with satisfaction. Brian sat straighter in his chair, puffing up as if he'd actually done something to deserve this moment.

Joseph paused, then continued: "However, the position of CEO of Lancaster Group will be filled by Adam Lancaster."

Thomas's smug expression froze, then shattered. Brian's face transformed from self-satisfaction to anger so quickly I barely had time to blink.

Damn, didn't see that coming.