Chapter 27
Alaric’s voice was firm with an edge of warning. “I’m back to stake my claim, to secure what's mine, and to correct the mistake of attempting to give it to someone else.”
Dawson let out a deep sigh. “If you’re here for the meeting, take a seat so we can proceed.”
Alaric looked back, and Easton promptly pushed his wheelchair around to the opposite side of the table, positioning him next to Tamsin.
Tamsin turned to the director beside her. “Could you please move your seat?" She requested, and knowing the question that would come next, she immediately added. “Alaric’s shares have surpassed ten percent, so he's entitled to sit at the chairman's right side.”
The room fell silent as everyone's eyes widened in shock, including the chairman.
“When did this happen?” The chairman asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. “How is that possible?”
Tamsin let out a sigh and explained, “since Fraser and I contributed some of our shares to him,” she spoke with confidence, her chin slightly raised and hands clasped on her thigh, avoiding direct eye contact with the chairman. “It’s possible because we have faith in Alaric.”
Fraser nodded in agreement, supporting Tamsin's statement. “That's right,” he confirmed, standing up.
With his hands clasped behind his back and his chin held high, he mirrored Tamsin’s confident posture. “We chose to entrust Alaric with our shares because we believe in his leadership and vision.”
Griffin’s voice rose in indignation as he demanded, “what’s happening here? How could you transfer shares to Alaric without the chairman’s approval? That’s a blatant disregard for our organizational protocols.”
Tamsin's eyebrows shot up as she turned to Griffin, her tone authoritative. "You're questioning why I didn't consult the chairman before transferring my shares?" She repeated the question, amazed, before bursting into laughter.
Composing herself, she turned toward the chairman, who was deliberately avoiding her gaze. With a soft chuckle, she posed a question, “who did the chairman consult before deciding to transfer someone’s shares to another person?”
Griffin’s face fell, and he looked down, sweating, unable to respond to Tamsin’s question.
“Oh, Director Griffin, I think you're the perfect person to explain this discrepancy,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She glanced at the chairman, despite his continued avoidance of her gaze. “Unless the chairman wants to defend his questionable decisions,”
Her gaze swept the room. “If not, the chairman or Director Griffin, anyone with an explanation for this should come forward,” she invited. “If you’re uncomfortable standing up, then speak from where you are.”
The room was silent, with the chairman and others lacking an explanation.
Felix’s anger was palpable as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. His body tensed, with visible veins bulging in his neck. Sweat flooded out of his body, soaking his clothes until they were wet.
Fraser’s gaze drifted away from the others as he spoke. “If no one has insight, then both actions stand equally justified—or unjustified,”
He paused, his words hanging in the air for a moment. “The saying goes that two wrongs don’t make a right, but in this case, it seems both parties are on an equal footing. Let’s drop it and move on.”
Tamsin raised her hand, her voice clear. “Before we move on, I’d like to make a point,” she stated. “When the chairman proposed transferring Alaric’s share to someone, and I objected, does anyone recall what he said?”
“He said it's his family, and he has the final say.” Fraser responded without hesitation as if he'd been waiting for Tamsin to bring it up.
Tamsin nodded. “If that’s the case, I’ve given my decision careful consideration,” she said, her hand placed on her chest as she subtly shook her head. “I’m not one to act impulsively,”
Her words were veiled critiques of the chairman as her intention was clear to all. “If family matters are the chairman’s turf, then my share is mine. And if anyone’s going to tell me what to do, it’s my husband—who’s wisely kept quiet.”
Dawson’s soft exhale betrayed his frustration. He knew Tamsin would keep pushing boundaries, so he opted to tactfully navigate the conversation as his usual approach with Tamsin. “Let’s move forward, please.” He said calmly.
“If the chairman’s logic holds,” Tamsin said and paused, pointing her thumb at the director next to her. “Then the director should give up his seat. Alaric won't be needing it, after all.”
With a subtle nod from Dawson, the director shifted his seat, and Easton moved Alaric to the space.
Tamsin’s eyes locked onto Amabel’s, a calm smile spreading across her lips as she settled back into her seat. “Good.” She uttered.
Dawson shot Felix a stern glance. “Return to your seat,” he ordered, but Felix’s indifference forced him to repeat the command, his voice rising in annoyance. “I said, go back to your seat!”
Felix’s clenched fist relaxed as he locked eyes with Alaric for a tense moment. Then, exhaling heavily, he broke the gaze and strode back to his seat, his footsteps echoing with suppressed anger.
Dawson's gaze shifted to Amabel. “And you?” He asked, but Amabel looked puzzled. “Are you staying or leaving? Make up your mind so we can move forward.”
Amabel hesitated, torn. The humiliation she’d already endured at Tamsin’s hands made her want to leave, but the thought of giving Tamsin the satisfaction of driving her away kept her rooted.
Tamsin’s voice cut through Amabel's turmoil. “If you’re hesitating because of me, don't. I want you to stay. There’s more to come, and I’d like you to see it all.”
Amabel’s eyes blazed with fury as she locked gazes with Tamsin. For a moment, she seethed her teeth, before abruptly turning away. Without waiting for Dawson’s reiteration, she stalked back to her seat and dropped into it, her anger palpable.
‘You’ll pay for this, Tamsin.’
Tamsin’s enigmatic smile danced on her lips as she met Amabel’s furious gaze. “Okay, I’ll pay for it, agreed,” she said, her tone dripping with amusement.
Amabel’s eyes widened in shock, realizing Tamsin had somehow grasped her silent threat.
Tamsin nodded. “Yes, that’s what’s on your mind, isn’t it?” She shifted in her seat, crossing her left leg over her right, her eyes never leaving Amabel’s perplexed face.
“Mothers are precious. Alaric may not be my biological child... he didn't come to the world between my laps, but I’ll always support him as a true mother would,” she declared. “I’m willing to sacrifice my desires and needs for Alaric’s benefit. That’s always been the case, and it will never change.”
Dawson cut in, his tone firm but controlled, “I think we’re getting off track. Let’s focus on the matter at hand, shall we?” He avoided eye contact, his gaze drifting elsewhere as he steered the conversation back on course.
Tamsin exhaled softly, her chin tilting upward as she turned her face away from Amabel in a silent rebuke.
Dawson turned to Freya. “Please, take a seat,” he instructed and Freya curtsied briefly before making her way to the table to find a seat.
The chairman’s attention then shifted to Alaric as he asked, “Are you heading back to your office? If so, is it this week or next?”
Alaric shifted in his seat, his gaze locking onto Dawson’s face. “As everyone is aware, I am still recovering,” he said calmly, his words dripping with deliberate pauses that aimed to test the chairman’s patience. “I’m physically disabled, mentally unstable, emotionally damaged, and socially maladjusted, possibly even psychologically impaired. I-”
Dawson cut him off. “I’d appreciate a straightforward answer to a straightforward question,” he said, struggling to keep his irritation in check, aware that Alaric’s words were grating on him. Despite his growing anger, he tempered his tone, mindful that Tamsin might intervene on Alaric’s behalf – an interaction he’d rather avoid.
Dawson’s expression turned stern. “Let’s focus on the question at hand: when will you return to the office?" He drummed his fingers impatiently on the table.
“I have ample time,” Tamsin intervened, her response laced with defiance, her gaze locked on the chairman, her lips pressed tightly together and her eyes widening slightly. “But only if it concerns Alaric.”
“Same.” Fraser said.
Their goal was to push the chairman's patience to the breaking point, forcing him to cancel the meeting. To achieve this, they’d seize every opportunity, never letting a chance slip by to annoy him.
Alaric paused, letting Fraser and Tamsin’s words linger, gauging the chairman's reaction. When the chairman remained silent, Alaric moved forward to implement their backup plan.
Alaric's words hung in the air, and all eyes except those of Tamsin, Fraser, and Easton widened in surprise. He paused, anticipating questions, but the room remained silent, with the chairman and others hesitant to interrupt.
“I’ve long neglected my health, but thanks to someone's influence, I'm finally taking it seriously,” his words trailed off as he paused once more, letting the weight of his statement sink in.
His gaze flicked towards the chairman. “Someone once recommended therapy, but I declined. Fortunately, the best therapist I could ask for somehow found me. Fate brought us together, and I’m grateful—though someone might not be happy about her presence in my life,”
“I’m sleeping and waking up to a therapist beside me, and our interactions have already made a significant impact,” he stated. “As a result, I'm recovering rapidly and expect to be fully healed soon,”
He paused for dramatic effect. “However, until then, I’ll have someone take over my responsibilities. The person is... Cressida Lawson, my wife.”
The room erupted in shock, with Amabe
l’s incredulous echoing through the space. “What?!”