Chapter 101: A Shocking Decision

Chapter 101: A Shocking Decision
The boardroom was charged with tension, every corner brimming with anticipation.

Board members shuffled papers and exchanged hushed whispers, their gazes darting between Taylor and Nicole.

Taylor sat stiffly at the head of the table, his jaw clenched tight and his hands clutching the armrests as if they were the only things holding him to earth.

Veronica sat next to him, her evil energy consuming her, lips drawn tight and sharp eyes sweeping the room for any threat.

She leaned a little forward toward her son in a wordless declaration of her loyalty.

Nicole entered the room with that typical elegance, heels clicking on the marble floor.

Everyone's attention went to her when she walked in, posture regal as always, face impassive as usual, but in her head, her mind was churning and burning like a furnace.

What happened last night was still fresh in her mind.

She had watched to the confession clip in her room, heard the shooter's shaking voice as he confirmed it was Veronica Fury who paid to have her murdered.

Nicole's eyes raked over the room before landing on Veronica.

Her savage eyes gouged into the elder woman, the devil who'd nearly killed her.

Nicole had clenched her fists to her sides but steeled herself to not say a word.

She would have loved to jab that look at Veronica's eyeball if she could, but she knew better.

This was war of the heads, not hearts, and with a fire that she hadn't felt in a long time renewed her determination to smash down on the Fury family.

Mr. Donovan stood at the center of the room. He cleared his throat, and the clearing was heard through the murmur of conversation as crisply as the fall of a gavel against wood.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, his voice as steady as stone, yet tinged with gravity, "the board, after due deliberation, has decided to let its mind decide on who is to be appointed leader at Taylons Enterprises."

The room fell silent, and all eyes were on Donovan.

Nicole's eyes were still fixed on Taylor, who sat straight ahead, his face a mix of defiance and desperation.

Veronica's fingers tapped impatiently on the table, her frown deepening with every second.

"The board has decided to retain Mr. Taylor Fury as the CEO of Taylons Enterprises," Donovan declared, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

Gasps filled the room as people present stood up in utter amazement.

Taylor's mouth opened and shut, a motion watched by himself with nothing coming forth. He turned to the board members with this expression of wonder for some sort of explanation.

His confused eyes flew to Nicole's.

Nicole met his stare with one unblinking, steady stare of an eye that hid nothing. She gave nothing away.

Veronica a hand on his son's, releasing a satisfied sigh, her lips curving upwards in a smile as she patted her son's arm.

"I told you they wouldn't dare replace you," she whispered.

Taylor's shock was slowly being replaced by hopeful relief, but it wasn't going to last.

The great wooden doors of the boardroom creaked open with an imperative demand on all to notice.

Two men in black fitted suits entered, walking with purpose.

They headed right towards Taylor, ignoring the looks the board members threw their way.

One of them reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. "This is from the bank," he said in a low, authoritative voice. "You have three days to respond, or the bank will take action."

Taylor stared at the envelope, as if it were a snake that was about to strike.

His hands were shaking as he took it; all the color seemed to be siphoned out of his face.

Beside him, Veronica's triumphant smile faltered into a flicker of concern.

"What is it, son?" Veronica whispered urgently, her head bent toward her son.

Her eyes danced across Taylor and the men, her mind racing with all sorts of possibilities. "Taylor, what does it say?"

But Taylor didn't answer. His fingers tugged at the envelope, opening it awkwardly.

He pulled out the papers inside and flipped through them quickly.

Every line he read darkened more into his face, shrugged into a slumped shoulder under the weight of whatever the papers revealed.

"Taylor?" Veronica pushed, her voice rising in pitch. "What's going on? Talk to me!"

Taylor shook his head, his lips pressing into a grim line. “It’s nothing,” he said curtly, his voice strained. “I’ll handle it.”

Nicole, still seated across the room, watched the exchange with quiet satisfaction.

She leaned back in her chair, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

This was unexpected, but it felt like a gift.

Whoever this people are who handed such a defeat to Taylor, was indirectly an accomplice to break the Fury family apart.

The board whispered to each other, their faces all turned curiously towards the other.

Mr. Donovan knitted his eyebrow as he asked Taylor, "Mr. Fury, if that has something to do with the company, then the board needs to know. Right now transparency is the bottom line."

“It’s personal business,” Taylor snapped, his tone harsher than intended. “I said I’ll handle it.”

Veronica’s concern deepened. She placed a hand on Taylor’s arm, her nails digging slightly into his suit. “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together, son,” she said firmly. “Just tell me what’s in those papers.”

Taylor stood abruptly, shoving the papers back into the envelope.

His chair scraped loudly against the floor.

Shocked looks around the table fixed on Taylor.

"This meeting is adjourned," he said, coldly final.

Without another word, he stormed from the room, clutching the envelope tightly in his hand.

Veronica lingered for a moment then rose to her feet and left the conference room, running after his son.

Her stare, now a doubting glare, darted at Nicole; her eyes were brimming with suspicion and hostility.

Nicole returned the stare with a serene smile.

Inside, she was barraged with so many questions and so much satisfaction.

Whatever was inside that envelope had sure shook Taylor to the core, and she aimed to find out just what it was.

Tensed, the board members slowly began to disperse.

Mr. Donovan locked an understanding look with Mrs. Lawson as if they both shared the silent knowledge of the storm.

Nicole rose from her seat, smoothing the fabric of her suit.

She casted a warm glance at the remaining board members. "If you'll excuse me, ladies and gentlemen."

With that, she left the room.