Chapter 94 The Colossal Board

Chapter 94 The Colossal Board

Sophia figured it was harmless if Celeste tagged along.

She smiled. "Alright. Have fun, you two. I'll hang up now."

She ended the call and turned to Henry. "Joseph is with Celeste."

Henry's grip on the steering wheel stilled for a heartbeat, a flicker of relief passing through his eyes. He had been worried Joseph might have feelings for Sophia. Now, it seemed he had been overthinking.

"Good," he said, starting the engine. "At least he's got better taste than some people."

Sophia knew exactly who he meant — Thomas — and let the comment slide.

As the car rolled over the elevated bridge, she gazed out the window. 

The city stretched beneath them like a living machine, every person a cog turning in its endless rhythm.

Meanwhile, at the Caldwell Corporation, Oscar stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, a shadow cutting across his face. He read the message on his phone, and a cruel smile curved his lips.

Thomas and Sophia had clashed. Susan had lost her baby. The Caldwell family was in chaos. The perfect moment to strike.

He picked up his phone and dialed. "Hey. I need you to do something for me."

Whatever the voice on the other end said made his smile deepen. "Yes. Make it loud."

Hanging up, he crossed to his desk and picked up a file — the engagement announcement of Henry and Sophia, stolen from the headquarters' secretary's office.

"Sophia. Henry." He murmured their names like a curse, his eyes glinting with a feverish light. "You think getting engaged means all your troubles are over? The real show hasn't even started."

When Oscar found Thomas, the man was slouched on a folding bed outside Susan's hospital room, mashing buttons on a handheld game console.

Only hours earlier, he and Susan had been at each other's throats. But once Henry and Sophia left, Susan had played her part — feigning weakness, crying at the right moments, and when that failed, leaning on her charms. Thomas had caved again.

After all, she had only turned against his family because she was carrying his child. That guilt gnawed at him.

"Mr. Thomas Caldwell, enjoying some downtime?" Oscar's voice was smooth as silk. He stood in the doorway with a fruit basket in hand, smiling like an old friend. "How's Susan doing?"

Thomas didn't look up, but his fingers froze on the buttons. His on-screen character died instantly. He hadn't been home or to the office in days — an open admission of defeat.

Losing the game soured his mood further. He kicked the bed frame. "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting you, of course." Oscar set the basket on the nightstand, his gaze sweeping over the pile of takeout boxes. "I hear you haven't been to the office lately. Mr. Henry Caldwell has practically turned the logistics department upside down looking for you."

At the mention of Henry, Thomas's expression darkened. "He doesn't control me."

Oscar leaned back in the chair he'd pulled up, lowering his voice, "You're a Caldwell. Why should you have to live under his shadow? Take Susan's situation — Henry knew you were hurting, yet he sided with someone else. Is that fair?"

Thomas's grip on the controller tightened. That day at the hospital, Henry hadn't even looked at him. His eyes had been on Sophia the entire time. The slight had lodged in Thomas's chest like a splinter.

"Henry has always thought I'm beneath him," Thomas muttered. "It's been that way since we were kids."

"Exactly," Oscar said smoothly. "Remember when your father wanted you on the board? Henry blocked it, claiming you were too young. And now? An outsider can meddle in the Caldwell Corporation while you, his own brother, are treated like furniture."

The words hit their mark. Thomas's head snapped up. "What do you mean? What about Sophia?"

"You don't know?" Oscar feigned surprise. "She's been digging into the Caldwell Corporation's old records — even projects from your father's time."

Thomas's frown deepened. He didn't care for corporate affairs, but he knew those old records were dangerous — full of things better left buried. Even Henry avoided them.

"Henry allowed this?"

"Henry only has eyes for her now. The company barely registers." Oscar sighed. "If you don't step up, the Caldwell family's holdings will be stripped away."

Silence settled. From inside the room came the faint rustle of Susan turning over. 

Thomas glanced at the closed door, and a reckless thought took root — if he were president, no one would dare look down on him. Maybe Henry would finally see him as an equal.

"What do I have to do?" His voice trembled despite himself.

A glint of triumph flashed in Oscar's eyes, though his tone stayed earnest. "The shareholders' meeting is next month. If you can secure a third of the voting shares, you can call for a re-election."

He added, "I know a few shareholders who've been unhappy with Henry for a long time. I can make introductions."

Thomas's pulse quickened, pounding in his ears. 

Oscar's steady gaze felt like an anchor. "Alright," he said through clenched teeth. "I'm in."

"That's the spirit." Oscar clapped him on the shoulder. "With me in your corner, you'll get what you want."

The door opened. Susan stood in the doorway, pale but with a spark in her eyes. "Oscar's here?"

Her smile was soft, but her gaze flicked between them. "I think I heard something about the company?"

Thomas shifted uneasily. He started to explain, but Susan cut him off. "Thomas, I think Oscar's right. You're a Caldwell. You can't spend your life under Henry's thumb."

She crossed to him and took his hand gently. Her voice was warm, patient — a calculated change from her earlier tactics. "I'll support you. Whatever you decide, I'm with you."

Looking at her tender profile, Thomas felt the last of his hesitation crumble. He squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Susan."

Oscar's smile deepened. Two fools, perfectly matched.

In the days that followed, Oscar introduced Thomas to several shareholders. They were polite to his face, but behind closed doors, the whispers were merciless.

"Thomas doesn't have the brains to take on Henry."

"He's just Oscar's pawn. Let's sit back and watch."

"If Oscar really pulls this off, we might get a bigger slice of the pie."

Bits of these conversations reached Thomas's ears. They stung, but the word "president" drowned out the doubt. He threw himself into Oscar's plan, chasing the title like it was the only thing that mattered.