Deanna had just arranged for Shannon to find a skilled hacker when she received a call from Logan.
"Logan, what's up?"
Since she was not at the company, she could dispense with formal titles.
On the other end of the line, Logan didn't beat around the bush. "Here's the situation: I just received a message that a board meeting is scheduled in half an hour. Lance is a member of the board, but he hasn't returned yet, so I want you to attend the meeting in his place."
"Is that okay?"
Deanna was somewhat surprised.
In her view, although she and Lance were engaged, they were not yet married, and the board meeting was a core meeting of the company. Her participation might cause dissatisfaction among some members.
Of course, Logan could guess Deanna's thoughts to some extent.
Logan raised his voice, "Why not? Although you and Lance aren't married yet, my father and my whole family have admitted you. As long as there are no issues between you and Lance emotionally, your marriage is as certain as nailed down."
Hearing such affirmative words, Deanna was somewhat moved.
But unexpectedly, the next second she heard something even more touching.
"Moreover, there's another thing. Lance wanted to wait until your wedding to tell you this, but since you're concerned about it now, I'll tell it to you on behalf of Lance. Your name was added to the Mercer family genealogy at the banquet where Gregory and Chloe were recognized as family members. Now, it's just the official paperwork that's missing between you and Lance, but you are indeed the young mistress of our family!"
"So, rest assured and come with me to the board meeting. If anyone dares to question it, leave it to me to handle!"
By the end of his speech, Logan's words indicated he would defend Deanna.
At this moment, Deanna was truly touched.
She hadn't expected Lance to add her to the Mercer family genealogy so soon.
However, moved as she was, she did not overlook Logan's earlier words. "Logan, are you going back to the company? Can your body handle it?"
Deanna was worried. This board meeting might not end quickly.
And she was concerned about some directors speaking unpleasantly at the meeting.
After all, she had heard from Lance several times before about some restless old members at the board meetings.
Logan knew Deanna was worried about him and said solemnly, "Don't worry, the doctor checked me out. I'm just too tired; there's nothing else wrong. Once we get through this period and Lance returns, I'll take a good rest."
Hearing this, Deanna knew that trying to persuade Logan to rest was futile.
In the end, she said she would wait at the company for Logan's return.
About twenty minutes later, Logan returned from the hospital.
By then, the board members had almost all arrived and had entered the meeting room on the top floor reserved for the board.
Since Deanna was waiting for Logan, she didn't go to the meeting room but waited downstairs.
Soon after, she saw Logan walking in with a middle-aged man who looked to be in his mid-fifties, talking as they entered.
Deanna recognized this middle-aged man as Jason, whom she had seen before at a return banquet; he was a direct board member of the Mercer family.
"Logan, Jason."
As the two approached, Deanna politely greeted them.
Seeing her, Jason chuckled and said, "Mrs., nice to see you again."
Deanna smiled slightly and exchanged a few pleasantries before following them to the top floor.
As they appeared, other directors in the meeting room who had been discussing various topics turned their attention towards them.
However, when they saw Deanna following Logan, their brows furrowed in displeasure.
One director, about Logan's age, picked a quarrel. "Logan, today we are here for a board meeting, not a company meeting. Isn't it inappropriate to bring your daughter-in-law?"
"Why is it inappropriate? Lance is abroad dealing with personal matters and can't return. He has entrusted Deanna to represent him in this board meeting."
Logan looked sternly over and then pointed to a spot below his position, telling Deanna, "You sit there; that's Lance's seat."
Deanna nodded and walked confidently to her seat.
Today she represented Lance and absolutely could not show any weakness.
Seeing her assertiveness, others found it difficult to target her further and instead started discussing the company's recent two instances of confidential information leaks.
"I suspect there must be a mole in our company; otherwise, how could someone succeed twice?"
The director who had been at odds with Logan spoke again.
By now, Deanna knew his name was Donald Joyner.
Many people still found his words credible.
One person said, "I looked at the leaked secrets; they were about our plans for next quarter that we had just finalized and hadn't even notified other departments yet."
At this point, someone expressed dissatisfaction.
"What do you mean by that? Are you suggesting that someone among us leaked the information?"
"It might be possible or not; we need an investigation to clarify."
"If that's what you're suggesting, then we should start investigating from the chairman and president first."