Chapter 243

Chapter 243

A reporter happened to be at the nursing home when the incident occurred, and the cameras captured everything.

Aubrey sat in his office flipping through the news, his fingertips creasing the pages.

"This is just great—I've been completely humiliated!"

His assistant stood nearby, barely daring to breathe, head bowed in fear of becoming collateral damage.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Go deal with the media! The situation's already spiraling, and our PR department is doing nothing?!"

The assistant stammered nervously.

"We've already sent people to contact the media, but some outlets refuse to tone down the coverage."

Right now, anything involving the Smith Group was hot news—who would willingly give up such an easy headline?

Aubrey ground his teeth.

"So the money isn't enough! You incompetent fool. I don't need you to clear my name entirely. Find a way to steer public opinion and make me appear blameless."

After his outburst, Aubrey rubbed his throbbing temples. He never imagined things would spiral this far out of control.

He'd just taken over the company—it should have been a fresh start. Instead, this disaster had struck first.

A knock sounded at the office door. The assistant who'd just gone to contact reporters returned, wearing an ingratiating smile.

"Mr. Smith, it's time for the regular meeting."

Though irritated, Aubrey knew he couldn't skip the meeting. This was his first major appearance—he had to seize the opportunity.

The moment he stepped out of his office, his expression transformed, anger replaced by a pleasant smile, as if the earlier tantrum had never happened.

But everywhere he went, he could feel people's eyes on him—different somehow. He even caught whispered conversations from the break room.

"Something like this happens right after he joins the company. Seems like this interim CEO still doesn't measure up to Mr. Smith. I really don't know why they'd choose someone like him."

"What are you talking about? This is Mr. Smith's uncle. He's getting older, so it's understandable, but who knows if he's really just 'interim' like they say."

The conversation cut off abruptly. Aubrey knew perfectly well that many still doubted him.

Now wasn't the time to purge Ethan's loyalists. Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, he walked into the conference room.

The moment he entered, silence fell. Everyone looked at him with varying expressions. Aubrey forced a smile.

"Let's begin the meeting."

Everyone tacitly accepted this interim CEO, though whether they truly respected him was another matter entirely.

Halfway through the reports, someone brought up a new project.

Aubrey saw this as the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his decision-making abilities—until one of the project managers spoke up.

"Our interim CEO is so capable, why doesn't he lead this new project himself? I'm sure he'd secure it in one shot."

An awkward silence settled over the room. Even knowing the man's words were deliberate, Aubrey couldn't afford to lose his temper.

But he hesitated. This project could indeed establish his position, but he'd been out of the game for years, relying only on past experience to maintain the company. How could he guarantee success with a new project?

As he wavered, the conference room door swung open. Delbert Smith appeared in the doorway, wearing a triumphant smile.

"Great idea. I can secure it."

Panic flashed in Aubrey's eyes. He knew his son meant to support him, but this project was far more complicated than it seemed—otherwise they wouldn't have asked him to handle company affairs in the first place.

"Delbert."

Aubrey frowned, calling to him in a low voice.

"Don't be reckless. This isn't like the projects you usually handle."

Delbert looked at him confidently.

"Dad, don't worry. I met someone when I was out to dinner recently—turns out he's a senior executive on this project."

Relief and pride immediately washed over Aubrey's face.

"There you have it, everyone. Since Delbert can secure this project, I expect your full cooperation."

The room remained silent, but Aubrey didn't care. As long as they landed this project, he and his son would solidify their position here.

After leaving the conference room, Aubrey couldn't hide his elation.

"Delbert, I'm counting on you this time. They all think we can't do it, but the Smith Group will be under our control sooner or later."

Delbert nodded.

"Don't worry, Dad. Ethan's been in charge for way too long—it should've been ours ages ago. Now he can just focus on his health. Hopefully he never has to come back."

At the mention of Ethan, unease stirred in Aubrey's chest. Several days had passed without any activity from that quarter.

"What if he's planning something we don't know about? We should check on him."

Aubrey and Delbert decided to visit Ethan's house, where they found the two of them cooking together.

Yanny was preparing food in the kitchen while Ethan assisted.

The harmonious scene put Aubrey considerably at ease.

Of course—Ethan's world now revolved entirely around Yanny. They say heroes fall to beautiful women, and apparently even someone like Ethan couldn't escape that fate.

But when Delbert saw Yanny emerge with a tray of fruit, smiling sweetly, darker thoughts crossed his mind. While Ethan was outside talking with Aubrey, he slipped into the kitchen.

"Let me help you."

Yanny looked at the man before her, instinctive revulsion rising within her. She was about to leave when Delbert blocked her path.

"Yanny, staying with Ethan has no future. You'll never be Mrs. Smith now. Why not be with me instead? I guarantee you'll have all the wealth and luxury you could want."

Yanny looked at him, undisguised disgust in her eyes. Delbert didn't care—he assumed she was just playing coy.

"Don't get upset so quickly. Think about it—Ethan's a cripple now. He can't do anything. What's the benefit of staying with him?"

Just outside the kitchen door, a flash of restraint crossed Ethan's eyes. Now wasn't the time for a confrontation.

Their day of reckoning would come. He heard Yanny's firm rejection, but then Delbert reached out to grab her.

Just as their skin was about to make contact, Ethan threw open the door, his expression thunderous.

"Get out!"

Delbert jumped at the force of his presence. Recovering quickly, he headed for the exit, voice sharp with indignation.

"What, did I say something wrong? Why are you losing it? Like we even wanted to come to this dump anyway."

Aubrey still had no idea what had happened. He'd just stood up when he heard Ethan's ominous tone.

"Uncle Aubrey, you've only just joined the company. As interim CEO, what would you do if I publicly threw my support behind someone else right now?"

Alarm shot through Aubrey. Seeing Yanny follow behind, her expression equally dark, he immediately understood what had transpired.

He looked sternly at Delbert.

"Apologize."

Delbert's jaw clenched. After a long moment, he bowed.

"I'm sorry."

But inside, his hatred for Ethan burned hotter than ever.