Empire 82

This chapter makes a quiet but clear adjustment to the story. Small choices and brief pauses point the plot in a new direction. The shift is steady, not loud, and it sets up what comes next.

A few actions and reactions stand out. A held-back answer, a quick decision, or a look that lingers changes how characters see each other. These beats feel small now but carry weight forward.

Emotions sit just under the surface. The tone shows doubt, hope, or pressure even when the words stay measured. What is not said guides the scene as much as what is spoken.

Earlier choices and old tensions shape how people act here. History does not repeat, but it limits and nudges. The present is easier to read when the past is kept in view.

Trust, distance, and leverage shift by degrees. Roles adjust, and the space between characters changes shape. By the end, connections are not exactly what they were.

Objects, gestures, and setting notes do quiet work. They mirror the mood and hint at motives. Paying attention to them clarifies what is at stake.

Short remarks, paused replies, and choices made too quickly point to what will matter soon. The chapter plants markers that future scenes will pick up.

A few sentences carry the heart of the scene. They show fear, resolve, or longing in simple words. These are the lines that will echo next chapter.

The conference room fell silent for a couple of seconds before a low murmur of conversation started to ripple through the crowd. Although there had been rumors for a while, this was the first time Ramona had revealed her identity at a core executive meeting, and more than a few people were watching her with wary eyes.

Ramona raised her hand, signaling to her assistant. “Please distribute the prepared materials.”

Her assistant immediately began handing out packets, moving from seat to seat. Inside were Ramona’s personal project portfolio and a detailed report outlining how she’d turned around the subsidiary’s losses.

Ramona continued, “I know some of you are concerned about my age and the fact that I haven’t held a position at Covington Group before. You might worry I’m not up to the task.”

“In the past, I’ve led three major projects, each valued in the hundreds of millions. Two of them went from losing money to turning a profit under my direction.”

“As for the challenge Mr. Covington set before me, I took over a subsidiary that had been losing money for six consecutive months and brought it back into the black in just a week. I secured hundreds of millions in new investment and brought in crucial projects.”

“This information isn’t to boast. I just want you all to understand, I’m not here for comfort or privilege. I genuinely want to help Covington Group thrive.”

A few people nodded quietly to themselves. “Didn’t expect she actually had the chops,” someone whispered.

Ramona then turned to Holden, who had been silent throughout.

“Earlier, Mr. Covington said that the successor’s authority had to be approved by a vote of the core shareholders. I’ve already invited two of them here today. Now, with myself, Mr. Covington, and these two shareholders, we have over half the votes. But I don’t think that’s enough.”

“Covington Group isn’t the property of any one person, and decisions about its leadership shouldn’t be made by just a handful of people. Today, I want to put this decision in everyone’s hands. Whether or not I should take part in managing Covington Group, I’d like the board members present to decide by vote.”

“For Covington Group to move forward steadily, it can’t rely on any single individual. It’s always been about the collective support and hard work of all its shareholders.”

Her words were polished and persuasive, and the board members found themselves nodding in

agreement.

Holden had expected Ramona to simply pressure them with shareholder authority or the will. He hadn’t anticipated that she would not only pull off a business turnaround but also hand over the voting rights on her future to the full board. In that moment, he lost all control of the situation.

As soon as the vote began, Ramona received unanimous support. Her authority was activated on the spot, and her appointment was officially announced to the company.

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19:02

By the end of the meeting, Holden’s former arrogance had completely vanished. His tie was loosened, and he’d taken off his glasses, desperately trying to compose himself.

“Mr. Covington, thank you for your hard work today. Too bad Melinda isn’t around. I was hoping to ask her advice on management. Please give her my regards and wish her a speedy recovery,” Ramona said gently as she rose to leave.

“Of course,” Holden replied through gritted teeth, forcing a strained smile.

Once everyone had left, he stormed back to his office in a fury, immediately calling the two shareholders who’d “betrayed” him to demand an explanation.

It turned out that Ramona’s connections in the finance world ran far deeper than anyone had guessed. She’d dug up the backgrounds of the two shareholders: both had invested their entire fortunes in Covington Group and were now completely tied to the company’s fate. Privately, they had also done quite a few deals with Holden that wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny.

Ramona had made it clear–either help her gain control, or she’d drag Covington Group’s stock price into the basement, taking their fortunes with it. She was ruthless enough that no one wanted to test her threats, knowing that any losses she inflicted would hurt them as well. And now that she knew about their secret dealings with Holden…

Holden was so furious his chest hurt. These old fools–utterly useless!

How could they make such a major decision without even consulting him? After a string of curses, he hung up and headed straight out to find Melinda.

Meanwhile, Ramona made sure Nova and the others were settled, then returned to her office.

But when her assistant sent her the meeting summary, she was surprised to find she had one more shareholder vote than expected.

With Holden forced to support her, she should have had four votes in total, so why did the system

show five?

Ramona pulled up the system log, only to find that Covington Group now had an eighth shareholder. The name was… “Ethan Jordon.”

A heavy feeling settled in her chest.

At some point, Ethan had quietly been buying up shares, and just half an hour before her meeting, he’d gained enough to qualify for the shareholder vote.

News of the vote would have gone out to every shareholder, and Ethan, without hesitation, cast his vote in her favor. He’d done it on purpose. Deliberately helping her, all while keeping a low profile. Follow current novᴇls on ⓝovelFind.net

Ramona sat there, unable to calm her racing thoughts. She wanted to call Ethan right away, but a phone call didn’t feel significant enough.

After all, he’d given her several valuable gifts in the past, and she’d promised to return the favor.

Glancing at the time, just before six, Ramona grabbed her bag and headed to the largest luxury mall in the city.

19:02

Chapter 82.

Jotham’s car rolled to a stop in the mall parking garage. Inside, Brianna sat with tears streaking down her face, still sniffling miserably.

She’d suffered blow after blow these past few days–kicked out of the house by Winnie, then humiliated by Griffin at work.

Jotham himself hadn’t dared to see her for two days, weighed down by guilt.

“Come on, sweetheart, don’t cry. I told you I’d make it up to you. Today, you can pick out anything you want. We’ll get through this. It’ll just be rough for a little while, but I promise I’ll take care of you.”

Brianna was his wife, after all, and Jotham couldn’t just focus on the company and neglect her. Right now, his only way to comfort her was to buy her whatever she liked.

She’d been refusing to leave the house, but Jotham had practically dragged her out to try and lift her spirits. She turned away, refusing to speak, but he stubbornly held her hand anyway.

“All I ask is that you promise me one thing. Don’t let Ramona come back to the company. Don’t give her half the shares!”

The scene closes, but its pressure does not. Something has shifted, and the next step will have to meet it. The feeling is unfinished on purpose.

Expect tighter tension and fewer safe options. Hidden truths may press forward. The path ahead should feel earned and a bit sharper.

Which choice will echo the longest? Who revealed the most by saying the least? How might today’s restraint become tomorrow’s turning point?

Rules, memory, and the setting frame each decision. Inside that frame, even small moves gain size. The chapter belongs to its world as much as to its people.

With this chapter done, the story steps forward—quieter, clearer, and ready to show what those choices mean.