Chapter 1143

It was true-Peak held a mere two percent. The vast majority of the Porter family's wealth remained firmly in Chairman Porter's iron grip.

Peak's face twisted into an ugly grimace.

"I might not hold much personally, but my dad—"

He started to yell, but Lynn flawlessly cut him off.

"So, you still haven't been weaned yet? Relying on 'my dad' this and 'my dad' that in a corporate boardroom? You don't seem much better than a housewife yourself."

Peak's face flushed a deep, mottled purple. His chest heaved, and he was about to slam the table again when Chairman Porter shot him a lethal glare.

Evidently deciding his son was making a fool of himself, Chairman Porter spoke in a low, authoritative voice.

"Sit down, Peak. Since Ms. Shen has an objection, waiting another two minutes won't hurt. Mr. Madden has ability, but he's young. Occasional tardiness is understandable. As veterans of this company, we need to show a little patience."

"Yes, Chairman."

Grateful for the out, Peak quickly nodded and sank back into his chair.

Chairman Porter then turned his gaze to Lynn. "Less than two minutes left. Would you like to step outside and give Mr. Madden a call?"

Lynn had tried calling Jerome earlier that day, but he hadn't answered.

Her expression remained tight as she stared coldly ahead. "When my husband passed away, Chairman Madden took care of me and my children. If it weren't for his kindness, we never would have kept these shares. I only know that a person shouldn't lose their conscience. Almost everyone sitting at this table has been mentored or helped by Chairman Madden. Mr. Zhu, if I recall correctly, it was Chairman Madden who flew in a top specialist for your dying mother last year. Now that he's lying in a hospital bed, you've already found a new master to serve. Don't you feel any shame?"

Mr. Zhu had been the one hovering eagerly around Chairman Porter, ensuring his comfort.

Being publicly called out made Mr. Zhu flinch. But he quickly recovered, his brows knitting defensively.

"Let's keep things objective, Lynn. I respect Chairman Madden. I've been doing everything in my power to find him the best doctors these past few days. If he needs me by his bedside, I won't hesitate. But the company can't remain headless forever!"

Chairman Porter offered a solemn

nod. "I've followed Chairman Madden for decades, and my respect for him is absolute. But Mr. Zhu is right. Just because Chairman Madden is down doesn't mean the company has to fall with him im Sure Ms. Shen wouldn't want him waking up to a bankrupt empire, would she?"

The surrounding shareholders quickly chimed in with their agreement.

The reality was that the company's

stock was tanking. Panic was spreading through the corporate ranks, and several massive projects had been suspended. It was

bleeding everyone's wallets dry, and the anxiety was palpable.

"Enough stall tactics, Ms. Shen. Time's up. Let's not waste any more time and get this vote started..."

Overpowered by the consensus, Lynn had no choice but to bite her tongue.

Peak stood up again, his voice ringing with authority.

"We will now commence the board vote. All those in favor of Chairman Porter becoming the new Chairman of the Madden Group, please raise your hands."

Several eager board members immediately threw their hands in the air. Slowly, the peer pressure set in, and even the hesitant ones followed suit.

Chairman Porter couldn't suppress the triumphant grin stretching across his face. But just as victory Was in his grasp, a smooth, midly amused voice echoed through the room. .

"Well, isn't this lively. It seems we're a bit late."

The voice was unmistakable. It was Jerome.

Chairman Porter's smile vanished. He whipped his head toward the door to see

Jerome standing there-but he wasn't alone.

He was gently supporting Mrs. Bernice Madden. Even though dementia had clouded her mind, she was dressed impeccably.

Despite her illness, she had been born into high society and had lived a life of pampered luxury. She naturally exuded an aura of untouchable authority.

With a solemn expression on her face, no one would ever suspect her mind was fractured. She looked terrifyingly regal.

An instant, deafening silence swept the massive boardroom. Lynn shot up from her chair, her voice ringing out clearly.