Amber hadn't expected Janelle to appear today. Westin had hired over a dozen professional bodyguards!
The shareholders who had just been pledging loyalty looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Under the collective gaze, Janelle walked straight to Amber's side.
"Move."
Janelle didn't even glance at Amber. That seat wasn't for just anyone.
Amber's face paled instantly.
She had occupied that seat for five years. Five years during which she had poured effort into Blue Whale's development.
Now, Janelle waltzed in and demanded she vacate it?
Seeing Amber immobile, Janelle frowned.
"Don't understand the words?" Janelle's gaze was pure mockery. Since when did mistresses have so little shame?
"Janelle, this is the company. Stop causing a scene." Amber adopted a magnanimous tone.
"Causing a scene? I'm just here to take back what's mine. How is that causing a scene?" Janelle tossed her share certificates onto the conference table. She held 36% of Blue Whale's shares. She was the largest shareholder.
Amber seethed internally but had no choice. She vacated the seat.
"You," Janelle pointed at an assistant, "this chair is tainted. Throw it out and bring a new one."
"..."
Amber was cursing viciously in her mind, but her face remained a mask of composure.
The other shareholders exchanged uneasy glances. Silence reigned; no one wanted to be the first to speak.
An assistant quickly fetched a new chair for Janelle.
Janelle sat down. Amber, without a seat, was left standing awkwardly to the side.
"Notify all shareholders. The official meeting begins in ten minutes."
The current attendees were Amber's faction. The other shareholders hadn't arrived yet.
Ten minutes later, all Blue Whale shareholders were present. Westin rushed in, breathing heavily.
All eyes scrutinized the young woman sitting at the head of the table. She looked impossibly young. Entrusting Blue Whale to a girl like this? Their profits were surely at risk.
Janelle remained utterly unruffled under the collective gaze, radiating calm authority.
"Gentlemen, many of you here were founding members who started Blue Whale alongside my mother, Madalyn. You watched me grow up."
"The initial Capital for Blue Whale came from Madalyn. I now hold 36% of Blue Whale shares. So, I believe I have the right to sit here."
"Janelle! Throwing tantrums at home is one thing! How dare you bring it to the company?! A young girl like you can't possibly manage a corporation this size!" Westin's voice was tight with suppressed rage. He bitterly regretted not finishing her off five years ago.
"Exactly, Janelle. The shares are yours, but a girl who hasn't even finished university can't manage such a large group. Better to let your father continue managing it."
"Correct! He is your father; he wouldn't harm you. Blue Whale isn't just one person's; we must consider every shareholder's interests!" Several voices chimed in.
Most shareholders doubted Janelle's capability. Over the past five years, under Westin and Amber's guidance, Blue Whale had thrived. They'd made good money.
The internal strife within the Rovellas meant nothing to them. Only their own profits mattered.
Westin shot Amber a reassuring look. No matter how fierce Janelle seemed, she couldn't overturn this.
"So, everyone thinks I can't manage Blue Whale?" Janelle asked coolly, observing their reactions.
"Isn't it obvious?" one of Amber's staunchest supporters spoke up.
Seeing the room seemingly aligned with them, Westin and Amber finally relaxed.
"Janelle, you've made your point. You're young, I won't hold it against you. You can leave now." Westin adopted a magnanimous pose.
Amber looked at Janelle with feigned maternal concern. "Janelle, don't anger your father. If you're unhappy, we can discuss it at home. Don't cause trouble here at the company." Her tone painted Janelle as the unreasonable troublemaker.
"I apologize to everyone on her behalf; she's still young and doesn't understand..."
"Hah." Janelle's cold laugh cut her off.
"You and I share not a single cent of relation. Who gave you the right to apologize for me? Want to play mother? Sorry, I already have one. You're not needed."
"Janelle! What kind of talk is that?! Your aunt cares for you! Don't be ungrateful!" Westin slammed his hand on the table.
Seeing his agitation, Amber gently soothed him. "Westin, it's alright. Don't upset yourself."
Janelle leaned back lazily in her chair, her captivating fox eyes sweeping the room.
"I've just returned from the border. I don't blame you for doubting my ability. So now, I offer you all a choice: follow me, or continue following Westin."
Everyone had the right to choose freely, didn't they?
But once chosen, there would be no turning back.
Hearing her dare to pose such a question, Westin almost laughed. So naive. A child.
After five years, the board members were his and Amber's loyalists.
How could they possibly support her?
Amber remained silent, confident in her victory.
Madalyn couldn't defeat her. Madalyn's daughter stood no chance.
Silence descended upon the conference room.
Westin rose, triumphant. Janelle might hold shares, but Blue Whale was still his.
"Thank you for your support..."
Before Westin could finish, a woman seated near the far end of the table spoke up.
"Gentlemen, we are all shareholders of Blue Whale. Our sole concern is the amount that lands in our pockets each year."
"For five years, Blue Whale has stagnated. No growth. Perhaps some healthy competition could... stimulate progress?"
"How about this: Let Mr. Rovella and Miss Rovella each take charge of a project. Let's see who is truly more suited to lead Blue Whale. What do you all think?"
Murmurs erupted among the shareholders as soon as she finished speaking.
Westin glared daggers at the woman. How dare she interfere?!
"Well, Mr. Rovella? Do you dare?" the woman challenged directly.
"Westin..." Amber tried to stop him.
But being questioned like this in front of everyone struck at Westin's pride. He couldn't back down.
"Why wouldn't I dare?!"
"And Miss Rovella? Do you accept this challenge?"
"Then I'll play along," Janelle replied, still utterly nonchalant.
"The rest of you? Any objections?" The woman looked around.
"None. Conveniently, Blue Whale currently has two... challenging projects that have stalled. Mr. Rovella and Miss Rovella can take one each." Another shareholder spoke up.
Mention of those projects made Westin's expression darken. Both had been deadlocked for over a year; no one wanted to touch them.
"So, Mr. Rovella, Miss Rovella... draw lots, or..."
"He's old. Let him choose first." Janelle waved a dismissive hand.
"Don't say I'm bullying you, as your father. You choose first." Westin retorted. The company was full of his people. Whichever project she picked, she couldn't win.
Janelle couldn't be bothered to argue. "Whoever completes their project first becomes Blue Whale's next CEO."
Westin, fearing she might change her mind, declared immediately after she took her project file, "Cry all you want when you lose!"
Janelle simply picked up her project file and strode out, leaving her final words hanging in the air.