Chase, still seated confidently, smiled.


    “Yes.


    If nothing had happened to Brian, we wouldn’t be holding an emergency meeting to elect a new CEO.


    ”


    The board members began whispering among themselves, discussing Brian’s ident and specting about the next CEO.


    “Frankie, are you nning to return to thepany? We’re in a state of crisis, after all,” asked a board member who was close to Frankie.


    Frankie, looking despondent, opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words.


    Chase sneered.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    “Frankie has just experienced a tragic loss.


    Do you think he can take over thepany now?”


    The board murmured among themselves again.


    “If Frankie doesn’t take over thepany, who will?” another member inquired.


    Chase leaned forward, a smirk on his face.


    “Ladies and gentlemen, have you forgotten that Frankie isn’t the only Hughes? I am also a Hughes.


    ”


    Hearing Chase’s words, the room fell silent as the implication sank in.


    Chase wanted to be the new CEO of Hughes Group.


    “You mean to say you’ll be the new CEO? But you’ve already been expelled from the group,” someone questioned, skepticism heavy in his tone.


    “True,” another voice chimed in.


    “The CEO should hold the highest shares.


    Without any shares, how can you take over?”


    Chase remainedposed, letting the board’s questions hang in the air.


    Then he exined, “When my mother learned about Brian’s situation, she knew the group needed stable leadership.


    She transferred all her shares to me.


    Therefore, I am qualified to take over.


    ”


    Heid a share transfer agreement on the table.


    The directors passed it around, examining it closely.


    Debora owned fifteen percent of the shares, and with her transfer, Chase would be the secondrgest shareholder.


    This indeed qualified him to assume the presidency.


    Surprised murmurs filled the room as the directors processed this turn of events.


    Debora’s transfer of all her shares to Chase was unexpected, but as a family matter, they had little to say.


    “Even so, I believe Frankie should take over the group now.


    Before Brian, it was Frankie who managed everything,” a director asserted.


    “That’s right.


    Despite his dejected state after losing his son, Frankie will bounce back and be prepared to lead again,” another director agreed.


    Others nodded in agreement, clearly favoring Frankie over Chase.


    They didn’t like Chase.


    After all, the time when Aldrich almost took thepany toward the wrong direction was still fresh in their minds.


    Chase had anticipated this reaction.


    He turned to Frankie.


    “Frankie, do you want to take over the group?”