Chapter 428
Andrew stood up, and his previously friendly smile had vanished, replaced by an icy demeanor. The shift in his expression sent chills through the boardroom, making everyone uneasy.
He stated coldly, “Since my shares now exceed both the CEO’s and Mr. Hills‘, doesn’t that give me the greatest authority and priority in today’s lunch meeting?”
Michael’s face twitched. “In principle, yes, that’s correct.”
Edward was not having it, his face contorted with anger. “Kid, I didn’t expect you to pull something like this. But five billion in funding–you must have misappropriated it from somewhere. With your position and background, even if your family saved for generations, they couldn’t come up with that kind of astronomical sum.”
Many heads nodded in agreement around the table. Edward’s logic seemed sound, as instantly injecting fifty billion dollars to become the fifth major shareholder was suspicious.
However, Andrew could not care less about their suspicions. He slowly walked over to Michael, his footsteps echoing in the tense silence.
Michael flinched. “Mr. Lloyd, what are you doing?”
“Relax,” Andrew replied blankly. “You’re the CEO of the group, and I’m just a board member. What could I possibly do to you? I’m simply exercising my rights as the group’s fifth major shareholder.”
Edward shouted angrily, “Mr. Lloyd, get back to your seat! You might have lucked into becoming the fifth director, but you still need to follow basic protocols.”
Andrew nodded calmly. “You’re right–basic protocols must be followed.”
He paused before saying, “So when a minor shareholder like yourself shouts at me, the fifth director, aren’t you overstepping your bounds?”
Edward froze, his lips moving to deliver an angry retort before catching himself. He mocked, ” Well, well, Mr. Lloyd. You’re showing your true colors on your first day. I’d love to see what you plan to do about it.”
He leaned back in his chair with contempt. As a founding member who had built the company alongside Lauren’s father, he did not view this new shareholder as a threat.
Meanwhile, Lauren, Marcus, and Eunice watched Andrew with confusion, wondering what his next move would be.
“Mr. Hills, you were quite bold earlier, threatening to have me arrested and even making me disappear from this world, right?” Andrew asked with a deceptively pleasant smile.
Edward lifted his chin haughtily. “So what if I did? Though now that you’ve shown your deep pockets and become a major shareholder, I suppose I can’t touch you anymore."
Andrew nodded. “I’m glad you understand that, Mr. Hills. Now it’s time for me to settle the score.”
“Mr. Lloyd, that’s enough,” Edward scoffed. “I’ve been plenty patient with you. Settling scores? Aren’t you being childish?”
Andrew shook his head. “Not at all.” Without warning, he delivered a powerful slap across Edward’s plump face.
The impact was explosive. Edward’s 200–pound frame, along with his chair, went flying across the room. The chair shattered against the wall, while Edward let out a painful groan before his eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
The boardroom fell into a deathly silence.