Chapter 489
The news that Darwin had transferred all of the shares to Camilla and officially named her as the next successor quickly reached the ears of Tessa and Oscar.
Darwin personally called Oscar, instructing him to take Camilla on a tour of the company the following day.
When Tessa heard the news, her face contorted with fury. She smashed two expensive vases in their living room. “What on earth is Dad thinking? It’s one thing for us to give our shares to Lance, but how can he let that woman take everything? Even if Lance refuses to return to the company, you’re still here! The position of executive successor has no business falling into that woman’s hands p>
Even though Tessa felt guilt toward Lance, it didn’t mean she could instantly accept Camilla. Hearing that Darwin was handing Oscar’s executive role to her left Tessa both furious and deeply anxious.
The woman wasn’t even officially married into the family yet, and she was already disregarding Tessa, her future mother-in-law. If she truly took over the company, wouldn’t she be walking all over her?
Just the thought of it was unacceptable to Tessa, making her feel humiliated in front of her social circle.
“Have you still not figured out the situation? Dad is doing this to help us mend our relationship with Lance,” Oscar snapped in exasperation. “If she isn’t acting as the bridge, do you honestly think your son would ever see you again? Don’t you know how Lance operates by now? Instead of throwing a tantrum, you should be figuring out how to get on Camilla’s good side p>
Oscar didn’t hold strong emotional attachments, nor did he obsess over status. As far as he was concerned, whoever ran The Charles Group, it was still their family’s company. He frankly didn’t care that much.
Tessa’s expression stiffened. “I’m still her elder. You want me to actively suck up to a woman with no background and no manners p>
“Manners? Elder?” Oscar scoffed. “Do you see anyone caring about that right now? If Lance makes up his mind not to acknowledge you as his mother, then you aren’t anyone’s elder. As for her background, Dad just handed her the keys to the entire empire. Who in this world has the right to question her background now? Tessa, you need to wake up. Lance isn’t a child anymore. You can’t control his heart. You’re the one begging him to forgive you. If you still insist on acting all high and mighty and making things difficult for the woman he loves, I guarantee he will never come back to you p>
Oscar had laid the truth out so bare that Tessa’s face burned with embarrassment. She sat in silence for a long time, unable to formulate a single argument.
The facts were staring her right in the face, leaving her with no room for denial.
Oscar patted her shoulder. “Think about it carefully. Think about whether you really want your son back. Dad told me to take her to the office tomorrow to familiarize her with the operations. If you can wrap your head around reality, come with me p>
Tessa slumped onto the sofa in defeat.
Deep down, she already knew the answer.
She just didn’t want to admit it yet.
Camilla hadn’t expected Darwin to move with such lightning speed.
She signed the papers one day, and the very next, she was told to make a public appearance at the corporate headquarters.
Lance had originally wanted to go with her to assert dominance on her behalf, but Camilla declined his offer.
She was the one who would be working there and managing the entire empire. If she relied on Lance to back her up on her very first day, it would be impossible to win the true respect of the employees.
Seeing how resolute she was, Lance didn’t force the issue. He offered to take Jasper to the hospital to visit Elise instead, promising to pick Camilla up from the office later.
When Camilla arrived at the headquarters of The Charles Group, Oscar and Tessa had already lined up the staff outside to welcome her.
The setup was incredibly grand.
They had even rolled out a brand-new red carpet, treating her arrival like a VIP inspection.
“Ms. White, let’s go. The board of directors is waiting for you,” Oscar said.
He was no longer treating her like a junior family member, officially establishing her authority in front of the employees by addressing her professionally.
Even though Tessa didn’t say anything, she forced a polite, relatively warm smile.
Camilla followed them into the conference room.
The hostility she expected never materialized. The board members greeted her with smiles, some even displaying visible deference.
There were no questions and no disputes.
The meeting went flawlessly, but Camilla knew full well that this stability was entirely due to the groundwork laid by Oscar and Darwin.
By the time the meeting wrapped up, it was already noon. Camilla turned to Oscar politely. “Thank you for arranging everything today. I p>
“We’re all family here, there’s no need for thanks. Since this is the Chairman’s arrangement, we’ll naturally do our utmost to assist you, Boss,” Oscar replied smoothly, keeping his tone professional.
Tessa’s expression still looked a little stiff. She looked like she wanted to say something, her lips parting a few times, but she ultimately stayed quiet.
Oscar, however, gracefully took the lead. “There are still a few critical projects that need to be handed over to you, Ms. White. It might require you to stay a bit later. I hope you don’t have other pressing plans p>