Chapter 342
Chapter 342:
The moment Leonel finished speaking, someone in the room immediately responded,
“I think Mr. Leonel Barton should be appointed CEO. Over the past few weeks, we’ve all witnessed his capabilities firsthand. It’s thanks to his efforts that the company has stabilized during this challenging time. I fully support his appointment p>
The others in the room exchanged hesitant glances, and then, one by one, more voices began to express their support.
Upon seeing this, Leonel’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Perfect. All the effort he had poured in, the connections he had cultivated, and the favors he had carefully distributed were finally paying off.
Seeing that the majority of the room had rallied to his side, Leonel rose to his feet, ready to call for the final vote.
Just then, the door to the conference room suddenly burst open. And all eyes instantly turned towards it.
As Austin’s tall, commanding figure stepped into the room, their eyes widened in astonishment.
They couldn’t believe their eyes.
It couldn’t be. Was that truly Austin? Was he really there? He looked perfectly fine—far from a person who had just been in a car accident.
But hadn’t they said he was still unconscious?
What was going on here?
Leonel stood frozen, in complete shock.
He thought he must’ve been imagining things. How could Austin be standing here, walking toward him even, looking completely unharmed? It had to be a hallucination!
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Leonel shook his head, trying to dispel the haze clouding his mind. When a tall figure stepped into his line of sight, reality hit him like a lightning bolt.
It wasn’t a trick of the mind. Austin was really here.
But how? Austin was supposed to be in the hospital.
Just yesterday, Leonel had sent someone to confirm that he was still unconscious. So how was he standing here now, looking perfectly healthy and composed?
Austin’s gaze locked onto Leonel, his voice calm but laced with subtle edge.
“Uncle Leonel, I’ve heard how hard you’ve been working lately. I didn’t want to burden you any further, so I thought I’d leave the hospital and handle things myself. After all, if I’d stayed away any longer, I might have been thrown away without even knowing it p>
Though Austin’s words were framed as a jest, the undertone sent a chill coursing down Leonel’s spine. His pale face betrayed his unease as he scrambled for words.
“Austin, are you… are you alright now?” Leonel stammered, his disbelief plain. “Weren’t you supposed to still be in the hospital p>
Austin’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “You seem surprised to see me. Or is it disappointment I detect p>
Leonel forced a nervous laugh, quickly masking his panic with a feigned warmth.
“Austin, you’re always joking. Of course, I’m glad to see you well! The company needs young, capable leaders like you to steer it forward. I’m getting on in years, you know. I just want to retire peacefully and spend some quality time with my wife p>
Austin’s smile deepened, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement. Leonel was a master of deception, but his facade was paper-thin under Austin’s scrutiny.
It was no secret that Leonel had been circling the CEO position like a vulture for years, waiting for the right moment to swoop in. He must have thought it was finally within his reach, especially with Austin out of the picture. But now, with Austin standing here, the prize was slipping from Leonel’s grasp.
Austin could almost feel the smoldering resentment radiating from Leonel.
He knew the man well—someone who could bend and smile when the situation demanded, only to strike like a serpent when the timing was in his favor.
But Austin wasn’t fazed. His smile remained cool and composed. “I didn’t want to push you too hard, Uncle Leonel. You’ve been working tirelessly. Those dark circles under your eyes are starting to show. As your nephew, I can’t help but be concerned p>
Leonel’s forced smile barely masked the tension in his jaw. “It’s fine, Austin, really. I’ve just been worried about you ever since the accident. Seeing you like this—it’s a relief. If something had happened to you, I’d never be able to face your father again p>
The fake concern in Leonel’s voice was almost comical. Austin tilted his head slightly, his smile turning sharper.
“Really? That means a lot. Thank you for your concern, Uncle Leonel p>
With Austin’s unexpected return, the entire shareholders’ meeting shifted from serious deliberation to something of a farce.
The original agenda had been driven by fears surrounding Austin’s condition.
Rumors about his incapacitation had caused a dip in the stock price, raising concerns about the company’s stability.