Chapter 335
Even though Owen had left Aethelgard, he had spent years building a formidable network there. Nothing happened within the Lance Corporation without him knowing about it.
It became painfully clear that he held no special place in his grandfather’s heart; the old man only valued him for his unmatched business acumen.
Many of the Lance family’s most lucrative emerging industries had been built from scratch by Owen. During his short tenure at the helm, the corporation’s total net worth had doubled.
His only flaw was his ruthlessness. His authoritarian grip on the company had alienated many shareholders, and even Leonard had grown uncomfortable with his unyielding dominance.
So, when the compliant, silver-tongued Lawrence and his father took over, the board breathed a sigh of relief.
But reality quickly set in.
Owen might have been a tyrant who ignored their opinions, but he made the company’s profits skyrocket. Every dividend payout was larger than the last, lining the shareholders’ pockets with gold.
Lawrence and his father were easy to control, but the shareholders were now watching their dividends shrink quarter after quarter.
Having acquired an insatiable appetite for wealth under Owen’s reign, the board
was now realizing they had made a catastrophic mistake.
Worse still, the corporation’s prestigious reputation was tanking.
They had just lost a highly publicized corporate war against an out-of-town company, and it was a humiliating defeat.
If things continued down this path, their shares would become worthless, and the Lance family would inevitably be crushed by rival dynasties.
And to add insult to injury, now that Lawrence and his father had secured their power, they were completely ignoring the board’s demands.
Back in the lounge, Leonard finally caught his breath.
“They are your family! What do you mean you want nothing to do with them?
I’m telling you again, your mother’s death was a tragic accident p>
Owen shot him a glacial glare. “Whether it was an accident or not, God knows, you know, I know, and the murderers know.
Yes, you raised me, and if you ever end up destitute, I’ll pay for your care.
But I am never stepping foot back in the Lance family p>
“Destitute? Are you cursing the Lance Corporation to go bankrupt p>
“Fine, it’s better if you stay filthy rich so I don’t have to deal with you. But the corporation has nothing to do with me.
I used to want to fulfill your expectations and carry the family legacy.
But while was killing myself to expand our empire and boost our profits there was a nest of rats behind my back, constantly scheming to steal my power and destroy me p>
“Why should I put up with that?
With my skills, I can conquer any industry in the world. Why would confine myself to the Eance family a just to feed a bunch of greedy parasites waiting for the perfect moment to bite me p>
“And you! Two years ago, when they framed me, not only did you refuse to punish them, but you enabled their sick game by trying to force me to marry that trash, Quinn Montgomery!
Did you want to ruin my life p>
Owen’s voice grew colder with every word.
“You thought you could threaten me with my corporate shares? Did you really think I couldn’t survive without the Lance name?
And don’t get me started on your useless board of directors. All they do is complain while contributing absolutely nothing.
I was too arrogant? I was too controlling?
Well, look at them now. Lawrence isn’t controlling, and he’s successfully shrinking their stock value by the minute p>
Leonard frowned deeply. “I only thought that since Quinn was your stepmother’s niece, marrying her would bridge the gap between you two.
Besides, we all watched that girl grow up. Her background, her looks, her education —she was perfect for you, and she was madly in love with you p>
Whenever Leonard talked about Quinn Montgomery, his face lit up with absolute approval.