The cold silence of the hospital room pressed in on all sides as Jichen stood at the foot of his father's bed. His eyes scanned over the tubes and machines keeping his father alive, but there was no sign of movement from the man who had built an empire with his bare hands. The weight of his legacy hung heavy in the air, but Jichen felt only a dull numbness.
His mother, Li Mei, stood beside him, her shoulders trembling. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, wringing with anxiety. Jianyu, his younger brother, sat slumped in a chair, staring at the floor, his face pale and drawn. The burden of the situation had clearly taken its toll on both of them.
Jichen took a slow breath, his mind racing even as his expression remained calm. He knew what had to be done. This family, this company, they needed him to step up. And now, with his father in a coma, there was no room for hesitation.
He turned to his mother first, his voice steady and quiet. "Mother, I know this is difficult. But we can't lose ourselves in this. Father wouldn't want that."
Li Mei looked up at her eldest son, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Jichen, I don't know how to handle this. Your father… he was always the strong one."
"Now, it's my turn to be strong," Jichen said, his voice firm yet gentle. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'll take care of the company. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly. You don't need to worry about that."
His mother nodded slowly, her lips trembling. "Thank you… Thank you, Jichen."
Jichen then shifted his gaze to his brother. Jianyu had always been the more emotional one, never quite fitting into the high-stakes world their father had thrived in. He was a good person, but not a leader. And certainly not someone who could run HD Group.
"Jianyu," Jichen said, his voice soft but commanding, "I know this is overwhelming, but you don't need to carry this burden alone. Focus on supporting Mother and being by Father's side. Let me handle the rest."
Jianyu looked up, relief flooding his features. "I've been trying, Jichen, but I'm not you. I can't do this."
"You don't have to," Jichen reassured him. "I'm here now."
The weight of his words seemed to ease the tension in the room. His mother exhaled deeply, and Jianyu gave a faint nod. They needed him to be the rock, and Jichen was more than ready to bear that responsibility.
With a final glance at his father, Jichen straightened his suit jacket. "I need to go to the board meeting. It's time to set things in motion."
---
The boardroom at HD Group was a hive of tension. The air crackled with anticipation, as executives and shareholders exchanged hushed whispers. They all knew why they were there—Chen Jinyu, their powerful chairman, was out of commission, and now his son had returned to take the reins.
Jichen walked through the glass doors of the boardroom with an aura of complete dominance. His presence immediately silenced the room. The sleek black suit he wore only enhanced his sharp features, and as he strode to the head of the table, every eye in the room was on him.
The female staff members outside the room glanced through the glass, wide-eyed and whispering amongst themselves.
"Is that him? Chen Jichen? He's… he's way more handsome than I expected."
"Look at him! He's so cold and powerful…"
"I wouldn't mind working late hours if he was my boss…"
Inside the room, the board members were no less struck by his entrance. But their awe quickly turned into uncertainty as they realized what this meant for the future of the company.
Jichen took his seat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. He allowed a few moments of silence to pass, letting the weight of his presence sink in. Then, with a calm, measured voice, he spoke.
"I'll get straight to the point. My father is currently unable to fulfill his duties, and as his successor, I will be assuming control of HD Group effective immediately."
The room remained silent, but the tension was palpable. Some of the board members exchanged uneasy glances. One older man, Mr. Zhang, cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Jichen, we respect your family's legacy, but stepping into your father's shoes will not be easy. The shareholders will have concerns—"
"I'm not here to ask for permission," Jichen interrupted smoothly, his voice icy and authoritative. "I'm here to inform you of what's happening. HD Group is in good hands. There will be no disruptions to business. The shareholders will be satisfied once they see results, and I will ensure they have nothing to worry about."
The board members sat in stunned silence. No one dared to challenge him further. The sheer force of Jichen's confidence left no room for doubt. This wasn't a man who would tolerate dissent.
Jichen leaned back slightly, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I expect your full cooperation as we move forward. Any issues you have, you bring them to me directly. Understood?"
A chorus of murmured agreements followed. The board was his now, and everyone knew it.
---
After the meeting, Jichen stepped into his private office. It was sleek, modern, and sterile—just the way he liked it. He shut the door behind him and pulled out his phone. With a few quick taps, he made a secure call to one of his hidden guards, a man known only as Ghost.
"Ghost," Jichen said, his voice low but firm. "I need you to investigate my father's accident. Thoroughly."
There was a brief pause on the other end before Ghost's calm voice replied, "Understood. Do you suspect foul play, sir?"
Jichen's eyes narrowed as he stared out the window at the sprawling city below. "I don't believe in coincidences. Dig into everything—his business dealings, the car, the people involved. Leave no stone unturned."
"Consider it done," Ghost replied, his voice unwavering.
Jichen ended the call, slipping the phone back into his pocket. His face remained expressionless, but his mind was already racing. Something about the accident didn't sit right with him. And if there was a threat to his family, to his father, Jichen would find it—and eliminate it.
As he stood in his office, the city stretching out before him, Jichen knew one thing for certain: the board may be subdued for now, but his real enemies were still out there, lurking in the shadows.
And he would find them. No matter the cost.
To be continued…