Verena stormed down to the first floor, her anger simmering beneath the surface like a tempest ready to unleash its fury.
She couldn't believe how audacious he had been, daring to touch her in such a manner when she had clearly set the rules. Her heart raced, and her fists clenched as she approached her room.
As she reached the corridor, the door of her room creaked open, and Liliya emerged. She had an innocent look on her face, completely unaware of the storm brewing within Verena.
Without missing a beat, Liliya greeted her with a warm smile and said, "I was looking for you; you are not in your room. I thought you had woken up early and already gone down."
But, to her surprise, she discovered her young mistress wearing the same floral dress she wore last night, but with a large red spot on it that had completely ruined it.
Verena's anger flared, and she snapped, her voice dripping with frustration, "I am not a child who needs your assistance all the time!"
Her words hung heavily in the air, and the tension between them was palpable. Liliya's smile faded, replaced by a look of fear and confusion.
She shrunk back, her gaze falling to the ground, afraid of the consequences of whatever mistake she had unknowingly committed.
Verena turned on her heel, her anger still burning fiercely, and marched into her room, slamming the door shut behind her.
The resounding echo of the closing door only heightened the sense of hostility that lingered in the hallway.
Liliya remained outside, bewildered by the unexpected outburst. She couldn't understand what had just transpired; Verena's reaction was so out of character.
After a long, soothing bath, Verena emerged from the bathroom, her robe enveloping her like a cocoon of comfort.
Her mobile phone blinked with an unexpected message, and she picked it up to find an unfamiliar sender.
The words on the screen tugged at her memories, and her heart skipped a beat. It was Juliette, her best friend from school.
"I heard you are out. Please don't dare to hide, please. I want to meet; can we meet?"
Verena's mind raced back to the semester and the tumultuous events that had unfolded since then. Juliette had been the one to come forward, introducing her to a fresh law school graduate, offering assistance that Verena had initially declined.
Instead, she had insisted that Juliette become more involved in her affairs, fearing that Ariana might take an interest in her best friend.
Verena felt a growing worry for Juliette, uncertain of how to protect her from the dangerous world she had been drawn into.
With a sense of urgency, Verena quickly typed a response: "Alright, let's meet at 'Café Serendipity.'" She then stepped into her wardrobe, meticulously selecting a Celine outfit.
When she was dressed to her satisfaction, she stepped out of the room, and there stood Liliya, her earlier harsh words still weighing on her conscience.
Verena approached Liliya, her tone sincere as she extended an apology: "Liliya, I'm truly sorry for my outburst earlier. It was uncalled for, and I shouldn't have spoken to you that way."
Meanwhile, the meeting began, and it was time for the shareholders to discuss and decide on the next CEO. The room buzzed with whispers and speculation as the shareholders exchanged their thoughts.
The room fell into a tense silence as John, a silver-haired board member known for his measured approach, carefully weighed his words. "Well, it's a tough decision. Both Louis and Alexander have their merits."
Louis, Alexander, and their father sat in stoic silence, their eyes focused on John, giving no indication of their thoughts.
Next to speak was Sarah, the sharp-witted shareholder daughter of a rich father and now husband. "True, but we need someone who can steer the ship through these turbulent times."
Her words resonated through the room, and her keen gaze swept over the trio, assessing their reactions.
"I've heard Alexander has some impressive plans for expansion." Louis and Alexander exchanged fleeting glances, their expressions guarded.
"But we can't ignore Louis's experience and dedication to the company." Elizabeth, a no-nonsense woman who valued experience and dedication, spoke up, and her words were met with thoughtful nods from some of the shareholders.
Louis maintained his composure, but his father's unreadable expression deepened.
"What about the family dynamics? We need to consider that too." As the discussion continued, Richard raised a pertinent concern, directing his gaze at Louis and Alexander.
The room hummed with conversation as various opinions were exchanged. Louis and Alexander remained silent, their expressions revealing nothing, while their father maintained a stony facade.
"We should take votes. It's the only way to settle this, as the rule of company says." Michael stated.
"Agreed. Let's collect votes for both candidates and decide."
Jonathan stressed the importance of fairness and said, "And we must ensure it's a fair and transparent process."
Finally, William, a seasoned shareholder and third-biggest company owner known for his long-term vision, delivered a poignant reminder of the stakes involved. "In the end, it's the future of Heisenberg at stake here."
The room fell into contemplative silence once more, the weight of the decision hanging in the air as the fate of the company rested in the hands of the shareholders.
The voting commenced, and Ajax, the assistant to Louis's father, arrived carrying a box filled with papers.
He distributed them to the shareholders seated around the imposing conference table. The atmosphere in the room crackled with anticipation as each person marked their ballot.
The outcome was a foregone conclusion, and as expected, all the votes cast were in favour of Alexander, the chosen heir.
Beneath the table, Louis's hand clenched into a tight fist, his anger simmering just below the surface. Joshua, his eyes darting anxiously around the room, harboured a growing sense of foreboding.
He attempted one final call to Grandpa Cian and his assistant, but the silence on the other end of the line only deepened his unease.
Alexander, on the other side of the table, observed Louis closely, hoping for a reaction that never came.
He had looked forward to savouring this moment when the company would officially be handed over to him, but Louis's lack of visible emotion annoyed him more than he cared to admit.
The president's voice cut through the tension, congratulating Alexander on his permanent appointment as CEO.
A quick glance at Louis was all he allowed before acknowledging the shareholders, gratitude in his voice.
"Thank you all for attending this meeting. I am pleased to announce my elder son, Alexander, as the CEO of H&B."
Applause erupted from the shareholders and Alexander's supporters, drowning out any dissenting voices.