Joshua remained rooted to the floor, his wide eyes reflecting the grim reality of their situation.
While he had anticipated this moment, seeing their hopes dashed so definitively filled him with sorrow for his boss.
A newfound resolve settled in him as he contemplated the future. Maybe, he thought, he should extend an olive branch to Alexander, ensuring that when this inevitable day arrived, he wouldn't have to hide his face in shame.
As Alexander rose to respond to the applause, preparing to express his gratitude.
But suddenly, the meeting room's door burst open with a thunderous crash, and two or three men stormed in, their entrance causing chaos and alarm among the attendees.
The last to enter was Grandpa Cian, his visage etched with anger.
His reputation for taunting with words was well-known, and his voice dripped with scorn as he addressed the room.
"Who dared to select the CEO from among my grandchildren without my presence? Did anyone here truly believe there would come a day when I wouldn't be welcomed?"
His words hung in the air, a shocking and unexpected declaration that left everyone stunned.
Grandpa Cian's authoritative presence was undeniable, and his fury was palpable as he confronted the room with his indignant challenge.
Remy, the president of the company, and his son welcomed Grandpa Cian with a mixture of respect and apprehension, recognising the weight of his presence and the dominance of his 70% ownership in the company.
"Father, don't say that you are always welcome. Come have my seat."
With a gracious nod, he offered him a seat at the head of the table, a position that had been synonymous with his authority for decades.
"That's my seat from many days, my son." Grandpa Cian replied with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"But don't worry, my boy, I will let you keep it...for now." The room erupted in laughter, breaking the tension that had filled the air moments ago.
Remy's son exchanged a knowing smile with his father, silently acknowledging the challenge that Grandpa Cian had just thrown at them.
It was clear that despite his age, Grandpa Cian still possessed a sharp wit and an unwavering determination to maintain his position of power in the company.
As Grandpa Cian settled into the chair, Alexander, who had been standing nearby, reluctantly acknowledged his grandfather's arrival. Good to see you, Grandpa," he said with a hint of sarcasm dripping from his words.
However, his greeting lacked any genuine warmth or well-wishes. He couldn't help but observe Louis, who was seated at the table, his gaze fixed on its polished surface.
Alexander couldn't help but wonder if Louis had some unspoken plan up his sleeve.
Nonetheless, Alexander decided to extend an olive branch, believing it was the prudent thing to do.
"Grandpa," he began, his tone respectful, "I am now the CEO of the company. It's been a long time coming. I've worked hard for this position, and I believe it's the right move for the company's future. I hope you will wish me success in this role."
On the other hand, Ariana Vandeleur went live on Instagram, with her fans eagerly tuning in to hear her speak about a topic she had never addressed before.
The live stream had garnered a large audience within moments. She couldn't believe in her eyes, it was her first live that got almost 5 million views.
As the comments flooded in, Ariana took a deep breath and began, "You keep telling me that I'm addicted, but I'm not." Her voice was calm, but her eyes conveyed a hint of frustration.
"There was no intention or purpose to insult anyone. I respect every belief and every thought. That's all I can say." She leaned in closer to the camera, her gaze fixed on her viewers.
"I understand what's going on on my Instagram. I can see it. But there was no such purpose or even at least 1 percent addiction in my life that you have to worry about." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts.
"I'm not apologizing," Ariana continued firmly. "I'm just saying, I have my own soul. I'm 23 years old, and I can express my truth." She looked into the camera, her eyes pleading with her fans to understand.
"Please, the word is the word; it is what it is. Please believe my words from me, not just guessing, pretending, and assuming."
'Lair! You have no right to lis to us. I thought you are smart but you're addicted bitch.'
Ariana read a comment in her mind, she frowned slightly.
The comments section was a mix of support and skepticism, but Ariana pressed on.
"I've never spoken about this issue for many years, and it's time to set the record straight. I want you all to know that I'm not addicted to any type of drugs, and the proofs you've seen are fake."
Tears welled up in Ariana's eyes as she continued, her voice quivering slightly. "I know some of you might doubt me, but I hope you can see the truth in my words. I wouldn't lie to you."
She wiped away a fake tear, her acting skills on full display. "I just want you to understand that sometimes things are not what they seem. And that's all I wanted to say today."
Ariana ended the live stream, leaving her fans to contemplate her words. The comments continued to flood in, with some fans expressing their unwavering support while others remained sceptical.
Instagram's live broadcast had given Ariana a platform to address the rumours directly, but whether her fans chose to believe her or not was now up to them.
After Ariana finished her live stream, she was met with a sense of relief and nervousness. Her mother, Emily, came into the room, patting her daughter's head affectionately.
"You did well, sweetheart," she said, offering a warm smile.
"Sympathy is what people liked the most, and they'll forgive this matter soon. Just look forward to the days when your own fans will shut down anyone who speaks badly about you. I promise, it'll get better."
Ariana appreciated her mother's support, and she leaned into the comforting touch. "Thanks, Mom. I really hope so," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of emotion and exhaustion.
As Ariana started to get up, Emily noticed the movement and got a worried look on her face. "Where are you going, Ariana?" she asked with concern, fearing her daughter might be heading to a club again.
Ariana paused and gave her mother an assuring smile. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm not going there again," she said.
"I just need to go to a café to take some good pictures of myself. It's been ages since I posted anything on Instagram, and my feed has been quiet lately."
Her mother relaxed a bit, relieved by the explanation. "Oh, I see. Which café are you planning to go to?"
Ariana, while selecting a cute dress from her closet, replied with enthusiasm, "It's called Café Serendipity. It opened just a few days ago, and I've heard it's incredibly aesthetic. I need to take some shots there."
Emily nodded in understanding. "Sounds lovely, dear. Just be careful, okay?"
Ariana gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek. "I will, Mom. Don't worry. It's just a quick outing for some pictures."
With that, Ariana got ready to head to Café Serendipity, eager to capture some Instagram-worthy moments and breathe life back into her social media presence.
Emily watched her daughter with a mix of pride and concern, hoping that the outing would indeed be a positive and refreshing experience for Ariana.