-Board Meeting-

Louis stepped out of the house, his demeanour serious and devoid of any trace of a smile. Nervousness and frustration weighed on him like a heavy cloak.

Today marked a pivotal moment—a board meeting awaited him at the company, and he silently counted himself lucky for being punctual.

Louis wore a black coat that accentuated his tall and slender figure, projecting an air of authority.

Underneath, he wore a crisp white shirt that contrasted sharply against the darkness of his coat; the combination exuded sophistication and professionalism.

Entering his office, he sought out Joshua, his anxiety barely contained. "Joshua," he began, his voice a mix of tension and urgency.

"I need the latest updates on the meeting. Who's confirmed their attendance, and have you managed to get through to my grandfather?"

Joshua's brows were furrowed, his own unease mirroring Louis's. "I've been trying to reach him," he admitted, his fingers tapping on his keyboard in a rhythm that betrayed his agitation.

He glanced at him and informed him. "Unfortunately, there's been no response. I even left messages, but it's as if he's disappeared. I am still trying."

A deep frown etched Louis's face as he processed this unsettling news. He leaned against his desk, his mind racing through potential implications.

"If he's given the entire company to Alexander," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, "I'd be left with nothing. How could I even provide for my mother?"

Joshua's eyes widened with shared concern. He paused his typing, fully engaged in the conversation.

"Young Master Louis, we can't jump to conclusions just yet," he said earnestly, his voice a steadying force.

"Perhaps there's a valid reason for his silence. We should consider all angles before jumping to conclusions."

Louis let out a tense sigh, his fingers unconsciously drumming on the polished surface of his desk.

He knew Joshua was right, but the worry that gnawed at his mind was overpowering. The weight of responsibility on his shoulders felt unbearable.

The thought of his mother's well-being hinged on finding answers, and the uncertainty made him uneasy.

He knew he had to stay calm and composed, but the nagging thought persisted – what if something terrible had happened to his grandfather?

"You're right," he conceded, his gaze locking with Joshua's. "I can't let my emotions cloud my judgement. But if things go south, I need to have a backup plan. For my mother's sake."

Joshua nodded in agreement, his determination evident. "Absolutely. We'll explore every avenue, and I'll continue trying to reach your grandfather. In the meantime, let's focus on preparing for the meeting and presenting our best case."

Louis's shoulders relaxed marginally, a glimmer of hope breaking through his worry. He appreciated Joshua's dedication and sound advice.

"Thank you, Joshua," he said, a small but genuine smile finally gracing his lips. Joshua was only one year older than him so Louis understand him and even respect him.

"And." Louis stopped suddenly and turned around, making Joshua's heartbeat faster as he wondered what happened now.

"The marriage certificate... Keep it near you." Joshua furrowed his brow in confusion, not sure why Louis would suddenly bring up the marriage certificate.

Nevertheless, he nodded and assured him that he would keep it safe. Louis seemed relieved yet pensive as he looked at the marriage certificate, knowing that it held the key to their future happiness.

As they continued to prepare for the meeting, Joshua couldn't help but wonder: would the marriage certificate play a role in their presentation, or was it a backup plan in his mind?

Louis stepped into the meeting room, his heart pounding in his chest. The room was bathed in the soft glow of overhead chandeliers, casting a warm, amber hue on the mahogany walls and plush carpeting.

The air was filled with a mixture of anticipation and tension, as the board members and shareholders had already taken their places around the long, polished table.

With a forced smile, Louis began to make his way around the room, exchanging greetings and nods with those who had gathered.

He could read the skepticism in their eyes, their subtle glances and hushed conversations confirming their doubts. It was clear that many of them were not convinced he was the right person to lead the company.

At the centre of the table, boxes of tissues were neatly arranged next to crystal-clear glasses of water, a sign of the emotionally charged discussions that often took place in this room.

Louis found his designated seat, positioned to the right of his father, a place of honour and responsibility. To his father's left, an empty chair awaited Alexander, the missing piece of this corporate puzzle.

As Louis settled into his seat, he couldn't help but wonder why Alexander had not arrived yet. He had expected him to be punctual, especially for a meeting of this importance.

Louis drummed his fingers nervously on the smooth surface of the table, his gaze fixed on the closed door, willing it to open.

Finally, with an air of nonchalance, the door swung open, and Alexander strode into the room. His confident gait and casual demeanour were in stark contrast to the tension that had gripped the room.

Alexander's designer suit fit him perfectly, and a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes as he surveyed the assembled group.

Louis watched as Alexander made his way around the room, greeting the members with a charm that seemed almost rehearsed. Some even embraced him warmly, their affection clearly genuine.

Louis couldn't help but wonder how much Alexander had invested in these relationships to garner such support.

When Alexander finally arrived at his seat, next to Louis, he wore a fake expression of surprise that didn't fool anyone.

Louis clenched his jaw, trying to contain his frustration as his stepbrother's playful tone grated on his nerves.

"Oh, younger brother," Alexander drawled, his voice dripping with insincerity, "What a pleasant surprise. I thought you wouldn't come to this meeting."

Louis met Alexander's gaze, his own eyes narrowing with controlled anger. He knew better than to let his stepbrother's taunts get to him, but it was a constant battle to keep his composure.

"Of course, I'm here," Louis replied, his tone measured and calm. "I wouldn't miss this opportunity to ensure the company's future is in capable hands."

Alexander leaned in slightly, a sly smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Well, it's always good to have a backup plan, isn't it?" he said, his words laced with a subtle hint of mockery.

Louis took a deep breath, fighting the urge to rise to the bait. He knew that engaging in open conflict would only undermine his position.

"Indeed," he replied evenly. "Let's focus on the meeting, shall we? It's time to prove ourselves."

Alexander chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving Louis's. "Oh, Louis," he said, his voice honeyed with condescension, "I couldn't agree more. May the best man win."

The tension between them was palpable, but they both understood the importance of maintaining a façade of civility in front of the watching eyes.

As the meeting began in earnest, the battle for the company's CEO position continued to play out in their veiled taunts and sweetly delivered insults, a silent war of words that simmered just beneath the surface.

Throughout the meeting, the exchanges between Louis and Alexander were laced with subtle provocations.

Louis, addressing a shareholder's concern, said, "We need stability and a clear vision for the future, not just charm and charisma."

Alexander responded with a sly smile, "Well, my dear Louis, it's charisma that wins hearts and loyalty. Stability can sometimes be synonymous with stagnation."

Louis couldn't help but grit his teeth, feeling the anger bubbling beneath his composed exterior. "And what about accountability, Alexander? It's a quality essential for a leader."

Alexander leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving Louis. "Accountability, yes, indeed," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But sometimes, Louis, it's about having the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances."

The tension in the room grew, and the other members could sense the underlying rivalry, but Louis and Alexander maintained their masks of civility, the true battle of wills hidden beneath their taunting words.

Before Louis could remark, the door opened, and the tension in the room remained palpable as the President Remy entered, bringing a hush over the gathering.

Shareholders and board members rose to their feet, including Louis and Alexander, who had been engaged in their subtle taunts just moments ago.

Now, they were united in respect for their father.

Louis cast a quick glance at his father, hoping for some sign of support or recognition, but his father's gaze remained fixed on the shareholders, his expression unreadable.

Louis couldn't help but feel a sinking sensation in his chest.

As everyone settled into their seats, Louis noticed that his father had not spared him a single glance.

It was a stark reminder of the growing divide between them, and Louis wondered if his father was truly willing to exclude him from Heisenberg's business affairs.

The meeting was about to begin, and Louis couldn't shake the feeling that this would be a defining moment for the future of the company.

He also keeping a close eye on his mysterious brother, Alexander, who was an unpredictable wildcard in this high-stakes game of corporate chess.

Turning his attention to his assistant, Joshua, who stood nervously at the side, Louis could see the anxiety mirrored in the young man's eyes.

Joshua was desperately making phone calls, presumably to Louis's grandfather, who was the only hope to salvage the situation.

He also thought about the ways he would talk with Verena since she was very angry when she left. It was his mistake, and he regretted not keeping that in mind.

If it were another man, he would have thought it was just holding hands with a grateful gesture, but she overreacted this time.

But Louis didn't blame her entirely.

He admitted to himself that he had taken her for granted lately, dismissing her concerns and failing to prioritise their relationship.

He realised that their argument was just the breaking point of pent-up frustration and communication issues that had been brewing for quite some time.

Louis knew that if he wanted to salvage their relationship, he needed to show Verena genuine understanding and reassurance that he would make an effort to change.

He took a deep breath and vowed to make amends with her as soon as he had resolved the current crisis at hand.

Give her a marriage certificate as well.