He Has His Own Ideas

After distributing the documents, Howard returned to Alex's side, standing by. Rick shamelessly moved closer to Howard, aligning himself with him.

Howard ignored Rick, holding his file folder and staring straight at the shareholders around the conference table.

Not paying me any attention, huh? Rick smiled, inching closer to Howard. In a low voice, he asked, "Have you had breakfast, darling? How about we have a meal together later?"

"I'm busy," Howard declined directly, not giving Rick any chance.

"No problem, I'm free," Rick replied, grinning cheekily.

Howard shot Rick a sidelong glance, as if looking at something filthy.

Is that necessary? Rick's smile faltered slightly, seeing the obvious disdain in Howard's eyes.

"Hey, you," Alex turned back to glare at Rick, urging him to be serious.

Rick shrugged lazily, "You can handle them all on your own, do you really need me?"

"What, do you want our agreement to be null and void?" Alex warned with a sharp look.

"Fine, fine, I'll be good and stand here to intimidate them," Rick surrendered, raising his hands.

Alex glared at him without speaking. He had brought Rick to help intimidate the shareholders, but Rick was more interested in Howard than in the board members.

But Alex didn't reflect on his own behavior. When Howard earnestly reported work, Alex often played with Mark. Now, it was karma.

Howard adjusted his glasses, giving Alex a sidelong glance. "It seems evil begets evil."

Alex blinked, then frowned as he understood Howard's meaning.

"I'm not wrong," Howard said, ignoring Alex and focusing his gaze back on the shareholders, who were whispering among themselves.

The shareholders were discussing what to do, glancing at Alex from time to time before continuing their hushed conversations. Those who had been loudly cursing Alex earlier were now nervously exchanging ideas, while the previously silent shareholders remained calm, sipping tea and reviewing the documents.

Damn it! Why are these people so calm? We've finally got a chance to take down Alex, why won't they cooperate? If we all band together, what is there to fear from Alex alone?

Thomas's anger grew, his hands clenched tightly on the table. He no longer dared to speak much, so he fumed silently.

"Don't worry, someone will surely support us," the man next to Thomas whispered reassuringly.

The man beside him also joined in, "Those old men can't possibly let a youngster like Alex suppress them. Now that Alex is blatantly defying the board, they must be angry and won't let him off easily."

"You really think so?" Thomas questioned, but seemed to want to believe them.

"Rest assured, these old guys care about face more than anything. They won't let Alex control the situation."

Thomas found this reasoning plausible and relaxed a bit. But when he looked at Alex, seeing his composed demeanor, he still felt uneasy.

Damn kid, let's see how long you can be cocky. Today you've offended the entire board. Do you really think you can walk away unscathed?

Nearby, Belmont's butler finished reviewing the document and whispered its contents to Belmont.

Belmont sipped his tea quietly, his expression unreadable.

Seeing no reaction from Belmont, the butler cautiously asked, "Sir, are we just letting this go? What about Miss Isabelle's request? If we don't do as she asks, she'll be very upset."

Belmont placed his teacup heavily on the table, giving the butler a cold look.

The butler trembled and quickly apologized, "My mistake, sir. I overstepped."

Belmont didn't scold him but replied coldly, "I have my plans, but not now."

"But sir, if you don't support Thomas, how will you intimidate Alex?" the butler asked, puzzled.

"Support them? With their measly shares?" Belmont scoffed.

Belmont had no intention of supporting Thomas. The highest shareholding in Thomas's group was only 6%, the lowest 2%. They had squeezed into the board through underhanded means to gain benefits. Belmont wasn't about to let them expand their power.

"Only clowns think this is an opportunity. Alex isn't a fool. He knew about the runaway bride; this was all a setup."

The butler was stunned. "So, this was all a trap?"

Belmont took another sip of tea, analyzing coldly, "Alex is aware that the only threat to his position is the board. He'd rather bait his enemies out and identify trustworthy allies to control the board."

The butler was taken aback. No one in the DuPont family had dared confront the board head-on for three generations, yet Alex was not only doing that but also trying to dominate it.

"This... this is madness!" the butler finally found his voice, amazed.

He now realized that no matter how much Belmont indulged Isabelle, he would still weigh the pros and cons first, not blindly act for his granddaughter's sake.

Miss Isabelle will be heartbroken if she learns her grandfather planned to sit this one out.

The butler sighed, feeling helpless.

## Chapter 26: Stealing a Kiss and Getting Hit

"Everyone should have read the documents by now," Alex said, pulling out a chair and sitting down. His imposing presence made the room feel oppressive.

Thomas's group exchanged nervous glances. They were getting scared. Ten minutes had passed, and no one was siding with them.

"Let's vote. Those who think I'm unfit for the CEO position, raise your hands. Those who agree, stay seated."

"Let's begin. Time is precious, and I have a lot of work to do," Alex said calmly, exuding an air of authority that silenced the room.

"You... you're coercing us with your shares. If you have guts, don't use Rick's shares," Thomas stammered, pointing at Alex.

Thomas had initially gathered support, thinking their combined 21% would outmatch Alex's 20%. If Belmont sided with them, they'd win. But they hadn't accounted for Rick's 10%.

"Oh, I'm coercing you?" Alex laughed, as if hearing a joke.

Without Rick, it would be him on the losing end.

Thomas felt guilty but quickly retaliated, "You're making a mockery of the board!"

He hoped his outburst would rally the silent shareholders against Alex. But he underestimated them. In the face of absolute advantage and profit, no one would risk it all.

"I agree," a shareholder said. It was Director Fan, an elder who had watched Alex grow up.

Director Fan held 9%, the fourth highest after Alex, Belmont, and Rick. His support caused an uproar.

"I agree."

"I agree."

Two more shareholders voiced their agreement, both holding more shares than Thomas's group.

Thomas panicked. "What is this? You're all letting a junior suppress you?"

Director Fan looked at Thomas calmly, asking, "If Alex steps down, who will take his place? You, Thomas?"

Thomas was startled, quickly waving his hands, "Of course not. There are others with higher shares than me."

Thomas couldn't afford to offend Director Fan or the other two shareholders.

"Belmont, Alex abandoned your granddaughter for a man. Are you just going to let him go? Isabelle will be heartbroken," Thomas tried to provoke Belmont.

"That's none of your concern," Belmont replied coldly.

Frustrated, Thomas was at a loss. How could Belmont stay calm when his beloved granddaughter had been humiliated?

Realizing he was alone, Thomas signaled the four shareholders supporting him for help.

They nodded, quickly voicing their support. "Belmont, reconsider."

"Yes, Belmont. Why should Alex suppress you?"

"Exactly, Belmont. We can't let this slide."

"We'll stand with Belmont and seek justice for Isabelle."

Their words masked their self-interest as support for Belmont and Isabelle.

Belmont wasn't fooled. He placed his teacup down, staring at Thomas's group.

Thomas thought Belmont was finally convinced, smiling in relief.

Alex, meanwhile, leaned back, watching with amusement.

Thomas noticed Alex's expression, pointing angrily. "You're mocking Belmont!"

"That's a big accusation, Thomas," Alex said calmly, adding cryptically, "Are you sure you can do the math?"

"What do you mean?" Thomas demanded, enraged.

Alex smiled, not responding. His silence infuriated Thomas further.

Before Thomas could retort, the man beside him whispered, "Fifty-three percent... They hold fifty-three percent."

"What? Fifty-three percent? That's impossible!" Thomas shouted, trembling.

But the math was clear. Alex, Rick, Director Fan, and the other two held 53%, a decisive majority.

"No, no, we lost? How is this possible?" Thomas cried, sweat dripping onto the table.

He wasn't just in disbelief; he was terrified. Losing meant he had thoroughly offended Alex, with dire consequences.

"It's not my fault! I had nothing to do with this, Alex," Thomas pleaded, his face pale.

Alex ignored him, standing to shake hands with Director Fan. "Thank you, Uncle Fan."

Director Fan shook his hand. "It's all for the benefit."

With a nod, he left, followed by the other two shareholders.

Belmont, supported by his butler, left without a word, his face cold. He had hoped to make Alex owe him a favor, but Director Fan had intervened, ruining his plan.

With Belmont gone, the remaining five—Thomas and his supporters—sat with heads bowed, too scared to make a sound.

"This really isn't my fault. Please, let me explain," Thomas begged, pale and desperate.

Alex smiled kindly. "You may go."

Thomas froze, unsure if he heard right. "We... we can really leave?"

"Unless you want to stay for lunch," Alex replied, still smiling.

"Of course not. Thank you, Alex," Thomas stammered, hurrying out as if chased by wolves.

His supporters followed suit, equally frantic.

"Are you really going to let them go?" Rick asked, eyebrow raised.

Alex drummed his fingers on the table, grinning slyly. "What do you think?"

"Thought so. You wouldn't let your enemies off that easily," Rick said, before sneaking a kiss from Howard with a mischievous smile.

"Beast," Howard slapped Rick angrily and stormed off.

"Wait for me, darling!" Rick, covering his slapped cheek, cheerfully chased after Howard, utterly shameless.

"That guy must have something wrong with his head," Alex muttered, watching Rick. If it were him, he'd never follow after such a slap.