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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: The Crown and The Knife

Author: Norah Black
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-07-08 22:17:24

Julian had barely opened his mouth to make his opening speech when the double doors to the boardroom swung open with force.

Every head turned.

The slapping of cane on tiles pierced Julian's ears, going straight for his heart.

The air stiffened with tension.

In walked Lord Alistair Hawthorne.

The silence that followed wasn’t out of courtesy. It was rife with discomfort.

Richard adjusted the cuffs of his dark navy suit, his presence demanding attention as he strolled to the end of the table like he owned it.

Because once, he had. And in many ways, he still believed he did.

"How generous of you all to start without me," he said coolly, eyes on Julian.

Julian rose from his seat, jaw clenched. His father barging in was one thing. Demanding a seat at the table was another.

"You’re not on the board anymore. You retired."

"Retired, yes. Irrelevant? No. Especially not when my legacy is at stake."

Frustration rose in his lungs.

Julian inhaled slowly. Around the table, several board members exchanged uneasy glances. A few looked down, unwilling to pick a side.

"Let’s get to the point," Alistair continued, placing a hand flat on the polished mahogany table.

"This company has been spiraling under personal distractions and emotional entanglements. It’s time we consider installing an interim CEO until things stabilize."

Julian felt the heat rise in his chest. Not now, not when he was so close to closing his deal.

"This isn’t about the company. This is about control, and the fact that you can’t stand not being the one holding the reins."

Richard smirked, amused. "If your house is burning and someone steps in to put out the fire, do you question their authority or thank them for acting?"

"Except nothing is burning, Father. We had a solid Q2. International growth is up twelve percent. The only smoke here is the kind you’re blowing."

A few members chuckled under their breath. Some stiffened.

Alistair narrowed his eyes.

“I didn't want to play this card, but you left me no choice. I'd like everyone to pay attention to the screen”

Julian's brows furrowed in confusion. Behind him, the boardroom projector whirred to life, casting several newspaper clippings on the screen.

Julian froze. He saw the headlines, but they weren't gaining much traction. He had trusted Alistair won't go that far. He was wrong.

“Julian Hawthorne has been quite busy with his…personal indiscretions”

“This is ridiculous” Julian shot back, trying and failing to keep his temper in check.

“It'll be in the best interest of the company to unseat Mr Hawthorne junior until his personal issues are settled. It's the safest move we can make, given the circumstances”

Julian's eyes darted around the room, some heads nodded in approval. He was losing them. Losing the company.

His eyes stayed glued to the screen. The headlines read

“VIOLENT CEO ON THE RISE! JULIAN HAWTHORNE ALLEGEDLY PUSHES WIFE DOWN STAIRCASE”

“BLINK TWICE IF YOU NEED HELP; HAWTHORNE MYSTERY WIFE URGED TO BREAK THE SILENCE” #breakthecycle #canceljulianhawthorne

A voice carried through the room.

"If I may"

All eyes turned to him. The man speaking was Alexander Gray, a board member who owned five percent of the shares in Hawthorne Global Holdings.

His sharp brown eyes fixed on Julian as he spoke, his voice confident and firm.

"We all respect Mr. Hawthorne senior’s legacy, but this isn't the way to address concern. Julian has proven capable. We’re seeing measurable growth. Suggesting a leadership change now would only destabilize what’s working."

Julian turned slightly, surprised. Alexander rarely voiced support this directly. His brows lifted faintly.

Alistairs’ lips thinned.

"You think sitting idle while scandal brews and personal affairs bleed into headlines is good business?"

"There’s no scandal. The media doesn't run this company. We do," Alexander said sharply. "And frankly, this conversation feels premature. If there's a crisis, let's see the facts, not just your fears."

Alistairs' eyes narrowed at him. "Careful, Alexander. You're young in this room."

"Old enough to know when someone's grasping for a crown they willingly gave up."

The board murmured at that.

Julian fought the urge to smile. Not yet. This wasn’t over.

One of the older board members, a woman with gray streaks in her bun and sharp eyes behind her glasses, finally spoke.

"I motion that we table any further talk of leadership changes until the next quarter review. Let’s let performance speak for itself."

Alexander nodded. "Seconded."

Hands went up around the table. Eight out of twelve. Enough.

Julian looked his father in the eye. "You’re done here."

Lord Alistair straightened his jacket, his expression unreadable.

"You may have the room, Julian. But don’t think you have the war."

He turned and walked out, his cane and footsteps echoing through the hallway.

Julian released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He sat slowly, eyes still fixed on the door. Alexander leaned toward him.

"You okay?"

Julian nodded. "Thanks. I didn't expect you to back me."

Alexander offered a modest shrug. "It was the right call."

They moved on with the meeting. Budgets.The Satoshi closing deal. Expansion proposals. International partnerships.

But Julian felt unsettled.

When the board finally dispersed an hour later, Julian lingered in the room, water bottle in hand,staring out the wide glass windows that overlooked the city.

The skyline was sharp against the fading sunlight. So many buildings. So much power.

And so many shadows.

******

Elsewhere, in the underground parking garage, Alexander leaned against the hood of his Mercedes, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a phone to his ear.

"It worked," he said smoothly. "He thinks I saved him."

A pause.

"No, he has no clue. I fed him just enough support to earn his trust."

The person on the other end asked something.

Alexander's lips curved.

"With everything Celeste has on the drive, we’ll sink him deeper than the Atlantic. Just wait."

Another pause. He looked at his watch.

"Two weeks. Maybe less. Once he’s exposed, the board will beg me to take over."

He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket, straightening his cuffs.

The smile faded from his face as he climbed into the car.

Julian Hawthorne had no idea he was being hunted from the inside.

And by the time he did, it might be too late.

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Mga Comments (2)
goodnovel comment avatar
Daniel Agbugba
... Trouble at home—and the office. okayyyy
goodnovel comment avatar
Norah Black
Enemies in suits. Allies in disguise. Julian has no idea what’s coming. Add to your library so you don’t miss the fallout.
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