Chapter 4

Carl flinched at my smile, his brows knitting tightly. "Leyla, it's come to this. I advise you to accept reality. For the sake of our marriage, I'll let you keep your fifty-one percent shares. But you must hand over operational control of the company."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cara behind him added softly. "Leyla, don't blame Carl. He's doing it for the company's good. A woman like you managing such a big company is too exhausting. From now on, just relax at home as a wealthy wife. Carl and I will take good care of the company."

Her tone was affectionate yet nauseating.

The shareholders in the room exchanged glances, the atmosphere turning subtle.

They were all businesspeople. They supported whoever brought benefits to the company.

Now it seemed Carl had tied himself to the heiress of Harson Group, with limitless potential ahead.

While I, the stubborn and impulsive soon-to-be ex-chairman's wife, appeared to be the one in the way.

James cleared his throat and spoke first. "Leyla, I think... Mr. Wade's proposal is good. Professional matters should be left to professionals. Don't worry, your dividends won't be short."

Once the first spoke, a second and third followed.

In the blink of an eye, everyone except me stood on Carl's side.

They looked at me with sympathy and persuasion in their eyes, as if I was the unreasonable and immature one.

The triumph on Carl's face grew thicker.

He pulled out a prepared share transfer agreement and pushed it toward me. "Sign it. It's best for all of us."

I looked at the agreement, then at his smug face, and suddenly felt it was all pointless.

I didn't pick up the pen. Instead, I took out my phone and dialed a number.

The call connected after just one ring.

A deep, magnetic male voice came through. "Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes," I took a deep breath, my voice trembling slightly. "I've made up my mind."

The conference room was very quiet, quiet enough to hear the voice from my phone.

Everyone's gaze focused on me, filled with confusion and curiosity.

Carl's face changed.

Jeremy Francis.

That name was a legend in the entire business world.

Starting from nothing, in ten years he built a commercial empire spanning finance, real estate, and technology.

He kept a low profile and mysterious, yet his methods were swift and decisive-an existence many admired but dared not approach.

Compared to him, Carl was like a firefly next to the bright moon.

A light chuckle came from the other end. "Good. When?"

My heart pounded wildly, my palms covered in sweat. "Now. I need you to appear at the Cloudius Capital board meeting immediately."

The entire conference room was so silent a pin drop could be heard.

Carl stared at me intently, his eyes full of disbelief and a trace of fear. "Leyla, stop bluffing! Who do you think Jeremy Francis is? You think you can just meet him because you say so?"

Cara also paled, forcing herself to say, "Exactly. Don't tell me you've hired some con artist to put on a show?"

I ignored them.

I just sat there quietly, watching the wall clock.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Five minutes.

The mockery on Carl's face became more pronounced. "Well? Where's your savior?"

The instant his words fell, the heavy double doors of the conference room were forcefully pushed open from the outside.