Chapter 3 The Meeting [2]

The room erupted in murmurs, and Hayden's face went pale. "That's impossible," he stammered. "How could that be?"

Athena smiled, savoring the moment. "While you were busy making promises and blackmailing shareholders, I was quietly acquiring shares from them. I now control the majority, and I have no intention of supporting your bid for chairman."

Hayden snapped his eyes at the shareholders, glaring. The shareholders intentionally looked the other, as if they didn't know what was going on. He thought he had all the shareholder's support but now everything was shattered.

Hayden's shock quickly turned to anger. "You can't do this, Athena. The company needs a leader-"

"The company needs a capable leader," Athena interrupted, her voice firm. "Someone who can navigate through these turbulent times with integrity and strength. Someone who doesn't rely on underhanded tactics to secure their position."

The shareholders exchanged looks, the tide of opinion clearly shifting. Hayden, realizing he was losing ground, tried one last time to appeal to the group. "Please, everyone, consider what's best for the company. We need unity-"

"And unity will come with a leader who has the shareholders' trust and the company's best interests at heart," Athena cut in sharply. "I am prepared to lead, and I assure you, my leadership will bring stability and growth."

The room fell silent, the weight of Athena's words settling over them. One by one, the shareholders began to nod, their confidence in Hayden waning as they saw the strength and determination in Athena's eyes.

As the tide turned in her favor, murmurs of agreement spread among the attendees. Hayden, sensing his defeat, stood up abruptly, his face flushed with anger.

"What's your reason for doing this, Athena?" he yelled, his voice echoing through the conference room. "You already have a business to run. Why are you now poking into mine?"

Athena remained calm, a sneer curling her lips. "Why, Hayden? Because unlike you, I care about the integrity of this company. Your reckless ambition and underhanded tactics are a threat to its future."

Her words struck a nerve. Hayden's eyes narrowed, and his composure cracked. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" he hissed. "You think you can just waltz in here and take everything I've worked for?"

Athena's smile widened. "Oh, Hayden. Your ego is as fragile as your grasp on this company. You're nothing but a spoiled child throwing a tantrum because things didn't go your way."

Hayden's face contorted with rage. In a sudden, impulsive movement, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun. Gasps erupted around the room as he pointed it directly at Athena.

Cynthia instinctively moved to stand in front of her, but Athena raised a hand, signaling her to stop. She looked at Hayden with a chillingly casual gaze, completely unafraid.

"End this drama now, or I will kill you," Hayden threatened, his voice shaking with fury.

Athena laughed, a sound that echoed eerily in the tense room. "Kill me? You really are a child, Hayden. You think waving a gun around makes you powerful? It only makes you look desperate."

Hayden's hand trembled, the gun wavering slightly. Athena took a step closer, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made him flinch. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper only he could hear.

"I know about your father, Hayden. About how you have been planning to replace him. The hospital tricks? I know it all."

Hayden's eyes widened in shock, his anger boiling over into uncontrollable rage. Just as his finger tightened on the trigger, Cynthia moved with lightning speed. She grabbed the gun from his hand, disarming him in one swift motion. In the next second, she had the gun pointed at him, her stance firm and unwavering.

"Sit down," Cynthia ordered, her voice cold and authoritative. Hayden, stunned and disoriented, sank back into his chair.

Athena looked at him with a mixture of pity and contempt. "The police will be here any minute," she said, her voice calm. "Your little stunt has ensured that you'll never have control of this company."

True to her word, the sound of sirens approached, and moments later, the police entered the room. But the most shocking sight was the presence of the former chairman, Hayden's father.

He was seated in a wheelchair, looking far from critically ill. His eyes were clear and sharp as they focused on his son.

"Father?" Hayden's voice was barely a whisper, disbelief etched across his face.

According to him, the chairman was supposed to be unconscious, but he was here, alert and very much alive. How was this possible? He couldn't understand it, and the shock on his face mirrored the astonishment of everyone else in the room.

Athena smirked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she addressed the chairman. "Right on time," she said, her gaze shifting pointedly to Hayden.

The chairman looked at his son with eyes full of disappointment as he rolled his wheelchair closer. "How could you try to kill your own father just for power, Hayden?" His voice was weary, laden with sorrow. "If you wanted to be chairman, you could have come to me."

Hayden's face twisted with frustration and anger. "I did come to you!" he yelled. "But you refused, saying I was incompetent."

The chairman sighed deeply, the lines of age and stress etched into his face. "And this," he gestured to the room, "proves I was right. You have no idea what it takes to lead. You only know how to scheme and manipulate."

Hayden turned to Athena, fury blazing in his eyes. "Is this all your doing?" he barked. "You're behind this, aren't you?"

Athena smiled serenely, not bothering to deny it. Her silence was confirmation enough.

The police stepped forward to arrest Hayden, who resisted, struggling against their hold. "Father, you can't let them do this to me! I'm your son!"

But the chairman remained unmoved, his eyes hard as flint. "You're no son of mine if you would stoop to such treachery."

As the police finally subdued Hayden, he shouted threats and curses, his voice echoing down the hallway as he was dragged away. "This isn't over," he spat. "I'll make sure you pay for this!"

The room was left in stunned silence, the shareholders exchanging uneasy glances.

The chairman turned his wheelchair to face Athena, his expression softening. "Thank you, Athena," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "You've done this company a great service by exposing my son's true nature."

Athena inclined her head humbly. "It was necessary for the future of the company," she replied. "And now, the chairman's position is secure."

She reached into her briefcase and pulled out a document, handing it to the chairman. "As promised, I am returning the shares I acquired. Your position is stable, and the company's leadership is intact."

The chairman took the document, his hands trembling slightly. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and respect. "You didn't have to do this. You could have kept the shares, taken control yourself."

Athena shook her head. "My goal was never to usurp your position, only to ensure that the company was in capable hands. Your leadership has guided this company for decades. It deserves to continue under your guidance."

The chairman smiled, a rare expression of warmth breaking through his usually stern demeanor. "You have my deepest thanks, Athena."

As the tension in the room began to dissipate, the other shareholders approached, expressing their relief and support for the chairman. The sense of impending crisis had lifted, replaced by a cautious optimism for the future.

One of the senior shareholders, a distinguished-looking woman named Eleanor, stepped forward and addressed Athena. "Your actions today have been commendable, Athena. We owe you a great debt."

Athena smiled graciously. "Thank you, Eleanor. It was necessary for the future of the company."

With the meeting concluded and Hayden taken away by the police, Athena and Cynthia made their way out of the Rovarian building. As they walked through the grand lobby, Cynthia turned to Athena with admiration in her eyes.

"You handled that brilliantly," she said, her voice filled with genuine praise.

Athena nodded, feeling the weight of the day's events beginning to settle on her shoulders. "Thank you, Cynthia. It was a necessary battle, but I'm exhausted."

Reaching their car, Cynthia asked, "Shall we head back home?"

Athena shook her head, feeling the fatigue deep in her bones. "No, I'm too tired. I don't have the energy for the long drive. Let's find a nice hotel and stay the night."