"Mr. Lewis would never pull a stunt like that," someone said. "When Lewis Group was founded, we agreed—no using power for personal favors. As chairman, he wouldn't cross that line." "Is that so?" Chloe smiled softly. She turned to Scott, her smile still warm on her face. "Then tell me—why did you bring Carolyn to the shareholders' meeting? Was it to hand over the rest of your shares? To make her a major shareholder too, just like that?" Scott's face went dark, a storm of anger and panic clouding his features. He used to hold sixty percent. Monique had siphoned off ten percent. Chloe now had thirty. That left him with just twenty. He couldn't give shares away now—not even to Carolyn. Chloe's words had put a direct stop to Carolyn's bid to join the company's management. No matter how he arranged things from here on out, it was already impossible for Carolyn to become a senior executive of the company. "Carolyn is my daughter," Scott explained. "The company is growing. I brought her here to learn. Next, I'll find a role for her so she can get familiar with the business. I hope you'll all support her." "Of course," Chloe said lightly. "Lewis Group needs professionals to keep growing. The company should find a suitable position for Ms. Carolyn Lewis." She turned to Carolyn, a faint smile still on her lips. "But before that, Ms. Carolyn Lewis, please step out. We're about to start the shareholders' meeting." "You—" Carolyn glared at Chloe. She wanted to argue, but she had nothing to stand on. Shareholders' meetings were for shareholders and top execs only. That ten percent belonged to Monique—not her. If the shares were really hers, would she be sitting here letting Chloe humiliate her? Not a chance. She clenched her teeth, forced down the anger burning inside her, shot Scott one last hard look, and stormed out of the conference room. Once Carolyn was gone, Chloe smiled faintly. "Alright, let's begin. Oh, and Mr. Lewis, please have your secretary send proper notices. It seems two shareholders are absent today—Mrs. Monique Lewis and Mr. Ernesto Mason. They both hold shares. They really shouldn't be missing when the company is discussing its future, right?" "Of course," Scott forced out, swallowing his anger. This girl was acting like she already owned Lewis Group. Carolyn's path into senior management was blocked. Monique was probably going to make a scene again. Why couldn't this family ever have a peaceful day? He rubbed his temple, already annoyed. Just imagining Monique storming in to argue exhausted him. What Scott didn't know was that Monique had no time to confront him right now. She was in another man's arms, lost in the heat of the moment. The man rolled off her, his chest still heaving, and leaned back against the leather couch, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. Monique shifted closer, her fingers brushing his jaw before she pulled a cigarette from the nearby tray and lit it for him, the flame casting a warm glow over her features. He took the cigarette in one hand, his other arm snaking around her waist to pull her flush against him. He took a deep drag, letting the smoke curl upward in thin, wispy tendrils before exhaling slowly, then chuckled. "By now, the shareholders' meeting should be wrapped up. Carolyn's probably secured her position in senior management, right?" Hearing his voice, Monique tilted her head and glanced at him. She replied softly, her hand drifting lazily over his chest, "Scott won't ignore me. Even if he hates the idea, he has to put Carolyn in a senior role. Otherwise, I'll threaten him with divorce." The man snorted. "You've been using that move for years. Does it still work? What if he finds out Carolyn isn't his daughter? You think he'll lose it?" Monique's expression turned cold. She shot him an annoyed look and tried to climb off the bed. He saw it coming and pulled her back into his arms. "What's wrong, my little darling? Getting angry over something so small?" Monique turned her face away and scoffed. "He'll find out sooner or later. But not now." The man's lips curved. "Scott's been raising my wife and daughter all these years. I should thank him. When Lewis Group is in my hands, I'll send him a gift—a really grand one. He'll definitely love it." "Ernesto, I don't want us to stay like this forever. Carolyn's all grown up. Next, she'll move into senior management. Chloe is the biggest shareholder now. We can't let her run free and cause trouble. We need to speed up the plan to rename Lewis Group." Ernesto Mason—one of Lewis Group's shareholders. Scott would never have guessed that Ernesto, the shareholder he thought he got along with, had been in a secret relationship with Monique for years.