I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father -
Chapter 117: We Need To Stop Meeting Like This
Chapter 117: We Need To Stop Meeting Like This
The home office in Lily Van Doren’s house felt charged with tension. Chris stood before her, his mind reeling from the revelation she had just dropped. Brandon. CEO. The words echoed in his mind, a jarring dissonance against everything.
"Brandon?" Chris repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. "You are making Brandon interim CEO?"
Lily sat relaxed behind the massive mahogany desk, her expression resolute. "Yes, Chris," she confirmed, her voice firm. "I have made the decision. It is the best course of action for the company at this time, since my son is unable to perform his duties."
Chris struggled to find the words to express his astonishment. He barely knew Brandon, but from the very little he had seen, he was not leadership material. The idea of him running a multinational corporation like Van Doren was simply absurd.
Brandon seemed like a man who was easily influenced, most especially by his mother. He had no experience in the cutthroat world of high finance.
"But Lily," Chris began, trying to keep his voice calm, "with all due respect, Brandon has no experience. He is not qualified to run a company of this magnitude."
Lily’s expression remained unchanged. "He has the Van Doren blood in him, Chris," she said, her voice unwavering. "That is more important than any experience. He will learn. He has the potential, and I will guide him."
Chris sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew arguing with Lily was usually futile. Once she made up her mind, there was very little anyone could do to change it. But this decision was so drastic, so potentially damaging to the company, that he felt compelled to try.
"Lily, this is a huge risk," he said, his voice laced with concern. "The company is facing some critical challenges right now, with the scandal and share prices plummeting. The shareholders are complaining and we need someone with experience, someone who understands the intricacies of the business, to lead us through this. Brandon might be a Van Doren, but he is not ready for this."
"If Lyse had not gotten involved with father and son, we would not have to be dealing with this." Lily said, bitterness in her voice. "Another scandal will happen and people will forget this one."
She could still not understand what Levi had been thinking to take that step. She remembered meeting Lyse and decided that the girl was very conniving, she had even fooled her into thinking she was a decent girl.
"He will have your support, Chris," Lily continued, her gaze meeting his. "And the support of the entire executive team. He will not be alone."
"That is not the point," Chris retorted, his frustration growing. "Even with our support, he will be overwhelmed. He will just be a figurehead, Lily. And that will only weaken the company further."
Lily leaned back in her chair, her expression softening slightly. "I understand your concerns, Chris," she said, her voice calmer now. "But I have considered all of the angles. This is the best way to ensure the stability of the company during Levi’s absence."
Chris fell silent for a moment, trying to understand her reasoning. He knew Lily was fiercely protective of her husband’s legacy, the that had been in his family for eons. But this decision seemed counterintuitive, almost reckless.
"And what about Levi?" Chris asked finally, his voice quiet. "What will he say when he finds out?"
Lily’s expression hardened again. "Levi is not in a position to make decisions right now, most especially since he is losing sight of what is important." she said firmly. "This is my decision, and I stand by it."
Chris knew that further argument was pointless. Lily’s mind was made up. He felt a sense of dread settle over him. This was a disaster waiting to happen.
"What do you need me to do?" he asked, his voice resigned.
"I need you to draft an agreement," Lily said, her voice businesslike. "An agreement that clearly outlines Brandon’s role as interim CEO. It must also stipulate that the position will revert back to Levi as soon as he is ready to return."
Chris nodded slowly, his mind already working on the legal complexities of such an agreement. He knew that he would have to be meticulous in his drafting, ensuring that Levi’s rights were protected and that the transition back to him would be as smooth as possible.
"I will draft the agreement," he said, his voice professional. "But I still believe this is a mistake, Lily."
She simply nodded, her expression unreadable. "I appreciate your loyalty, Chris," she said. "But my decision is final."
Chris turned to leave, feeling a heavy weight settle on his shoulders. He knew this was going to be a difficult situation, not only for the company but also for Brandon. He was being thrust into a position he was ill-prepared for, and Chris could not help but feel a sense of responsibility for him.
He would do everything he could to support Brandon, to guide him through this turbulent period. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that this decision, made with the best of intentions, could ultimately have devastating consequences for everyone involved.
As he walked out of Lily’s office, he knew he had a difficult task ahead of him: to draft an agreement that would protect both Levi’s legacy and Brandon’s future, while navigating the treacherous waters of corporate politics and family dynamics plus his betrayal. It was a delicate balancing act, and he was not so sure that he was up to the task. To make matters worse, Brett’s threat hung over his head like Damocles’ sword.
As he got out of the house, he called Levi but as had become his habit recently, it went straight to voicemail. Chris cursed and tried again, wishing that for once, Levi would pick up his call but again he got the same response.
When he got into his car, he sat for a minute and typed a quick message then drove straight home. He needed a drink in the privacy of his home so that he could think of how to deal with the circumstances he had found himself in.
When he got into the house, he trudged through the hallway and stopped abruptly when he stepped into the living room.
"We need to stop meeting like this."
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