Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 35 RYAN "An emergency board meeting? What in the world does that even mean? Who had the audacity to call for a meeting without consulting me? Lexclaimed, feeling a surge of frustration. "Do you have any inkling about the purpose of this meeting?" I inquired. My father responded with a scoff, his tone tinged with dicappointment. "Of course, the meeting is centered around you," he retorted sharply. "Ample tirne has been provided for you to address their demands, yet you've taken no action. His voice dripped with disappointment "At this point. I find myself wishing for another son. Perhaps then, I wouldn't have to waste my tdealing with you." I wonder what generation these men emerged from. How can one's credibility be defined solely by their ability to have a family? Does that even make sense?" I pondered aloud, with you at the conference hall, I informed, hoping to shift the conversation away Tam literally en route to a meeting. I'll catch up wi from the crazy board members, "You're heading to a meeting?" He exclaimed incredulously, his tone Laced with disbelief. Are you kidding me, son I instinctively Instead of strategizing moved the phone away from my car, fearing the potential damage to my eardrums from his vehement react I instinctively a counterattack, considering the evident connection of this meeting to you, you're simply heading to another meeting? Don't you think it's wise to have someone represent you?" he suggested. Gazing out the window, I observed the scene with absent-minded detachment, my thoughts consumed by tons of concerns. "I refuse to delegate representation in a business meeting that holds the potential to yield millions, merely because I've surrounded myself with inept and foolish board members," He sighed heavily, the weariness evident in his voice. "What's your plan. Ryan?" he asked, sounding exasperated. "You can't afford to be late for a meeting that is about you?" "Tim going to be late, 1 argued stubbornly. "Since you'll be there early, you might as well inform them of the reason for my delay. If they have the luxury of tat their disposal, then I'll assist them in making the most of it. "I have to go. I need to review the meeting material one more time. Without waiting for his response. I promptly ended the call. Angelo's eyes met mine through the rear-view mirror, his expression tinged with concern. "What's your plan?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of apprehension. "Whether you agree with it or not, these are individuals rooted in old- fashioned ideologies. You stand as the inaugural CEO in your family's lineage to ascend to the position unmarried. Moreover, you've becthe first to experience divorce while holding office, and you've reached this age without parenthood. Essentially, they seek assurance that your leadership won't veer the company off course, given their belief that you struggle with commitment." "I vehemently deny any allegation of commitment issues," I retorted, y tone sharp with frustration. "I understand your perspective, Angelo nodded in agreement, his voice tinged with empathy, "but unfortunately, the board doesnt share that sentiment. He sighed, "You'll need to devise a strategic plan before they contemplate removing you from office." "The plan is to sign this deal, take it to the conference room and ask them how the preferhaving a child over this." I responded. Reaching for the document for the meeting. I skimmed through it. Angelo taking notice of the fact that I do not want to talk about it anymore kept his mouth shut and continued driving. We were almost close to venue for the business meeting when my phone rang. I glanced down and saw Lily's non the screen. My brow jumped to my hairline in surprise that she is actually calling me. Quickly swiping the receive button. I placed the phone to my "Lily?" did something happen? She doesn't think I have anything to do with the leaked news right?" "Hey," she greeted softly, her voice almost sounding weak, as if she had a coll. "Are you busy? I need to discuss something very important with you. There was a heavy exhale before she continued, "I could cdown to New York tomorrow so we can meet and discuss. Angelo pulled over to a parking lot but kept the car running, givingspace to finish my call Glancing at the tdisplayed on the dashboard, I felt the urgency of the upcoming meeting "I really want to hear you out, Lily, but I have a very important meeting that I have to attend, and I'm already running late, I explainest a sense of regret coloring my words. Ad cloned by Google. 11:40 AM P Chapter 35 "Oh," she sounded a bit disappointed. "Sure. Just be sure to calland letknow when you're available so we can meet and discuss." "Sure, I'll do that," I promised, hesitating to end the call. "Are you okay? You sound sick," I inquired, genuine concern evident in my voice. Once again, she emitted a tired sigh that resonated with the weariness of someone nursing a minor cold. "It's just a minor cold, nothing to worry about, she reassured me, her voice carrying a hint of fatigue. In the background, I detected the sound of a door opening and closing. "I have to go," she stated abruptly, without affordingthe chance to respond, and the call was swiftly terminated. As I pulled the phone away from my ear, I found myself staring at the now blank screen for a lingering moment. Gathering the files beside me, I stepped out of the car, and Angelo, dutifully turning off the engine, joinedas we walked towards the entrance. My secretary, having arrived ahead of us, greeted us at the entrance, bearing her own set of files. Together, we made our way into the building, ready for the meeting. The meeting proceeded with its usual smoothness-after all, I am Ryan Williams, and my touch seems to transmute everything into financial success. Following the productive session, we drove directly to the office. Despite our tardiness, a delay of a whole hour, I instructed Angelo to take his time. Eventually, we arrived, and I strode into a gathering of predominantly elderly gentlemen engaged in murmured conversations. As so06 as I entered, all eyes turned to me, their glares laden with irritation. "Do you realize we've been waiting for over an hour?" one of them demanded, the frustration evident in his tone. Taking a seat next to my father, I replied coolly, "My apologies for prioritizing the responsibilities I'm paid to fulfill. My gaze swept across the assembly, sensing the tension thickening in the air. "So, I presthis meeting revolves around my apparent failure to impregnate a woman yet." "Your perceived lack of commitment to crucial life aspects raises doubts about your suitability for this position," another member of the group asserted, his tone accusatory. Raising an eyebrow incredulously, I retorted, "Forgive me, but I'm still in search of a willing partner to bear my offspring." I hissed, the sarcasm evident in my voice. "Perhaps you can offer up your daughter; I hear she's of legal age." The man's face flushed crimson with anger. "What did you just say?!" he demanded, his voice tinged with fury. My father shota glare before attempting to intercede on my behalf. "Please, don't take his words to heart, he implored, his tone tinged with desperation. "He's just under a lot of stress." I will not allow you to speak foras though I'm a child," I reprimanded my father sternly, my tone unwavering. "And I meant every word I said." Murmurs rippled through the room, but I silenced them with a resounding thud as I slammed the documents of the business deal I had secured earlier onto the conference table, Tm out there, putting in the hard work to make all of you wealthier, and yet here you are, attempting to gauge my credibility based on whether or not I have a child?! Are you serious?!" The man seated besideeyed the documents with curiosity. "What is that?" he inquired, his attention momentarily diverted from the heated exchang "That," I hissed, jabbing a finger at the document, "is a deal worth eight hundred million dollars, a feat I doubt any of you could achieve." The frustration seeped through my words. "Do you even comprehend how ungrateful you all appear right now?!" Rising to my feet, too enraged to remain seated, I continued, "I'll satisfy your obsession with my personal life. I'll have a child before the year is out, so get off my back!" With that declaration, I stormed out of the conference

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