His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 715

It was 10 AM on the dot when Ms. Ashbourne's Rolls-Royce, as steady as a temple, pulled up in front of the K Group headquarters.

A handful of company bigwigs, bouquets in hand, lined up outside to greet her. Before she took over the K Hotel, she was merely considered as Chairman Ashbourne's "love child". Having gone through tons of setbacks, she’d carved her own path in Elmsworth, and acquired a name for herself in the cutthroat world of business.

The lobby had been meticulously prepared for her arrival, with an opulent red carpet rolled out and a welcome ceremony of the highest order awaiting her.

No one dared to underestimate Ms. Ashbourne.

Inside the car, Jason, seated shotgun, adjusted his tie and peered through the rearview mirror at Evadne, who was resting with her eyes closed, "Ms. Ashbourne, we've arrived."

Evadne's pretty eyes fluttered open.

Jason's eyes lit up with an earnest curiosity, "Ms. Ashbourne, your blush is quite fetching today -rosy with just a hint of pink. Might I ask the brand? I'd like to get one for Nydia."

Evadne's cheeks flushed a deeper shade, her mind flashing back to two hours earlier when she lay beneath Thaddeus, flushed and blossoming.

His hands had caressed her waist, lingering with a possessive tenderness.

Could she admit the blush was called "Guilty Conscience"? Cursing the man who still left her weak in the knees, Evadne deftly changed the subject, glancing towards Jason's impeccably tied necktie, "Nice tie, Jason. Nydia's gift?"

"Ms. Ashbourne, how did you know?" Jason's perpetually youthful face turned a shade of pink.

"You don't have the eye for it."

Grinning sheepishly, Jason touched the tie lightly, his eyes brimming with contentment, "This pattern was hand-stitched by Nydia herself. She even embroidered my initials on the back. It's my most treasured possession - truly one of a kind."

Evadne nodded, her lips curling into a smile, "I can tell. It's Nydia's handiwork. With something so precious, I'm surprised you dare to wear it to work."

"Returning to the office, I'm a bundle of nerves. Having something from Nydia with me calms my spirit, and I believe it'll bring me good fortune."

"Indeed, one needs all the luck they can get in this game."

Evadne's eyes squinted slightly, a wry smile playing on her lips, "There's a tough battle ahead, a dragon to be slain."

Jason's gaze grew serious as he handed her a prepared dossier.

In the boardroom, all the company directors were present, including a disgruntled Bevis. The room was abuzz like a farmer's market, with incessant chatter.

"Although Chairman Ashbourne is indisposed, the reins should rightfully fall to you, his only brother."

The group might have been Emeric's subordinates, but loyalty varied, and with the chairman's illness, coupled with Cassius' resignation, a few directors had started to secretly lean towards Bevis.

Bevis shrugged helplessly, playing the reluctant sibling to perfection, "I may be his brother, but you've seen my influence here. I don’t have any say in this Group. And besides, even if my brother steps down, with Bennett around, it's hardly my turn. Please, spare me the jest."

"Which of the Ashbourne children has the makings of a leader? If they did, Chairman Ashbourne would have groomed them by now. They can hardly compare to you."

“Casting aside that, they shouldn’t.”

The room was plunged into stunned silence when the doors swung open. Jason marched in with a stern face, followed by the sharp click of Evadne's high heels that seemed to tread upon the directors' very throats, sending a shiver down their spines.

"I've been standing at the door for a while, overhearing your lively discussion. I even feel it’d be rude to interrupt." Evadne remarked with an amused smile as she strode forward, "But we do have a meeting to conduct. You can resume your chat afterward."

The directors were taken aback, each mentally reviewing if they had spoken out of turn.

Suddenly, Evadne paused behind Bevis, making him tense up, not daring to look back.

Her presence was overwhelming. Yet, she said nothing, merely taking her place at the head of the table with a composed smile.

"Everyone, my father has taken ill and left yesterday for treatment abroad." Evadne's demeanor was commanding yet restrained, "As I'm sure everyone is aware, the formal appointment has been received by all within the K Group. As of its issuance, I am the acting CEO. Besides, today, there are two things. One is to elect a new vice-chairman for the board."

Some directors exchanged glances, their expressions thoughtful.

"Ms. Ashbourne." A director allied with Bevis interjected, unable to contain himself, "You may be Chairman Ashbourne's daughter, but surely your experience doesn't suffice to lead the K Group. Even if you've achieved some success at the Elmsworth K Hotel, running a hotel is not the same as managing a conglomerate. You need at least two more years of ground-level experience and our vote to earn your place at the helm."

“That’s right. Chairman Ashbourne’s made such a hasty decision!” Others quickly echoed the sentiment.

"Who said this was over?" Evadne's gaze turned icy cold as she slapped the table, making everyone jump, "In my book, right is right; wrong is wrong. There's no room for ambiguity here."

Bevis, pale as sheet, felt chilly inside.

Next to Evadne, Jason watched with almost fanboy admiration, internally cheering for his boss's gutsy move.

"The K Group is a listed company, not your personal piggy bank for your relentless extravagance, Bevis!" Evadne's sharp eyes pierced through him; her unruffled elegant posture made people present unwittingly submit themselves to her, "If I keep a blind eye on that, not to speak of unfairness it would cause to other directors, you’d get a taste for easy money and next thing we know, you're digging us into a ten-million-dollar hole. At that time, it’d be too late to regret it. So, the money has to be pay back by you!”

Bevis, noticing the situation not good for him, played the pauper, "Even if you want me to pay, I don't have that much money on hand. What do you want me to do? Sell my house? Leave your cousin and me homeless?"

He attempted to use the stalling tactic: after the meeting adjourned, he’d call Emeric and tell him what happened right away!

Unexpectedly, Evadne raised her voice blandly. "Jason, show him the file, please."

“Will do, Ms. Ashbourne.”

Jason, with a cool demeanor, walked over and flung the document in front of Bevis, who flipped it open, and his mouth fell open in disbelief.

"This is a summary of all the assets you own." Evadne uttered at a steady pace, "You have two restaurants in Elmsworth, ten chain beauty salons across Skyrim and Elmsworth, villas in Aetheria. These are all your current properties. Sell a couple of those, and you'll have your five million."

"Evadne!" Bevis was livid, his vision blurring. Was she trying to ruin him?

"I'm giving you two weeks to sort this out. If you don't, I'll have the courts enforce it.” Evadne’s lips were curved into a sneer, “And I'm sure they'd be interested in those little tax discrepancies at your restaurants and salons."

The directors murmured among themselves. What a juicy piece of drama!

Shoulders shivering, Bevis looked at the file unfolded, his head swirling. This time, Evadne gave his hard time, for she had dug deep into his business and came prepared to fight, and fight dirty.

"Ms. Ashbourne, you just mentioned there were two things?" A director dared to speak.

"The second also concerns President Ashbourne.” Evadne’s assertive voice was pleasant to hear, resonant through the air, “Today, I will lead the charge to remove Bevis from his positions on the board and as a managing director of the K Group!"