And now, with their negligible efforts as justification, they dared to meddle in the Lawson family s decisions?

It was laughable. They had clearly forgotten their place.

Cruz drew in a sharp breath, clearly on the verge of speaking. But before he could, Linsey s voice rang out, calm and composed. So, she said with a gentle lilt, do any of you have a better candidate in mind?

At her question, the tension in the room briefly lessened. The directors seemed relieved, assuming they were being granted a real voice in the matter.

Linsey, you re being very reasonable. I m sure you ve considered all the angles, one began, seizing the opening. Personally, I think Beal is a solid choice. He s been with the company for years and has proven experience.

Indeed, we could support Beal as a team, another chimed in.

Actually, Gerry is quite capable too, added a third. Perhaps we could hold a fair competition between the two and vote on it. Of course, you would have the final say.

Linsey listened in silence, a faint, unreadable smile curving her lips.

She knew full well that both Beal Greville and Geny Swain were the indulged sons of two veteran directors neither of whom had shown any real initiative beyond basking in the privileges of their inherited positions. And yet, here they were, being paraded as viable leaders.

The directors faltered slightly beneath Linsey s gaze. There was something unsettling in her calmness an invisible pressure that made them squirm.

Linsey, one of them finally said with an air of patronizing concern, please don t take this the wrong way. It s not that we doubt your abilities but you re still quite young. Entrusting you with such a major responsibility might be premature.

Linsey s eyes gleamed as she leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with him. You say I m too young, but Beal and Gerry aren t they just three or four years older than me? Why is it that they re considered ready, and I m not?

A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. The directors hadn t expected her to challenge them so directly.

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Some began to frown, preparing to launch into a lecture but Linsey didn t give them the chance.

You also claim that I was just a fashion designer, lacking management experience. But may I ask what have you accomplished during your time here? In the past few years, has this company shown any signs of real growth? No. It s been in steady decline, hasn t it? she continued.

The room bristled.

You! one of the directors began, his voice thick with indignation. The truth in Linsey s words cut deep. The board s anger wasn t because she was wrong it was because she was right.

The Lawson Group had been hemorrhaging relevance for years, and everyone knew it.

At this rate, even the recently revived Davidson Group might overtake them.

Linsey remained poised, her tone now laced with quiet steel. Why are you so eager to challenge Cruz and Myla s decision? Is it their judgment you re questioning or are you planning to replace them? Her final words hung in the air like a guillotine.

Absurd! one director exploded.

Preposterous! barked another.

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