When they saw Alexander walking in behind William, the previously silent conference room suddenly erupted into murmurs.
Everyone exchanged guarded glances,
seemingly trying to guess William's intentions in allowing Alexander to appear at such an important meeting today.
From beginning to end, both Alexander and William maintained icy expressions. They said nothing, merely taking their seats with calm composure.
The meeting began, its proceedings unfolding as usual. William opened the session first, followed by the members of the board of directors reporting one by one on the company's business performance.
At last, William cast a faint, indifferent glance around the conference room.
"Does anyone have any other opinions?"
Silence settled over the room.
William nodded slightly in satisfaction, then rose solemnly to his feet.
"Very well. I have something important to announce."
"From this moment on, my grandson, Alexander Knight, will take my place as the CEO of Starluxe Entertainment and manage the group."
"Does anyone object?"
The room fell deathly still,
eyes widening in shock,
moving back and forth between William and Alexander.
Finally, one shareholder could no longer restrain himself and slammed the table as he stood up.
"Mr. William Knight, I object."
"I know Alexander is your long-lost grandson whom you have finally found after many years, and that you care deeply for him."
"But you cannot act so arbitrarily and emotionally."
His voice was cold.
"Someone who has never had any experience running a company, who may not even possess academic qualifications, who was once a dockworker, how could such a person possibly run Starluxe Entertainment?"
"On what basis?"
He was extremely indignant and spoke one sentence after another, his voice growing louder by the moment, his face flushing red. Several shareholders seated nearby nodded along, clearly in strong agreement with his view.
Once one person took the lead, another shareholder also spoke up, his tone filled with disdain as he looked toward Alexander.
"That's right. Starluxe Entertainment is a billion-dollar conglomerate. Letting someone with no management experience take charge is nothing short of ruining the group!"
"It would be better to let Ryder Knight run the company instead. At the very least, he was raised in wealth from a young age and is qualified to inherit the group."
"…"
All kinds of voices rang out, the opposition growing increasingly intense.
Some even mocked Alexander Knight, claiming he had inheritance rights only because he was William's grandson and possessed no real ability at all.
There were even calls urging shareholders to withdraw their capital early, so as to avoid losses in the future.
William merely swept a calm gaze around the room. This was all within his expectations.
Only after everyone had finished speaking did he slowly add,
"Just calm down."
After he spoke, the atmosphere sank once more into silence.
William glanced at Alexander, and Alexander nodded calmly in response. He then rose to his feet at an unhurried pace and spoke in an even tone.
"I know everyone doubts my abilities."
"After all, I wandered through an orphanage from a young age and was not trained to become an heir since childhood."
"However, that does not mean I cannot run this group."
Alexander stated calmly, causing a flicker of surprise to pass through a few pairs of eyes. But at that moment, a cold laugh rang out.
"Oh? Then tell us, what capabilities do you have?"
"Or perhaps, can you even read financial reports?"
"Someone who might not even be able to comprehend a financial report, yet dares to make such calculated promises?"
"Do you think we are all fools?"
He let out a cold laugh as he challenged him, his voice dripping with sarcasm and mockery.
Alexander revealed no emotion. From beginning to end, he maintained his composure. He spoke in a low voice.
"I ask that you remain calm and refrain from making sarcastic remarks here."
"You are questioning what I am relying on to be able to inherit the group, correct?"
Alexander leisurely swept his gaze around the conference room, his eyes narrowing slightly. A chilling, authoritative presence radiated from him, bearing a resemblance to William that left several people gradually stunned.
Alexander briefly clenched his hand and added,
"On the fact that my return alone caused Starluxe Entertainment's stock to rise by eight percent over the past three days."
"Is that enough?"
Hearing Alexander speak with such clarity and force, several shareholders and board members were momentarily taken aback. Some, still unconvinced, pulled out their phones to look up the information.
And the data confirmed that what Alexander had said was true.
"Everyone here naturally understands that with such a sharp rise in the stock price, our corporation's market value has increased how many million dollars, meaning how much more money each of you now has."
"I don't need to analyze that any further, do I?"
Each word was calm and precise, leaving no one daring to interrupt or object anymore. Everyone was persuaded by Alexander's words.
"And I can guarantee that under my leadership, Starluxe Entertainment will grow even stronger."
"I will take on the role of trial CEO for a period of three months."
Alexander said evenly.
"If after three months the group fails to grow, or declines instead, I will step down of my own accord."
"I will not leave anyone feeling resentful."
His clear voice echoed throughout the conference room, carrying a force that left no one bold enough to oppose him.
Everyone exchanged hesitant glances,
as though weighing Alexander's words in silence.
"Is there anyone else who has an opinion?"
Alexander continued, sweeping his gaze around the room. At that moment, all dissent faded away.
No one spoke further.
He lowered his voice with satisfaction.
"Very well. Since there are no objections, I hereby declare that I will be the new CEO of Starluxe Entertainment."
"I will assume leadership of Starluxe Entertainment starting today, under the supervision of my grandfather, Mr. William Knight."
Finally, after finishing his words, Alexander smiled faintly as he looked at William. Then, he cleared his throat.
"All right, the meeting will end here."