Just then, more people began to file into the conference room.
The shareholders, upon seeing who had arrived, scrambled to their feet.
“Liam’s here!”
Harrison’s father, Liam Vaughn, had entered.
Liam was bald, and the moment he stepped inside, the whole room seemed to brighten. It was as if his very presence turned up the lights several notches.
His earlobes were thick, his eyes always crinkled with laughter, and his lips curved up in a perpetual, easygoing smile. No matter whom he faced, Liam looked as if he genuinely enjoyed their company.
Harrison remained seated at the head of the table when he saw his father. He didn’t move, only lifted his chin slightly and nodded in Liam’s direction–a gesture of respect.
Outside the glass doors, more footsteps echoed.
A moment later, Leo appeared: dignified, pale, and composed, seated in a wheelchair pushed by his assistant.
Harrison froze at the sight, then quickly rose from his chair.
The shareholders hurried to greet Leo, brushing past Liam as they went. Liam turned, smiling as he watched the group surround Leo.
They stopped two or three paces from Leo, each bowing stiffly at the waist, their voices tinged with awe.
“Dr. Vaughn, good morning.”
“Dr. Vaughn, it’s an honor to finally meet you.”
On the large screen at the end of the room, a video conference with Vaughn Enterprises‘ international executives was ongoing. Even across the ocean, the foreign CEOs lost their composure at the sight of Leo.
“Oh! Dr. Vaughn! Wow, I can’t believe I’m seeing you in person!”
“This is incredible! If I’d known Dr. Vaughn would be attending today, I would have canceled everything, hopped on a plane, and flown eight hours to Capital City just to be here!”
10:17 1
Leo was dressed in a tailored black sult with a high collar, the fabric crisp and formal, its lines accentuating his reserved demeanor. His face was
striking–elegant, almost sculpted, with a kind of austere grace. Five years ago, an accident had left him paralyzed, but even seated in a wheelchair, Leo carried himself with an undeniable presence.
When Leo’s gaze swept over to Harrison, his eyes were cool and distant, like a wind blowing over an endless green plain. The breeze wasn’t cold, but it made you acutely aware of the space between you.
Harrison stepped forward to greet him, his voice respectful.
“Uncle Leo.”
Leo nodded. His assistant wheeled him to the seat beside Harrison.
Once everyone from the Vaughn Enterprises leadership was seated, the atmosphere in the room shifted palpably. No one dared to speak out of turn. Even the international CEOs–usually quick to liven up the mood–appeared grave and
attentive on screen.
Secretary Burnett noticed that one of the executives had hastily put on a tie for the video call, though he was infamous for avoiding ties at all costs during meetings.
With the room silent and expectant, Leo finally spoke, his tone casual, “I hear the shareholders want to choose a new CTO. Thought I’d come see for myself.”
A silent thought echoed among the shareholders:
If only Leo would agree to be Vaughn Enterprises‘ CTO, the company would be unstoppable–not just in Aldonia, but anywhere.
Sadly, the Vaughn family’s prodigy had long ago been recruited by the government.
A shareholder laughed, breaking the tension. “With Dr. Vaughn and Liam both overseeing the CTO selection, I can rest easy. Now, why don’t we all watch the ALI Math Competition livestream together?”
The lights dimmed.
The massive screen flickered to life, connecting to the ALI Group’s livestream.
And the moment Selene’s face appeared, crashing into Harrison’s field of vision, his breath caught and held.
פוף
