SWNOVELS Chapter 401: Nomination
Harold Howell hailed from Auroraville, merely making a living in Mondale. Such a man, dead in an alley, would hardly draw any concern. Rick dragged the body away for disposal, and by the time he returned to the hotel, it was already late. A speck of blood stained his clothing. As he walked through the corridor, he encountered Selene, who saw right through him.
"Rick, change your clothes, don't invite trouble," Selene pointed at the bloodstain on Rick's cuff. Rick, now aware of the blood, was relieved his clothes were dark; the stains weren't easily noticeable unless one had Selene's keen eyes and sensitive nose. "I'll change in a bit," Rick responded, then turned back, asking, "Have Mr. Sterling and Mrs. Sterling retired?" Selene nodded, "Yes, Meredith and I are returning home tomorrow morning." "It's for the best, it's not peaceful here," Rick glanced around the empty corridor and asked, "Aren't you curious where this blood came from?" Selene cautioned him, "Rick, you are Mr. Sterling's confidant, and loose lips sink ships."
Inside the room, Meredith had already gone to sleep. Terrence Sterling had not revealed to her that Chloe was the mastermind behind Harold Howell's disappearance, merely telling her that Howell had fled. Terrence dared not let Meredith see his darker side. News of Terrence Sterling's bail had already spread throughout Auroraville, thanks to Linda's public relations efforts. It was crucial to clarify the situation in his homeland before his return, to salvage the image of Sterling Corporation.
At the club, Joy Chaucer, frustrated, was drowning her sorrows in drink. "I was so close today; if only Bianca had signed, I would be the acting director of Falconer Holdings," she lamented to Ethan Channing. Although Joy didn't fully understand Ethan's character, his discretion after learning she wasn't the true heiress of the Chaucer family had earned her trust. Ethan had helped her handle Fiona and Ruby Kim, becoming her greatest support. However, she was unaware of Ethan's motivations, as he sought neither her money nor favors.
Ethan, ever composed and smoking a cigar, reassured her, "Bianca's fall changes nothing; whether she signs the papers or not is irrelevant. You are her daughter in name now; you have the right to take over the company and call a board meeting to elect a new chairman. Some tactics are indistinguishable between real and fake-who would dare question it?"
With Bianca incapacitated, and unable to sign the power of attorney, a forged document transferring Bianca's shares to Joy became feasible. "Mr. Channing, I hadn't thought of this before. If I take over Falconer Holdings, I will not forget your kindness," Joy realized.
Ethan, a shadowy figure under dim lights, was inscrutable. Joy mentioned, "Terrence Sterling has been released on bail; did you send someone to handle Meredith? Once she returns home, there won't be another chance." Ethan stood, his gaze dark and foreboding as he stepped out of the shadows, "Do I need your instruction to conduct my affairs?" This look sent a chill through Joy.
Ethan had indeed sent someone to Mondale, but no opportunity arose. The person he had sent had tampered with Meredith's car, yet, unexpectedly, she was too vigilant to fall for it. This incident piqued Ethan's interest in Meredith. Silenced, Joy resolved to speak less in the future to avoid drawing Terrence Sterling's attention. Ethan left the room with a warning, and Joy finished her drink, contemplating the fake stock transfer. The next day, she presented the forged document at the board meeting, citing Bianca's critical condition to propose her removal and the election of a new chairman.