Chapter 343: A Familiar Stranger

[Music recommendation: Appearance (SHOW TIME) · Na Sang Jin · PARK SE JUN]

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Aliana’s expression darkened as she turned in her leather chair, irritated that someone had the audacity to interrupt an executive board meeting.

Sleek, polished dress shoes clicked sharply against the marble floor as a tall, imposing figure entered the room.

Aliana’s gaze swept upwards, taking in his tailored silhouette until her eyes locked onto his face.

Her breath caught in genuine shock when she met those familiar, piercing green eyes.

A faint, arrogant smirk touched the handsome man’s lips as he approached, stopping mere feet from where Aliana sat.

Behind her chair, Nigel practically lost his breath, placing a dramatic hand over his heart at the sight of yet another dashing man with neatly combed red hair.

Thrown off balance by his unexpected arrival, Aliana could only utter his name.

"Owen..."

"Hello, Aliana. Or should I say... Madam CEO?" His smooth, masculine voice cut through the heavy silence of the room.

Aliana blinked, smoothing her expression into pure professionalism as she spoke. "Given the prolonged vacancy of the Ross seat, I did not anticipate your attendance today."

Owen placed a hand over his heart, glancing over at the astonished board members before bringing his gaze back to Aliana. "Forgive me for being so terribly late to the meeting. My flight was delayed by a storm, so I came straight here from the airport as fast as I could. I hope you can excuse my tardiness."

Internally, Aliana wanted nothing more than to order him out.

He had arrived at the worst possible moment, just as they were about to cast their votes and secure their new CFO. His presence was bound to complicate matters, but with every eye fixed on her, she could not simply turn away a board member like that.

Keeping her voice even, she gestured towards the open seat. "Your timing is hardly ideal, Mr Ross, but please, take your seat."

A flash of amusement gleamed in his green eyes. "Much obliged, Madam CEO."

He moved with effortless grace towards an open seat a short distance from her chair, drawing every eye as he settled in.

Aliana drew a quiet breath, turning her attention back to the table with a polite smile. "As we were discussing prior to the interruption, we shall now proceed with the vote..."

"Mrs Valentine," a senior director interjected, leaning forward. "Seeing as we are appointing an interim CFO, and considering Mr Ross is also here, wouldn’t his background make him an ideal candidate for us to evaluate as well?"

Aliana cursed silently.

This was precisely the outcome she had wanted to avoid.

When Gavriel and she had strategised the night before, they had discussed the slim possibility of Jade’s brother attending the meeting. Given how infrequently Owen Ross graced the board with his presence, they had counted on his absence.

Yet, in the event that he did show up, Aliana realised how limited her leverage would be against him.

Unlike Rufus or Morris, Owen possessed an impeccable track record and an extraordinary financial portfolio.

The board members would jump at the chance to back him.

Under normal circumstances, Aliana would have welcomed someone of his calibre.

But now, she simply didn’t know where his loyalties lay or whether he harboured any ill intent, especially with Jade’s relationship with her family souring.

Should he end up taking the CFO post today, she would simply have to keep him under close surveillance until she could find a permanent replacement in place.

Aliana turned toward the director with an unbothered expression. "Given Mr. Ross’s track record, he would certainly be a top candidate for the position."

Her gaze drifted towards Owen, holding his green eyes directly. "However, as the heir to Ross Real Estate, I question whether he has the bandwidth to dedicate himself full-time to Van Empire, assuming he is even interested in stepping into an interim post."

Leaning back in her leather chair, she added with quiet authority, "As I mentioned earlier, we require someone competent, dedicated, and fully focused, especially while Van Empire is spearheading such a vital project. Tardiness or a half-hearted commitment to this post simply will not do."

"So... what would be your answer, Mr. Ross?" Aliana asked him directly.

She studied the faint smirk still resting on his lips, trying to discern whether he was entertained by his own thoughts or orchestrating some broader play.

Aliana had known Owen since childhood, and if there was one thing that had never changed over the years, it was how serious and disciplined he was.

He had never been the playful type.

After finishing his studies abroad, he had stepped straight into Ross Real Estate, spending years travelling between its international offices. As a result, their paths had barely crossed since.

He had always been polite to her, but never friendly, which made his current demeanour all the more confusing.

Had he upgraded his personality, or simply decided to loosen up?

As Aliana silently evaluated him, Owen addressed the room.

"Firstly, I would like to apologise once again for my late arrival. I understand many of you are displeased by my timing just as votes were about to be cast. However, those who have worked with me in the past know that I always arrive on time... if not early."

Owen’s green eyes shifted back to Aliana. "So tardiness will certainly not be an issue moving forward. Secondly, yes, I am involved in my family’s business, but so are my father and my sister, whom... Madam CEO is well acquainted with. If there is any concern that I would take this position half-heartedly, I assure you that will never happen. Any task I take on becomes my personal mission to execute with complete efficiency."

Owen’s eyes swept across every board member before fixing firmly on Aliana. "So, to answer whether I am open to accepting this position, my answer is..." He paused, holding her gaze. "Yes."

Surprised murmurs erupted across the boardroom, while Aliana maintained a perfectly straight face. Her sharp eyes remained locked onto Owen as the room buzzed around them.

Since it had come to this, Aliana knew she had no choice but to let him run and keep a close eye on his every move. She parted her lips to address the board, but another voice abruptly cut in.

"I object!"

Every eye turned towards the source.

Rufus sat glaring across the table at Owen with icy resentment, while Owen simply raised an amused eyebrow in response.

"Mr. Avery, what seems to be the issue?" one of the directors asked.

"My son Morris was disqualified from board consideration, yet as far as I am aware, Alec Ross holds the Ross seat on this board, not Owen Ross. How is his presence here acceptable?"

Aliana internally rolled her eyes before answering calmly. "Mr. Avery, Mr. Owen Ross was formally appointed as an alternate director long ago. Because his business commitments frequently take him out of the city, he rarely stepped in during Mr. Alec Ross’s absences. He has already completed the rigorous vetting process required by Van Empire to hold a seat at this table. I assumed you were aware of our alternate director filings, considering your tenure on this board."

Rufus froze. "I... well..." He cleared his throat awkwardly. "It must have slipped my mind," he muttered bitterly, shooting a venomous glare at Owen.

Ignoring Rufus’s frustrated outburst, Aliana released a quiet sigh, feeling a headache beginning to form behind her temples.

She already knew what the outcome was going to be, but, following proper protocol, she proceeded.

"Alright, since there are no further objections, shall we proceed with the vote?"