Chapter 344: By Majority Vote

[Music recommendation: Jupiter - James Malikey]

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After receiving collective nods from around the table, she called the question. "All those in favour of appointing Mr. Owen Ross as acting CFO, please raise your hands."

Just as expected, Aliana watched every single board member raise a hand, with the exception of herself and Rufus Avery, who sat glaring daggers at Owen across the table.

It was deeply ironic that this was the one thing she and Rufus actually agreed on.

"It seems we have a clear majority in favour of Mr. Ross," Aliana stated calmly.

"And yet, Madam CEO, you chose to abstain," Owen interjected softly, turning every head in the room toward him.

Even Aliana was momentarily taken aback by how blatantly he had called her out.

Meeting his gaze, a slow, faint smile touched her lips. "Mr. Ross, I personally nominated Mr. Mason Brooks for this role. Wouldn’t it be rather strange if I suddenly withdrew my support for my own candidate?"

Owen offered her a small smile in return. "I regret that my unexpected arrival started our working relationship on uncertain footing. However, I intend to prove my worth and earn your complete trust in due time."

For a brief second, his green eyes searched hers with an intensity that caused Aliana’s smile to falter.

She gave him a curt nod. "I look forward to seeing it."

Turning her attention back to the room, her voice echoed authoritatively across the board. "By majority decision, Mr. Owen Ross is hereby appointed as interim Chief Financial Officer of Van Empire."

Polite applause echoed through the room as the directors rose from their chairs.

Owen offered the board a brief, gracious nod before turning his attention to Aliana and stepping towards her.

She extended her hand for a polite handshake. "Congratulations, Mr. Ross."

Owen’s gaze dropped to her outstretched palm.

For a split second, his hand twitched at his side before he reached out and clasped hers in a cold grip.

A faint smile touched his lips. "Thank you, Aliana."

The moment their skin met, a faint electric tingle shot through Aliana, sending goosebumps rippling across her arms.

Surprised by the sudden sensation, she instinctively pulled her hand back and stared at him. She searched his face but couldn’t detect anything out of the ordinary.

Then why had her body reacted like that?

Before she could process the strange sensation, Nigel leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Boss, the room is waiting on you."

Aliana cleared her throat softly, regaining her composure as she addressed the board. "The meeting is officially adjourned. Thank you all for your time."

As she turned to leave, she paused for a moment and glanced back at Owen. He stood with his hands tucked into his pockets, staring back at her.

"Mr Ross, Nigel will be in contact with you shortly to brief you and get you settled in."

After Owen offered her a polite nod, Aliana turned and walked out.

The remaining board members followed, offering Owen brief congratulations before filing out into the hallway.

Once the room was completely empty, Owen slipped his hand from his pocket. He stared down at his palm, watching as the faint tremor still refused to subside. Slowly, he curled his fingers into a tight fist before turning to leave.

As the day passed, Aliana sat in her office finishing up her work. But no matter how hard she tried to concentrate, she couldn’t shake the strange sensation she had felt during that simple handshake.

She set her pen down, closed the file, and leaned back in her leather chair, gazing up at the ceiling.

Dusk had painted the sky in shades of deep indigo.

Once again, hours had slipped away while she remained consumed by her own thoughts.

"Ali!" a five-year-old Jade had squeaked nervously, her red fringe fluttering as she introduced the quiet seven-year-old boy standing at her side. "T-this is my big brother, Owen."

Young Aliana had beamed and extended her small hand enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you, Owen!"

The boy had merely stared down at her outstretched hand, making no move to take it. His pale green eyes had remained unreadable as he offered a brief, polite nod.

Little Aliana lowered her hand awkwardly, glancing nervously at Jade, who merely shrugged.

Trying to make conversation, Aliana asked, "We were about to play hide-and-seek. Do you want to play with us?"

"No," the boy had replied flatly. "I have to study." He had turned on his heel without another word, leaving both girls watching his stiff silhouette disappear down the corridor.

A sharp knock echoed through her office, dissolving the past into shadow.

"Come in," Aliana called out.

Nigel stepped inside, adjusting his glasses.

"Did you bring him up to speed on current developments?" she asked.

"Everything is covered, boss," Nigel confirmed. "I briefed him on tomorrow’s sit-down with the Archon Group at their office. He assured me he will attend."

"Hmm." Aliana turned her gaze toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. "Nigel?"

"Yes?"

"What do you think of him? Did you notice... anything out of the ordinary?" Aliana asked, her eyes remaining fixed on the city skyline outside.

"He seemed... a bit odd to me," Nigel admitted.

Aliana turned in her chair to look at him. "Odd? How?"

"Well, for starters, he is so quiet that it’s hard to believe he is Miss Jade’s brother, considering she is the complete opposite of him. Plus, he seems like a massive neat freak. The moment I showed him to his office, he started organizing things as if he knew the place like the back of his hand. And he is way too good-looking, which makes my heart race for some odd reason. Phew!" Nigel began, fanning his face dramatically.

Aliana’s brows pulled together in mild disbelief.

Noticing her expression, Nigel paused. "Ah, forgive me, boss, but I can’t help it! He is so hot! I’m sure Big Boss would be jealous if he saw you working alongside him."

"My husband is in a league of his own," Aliana replied instantly, her tone leaving no room for debate.

Nigel let out a soft chuckle. "Of course, boss! Big Boss is in a god-like category when it comes to looks, whereas Mr. Ross belongs to the mortal good-looking tier. You know what I mean?"

Aliana laughed at Nigel’s dramatic antics before shaking her head.

She gracefully rose from her seat and said, "And that is my cue to leave."

Nigel smiled. "I actually came in to remind you of that very thing."

Aliana collected her designer bag, but before she could take a step towards the exit, a sharp knock reverberated against the double doors.

Both Nigel and Aliana turned toward the entrance in confusion.

Before either of them could respond, the handle clicked, and the heavy door began to swing open.

They exchanged a brief, puzzled glance, sharing the exact same thought...

Who would dare open the CEO’s door without permission?

Nigel instinctively reached for the panic button concealed beneath Aliana’s desk, whispering, "I’m calling security."

Before his fingers could press the button, a familiar presence washed over Aliana.

"No! Stop!" she commanded quickly.

Nigel froze in place, looking at his boss in surprise.