Chapter 465 Conniving
Other than being knowledgeable and experienced, the head of the company should be well-reputed, mind his behavior, and have a domineering character to have control over the company.
A blot on their personality could significantly affect the company. Or else the person should be known for his terrible temperament, then the actions of the person wouldn't affect the company.
Casper had maintained his clean image for many decades. Hence the events at his family, his dirty secret, and Anya's attack on the company created a large impact on the company.
Not to mention, some of his decisions did affect the company. For example, using the company lawyers for his family trouble. He was well aware of how the shareholders were eager to condemn him.
Thus he didn't give a chance to anybody and stepped forward to speak about it before anybody could get the chance to point their finger at him in the hall.
"Before we continue the meeting, I would like to address the recent events that caused considerable disruption in the operation of the company." Casper's clear, crisp voice sounded in the hall through the speakers.
The shareholders' looked at each other. Casper was a proud man, thinking of Casper accepting his wrongdoing was truly hard for them to believe.
Casper was in a wonderful mood after hearing about Alvin's departure and he was also cautious. He knew any misstep from his side could give Alvin a chance to use it. Thus he didn't mind apologizing once and keeping Alvin far from the company.
Casper grabbed everyone's attention and continued after a pause, "I had disregarded my family while working for this company, pushing it through ups and downs in the past years."
Some couldn't believe Casper wasn't apologizing, instead glorifying his achievements and reminding them of the past years.
Casper ignored the contemptuous gazes and continued, "My negligence led to many awful incidents that happened behind my back in my family." He hadn't expected those small events to put him on a pedestal and caused him to be answerable to so many people.
Harrison and Liam: "..."
They couldn't believe Casper wasn't accepting his mistake and blaming everything on the Matthews family. They never saw such a horrible person. But then, what could they expect from Casper?
Casper: "I never expected my ignorance could cause so much trouble and affect the company. I will take responsibility for the outcome and I apologize to you all for the inconvenience caused." Caspers faintly bowed his head.
The shareholders looked at each other. Many had stepped inside the company making a list of Casper's wrongdoings. How did Casper appear to be blameless after hearing his words?
Some were in shock. The man who always tyrannized them was bowing to them in apology due to his family. This was a shocking turn of events.
How could they blame Casper now?
Would they be petty if they brought it up again?
What could they ask him now?
Casper's lips slyly arced watching the people speechless and short on words. He was well aware that many of them were prepared to argue with him, blame him, and admonish him. Now that he bypassed their plans, they were clueless.
Suddenly there was an unyielding voice, "You couldn't possibly have an affair without your knowledge."
Many shareholders gasped when they looked at the owner of the voice. Harrison's lips were threatening to arc when he heard Liam speak- Speak against Casper.
Yes, Liam did hesitate to take the stand. Because if he fails to pull down Casper, Casper would bring Damon Matthews to the company.
Hence Liam was hoping for Alvin to go against Casper. If Alvin fails, Liam could still be there at the company to save it from destruction.
He didn't know if he could influence the shareholders, and he wasn't aware of Casper's plan. Anyway, he took the lead as Alvin was busy.
Casper clenched his teeth and turned to his son. He hadn't purposefully mentioned the raid subject to avoid mentioning Damon Matthews. So he expected Liam to behave, be quiet and follow his orders.
Now, what was Liam up to in the shareholders' meeting?
Was Liam rebelling against him in the absence of Alvin?
Liam met the eyes that glinted darkly, glaring right into his eyes. But he didn't fear Casper's daunting air or eyes.
Yes, his mother has done horrible things but none of these would have happened if Casper had sincerely apologized to Gianna and solved the mess.
Thus Liam wasn't going to let Casper push all the blame on the family when they were victims of Casper's autocracy.
"Chairman Matthews, who was the instigator for the awful incidents?" Liam questioned in confidence, without losing his calmness.
Casper clutched the arm of the chair and glared at Liam. He hadn't forgotten he was the root cause of everything. He slept with Janet when he wasn't sober. That resulted in the birth of Alvin, the birth of malevolent Gianna, and the vicious Cordelia. If Liam was expecting an apology for it, then there was no other fool than Liam.
Casper warned Liam through his teeth, "Liam, this is a company meeting. Keep it in mind." He wasn't going to discuss his one-night stand in the company meeting.
Liam was about to retort, the door suddenly flung open and a fierce voice sounded, "Then let's talk business, Chairman Matthews." It was a challenging tone.
Everyone looked at the bruised Steve Hanks glaring at Casper. When Steve Hanks stormed inside, a hush fell over the hall when they got a glimpse of overbearing Alvin at the door.
Alvin sauntered inside brushing his cognac eyes over the attendees and settling on Casper. The corner of his lips curled into a lopsided smirk when he caught Casper's eyes widened briefly.
Rob snickered silently witnessing surging fear and the wavering confidence of Casper. Alvin won half the battle just by appearing. Rob approved Anya for her subtle yet conniving plan.
––– An Hour ago –––
In Rolls Royce Phantom,
Rob uneasily shifted in his seat feeling the piercing gaze of Alvin. He didn't dare to look next to him and meet the brooding dark gaze of the man.
Since the emergency cropped up, Alvin pushed off the Matthews Industries plan to execute later. He decided to sell off the Matthews Industries to foreign clients instead of saving it for Liam.
When some men attacked Anya and Zane, Alvin chose to bring the two to country A.
Whereas Rob wanted to make use of Casper's plan against him. Hence he suggested putting Steve Hanks against Casper in the shareholders' meeting and giving leverage to Liam.
What if Steve Hanks double-crossed them?
Hence Anya changed their plan. As Anya had no idea about the business, she went to Country A with Zane to keep an eye on the investigation. And she sent Alvin to deal with Casper before heading to country A. Ean was busy handling everything remotely.
They were running late. Rob didn't have much time to waste or consider taking Alvin aside to talk in the villa. So he could only apologize to the livid man who failed to persuade his wife, "I'm sorry, boss. I didn't expect Young Madam to take on our work."
What could he do between the stubborn couple?
Alvin looked away and breathed slowly when his hand was itching to snap Rob. He convinced himself that his headstrong, excessively dutiful wife was going to be safe in country A.
But the built-up rage? Alvin shifted his gaze to Steve Hanks who was shaking in the shotgun seat of the car as if he was sitting in the polar winds. He flung his hand, aiming at Steve Hanks's head.
Inflicting another round of pain, Alvin frightened Steve and commanded him to deal with Casper.