Chapter 393
After Claude saw off the partners, his smile faded, replaced by a chilling coldness.
Inside the room, Tyler was conversing with Angus. “I heard Yancey is planning a restructuring?”
Angus sat opposite him, replying, “Yes. Claude wants to expand the business.”
Without looking at Angus, Tyler sipped his coffee and said casually, “Vote against it during the board meeting.”
Angus didn’t question the order and nodded. “Okay, Mr. Tyler.”
Tyler set his coffee down, resting his hands on his knees, deep in thought.
Later, on his way home, Claude mulled over the proposed restructuring. Eyes closed, he envisioned the changes ahead until his secretary interrupted, “Mr. Claude, don’t you think Angus is overstepping?”
She was referring to Angus’s behavior earlier.
Claude smiled slightly without opening his eyes. “No. Shouldn’t our chairman treat Tyler with respect?”
There was a moment of silence before the secretary spoke again. “You’re too kind. If you hadn’t left, Yancey would be in a better position.”
The Harris Group held 15% of Yancey’s shares, a situation that started the year Claude departed.
“My uncle trusts Tyler too much,” Claude remarked softly.
The secretary sighed, “Yes. We can barely hold onto Yancey anymore.”
Claude’s smile turned colder still.
The next day, Claude convened a board meeting to present his restructuring proposal for a vote.
Out of ten members, four opposed the plan. Claude scanned them from the stage.
Angus stood and said, “Investing always involves risk. Since Yancey is currently making steady profits, I don’t agree with taking such risks.”
Claude locked eyes with Angus, unwilling to believe this defiance at first. Then, he smiled thinly, “Mr. Angus, it seems we have a disagreement.”
“I’m thinking about the bank’s future,” Angus replied, “and I believe we should focus on credit rather than investment.”
Three others stood with Angus in support.
Claude’s smile faded as his proposal was defeated by four votes, led by Angus and his allies.
Exiting the meeting room, Claude’s eyes were icy cold.
He understood Tyler’s strategy clearly — Tyler wouldn’t allow his ties with Olivia to be severed easily. This was Tyler’s first move to stall Yancey Bank’s progress.
Yet Claude remained calm. The battle had only just begun.