Chapter 416
Tyler said nothing in response to Naomi’s words.
Later, after taking Naomi back to the hospital, Tyler returned home. It was already 11 o’clock, and most of the household had gone to bed. He went straight upstairs to the bedroom.
Olivia was there, sitting by the bed, still awake. She looked up as he entered.
He placed the box on the nightstand and said simply, “Keep it.”
The room was dimly lit by a single wall lamp, casting a large shadow behind him. Standing tall, he made Olivia seem small by comparison. Tyler loosened his tie and turned to leave the room. Just as he reached the door, his face flickered with a brief, intense emotion before he masked it.
Olivia stared at the box, uncertain whether to open it or even touch it. After a long pause, she looked away.
Her phone suddenly beeped with a new message—from Claude.
Don’t feel pressured, Olivia. This is your first gift from me.
On his way to the office, Tyler closed his eyes to rest briefly. His phone rang—Angus calling.
“Claude wants another board meeting about the restructuring. Only a few directors at Yancey Bank support it,” Angus reported.
Tyler stirred awake and replied casually, “Claude just got promoted to vice president, right? If he’s so eager to leave his current role, maybe we should help him out before the restructuring.”
There was silence on the other end as Angus processed Tyler’s words.
That morning, in his new role as vice president, Claude called for a second board meeting, again focusing on the restructuring. Since Yancey Bank operated by voting, Claude’s push could be decisive despite opposition from the Harris Group.
The board gathered once more.
Standing confidently before them, Claude said, “Restructuring will benefit Yancey Bank’s future. That’s why I want to revisit this discussion. I hope you’ll understand my reasons and offer your support.”
He glanced toward Angus and the other dissenters. “I trust the opposition will respect the decision of Yancey Bank’s directors.”
The room fell into silence.
Nodding to the meeting chair, Claude said, “Let’s begin.”
The chair activated the projector, and everyone turned to their laptops.
Suddenly, unexpected photos appeared on their screens.