Ch. 261..270

Chapter 261 Why Can I Not Come

Marilyn's face reddened in anger, but she forced herself to tamp the fury down. "My husband is Samuel Faulkner, who thought the world of this child. Moreover, he had a good relationship with Armand. That's why Armand made a will like this."

"My, why can't you just admit that the baby isn't his? Look at you. You've gone all red!" Mirrin chuckled. "I've always lived in Xedells, and I know that you've been dating my son for thirteen years. Perhaps it's because he still has feelings for you, and that's why he's so nice to you."

"That was in the past," Marilyn insisted with a slight scowl. "I've already broken up with Armand a long time ago. Please don't accuse us of this."

I'm a socialite from a proper family. I don't have any relationship with some escort's kid! Just the very thought of it sickens me.

"All right, all right. I won't talk about it if you don't want me to talk about it." Mirrin then took out a pack of cigarettes from her bag. Her fluid motion made the shareholders force themselves to resist the urge to rush forward and light the cigarette for her.

There was a reason for Mirrin to be the top escort in Ambrosia for over two decades after all.

After lighting the cigarette and taking a huff of it, Mirrin continued, "Armand made a will stating that your child will get all the shares he has, but you haven't even delivered the child yet. On the other hand, I'm his biological mother. I have to have Central Group's shares. If you don't agree with that, let's bring this to court."

Mirrin was determined, and her aggressive attitude made Peter and the others furrow their brows.

Peter had set up a shareholders' meeting because he wanted to become Central Group's CEO as soon as possible. That way, he would be able to gain control of Central Group soon, for the longer the matter dragged on, the likelier something else might happen.

Peter then gave Marilyn a look.

Instantly understanding what he wanted, Marilyn said to the lawyer, "In that case, we'll both have half of Armand's shares."

Once the lawyer reassigned Armand's shares, the peace in the conference room returned.

Samantha then pointed out that someone needed to manage Central Group while Armand was in a coma, and she voted for Peter to take Armand's place.

Although the news of how Armand was not a real Faulkner caused a massive uproar, he was still a child raised in the Faulkner family. Nevertheless, Samantha was still working in Faulkner Group, and most knew how capable Peter was.

Hence, other than Mirrin and two other shareholders who gave up on their votes, the rest of the shareholders agreed to have Peter become Central Group's new CEO.

"Now that we have the results of the voting, let me announce that—"

Right as the one with the most shares among the shareholder was about to make the announcement, yet another person entered the room.

The newcomer was a young woman with fair slender legs and light makeup. Upon entering, the young woman, who looked suave, confident, and sexy in a black business suit and a skirt, raised her brow. The shareholders were no longer startled by the sudden entrances.

Isn't this a f*cking shareholders' meeting? Why are there so many people coming in one by one? Are we in an office, or are we in a market?

After entering the room, Genevieve gave a slight nod to the people in the conference room before walking to the main seat at the end of the table. Then, she sat down on it.

Steven, who had entered with her, quietly stood by her side.

"You're gutsy, aren't you, Genevieve?" Peter fumed as he looked at Genevieve. "We're having a shareholders' meeting right now. What does this have to do with an outsider like you?"

Genevieve lifted her head to look at the man, completely fearless. "I have a marriage certificate with Armand, so I'm his legal wife. Why can't I come to the shareholders' meeting of his company?" When the shareholders heard that, they turned to look at Genevieve.

The shareholders discovered that Armand was married ever since they saw him starting to wear a ring.

However, Armand had never revealed to them who his wife was.

Chapter 262 A Complete Win

"So what if you're married to him? It doesn't mean that Armand's company is yours." Samantha sneered. "Don't you know why Armand married you? Armand signed a premarital agreement with you before you marriage, right?"

Genevieve's red lips curled. "No, he didn't."

Samantha paled, and she raised her voice. "How can that be?"

"I know better than you what Armand has said to me when I married him, Ms. Samantha." Genevieve gave her a smile. "You've got quite a lot of informants, don't you? He can't possibly have kept this a secret from you, hm?"

When Genevieve heard nothing else from Samantha, she turned away from her.

After putting her hands on the table, she calmly continued, "My husband, Armand Faulkner, has to be hospitalized for a long time because of injuries to his brain. While he is in the hospital, I will be the one in charge of his assets."

"Armand has already made a will." Marilyn threw the document at Genevieve. "The shares he has of Central Group belongs to my chi-"

Before Marilyn could finish her sentence, Genevieve, who had speed-read the document, coldly interrupted, "Have you given birth to your child yet? Are you actually asking for the shares on behalf of your unborn child now? Do you not see me as a person? If you can give birth to the child right now, we'll go according to the will and hand you all of his shares."

Marilyn was still a while away from her expected delivery date.

However, Genevieve's words made her so furious that the baby in her began moving aggressively. In response, Marilyn quickly put a hand on her stomach.

"She hasn't given birth to the baby, but I'm Armand's biological mother." The smoking Mirrin slowly raised her hand. With a smile, she said, "I have to have half of my son's shares."

Genevieve looked up and gave her an icy glance. "Are you his mother just because you said so? Has he seen you before? Does he know who you are?"

Mirrin dropped the smile. "Of course I am. I can-"

"You can do a maternity test, right?" Genevieve completed her sentence for her before smiling. "Sure, head to the hospital and do a maternity report with my husband another day. We'll talk about this again when the results are out. Right now, you're just an outsider, so what right do you have to lord over others in my husband's company?"

"Steven," Genevieve then called out to Steven. "Please send these irrelevant people out of the conference room."

"Understood."

After a nod, Steven summoned a few bodyguards to escort Marilyn and Isabella out of the room.

At the same time, he grabbed Mirrin and towed her out of the conference room.

Mirrin stumbled along with wide eyes, and she kept thrashing the entire way. "Hey, hey, I'm Armand's biological mother-"

Thump! The door to the conference room closed.

The shareholders, as well as Peter, stared at the closed door for a moment before turning to look at Genevieve. Neither could form any words for a while.

The conference room had fallen silent.

What an impressive woman. She has defeated the two women who were competing for Armand's shares in mere minutes!

Noticing the tense silence in the room, Wilfred cleared his throat and said to Genevieve, "If Mr. Faulkner has not signed any premarital agreement with you, Mrs. Faulkner, you'll have the full rights to his assets."

"Thank you." Genevieve nodded.

She then swept her gaze across the shareholders before saying, "I overheard the voting when I was at the doorway of the conference room. I heard that you were voting to make Mr. Peter Faulkner the new CEO of Central Group. Now, I would like to do a revote. Add me to the list of candidates."

"You?" Peter's brows twitched. "Genevieve, stop now that you have Armand's shares. Managing a company is no child's play. I heard that you majored in translation and know nothing about finance. You can't even keep your father's company afloat, but now you're here to intervene in Central Group's affairs?"

Chapter 263 In The Nick Of Time

Genevieve stated unhurriedly, "Specter Corporation was founded jointly by my father and Old Mr. Sutton. When Cooper and I got divorced, we discussed the matter and decided to have him manage Specter Corporation. Besides, I went to Central Group to work after marrying Armand. As such, it's rather inappropriate for me to further interfere in the matters of Specter Corporation. Although I majored in interpretation, my husband has been teaching me about finance, and I've also learned plenty."

Drumming her fingers on the table, she added solemnly, "If I can't contribute anything after successfully being elected and cause all of you to suffer any loss, I'll resign voluntarily."

Peter snorted as though mocking her for her pipe dream.

Upon hearing her speech, the shareholders exhibited different expressions. They started whispering among themselves.

Shortly after, one of them stood up and declared, "We agree to a revote."

As soon as Peter heard that, his expression changed. But recalling his conversation with Samantha in the car earlier, in which the latter said she had already swayed some of the shareholders over, relief suffused him.

Therefore, the shareholders started voting on the spot.

When Peter saw that Genevieve had obtained quite a number of votes, his heart lodged in his throat once more, and his brows creased deeply.

He knew that several of the shareholders there were bigshots who invested in Central Group back when Armand founded the company, and they were on Armand's side in the first place. Following Genevieve's appearance then, it was tantamount to her representing Armand. As such, they naturally supported her.

As the voting drew to an end, Peter obtained a few more votes and surpassed her.

By then, it was as though Genevieve's defeat was a foregone conclusion.

Genevieve's expression remained unchanged, but her hands on the table interlocked tightly together.

Just when the voting results were about to be announced, someone again pushed the conference room door open. Everyone snapped their heads up and cast their gazes over, only to see two young men stepping in.

One of them was a renowned doctor from General Hospital, Timothy Jensen.

The other man dressed in an iron-gray suit with an elegant aura was the current head of Specter Corporation.

Timothy swept a gaze over everyone in the conference room. Grinning widely, he clarified, "Don't misunderstand, everyone. We're not here to make trouble. Some time ago, both Mr. Sutton and I bought nine point five percent of Central Group's shares from Mr. Armand."

While saying that, he tossed the document under his arm onto the table.

"As shareholders of Central Group, we have the right to attend this shareholders' meeting, yes?"

Hearing that, Genevieve eyed him.

When I flipped through the documents earlier, I even wondered why Armand's shares dwindled so much. It turned out that he sold some to them both. But why did he do that?

After the secretary brought two chairs over, Timothy was the first to sit down. Crossing his legs, he languidly inquired, "When I came in, I heard a voting session in progress here. Has the voting concluded?" "It's about to conclude. Mr. Peter is ahead of Ms. Genevieve by a vote," one of the shareholders answered.

Timothy massaged his temples with his fingers before he smiled and remarked, "Since the voting is still ongoing, I vote Genevieve. We're at a draw now. Mr. Sutton..."

Turning to Cooper, he continued, "Your vote is very crucial."

"Mr. Sutton, don't forget that there's a collaboration between us. You should think carefully before you cast your vote!" Peter threatened before Cooper could even utter a single word.

Nudging his glasses, Cooper countered placidly, "Mr. Peter, back when you asked me out to discuss the collaboration, I only said I'd go back and consider it carefully. I didn't agree to it on the spot, did I?" Following that, he declared, "I vote Genevieve."

No sooner had his words rang out than Peter slammed his fist on the table, startling everyone.

"I want a revote!"

He shoved his chair away and sprang to his feet, throwing a chilly look at Genevieve. "Genevieve is too young, so she isn't suited to manage the company. If Central Group were to be handed over to her, it'd go bankrupt sooner or later!"

Chapter 264 Willing To Give Her A Chance

At Peter's argument, the shareholders instinctively swung their gazes at Genevieve.

In truth, the man's words made much sense. Genevieve didn't major in finance, and her experience was pitifully negligible. Managing a company was no joke, after all.

During the revote, half of the shareholders voted for Genevieve because they were Central Group's veterans. Aware of her relationship with Armand, they knew that she was representing the man. However, they were still businessmen who only had profit in their eyes. As such, they would entrust the company to whoever could make money for them.

As they studied the young and inexperienced Genevieve, they all reflected upon their hasty decisions just now.

In fact, they were seriously contemplating whether to have another revote.

Seeing that Peter was swaying the shareholders to his side, Cooper couldn't help worrying on Genevieve's behalf. He was just about to riposte when Genevieve gestured at him. Hmm? She has a solution?

He closed his mouth and leaned back against his chair.

Genevieve swept her gaze over everyone. Lowering her eyes, she commented mildly, "I don't have experience managing a company, but I can learn. I also believe that Central Group's executives will help me. Fellow shareholders, you have been holding shares here since my husband founded the company, and that hasn't changed to this day. Now, I'm temporarily taking over the company on behalf of my husband. When he regains consciousness, all of you will still be shareholders, and the company will still be his. However..."

She deliberately paused for a moment before continuing, "If Central Group were handed over to someone else to manage, it'd be difficult to tell how many old shareholders will be left and whether the company would still belong to my husband in the future."

At once, Peter's expression changed imperceptibly. "What do you mean by that, Genevieve? You think I'd sabotage Central Group?"

Harrumphing, he sneered, "What a joke! Although Armand isn't my biological nephew, he was still raised by the Faulkner family. In fact, he addresses me as 'Uncle Peter.' I feel sorry that such a thing befell him, and I'm all the more worried that there isn't anyone to manage Central Group, leading to internal collapse gradually. That's why I promised Samantha to come over to help. Yet, you're doubting me? I used to be in charge of Faulkner Group in the past, and I had the company's profits doubling every year. You can verify it by flipping through Faulkner Group's financial reports!"

It wasn't until he had finished speaking that Genevieve unhurriedly replied, "Mr. Peter, I can tell how capable you are from financial magazines, so I'm not going to doubt your business acumen. But no matter how hard you try to keep some things hidden, they're still public knowledge."

The second utterance from her was exceedingly obscure, but the shareholders were well-connected and shrewd, so they were more or less aware of all happenings in the business world, regardless of their magnitudes.

Indeed, Peter helped Faulkner Group make a lot of profit while he was in charge of the company.

Nonetheless, that was a pittance compared to the amount of money he embezzled from the company.

Worse still, he even led his men to collude with forces from abroad, secretly sabotaging the relationship between Xedells and the mainland. In doing so, he made a fortune.

If Armand hadn't employed swift and ruthless methods to eliminate all of Peter's forces in the company after taking office and righted the Faulkner family's stance, the century-old family wouldn't exist anymore in a few more years if Peter's forces were allowed to grow further.

Central Group's shareholders didn't dare imagine the tactics Peter would use to arrange for his men to infiltrate the company and kick them out after gaining control of Central Group.

At that line of thought, they all trembled inwardly.

"A revote isn't necessary!" Central Group's biggest shareholder declared before Peter could say anything.

In response, Samantha narrowed her eyes a fraction. "Don't joke, Mr. Lebon. Central Group is a company with a market value of hundreds of billions. If she were to really take over the company, the shares in our hands might soon become a pile of worthless paper!"

Landon Lebon's expression remained calm and unruffled. "Genevieve said she can learn and isn't afraid of hard work. Besides, Central Group's employees will teach her. I'm willing to give her a chance."

Chapter 265 Make Sure You Safeguard Your Position

Pausing for a moment, Landon continued, "I also believe that Armand won't take a useless person as his wife.”

All the other shareholders nodded in agreement. "I share Mr. Lebon's sentiments."

"Then, the results of the voting this time shall prevail. Genevieve Rachford is thereby appointed as the CEO and will manage Central Group for the time being. Are there any objections?" Landon asked the shareholders around him.

"No."

While Samantha persuaded many of the shareholders to side with her, Timothy and Cooper's intrusion messed up her plan.

With the biggest shareholder firmly siding with Genevieve then, she could do nothing further.

Noticing Peter's glance at her, she shook her head with a grim expression on her face.

Peter's expression promptly turned all the darker. Never had he thought that such would be the result when he had come to Central Group and fought for so long, thinking that his promotion was a sure thing. "How dare you, Cooper? You're really something else!" he sneered before stalking off.

Likewise, Samantha got up from her seat languidly and cast her gaze into the distance at Genevieve at the head of the table. "Do you know of the saying that it's easy to fight for something but difficult to maintain it? Make sure that you safeguard your position. Don't disappoint your husband and the shareholders."

The corners of Genevieve's mouth curved upward, and she smiled faintly. "I'll definitely commit your words to memory. I also hope that you'll be able to safeguard your position when you return to Faulkner Group."

Glaring at her coldly, Samantha spun on her heels and left.

After the two siblings left the conference room one after another, the biggest shareholder, Landon, turned to Genevieve.

With a somber look, he started, "Genevieve, I only said that earlier out of respect for Armand. I'll give you two months. If you don't have anything to show for it but make Central Group's situation worse instead, I'll kick you out immediately!"

"At that time, I'll leave myself without needing you to kick me out," Genevieve asserted.

Then, she got to her feet and bowed slightly at Landon with her head lowered. "I thank you and the other shareholders for the help rendered."

If it weren't for his help earlier, she wouldn't be able to take office so quickly.

"I'm entrusting Central Group to you. Do notify us if Mr. Faulkner regains consciousness."

Landon chatted with Genevieve for a bit before he left with the other shareholders.

When only the three of them remained in the conference room, Timothy took the lead and clapped his hands. "Great job! You were incredibly calm throughout it all, Genev! You didn't even need Cooper to help you, fighting Peter by yourself instead. Look at his expression when he left. Tsk-tsk!"

Looking at Genevieve from afar, Cooper complimented her as well. "You did very well just now, Genev."

Her expression earlier showed nary a trace of timidity, and her thought processes remained clear. Every single word she uttered carried weight, jabbing at Peter's sore spot and also successfully winning the shareholders' confidence. I once thought that she knew nothing other than eating, drinking, and having fun, being merely a beautiful vase who would be doomed without the support of the Rachford family. Now however, I've realized that I was wholly wrong. It wasn't that she didn't know anything, but no one taught her.

As he recalled the various despicable deeds of his, he swallowed hard.

Bitterness permeated him.

"Steven had been telling me about the Faulkner family's matters yesterday. I did my homework and even drafted a script inwardly, so I was naturally not afraid of him." Genevieve smiled.

Massaging her numb wrist, she then picked up the coffee on the table after regaining some strength and took a sip. Subsequently, she asked Cooper, "Armand asked you to come over to Central Group that day to sell his shares to you?"

"Yeah." Cooper nodded in affirmation.

At that time, he found it strange that Armand was selling Central Group's shares to him when they were obviously on opposing sides.

He put the question to the man right then and there, but the latter merely said that Samantha was on Peter's side, so it would be easier to deal with her if he were to buy Central Group's shares.

Chapter 266 Dare Not Marry Such A Violent Woman

Cooper keenly sensed that it was merely an excuse made up by Armand, but he didn't ask further. Instead, he signed the document right away.

"Why?" Genevieve queried in puzzlement.

Playing with a Rubik's cube, Timothy drawled, "Why else could it be? Armand previously drew up a will, leaving all his shares of Central Group to Marilyn's children. Later, he must have felt that something would happen if he gave so many shares to them, so he had me and Cooper buy some from him."

Genevieve could understand Armand selling his shares of Central Group to Timothy, but she couldn't fathom why he could do the same to Cooper.

Just as she was deep in contemplation while sipping coffee, the conference room door was pushed open. Steven tossed Mirrin in unceremoniously. Then, he shut the door firmly.

Mirrin stumbled forward a few steps forward. When she regained her footing, she immediately glanced back over her shoulder at Steven.

A hint of displeasure stained her alluring face. "I'm Armand's biological mother! I won't show you an iota of mercy the next time you drag around me like that!"

It was as though Steven didn't hear her, for he merely kept guard at the conference room door with an icy expression.

Fluffing her hair, Mirrin headed toward Genevieve smilingly. "My dear daughter-in-law, I just knew that you must have something to discuss with me that you asked someone to bring me here alone. Well, go on and say it. Are you planning to give me shares or money?"

While asking that, she pulled out the chair on her left and sat down.

Genevieve automatically ignored the woman's address of her. In an even voice, she questioned, "Why did you take the initiative to make an appearance before the media and reveal that you're Armand's biological mother?"

Twirling a finger around her curly chestnut hair, Mirrin lazily leaned back against the chair.

"For the money, of course! Just imagine this. You gave birth to a son, and he grew up to be a billionaire. Wouldn't you want to tell the whole world that he's your son when he's so capable? Even if you don't, I do! I never thought that my only son actually turned out to be so incredible! God has really blessed me greatly!" she gushed joyfully.

Timothy was wholly sickened at the sight of the woman's money-grubbing ways.

"Indeed. Who wouldn't want to show off for a bit after giving birth to such a son?" Genevieve chuckled.

Her hand slipped on the coffee cup, and it fell to the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces.

Steven wanted to step forward to clean the mess, but Genevieve waved a dismissive hand at him. She then crouched and picked up the shards herself.

With her head lowered, she remarked, "Considering your identity at present, Mdm. Pinkard, the journalists will never believe you so easily even if you were to tell the media that you're Armand's biological mother. Who told you to do this?"

She stood up and stared at Mirrin frostily.

"What's wrong with my identity?" Mirrin muttered before declaring, "I've been with Ambrosia for twenty years and have always been the most popular escort there. Everyone in Xedells knows of me..."

As she rambled, Genevieve suddenly grabbed her right hand and pressed it down against the conference table. In the next heartbeat, she ruthlessly stabbed the shard of the coffee cup she held in her hand into the back of the woman's hand.

A jet of warm blood spurted out and splattered on her cool and stunning face.

"Oh my God!" Sheer horror struck Timothy at Genevieve's unexpected action, and he almost fell off the chair.

As far as he remembered, she had always been a gentle and lovely beauty.

Right then, however, his impression of her changed drastically.

Scooting back up the chair, he clutched his heart that almost leaped out of his chest from fright and surreptitiously whispered to Cooper, "Had Genevieve also exhibited such a brutal side of hers in the past? I was initially thinking that I'd take her if you all weren't interested since she's so beautiful, b-but who would marry someone like her?"

With lingering fear, he stammered, "If I were to displease her somehow one day, she might stab me right in the heart! I dare not marry such a violent woman like her. Sorry!"

Chapter 267 I Am Not Negotiating With You

Eyeing Timothy, Cooper scoffed with a half-smile, "Genev has no interest in someone like you."

At that, Timothy was rendered speechless.

Back when the Rachford family still existed, Cooper once witnessed someone from the elite circles with a foul mouth slandering Genevieve, dealing her a considerable blow.

When he accompanied her to a party and bumped into that socialite, she pinned the person to the ground and pummeled her relentlessly until she wailed and apologized non-stop.

He had seen her beating someone up without any mercy, but it was the first time he had ever seen her acting so brutal.

Mirrin stared at the shard from the coffee cup in the back of her hand blankly. A few seconds later, pain spread all over her body.

She was in such agony that her face seemingly contorted beyond recognition.

"Ahh!" she shrieked at long last.

Genevieve was unaffected by the woman's ear-piercing scream, her expression as calm as ever.

Subsequently, she picked up another shard of the coffee cup from the ground and held it in her palm.

Throughout it all, her other hand was still pressing down hard against Mirrin's wrist. "If you don't answer me, Mdm. Pinkard, this shard of glass will also end up in the back of your hand. How about switching to your left hand this time?"

"I'll talk, I'll talk! It was Mrs. Faulkner who told me to do so!" Mirrin hastily answered, afraid that she would put her threat into action.

"Why does she want you to do that?" Genevieve couldn't quite figure it out.

Even if Armand isn't Isabella's child, she brought him back to the Faulkner residence and raised him for more than thirty years. With him heading the Faulkner family, isn't she enjoying infinite wealth and glory? Why does she suddenly want to reveal his background and side with Peter?

"How would I know that? She was the one who sought me out!”

Enduring the excruciating pain radiating off the back of her hand, Mirrin continued, "She apprised me of when the journalist would seek me out and told me to admit that Armand was my son. That's my biological son, so I'm naturally delighted that she'd do such a thing for me! I've told you everything I know. Can you please remove your hand? I spend a fortune on my hands every month to keep them in top- notch shape. Ouch! That hurts!"

Genevieve didn't remove her hand. Instead, she asked, "Is Armand really your biological son?"

"Of course, he is! If you don't believe me, I don't mind doing a DNA test with him right now!" Mirrin whimpered in pain as she spoke.

Since she dared propose a DNA test, Genevieve knew that the matter of Armand being her son was definitely true.

However, something still felt off.

Sweeping a gaze over the woman's enticing and well-maintained face, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was missing an important clue.

Alas, she simply couldn't remember what it was.

Quickly, Genevieve dropped her hold on Mirrin and asked Cooper, "Did you bring your check book?"

Cooper nodded. "Yeah."

Genevieve then had the man issue a check and handed it to Mirrin. "Here's forty million. Take this check and leave the country by two o'clock this afternoon. You can go anywhere you want. Keep your mouth sealed and do not tell anyone else or any journalist that you're Armand's biological mother!"

"Just forty million? Back then, Isabella gave me eighty million!"

Her hand, on which protruded a shard of glass, was still hurting and bleeding, but Mirrin started arguing with Genevieve over the paltry amount.

"I'm not negotiating with you, Mdm. Pinkard. I'm telling you to take the money and get out of the country. Or do you want me to have someone send you abroad?" Genevieve stared at her, the look in her eyes glacial.

A chill ran down Mirrin's back. With her bag and the check in hand, she hurried away.

Behind her, Genevieve warned, "Remember every single word I said. If I see that you said something on the news one day, I'll make sure that you rest in peace."

"Y-You're too cruel!" Mirrin muttered, but she didn't dare turn back.

As soon as Steven opened the door, she stumblingly sprinted out.

Chapter 268 That Should Be Done By His Wife

Cooper stood up and took out a handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to Genevieve. The latter took it calmly and wiped off the blood from her face and hands. As they walked toward the elevator together, Cooper asked Steven, "Are all the journalists here?"

"They're in Conference Hall 3," Steven answered. Striding to the front of the elevator, he held the elevator and gestured for Genevieve and the others to enter first. "Hey! Don't forget me!" Timothy hastily darted into the elevator.

"When everything has been settled, I'll have Steven transfer that forty million back to you," Genevieve stated, putting the bloodied handkerchief into her pocket.

Knowing that she wasn't discussing it with him and would still have someone transfer the money over even if he declined, Cooper nodded.

"You just took over the position of the CEO of Central Group, so you've got to notify the journalists about it. Then, you have to hold an executive meeting and get acquainted with the company's senior executives. Steven will teach you all this."

Not only was Genevieve exceedingly calm when faced with Peter earlier, but she also later dealt with Mirrin with poise.

Thus, he believed that she would also be able to handle the press conference well.

"I know." Genevieve's eyes flickered for a moment before she added, "Our divorce back then caused a huge controversy. With me at Central Group now, the media will undoubtedly latch on to Specter Corporation."

Cooper was startled for a moment, seemingly hadn't expected her to have started taking that matter into consideration.

In the next instant, his thin lips turned up, and he flashed her an indulgent smile. "It's okay. Just focus on Central Group, and I'll handle the rest. With me here, Specter Corporation will be fine." "Okay." Genevieve nodded.

After the elevator arrived at the designated floor, Steven accompanied Genevieve to the conference hall to meet the journalists.

Cooper pressed the button to close the elevator doors.

Inching a few steps closer to him, Timothy lifted a hand and hooked it around the man's shoulder, leaning against him lazily. "What are you thinking, Mr. Sutton? You're divorced from your ex-wife, yet you now want to pursue her again?"

"Why, is that against the law?" Cooper nudged him with an elbow to get him to remove his hand from his shoulder.

"No, of course, you can. But I'm really curious to know why exactly you and Genevieve got a divorce." Timothy stroked his brow with a finger.

He once asked Armand about it, but he only learned that the death of Cooper's parents had something to do with the Rachford family. Hence, Cooper lay in wait in the Rachford residence for twenty years just to have his revenge. In fact, he was also the one who set Mr. and Mrs. Rachford up and killed them.

However, Timothy couldn't make sense of things.

His grudge with the Rachford family runs deep, so why is he now helping Genevieve instead?

Cooper didn't answer him, merely dipping his eyes and pinning them on the elevator control panel.

It was exactly because there was no noise around him that he could calm down and mull over everything that had happened since Armand contacted him, as well as Landon's remark in the conference room earlier.

He felt as though everything was preplanned by Armand.

There are many capable people at Central Group. Even if Genevieve hadn't come over, the shareholders would have still nominated someone from among the senior executives to be the CEO of Central Group. They wouldn't allow Peter to poke his nose in. But why was it that almost half the shareholders trusted Genevieve and supported her?

Under his glasses, his eyes narrowed into slits. He turned to Timothy.

"Dr. Jensen, is there really no hope for Armand to regain consciousness again?"

Timothy was momentarily taken aback before he flew off his handle. "Whoa! Are you suspecting that Armand and I are putting on a show? Are you sick in the head? You just have to ask Genevieve how badly injured he is! Worse still, his head is injured! Do you think he'd risk his life to put on a show?"

"But you're too calm. You're good friends with him, yet you're still going to work as usual though he's now in a coma. That aside, you even came to Central Group with me."

"So what if we're good friends? It's not like we're brothers!" Timothy scoffed.

Then, he continued, "I've already shed tears for him when I wheeled him out of the operating room that night. That was already magnanimous of me! He's in a coma, but I've still got to live my life. I can't act like a helpless wife, staying by his bedside and weeping every day, can I? Besides, that should be done by his wife, Genevieve!"

Chapter 269 Elevates My Social Circle

Cooper's brows knitted together, and a hint of displeasure showed on his face. "They only got married because of their collaboration. Don't refer to Genevieve as such in the future."

In response, Timothy clucked his tongue. "Even so, they registered their marriage. Can you say that she isn't Armand's wife?"

At that, words eluded Cooper.

"If you doubt me and the entire hospital, you can install two surveillance cameras in Armand's room and find someone to keep an eye on him every day." Once more, Timothy placed his hand on the man's shoulder and teased with a chuckle, "Honestly speaking, you're doubting him, but you actually hope that he'll never regain consciousness, right?"

Cooper didn't bother responding to that. Instead, he again unceremoniously slapped the man's hand away. "This suit of mine cost a leg and an arm, so keep your hands off it! Besides, I'm not your friend." Timothy wasn't irate even after having had his hand slapped off. Surprisingly, he was still grinning from ear to ear.

"We can be friends starting now! I rather like a businessman like you. You look decent and intelligent, so being with you all elevates my social circle!"

Verily, Cooper was struck dumb.

He really detested Timothy's enthusiastic and talkative nature.

Timothy continued rambling at Cooper, curiously asking him why he got divorced from Genevieve. Alas, Cooper ignored him.

The instant the elevator arrived on the first floor, Cooper swiftly hurried out as though the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels.

When they finally stepped out of the building, Cooper pulled open the car door to leave, but Timothy had already caught up to him. "I didn't drive here, Mr. Sutton! How about giving me a ride?"

"Sorry, but it's out of my way." Smiling faintly, Cooper pried off his fingers that were gripping the car door.

After getting into the car, he took a piece of microfiber cloth out of his pocket before removing his glasses and wiping them.

All of a sudden, he remembered the incident when he brought Erica to a high-class banquet after his divorce from Genevieve. Genevieve attended as well and publicized the conversation he had with Erica at the hotel. At that time, he wondered how she managed to record it and thought of doing so.

It wasn't until he later found out that she got together with Armand that it all made sense to him.

Thinking back upon that incident, realization abruptly dawned upon him, and he narrowed his eyes a fraction. "No wonder he did that. He's really shrewd."

"Turn back at once!" he ordered the driver.

Timothy was heading to the roadside to hail a taxi then. No sooner had he taken two steps than Cooper's Bentley screeched to a stop beside him.

Cooper swung open the car door and alighted from the car. "Let's have a drink, Dr. Jensen?"

Glimpsing the smile on the man's face, Timothy sensed danger. "It isn't good to drink in broad daylight. Besides, I'm on duty this afternoon."

"You're absolutely right, Dr. Jensen. Being friends with someone like you makes it much more convenient when I go to the hospital for treatment in the future." Cooper stuffed the man who was planning to take off into the car, his smile as friendly as ever.

Then, he added, "To celebrate our friendship, we've got to have a drink!"

Slipping into the car, he locked the car door and instructed the driver, "Head to Imperial Club."

That turn of events had Timothy entirely dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, Genevieve entered Conference Hall 3 at Central Group with Steven accompanying her.

The conference hall was packed with journalists, with some gathered together to chat. The instant they spotted Genevieve stepping in, they promptly swung their cameras in her direction until she went on stage.

Then, they started to barrage her with cutting questions.

"Ms. Genevieve, it's rumored that you and Mr. Armand have long since gotten married. Is that true?"

"Is Armand really comatose and could never regain consciousness again?"

"Yes, Armand and I have long since gotten married, but taking our careers into consideration, we didn't publicize it," Genevieve answered calmly.

She stood on the stage, allowing the flashing lights to blind her without batting an eyelash.

Subsequently, she clarified, "My husband is not comatose. He's merely severely injured and needs to recuperate in the hospital for some time. I just had a meeting with Central Group's shareholders a while ago. While my husband is unconscious, I'll take over as Central Group's CEO and manage the company."

Chapter 270 Were You Openly Having An Affair

As soon as Genevieve said that, the crowd went into an uproar.

"I heard that you were once an employee of Central Group in the translation department, Ms. Genevieve. Now that you're becoming the CEO, do you have any management experience?"

"You're Mr. Armand's wife, but the company isn't his alone."

In the face of the journalists' ridicule, Genevieve merely smiled nonchalantly. "It's precisely because the company isn't my husband's alone that I'm doing this. I've already discussed it with the shareholders, and if I fail to contribute to the company within two months, I'll voluntarily resign."

At her solemn vow, the journalists gradually stopped doubting her.

In no time, however, a journalist queried, "When did you marry Mr. Armand, Ms. Genevieve? Can we have a look at the marriage certificate?"

"Of course."

Taking the marriage certificate handed over by Steven, Genevieve opened it and showed it to the journalists below the stage.

The journalists snapped away at the marriage certificate in her hands.

Someone caught sight of the date on the marriage certificate and immediately questioned sharply, "Ms. Genevieve, do you remember that you once published a post that resembled a confession of love on Twitter? Later, you said that the song was dedicated to your ex-husband, Mr. Cooper. You were newly married to Mr. Armand then, but you published a post to confess your love to Mr. Cooper. What did you mean by that?"

Genevieve hadn't expected the journalist to notice that, and her eyes flickered for a moment.

At that time, she didn't want to delete her post on Twitter and wanted to retaliate against Armand, so she deliberately wrote such a thing, indirectly helping to boost Specter Corporation's share prices. Little had she expected that her action back then would bring her trouble at present.

Upon seeing that she wasn't answering, the journalist was all the more excited. "Were you openly having an affair?" he pressed.

All the journalists' cameras were directed at Genevieve's face, not missing the slightest change in her expression.

Soon, Genevieve lifted her head and flashed a smile at the cameras. "As you know, I grew up with Mr. Cooper. We have known each other for more than twenty years, so he's my brother and family. I took that phrase from a collection of prose and poetry online. It alludes to kinship."

The instant her words fell, a journalist below the stage swiftly went online and googled the two sentences she posted on Twitter back then.

Sure enough, he found them, and it was indeed true that they alluded to kinship.

When the journalist no longer pushed her for answers, Genevieve knew that she had gotten herself out of the mess. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are there any other questions?" she inquired.

One of the journalists lifted his hand. "I have a question. When the most popular hostess of Ambrosia, a club that was once renowned in Xedells, accepted our interview, she revealed that Armand is her son. From the child of a noble family, he became the child of a hostess. What do you think about this?"

Then, he asked, "Will the others in the Faulkner family still accept him managing the family when he has no blood ties with them?"

"Why should I have any opinion about it? Does his poor background negate everything he did?" Genevieve asked him in return.

Next, she asserted, "Since my husband took over Faulkner Group, its sales have been increased every quarter, and Faulkner Group shines brighter every year. All he did for Faulkner Group is something none of the leaders in the company could attain. Even if he isn't a child of the Faulkner family, he's worthy of the Faulkner family."

Looking straight into the camera, she enunciated, "No matter life's ups and downs, I'll face it together with my husband, Armand. Regardless of his family background, I accept him wholeheartedly. Throughout this time, I'll help him keep guard of Central Group and wait for him to regain consciousness."

That speech of hers had the journalists' eyes filling with tears, and some even wiped a tear from the corner of their eyes with a finger.

Indeed, it didn't matter even if Armand was the child of a hostess.

If it weren't for him, Faulkner Group wouldn't be enjoying such glory then.

And if it weren't for him, there would be no Central Group.

Verily, no one could negate his contributions to Faulkner Group.