Chapter 879
That night, Oberon saved Lillian and personally took her to the hospital with the help of two elderly folks.
Oberon was particularly upset about what happened. Every time he thought about it, his eyes would burn with anger.
Initially, he believed Dominic and his daughter were responsible for the incident. Oberon was so furious that he wanted to rush to Miracalia to get revenge, feeling like he had failed to protect Lillian and let her suffer.
If he knew Ruby was involved and had even harmed Lillian before, Oberon would be devastated.
"Don't worry, Grandpa was still feisty enough to yell at me over the phone last time. He's in good health, both physically and mentally. You don't need to worry so much. Grandpa's tougher than you think. He'll definitely take care of himself, stay healthy, and keep thinking about how to deal with me."
Lillian couldn't help but laugh, imagining Oberon chasing Jackson with a cane.
Seeing her no longer distressed, Jackson handed the phone back to Harry and instructed, "Keep a close watch on both of them."
Harry nodded, "Don't worry."
"How's Anouk doing?" Jackson asked.
Harry smiled, "Everything's under control."
Jackson nodded, and Harry turned to leave.
Lillian looked at Jackson, "Dominic and Ruby are quite the pair. Why do we, as a couple, always attract these scheming people?"
Jackson's eyes lit up for a moment. "Lillian, what did you just say?"
"I didn't say anything. I was just lamenting how we attract these schemers."
Lillian looked puzzled, and Jackson raised his hand to gently tap her nose.
"No, that's not what you said! Think carefully." Jackson urged, dissatisfied.
Lillian turned her head. "That's exactly what I said."
"No, you said 'we as a couple'! Don't deny it."
Jackson grabbed her face and emphasized heavily.
Lillian had already realized she had misspoken, but Jackson's reaction was too intense.
She met Jackson's burning gaze and nodded.
"Okay, I misspoke."
"No, you said it subconsciously, which means deep down, you never saw us as separated. You still see me as your husband, right, sweetheart?"
Jackson's heart rippled with this realization.
Lillian didn't understand why he was fixated on this point. She blinked and said, "No way, it was just a slip of the tongue. When we divorced, you hurt me so much. I hated you. How could I still see you as my husband deep down? Stop dreaming!"
She refused to admit it, but Jackson was convinced she felt the same way, never considering being with anyone else.
He shook his head with a helpless smile and said, "Alright, but at least it proves you now see me as your husband, right?"
He took a step back in his words, and Lillian nodded.
Jackson immediately grabbed her hand and said, "Since you already see me as your husband, can you wear the ring again?"
Ring? Lillian was slightly stunned.
Jackson reached into his suit pocket and pulled out something.
He opened his palm, revealing a dazzling diamond ring that sparkled before Lillian's eyes.
Lillian looked up in surprise, "You carry our wedding ring with you?"
She was very familiar with the ring—it was their wedding ring.
Lillian hadn't expected him to carry it with him all the time.
Jackson raised an eyebrow, "Is it strange? Not only do I carry the ring, but I also keep my passport with me."
His passport was in his briefcase.
Lillian was speechless.
Jackson stood up, knelt on one knee, and took Lillian's hand.
Slowly, he slid the ring onto her slender finger, returning it to its rightful place.
After putting on the ring, Jackson lowered his head and kissed it gently before looking up at Lillian.
Lillian looked at Jackson, and they both smiled, then reached out and intertwined their fingers.
The next day.
Seaspring Valley City, the Kelly Group headquarters, was bustling.
The company was holding a shareholders' meeting to discuss the future of the Kelly Group.
Recently, the media had been reporting that the Kelly Group was about to change ownership, causing a stir within the company.
Employees knew that the chairman was critically ill, and the Kelly family had no legitimate heir. The only bloodline, Lillian, had encountered misfortune.
Only Ambrose remained, but as an adopted child of the Kelly family, despite managing the group's affairs for years, Ambrose was weak without Oberon.
Unlike the Lawson family, where Ronan was the group chairman, and his two sons and son-in-law held positions within the group, their combined shares were substantial.
In this situation, it would be easy for them to win over a few shareholders.
"Looks like the Kelly Group is really going to change its name to Lawson." An employee sighed, eyes filled with worry.
"I wonder if we'll still have the same benefits. If only Mr. Kelly could wake up." Another employee whispered.
Oberon was a well-known conscientious entrepreneur and philanthropist in Seaspring Valley City. For years, the Kelly Group had the best employee benefits.
Moreover, in this fast-paced era where companies encouraged overtime, Oberon never promoted it, genuinely caring for his employees.
Because of this, employees sincerely hoped the Kelly Group wouldn't change ownership.
However, these were decisions beyond their control, and they could only sigh.
The Kelly family was so good, yet they ended up in such a tragic situation.
In the highest office of the group, the board meeting was about to begin.
The Kelly Group's directors had taken their seats, the atmosphere was strange, and they had already anticipated today's outcome, but they couldn't help but discuss."Mr. Oberon Kelly must have left a will. If he left his shares to Mr. Ambrose Kelly, and Mr. Castillo stands firm, another outcome isn't impossible."
"Who knows, it seems unlikely."
Previously, Oberon held 25% of the shares, Flora had 10%, and Ambrose had 5%.
After finding Lillian, Oberon gave her 10% of his shares.
The Kelly family held a total of 40% of the shares.
Ronan and his two sons held 22% combined. As the son-in-law of the Kelly family and later the son-in-law of the Lawson family, Kenneth held 8% of the shares.
Of these, 5% were inherited from Ophelia after her passing.
The remaining shares were held by a dozen or so shareholders, totaling 25%, with another 5% being scattered shares.
When Oberon was around, the Kelly family, though dwindling in numbers, held a significant majority of the shares. Ambrose was highly capable, and with Oberon overseeing and Ambrose executing, the Kelly Group was very stable.
The shareholders had no other thoughts and generally supported Oberon.
But now, Oberon was gone.
The Kelly family was left with only a senile Flora, and no matter how outstanding Ambrose was, he wasn't truly a Kelly by blood.
It was uncertain if Ambrose would inherit Oberon's shares.
Lillian had also encountered misfortune, and the fate of her 10% was unknown.
Ambrose's own shares were insignificant on their own.
This situation made the Lawson family the largest shareholders.
In recent days, the Lawson family had been busy persuading shareholders to support them and buying up shares.
They took advantage of the Kelly Group's turmoil and falling shares to aggressively buy up scattered shares in the market.
By now, they were likely in a very strong position.
However, if Oberon's shares were indeed left to Ambrose in a will, and Ambrose could secure Kenneth's support, the shareholders might waver, and the outcome would be uncertain.
"They're here, the Lawson family is here."
Footsteps were heard outside the office, followed by a low reminder.
The office fell silent, the atmosphere solemn, and no one spoke.
As the Lawson family came into view, someone softly reminded, "Mr. Lawson and his family are here."
Everyone turned to the door, seeing Ronan leading the way, followed by his two sons, daughter, and son-in-law.
Ronan was dressed in a festive red suit, looking very pleased, his face glowing.
The other Lawson family members also wore expressions of arrogance or satisfaction, brimming with confidence.
Although the Lawson family seemed to be in a strong position, the directors felt uncomfortable seeing them so openly happy while Oberon was still in critical condition.
But no one dared to say anything. As Ronan entered, a junior director eagerly pulled out the top chair for him.
"Mr. Lawson, please have a seat. Everyone's here, just waiting for you."
Ronan looked at the chair, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
He had coveted this chair for years but had to defer to Oberon.
Now, he could finally sit in it.
But Ronan restrained his eagerness, waving his hand modestly.
"No, no, this isn't right. That's the chairman's seat. I'll sit in my usual place."
He moved aside, but the junior director quickly stopped him, urging, "Mr. Lawson, you deserve this seat. Who else could sit here? In terms of experience, leadership, and shares, you must sit here to give us confidence. The Kelly Group is in turmoil, and we need you to lead us to success. Isn't that right, everyone?"
Several shareholders immediately echoed their agreement.
"Yes, Mr. Lawson, please sit. We need you to lead us."
"Mr. Lawson, we're just missing a formal vote. I fully support you as our new chairman, and I'm sure everyone else does too. Please, take the seat."
The voices of support came from those who had recently aligned with the Lawson family.
Clearly, they had fully switched sides.
Ronan, under the enthusiastic support and invitation, raised his hand to quiet them and reluctantly said, "Since everyone trusts me so much, I can't let you down. I'll take the seat temporarily. Everyone, please sit."
Ronan looked around, smiling broadly.
Once everyone was seated, he asked, "Are all the shareholders here?"
He knew the answer but asked anyway. The Kelly family held the most shares, but none of them were present, not even Ambrose. Ronan pretended not to notice.
A director responded, "Mr. Ambrose Kelly hasn't arrived, but it's time for the meeting. He probably won't come. We all have things to do and can't wait forever. I suggest we proceed and count him as abstaining."
Several others immediately agreed.
Nathaniel Lawson stood up to announce, "Since everyone agrees..."
"Who agrees? There's still three minutes until the meeting starts. Mr. Ambrose Kelly might be downstairs. Isn't it a bit premature to decide?"
A middle-aged woman sitting mid-table spoke up.
She was also a Kelly Group shareholder, holding 3% of the shares.
Among the smaller shareholders, this wasn't insignificant.
Ronan had sent Nathaniel to buy her shares, but she refused.
Yesterday, Ronan tried to persuade her with threats and bribes, but she still refused.
Nathaniel, feeling humiliated, slammed the table and sneered, "Marcella Shaw, you're just a minor shareholder. Letting you sit here is already a favor. You're a housewife; what do you know? Don't overestimate your tiny shares!"
Marcella, a widow, relied on her shares to support herself and her children. Nathaniel thought she would be easy to deal with, but she refused to sell.
Angry at being publicly provoked, Nathaniel lashed out.
Marcella coldly retorted, "I'm a housewife, but my 3% of Kelly Group shares support my family. These shares were rightfully inherited from my husband. Why should I be looked down upon? I have 3%. How much do you have? If I don't belong here, you should be the first to leave."
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