Chapter 1478 You Lost, Utterly Lost
James' face went dark.
Michael glanced at Julia and asked, "Julia, you sure you can handle the board's demands all by yourself?"
"Absolutely," Julia said, cool as a cucumber. "Michael, don't say we didn't give you a shot. Alright, board members, time to vote. If you want Michael out, raise your hands."
"Julia," James warned, shooting her a look.
One board member piped up, "James, I think Julia's got it right. Voting's how we roll here. I'm in."
In no time, almost everyone in the room had their hands up, with just a few sitting it out.
Julia turned to James. "Dad, see? Ninety percent of the board doesn't want Michael in the subsidiary. By the company's rules, he's out. I think we're done here."
James glared at Julia, letting out a bitter laugh. "Michael's out. Meeting's over. Julia, my office. Now."
James stormed out, fuming.
The board members turned to Aaron with smiles. "Aaron, we're counting on you. Give it your all."
"Thanks, everyone," Aaron said, bowing awkwardly.
Michael sat there, seething.
Not wanting to tick Michael off, the board members and execs trickled out. Soon, it was just the Jude siblings left.
Michael stood up, furious, and smashed Aaron's notebook. He grabbed Aaron by the collar. "Aaron, if you wanted the president's spot, you could've told me. You're my brother. I've always had your back. But teaming up with Julia? That's low."
Aaron's lips quivered, and he hung his head. "Michael, I'm sorry."
"Don't blame Aaron; I made him do it," Julia said, walking over.
It was winter, and she had a sweater under her white wool coat. Tall with deep eyes, she looked at Michael. "Michael, did you ever really trust Aaron? If you did, why does he know so little about the company after all this time?"
"Enough, stop trying to stir things up."
Michael roared, glaring at Julia. "Julia, do you know you're my sister? You've always been the one who cared for me the most. I never thought you'd be the one to betray me. You've hidden it well. You're terrifying."
"Maybe. I just don't want to be the one always sacrificing," Julia shrugged, a wave of sadness washing over her.
Even though Michael and Aaron were her brothers, it seemed they understood her less than Derek did.
Maybe Julia had given too much, and they took it for granted.
Michael sneered, "Yeah, you've been on top for too long. You must be scared to step down and want to climb even higher. But do you think Dad will agree? Will Grandpa? You're going against the whole Jude Family. Sure, you won today, but let's see how long you can keep it up. Those board members will be begging me to come back soon. Just wait."
"Really? Michael, you don't get me at all," Julia said, unfazed. "When I decide to act, I'm all in. What do you think your biggest strength is?"
Michael froze in an attitude of disbelief.
"EchoReach," Julia said slowly. "You think you run EchoReach, but that's just in your head. The folks at EchoReach listen to you because I let them. Grandpa and Dad think they control the Jude Family, but they don't. I let them think that out of respect."
Michael started shaking.
He suddenly remembered Maximus's betrayal.
Michael thought he had everything under control, but he didn't.
"Mr. Powell is your guy?" Michael asked through gritted teeth.
"Where do you think those photos of you sneaking in and out of the apartment, and the proof of Megan's miscarriage, came from?"
Julia looked at him with a mix of mockery and helplessness. "Michael, I admit you're smart, but while you were playing kiddie games, I was already strategizing. That's the difference between us."
"Stop it," Michael roared, his eyes red. "Grandpa never let you near EchoReach. How did you get them to listen to you?"
"I've known since I was a kid that EchoReach is the Jude Family's sharpest weapon. How could I ignore such a good weapon? Mr. Powell is someone I spent over ten years grooming for you. Do you like him?"
Julia gently plucked a flower from a pot by the floor-to-ceiling window. She tore off a petal and squeezed it into juice.
"Over ten years?" Michael was horrified. That meant Julia had been planning for over ten years. "You wanted the Jude Group all along. Our whole family trusted you, and you only reveal yourself now."
"You're wrong. I did it to protect myself. People change. Who knows what you all would become in the future?"
Julia shook her head, saying, "Do you know the story of the genie in the lamp? Over the years, I've fulfilled countless wishes for the Jude Group. You treated me like a genie, but the genie in the lamp might one day turn around and devour you all."
After speaking, Julia wiped the flower juice off her fingers with a tissue. "Michael, stop struggling. You've lost. Even if Dad and Grandpa intervene, it won't help. Our family's success relies on the Jude Group, EchoReach, and Carl. Do you think Carl will side with you? When the board members voted you out, everything became clear. Even Aaron is smarter than you."
She finished and left.
Michael went on a rampage, smashing everything in the office.
Once, Michael thought he was about to have it all.
Now Julia told Michael he had never had anything.
It was because she let Michael have it that he had had it.
Michael didn't understand how things had changed so drastically in just one month.
Aaron looked at him helplessly. "Michael, I'm sorry. Julia said if I didn't side with her, I'd be opposing her. From childhood, Julia has been the best to me. She always cleaned up my messes. Without her, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Michael grabbed him by the collar and roared, "Haven't I been good to you?"
Aaron blinked and said, "You've been good to me too, but you can't compare to Julia. During my teenage years, I had many troubles I couldn't talk to you about. You were always running around with Megan. Later, when I grew up and studied abroad, you rarely visited me. It was always Julia. When I started working, we weren't in the same company, and it was Julia who helped me. I'm sorry."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
