Chapter 274
The board members behind Alex shifted uncomfortably, their faces pale with anger.
"Here they come!" someone whispered.
The room fell silent as Luke and the board members returned, their faces grim.
One of the board members stood up, his voice trembling with indignation. "I don't care what those recordings say! I only recognize Mr. Harrison as our chairman! No one else!"
"That's right!" another voice chimed in. "Without Mr. Harrison, this association is nothing!"
"He's the only one who deserves to lead us!"
One by one, the board members voiced their support for Luke, their words like daggers aimed at Alex. His face flushed red, his eyes darting nervously towards Luke.
It was clear that Alex had miscalculated. He had underestimated the respect and loyalty Luke commanded.
Even those board members who were qualified to be chairman themselves rallied behind Luke. The message was clear: they would not stand for this betrayal.
"I too stand with Mr. Harrison," a voice said, barely a whisper. It was Alex, his face ashen.
Luke, ever the strategist, used this wave of support to his advantage. "Thank you for your trust," he said, his voice full of emotion. "I will continue to serve as chairman for the time being, but I will step down in a year's time."
"You are a true leader, Mr. Harrison!"
"Your integrity is an inspiration to us all!"
Praise rained down on Luke from all sides. He raised his hand, silencing the room. "Now," he said, his voice regaining its usual authority, "let's move on to the second matter."
All eyes turned to Alex, a collective sense of anticipation filling the room. Everyone knew what was coming. Luke was about to deliver his punishment.
"I propose a restructuring of the Wine Association," Luke announced.
His words hung in the air, a murmur rippled through the room. It was a brilliant move. By focusing on reform, Luke shifted the narrative away from personal vendettas and towards the future of the association.
"The recent wine tasting," he continued, "highlighted a crucial point. Sevan City's wine industry is lagging behind. We only have a handful of independent wineries, with Sevan City Cellar leading the pack. The rest are merely OEM brands, relying on others for their products. This is unacceptable. Sevan City is a city of opportunity, a hub for both domestic and international trade. We need to embrace this diversity, seize this opportunity and use it to advance."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "Therefore, I propose we expand the scope of the association. We will no longer limit ourselves to wine. We will include beer, spirits, all beverages under our umbrella. We will become the Sevan City Beverage Industry Association!"
The room erupted in a cacophony of gasps and murmurs. It was a bold move, one that would shake up the industry and create both challenges and opportunities.
Luke, a master of reading his audience, had anticipated this reaction. He knew that the businessmen in the room, while initially resistant to change, would ultimately recognize the potential benefits of this expansion.
As expected, Alex was the first to voice his support, praising the vision and foresight behind the proposal. His eagerness to please was almost comical.
Others followed suit, some more hesitant than others, but ultimately recognizing the inevitability of the change. The vote, when it came, was a mere formality. The Sevan City Beverage Industry Association was born.
"And finally," Luke said, his gaze sweeping across the room, "I would like to formally welcome a young talent into our ranks." His eyes settled on Frank. "Frank, founder of Sevan City Beer, winner of the prestigious gold medal at the recent wine tasting."
Frank stood up, his face flushed with pride as all eyes turned to him.
"I nominate Frank to be our ninth director," Luke announced. "Please join me in welcoming him to the stage."
Frank's speech was short and to the point. He spoke of his passion for the beverage industry, his commitment to quality, and his vision for the future. His words resonated with the audience, and he received a rousing round of applause.
The vote, once again, was a foregone conclusion. Frank was officially a director of the Sevan City Beverage Industry Association.
"And now," Luke said, his voice laced with a hint of steel. "Mr. Mercer, you will be reassigned to oversee operations in the six counties surrounding Sevan City."
It was a demotion, plain and simple. Alex, stripped of his power and influence, could only nod mutely.
As we drove back to the Allen residence, Frank was practically vibrating with excitement. "We did it, John! We hit the jackpot!"
"Is being on the board really that significant?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
"It's not just about power," Frank explained, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "It's about access. The Sevan City Beverage Industry Association controls the most important distribution channels in the region. They have partnerships with other associations, even international markets."
It all made sense now. This wasn't just a victory for Frank, it was a game-changer for Sevan City Beer.
"This summer," Frank declared, his voice full of confidence, "we're going to dominate the market. Sevan City Beer will be on every table!"
"To new beginnings," I said, raising my glass.
"To our success!" Frank echoed, his laughter booming through the car.
The Rolls-Royce pulled up to the Allen residence. I had come empty-handed, remembering Frank's words about family not needing gifts. Still, I felt a pang of awkwardness.
Mia was already gone, sent back earlier to avoid any misunderstandings with Lillian.
Lillian, Emily, and Ruby were in the living room, chatting and watching television. A bowl of exotic fruits sat on the coffee table.
"Mom, John's here!" Frank announced.
Lillian turned, her face breaking into a wide smile. "John! It's so good to see you!"
"Mom!" Emily chided, shaking her head. "Where are your manners?"
"Come in, John, come in," Emily said, gesturing for me to join them.
"I'm afraid I came empty-handed this time," I said, feeling a blush creep up my neck. "Just here to enjoy your hospitality."
"Nonsense, dear," Emily said warmly. "Family doesn't need gifts."
She instructed a maid to bring refreshments as I settled into the plush sofa. Ruby smiled at me, her eyes sparkling. She adjusted her skirt slightly, her casual posture becoming more composed.
She was breathtaking, even more so now that I knew her better. Lillian was beautiful in her own right, but I had a weakness for women like Ruby, women who possessed a certain allure, a captivating aura.
"Mom, you always favor John," Frank complained playfully.
"Then get your own refreshments," Emily retorted, her tone teasing.
Frank let out a dramatic sigh. "I just don't understand why you're always so biased."
His words were met with laughter, the tension easing from the room.
"Is Mr. Allen not home yet?" I asked, realizing I hadn't seen Frank's father.
"He should be back soon," Emily replied. "Now, you two catch up. I'll go to supervise dinner. We're having your favorite, John."
"Thank you, Emily," I said, touched by her thoughtfulness.
"How's the dance company coming along?" Ruby asked, her voice soft and melodic.
"Thanks to you, we've had a great response," I replied. "We haven't even officially opened yet, and we already have a long list of applicants."
"You've worked hard, John," she said, her eyes shining with admiration.
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