Chapter517Holding Onto Martin's Stuff
Riley's face turned pale, his usual stoic facade giving way to a mix of embarrassment and irritation.
Even as he picked up his luggage and left, Jeremy was still laughing. "Virgin... hahaha... virgin..."
Shane chose his moment to deliver a zinger. "What's so funny? Aren't you in the same boat? What are you laughing at him for?"
Jeremy's laughter came to an abrupt halt, his face falling. His expression turned as gloomy as his laughter had been boisterous.
Riley looked on with a half-smile while Sebastian gazed at him with disdain.
Shane pointed at them one by one. "My legacy isn't about birthing a bunch of good-for-nothing grandkids. You're all grown up, yet not a wife in sight. What's with holding onto your virginity in your twenties and thirties?"
Jeremy pouted, dissatisfied. "Grandpa, that's not fair, always poking at our wounds."
"I'm speaking facts! I'm too tired to bother with you all!" He pulled Patricia towards the elevator. "Patricia, let's go home!"
As Riley, Jeremy, and Sebastian approached, he shooed them away. "Out, out, seeing you all just gets me fired up, a bunch of disappointments! Go take another elevator. Patricia and I are leaving."
Patricia cast the three of them a look of sympathy and... a hint of schadenfreude.
To better care for Shane, Patricia had offered to have him stay at her place for a while. The house wasn't as spacious as the mansions in Ellenstein Villa District, but it could comfortably accommodate one more person. Meanwhile, Riley and their group had to make do with staying in the hotel.
Patricia had just brought Shane home when her cell phone rang in her pocket. It was a call from Alan.
He hadn't been kept in the dark about Martin's passing. Though he hadn't visited in the past few days, he remained diligently at the company's helm, seeking Patricia’s, Ryan's, or Carter's input whenever faced with tough decisions. His call was most likely about some company issue.
Patricia answered, pressing the phone to her ear. "Hello, Alan."
"Patricia, there's trouble! News of the boss's death has leaked, and now several partners want to terminate their contracts. Shareholders are causing a ruckus, demanding a new CEO."
Patricia’s brows furrowed. "Didn’t the Gregory manage to suppress the news? How did it get out?"
"I don't know! But if they're stirring things up, they must have concrete evidence. We won’t be able to keep this under wraps. The boss's CEO position is in jeopardy."
Indeed, with the boss gone, he shouldn't hold onto his position. But Mr. Langley was too old to consider a comeback.
The boss's father, Samuel, lacked boldness and business skills even in his younger years. Dumping such a responsibility on him abruptly, he’d most likely fail to secure the position.
And the boss's brother, Ian, was even less suitable. Lacking capability but full of arrogance, he thought too highly of himself. Putting someone like him in charge would only steer the company toward decline.
"Have you gotten wind of their plans?" Patricia asked.
Alan shook his head but remembered Patricia couldn’t see him and replied, "I haven’t found out what they're planning yet. However, Ian suddenly swooped in today and took the acting executive manager position. I suspect the enemies are plotting to prop Ian up."
"Ian?" Patricia’s frown deepened.
Her scant memories of Ian were arrogance, conceit, and debauchery. Was someone like this heir apparent to manage the Langley Group? That would spell disaster.
"Mrs. Watson, it's typically the family business, and by law, the position should belong to Charles, but he's too young. The boss's brother has the right to take over as CEO. Plus, if he's got support, this might be a done deal."
If Ian really took the helm of the Langley Group, there would be no point in Alan sticking around. He wanted to protect the company for the boss, but there was only so much he could do.
"I get it! Please keep an eye on the company for me," Patricia implored. "The Langley Group was Martin's life's work; I can't let it fall into the wrong hands."
Martin had catapulted the Langley Group to the top through his dedication over the years. She had to safeguard it.
After ending the call, Patricia, with a somber expression, slid her phone back into her pocket.
"Trouble at the company?" Riley inquired.
Patricia nodded. "The news of Martin's departure leaked somehow! Many of the Langley Group's partners want out of their deals. The shareholders are making an uproar to change the CEO!"
Riley watched her closely, concern in his voice. "Do you have a plan?"
She shook her head, sinking into the couch, elbows on knees, hands cupping her face. Her fingers entwined in her hair, gripping and releasing. Her mind was in chaos as if many voices were clashing inside. She wanted to secure the company for Martin, but no solution came to mind.
"Do you want to take over the Langley Group?" Riley prodded.
Catching the implication of his question, Patricia snapped her gaze to him. "You have any idea?"
"I've looked into the laws here, and the primary heir to Martin's shares would be a spouse, followed by children, parents, and siblings. So, you're Martin's rightful heir."
"But I have no experience. The shareholders won't accept me!" Patricia lamented, her face etched with worry.
Sebastian pursed his lips. "You'll be a major shareholder. Does it matter if they accept you or not?"
Although she recognized the logic in his words, Patricia replied, "I want them to respect me willingly. If I act like a tyrant, they'll rebel again sooner or later. Besides, falling out with them does me no good."
Sebastian shrugged, spreading his hands. "I don't know much about running a business. I can't help you there."
Patricia sighed deeply, weighed down with worries.
Ever since the news of Martin's death had spread, the chaos in Country Z erupted instantaneously. With the Langley Group headless, its stock prices plummeted.
Business partners were in an uproar, shareholders were restless, the stock market was turbulent, and the employees lacked motivation. As time passed, the situation worsened.
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