Chapter 342: A Natural Leader
Aliana leaned back in her executive chair, resting her chin on her linked fingers as her piercing eyes swept over each director at the table.
"Everything listed in that file is a matter of record if anyone wishes to verify it. As the CEO of Van Empire, I officially reject Morris Avery from being considered for a seat on this board. Not only is he unqualified for basic entry requirements here, but he can never be trusted with the role of Chief Financial Officer when his own firm went bankrupt. Does anyone have an objection to this?"
No one made a sound.
Even those who wanted to object kept quiet, knowing that only a fool would disagree at this point.
That was precisely what Aliana had anticipated.
Beneath their expensive suits, they were cowards governed by self-preservation.
Taking advantage of the silence, she continued smoothly, "The position of Chief Financial Officer is vital to this company. We have a shared responsibility to hand it to someone who is not only trustworthy and competent, but who also possesses the immense financial experience required to manage an empire of this scale. Understanding that importance, I reviewed the profiles of our current board members to see who could temporarily step into the role until we select a permanent candidate. I hereby nominate Mr. Mason Brooks as temporary CFO of Van Empire."
The announcement triggered an immediate wave of whispered debates. Many had presumed Aliana would appease the senior directors by offering Rufus Avery the temporary post, prompting one member to raise his hand.
"Miss Vanderbilt-"
"It’s Mrs. Valentine," Aliana corrected him calmly, her tone polite yet firm.
"My apologies... Mrs. Valentine. While Mr. Brooks’s achievements and value to Van Empire are undisputed, his tenure on this board is brief compared to Mr. Rufus Avery’s. Wouldn’t Mr. Avery be the more logical choice to manage the transition?"
"I second that," another director chimed in, gaining nods of agreement from the faction around Rufus.
Rufus leaned back, a triumphant smirk returning to his face as he met Aliana’s gaze, wordlessly challenging her next move.
Aliana noted the face of every director who had immediately jumped to support Rufus, imprinting their names in her mind. These were the members leaning toward his faction, and she would need to keep a close eye on them moving forward.
Giving them a polite smile that never reached her eyes, she replied, "Looking at it from that perspective, Mr. Avery certainly carries substantial weight when considering potential candidates..."
The board members leaned in slightly, assuming she was about to concede, until she finished her thought.
"... but I’m afraid Mr. Avery fails to meet our core eligibility requirements as well."
"What on earth do you mean by that?!" Rufus roared, his restraint shattering.
Several heads turned at his sudden outburst.
Realising he had lost his composure, Rufus caught himself, straightened his tie, and cleared his throat.
"My apologies, but it seems your personal bias is clouding your judgment, Mrs. Valentine. You may not be pleased with my standing here, but I implore you not to bring personal grievances into a place of business."
Aliana absorbed his accusations without batting an eye. Her smile broadened before she held out her hand. "Nigel."
A collective wave of anxiety washed over Rufus and his supporters as Nigel stepped forward, placing another thick folder into her waiting palm.
Aliana opened it with practised composure and began reading. "There is nothing personal here Mr. Avery. According to Section 4 of our corporate governance bylaws, any officer assuming the role of CFO must be free of active conflicts of interest with our primary vendors. Yet according to page three of this filing, Mr. Avery holds a fifteen percent equity stake in Apex Logistics, a firm currently pitching for our supply chain contract. He cannot oversee Van Empire’s finances while profiting from one of our potential suppliers."
Surprised murmurs rippled through the boardroom at the obscure clause Aliana had just referenced. Even seasoned directors struggled to keep track of corporate regulations that were rarely called into play.
"Can you verify this, Mrs. Miller?" one director asked, turning to one of the senior-most board members who was known for her deep understanding of the company bylaws.
"It is completely accurate," Mrs. Miller confirmed. Her eyes twinkled with quiet admiration as she met Aliana’s gaze. "Our Madam CEO is remarkably thorough, and the board would be wise to heed her direction."
Aliana exchanged a brief, respectful nod with the elderly woman, who remained one of the few directors with genuine integrity.
At her confirmation, Rufus’s allies slumped back in their seats, forced to accept the defeat.
Meanwhile, Rufus sat stunned.
How had Aliana gotten her hands on that information?
White-hot fury burned in his chest at the sheer hatred he felt toward his niece, who continually managed to hold the upper hand against a man of his stature.
What infuriated him most was that a woman of all was putting him in his place.
That was something his pride would never accept.
He could not let himself be defeated by her!
Aliana spoke again, taking control of the room once more. "Since Mr. Avery cannot fulfil this role, I would like you all to cast your votes for Mr. Mason Brooks as the interim CFO of Van Empire."
"Hold your vote, Madam CEO," Rufus interrupted sharply before anyone could move. "I am not out of the running just yet."
Aliana raised an eyebrow. "By all means, enlighten us, Mr. Avery."
"Since my equity in Apex Logistics is the issue, I can simply liquidate my shares," Rufus declared, looking around the table to regain his footing.
Aliana stared back at the misogynistic reptile with cool disdain. "You intend to liquidate a fifteen per cent equity holding simply to secure a temporary CFO post?"
Her expression turned deceptively thoughtful. "While I admire your willingness to make such a sacrifice for Van Empire, share liquidations require regulatory filings and buyer transfers that take weeks, if not months. This board requires a CFO immediately. We cannot pause corporate operations to accommodate your personal asset sales."
Her eyes hardened, and every trace of humour drained from her face as her authoritative voice echoed through the conference room.
"We have a titan project, The Atlas Gateway, in full swing right now, and an acting CFO is needed immediately. Isn’t that precisely why this meeting was called on such short notice?
When it comes to the company’s interests, I will always put them first. Forgive me for my bluntness, but we simply do not have time to wait for you to make yourself available for a temporary role. Mr. Brooks can assume the position today while we conduct a proper search for a permanent candidate. Van Empire is not anyone’s personal playground. It is my family’s legacy, and I am putting my foot down."
She shut him down so effectively that the entire room was left speechless at her ruthlessness.
Behind her, a small, proud smirk curved Nigel’s lips as he watched his boss rule the room with an iron grip.
She truly was a natural leader.
"Now, without wasting any more time, let the voting begin," Aliana announced once more.
Before the first director could raise a hand, the heavy doors of the conference room swung open. The sudden interruption drew every eye past Aliana, toward the entrance.