Chapter 397 - 252: I Object
"Good night, Mr. Phoenix," he said. "I’m going back to bed. Sweet dreams."
The Jester’s Skull didn’t have a very wide range, which forced him to get close to the cigar room to find out what was really going on.
If Phoenix hadn’t still been hesitating and wavering after Elizabeth finished speaking, Li Wei wouldn’t have stepped in to give him that final push.
’All I can say is that under Alexander’s rule, everyone in this family really did have psychological issues to some degree.’
’My own uncle is so much better.’
Li Wei mused as he walked. Besides his habit of cheating at video games, his uncle didn’t really have any other flaws.
"ACHOO!"
Don Quixote sneezed and sat up in his bed at the Disney Hotel.
"Strange..." he said, looking at the temperature on the central air conditioning unit. "Is the AC broken? I’ll tell Lily to turn the room temperature up a bit..."
「The next morning.」
On Long Island, the blizzard that had raged all night finally subsided at dawn.
Looking out the window, the entirety of Mellon Manor was covered in a thick blanket of snow. The castle, which usually had a grim and imposing air, now showed a hint of sanctity and tranquility in the pale morning light.
Elizabeth was in no mood to admire the snowy scenery.
She sat before her vanity, carefully covering her dark circles with concealer. She chose a professional suit with shoulder pads to project an imposing aura and redid her hair into a severe bun.
At 9:00 AM, in a conference room on the first floor of the main building of Mellon Manor.
A huge, classic round table dominated the room, and everyone took their seats.
Alexander Mellon sat at the head of the table, his face ruddy and his Spirit vigorous.
To his right sat the chief legal counsel and the only outsider with voting rights, Silvia.
To his left were Timothy, Phoenix, Alister, and Beatrice.
Elizabeth and Charles Mellon sat at the far end.
Alexander got straight to the point. "Since everyone is here, let’s begin. Regarding the Delaware project I mentioned, as well as the proposal to pool and centrally manage the entire family’s trust funds, we will now vote by a show of hands."
He raised his chin slightly and looked at his eldest son, the first on his left. "Timothy, as the eldest, you go first!"
Timothy’s body visibly trembled. Evidently, the bold words from the cigar room yesterday had instantly vanished into thin air now that he was facing his father’s eyes.
But he had no way out. If he surrendered the trust today, he would lose all the leverage he had to make a comeback, and cleaning up the mess Charlie left behind would put him in an even tighter spot.
"Father, this project is too risky. Not only will it cause our branch of the family to face a complete ban from the main branch’s risk control committee, but it will also place the wealth our family has accumulated over generations in a dangerous, lawless territory."
He forced himself to withstand the pressure and stared into Alexander’s eyes. "As the eldest son of the family, I must be responsible for our future."
"I object!"
Alexander didn’t fly into a rage like he did last night. There wasn’t even a ripple of emotion on his face.
It was as if he had long anticipated Timothy’s reaction. After listening, he simply gave a casual nod.
"The responsibility of the eldest son... Heh. Fine. Timothy Mellon objects. That’s one vote against," he said, turning to Alister. "Alister, what about you?"
Upon hearing his name, Alister shivered but still spoke up with a sense of loyalty. "I... I also think it’s too risky. I’m with my big brother. I object."
Two votes against!
Timothy’s eyes lit up. ’As long as Beatrice objects too, we’ll have this beat!’
Alexander remained expressionless, merely letting out a soft "Hmph."
"Two votes against," he said, looking at Beatrice. "Beatrice, my daughter, what are your thoughts?"
Beatrice elegantly tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, her long fingers crossed on the tabletop. She wasn’t nervous like Alister. Instead, she met Timothy’s expectant gaze with a slight smile.
"Dad, after careful consideration yesterday, I’ve concluded that our family does indeed need a wealth-generating machine that’s independent of the main branch," she said, clearing her throat. "I fully support it. I approve!"
At her words, both Timothy and Alister were stunned!
"Beatrice, are you crazy?!" Timothy demanded. "Yesterday, we—"
"Sorry, big brother," Beatrice said, avoiding Timothy’s gaze. "That pie-in-the-sky promise of 50% of the political contributions is a little too vague for me. I don’t believe you can give me that much after giving Alister 300 million."
"Ah," Alexander said with a nod. "So, Timothy promised you 300 million USD in cash, is that right, Alister?"
Alister trembled but said nothing.
"Whereas Dad said that if I approve and merge my trust into the project," Beatrice said, "I’ll get a 15% stake after the Free Port is built."
Timothy and Alister were filled with utter despair.
The tables had turned.
Two votes against, one in favor. And Alexander and his loyal dog, Silvia, hadn’t even voted yet.
"Phoenix, what do you think?" Alexander turned to Phoenix. "This is your first time back after so many years. Do you think you’ll side with your big brother, support me, or continue to abstain?"
Phoenix sat there, looking from Alexander’s eyes to the cold expression on Elizabeth’s face beside him.
’On one side, my own father. On another, my own daughter. And in the middle, my own false freedom.’
As he wavered, he recalled what Li Wei had told him yesterday.
BANG!
He slammed his hand on the table, letting out a furious shout that, while not loud, was utterly deafening:
"I object!"
Elizabeth’s mouth fell slightly open as she stared at her father in disbelief.
"I’m sorry, Liz," Phoenix said, closing his eyes. "Li Wei told me about what you’ve been through. I was too selfish before."
’Li Wei again.’ Elizabeth’s heart, which had been tense, now swelled like a balloon.
Meanwhile, Timothy and Alister were also stunned.
Phoenix, who had never wanted to get involved in family matters, had actually, for the first time ever, dared to defy Alexander.
Alexander’s gaze shifted to Timothy, a flicker of surprise and a complex mix of emotions in his aged eyes.
"Three votes against," he said, exchanging a look with Silvia and nodding. "Three votes in favor."
A tie.