Chapter 220: The One at Fault Is Someone Else, but It’s Definitely Not Him

Chapter 220: Chapter 220: The One at Fault Is Someone Else, but It’s Definitely Not Him

Originally, Theodore Lancaster had been surrounded by a bustling crowd, but now the area around him was practically deserted. The moment everyone heard that Nathaniel Sloan had arrived, they unconsciously gravitated toward the door.

Nathaniel had founded Evernight International on his own and rarely visited the Sloan Group. These shareholders usually couldn’t even find an opportunity to curry favor with him, but now the chance had fallen right into their laps. Mr. Sloan was here!

The smile on Laura Jennings’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a dark, sinister expression. "Does Nathaniel have no sense of decency? All he knows is how to steal Theodore’s thunder!"

Yvonne Lancaster was equally exasperated. "Dad! Look at that illegitimate son. He really doesn’t know his place!"

Old Mr. Lancaster didn’t look too pleased either, but compared to his daughter, he was far more composed. "Enough. What’s with all this fuss? It’s just a momentary spotlight. There’s nothing to fear." He turned to his grandson. "Theodore, you are going to inherit the Sloan Family in the future. There is no need to compare yourself with a clown. Do you understand?"

Theodore smiled gently. "Of course. I understand."

Yvonne snorted, still refusing to accept it. She wondered why Nathaniel was always the center of attention and why everyone was so eager to kiss up to him. It was just like back then, when everyone’s eyes had been fixed on Miranda because she was the legitimate daughter of the Lancaster Family. But now that Nathaniel was nothing more than an illegitimate son, how could he still be so shameless?

A sudden thought crossed Yvonne’s mind, and her eyes flickered. That’s right. Nathaniel was a bastard, and no matter who showed up today, that fact wouldn’t change. If Miranda were watching from beyond the grave, she would probably be agonizing over this. But it couldn’t be helped. Dead men tell no tales, and only the living emerge as winners.

In the crowd, Estelle Lockwood exchanged a glance with Nathaniel. Without saying a word, she found her seat and sat down.

"Everyone," Ethan Sloan’s voice suddenly rang out from the stage. "I believe you are all aware of Theodore’s identity. That’s right, he is my son with Miranda.

"Today’s Sloan Group cannot survive without the help of the Lancaster Family. Without them, the Sloan Group wouldn’t be where it is today. Therefore, the position of the heir rightfully belongs to Theodore.

"In the past, I was unaware of Theodore’s existence, which is why I entrusted such a heavy responsibility to Nathaniel. But now, Theodore is back!"

Having finally welcomed back his favorite son, Ethan was riding high on emotion. "My father-in-law raised Miranda’s child, and I am grateful for the Lancaster Family’s support. So today, I announce—

"I will designate Theodore as the heir, and I will be gifting him twenty percent of the company’s shares!"

BOOM!

The shareholders’ eyes widened in shock. Twenty percent of the shares! The inheritance rights!

Ethan had delivered his speech with impassioned fervor, but his words sank like a dud torpedo in the deep sea, yielding zero response. The crowd exchanged bewildered glances and couldn’t help but look at Nathaniel.

One shareholder frowned, voicing his disapproval. "Chairman Sloan, the return of your son with Miss Lancaster is indeed a joyous occasion, but perhaps the matter of the inheritance requires further consideration..."

"Yes, all these years, everyone has implicitly accepted Mr. Sloan as the next chairman. If you change your mind so suddenly, I’m afraid..."

Although they were all eager to curry favor with the Lancaster Group, businessmen always prioritized profits. Moreover, as shareholders, the success or failure of the Sloan Group directly impacted their own wallets. No one knew what Theodore had achieved over the years, but Nathaniel’s track record was plain for all to see. Anyone with half a brain knew who to choose.

Ethan offered a helpless smile. "I don’t deny Nathaniel’s talent, but he has to manage Evernight International and hasn’t been able to focus on the Sloan Group. As a result, he has made some poor decisions. As a father, I don’t want to see him exhaust himself. Since Theodore is back, you shareholders can rest assured. He won’t let you down."

Laura quickly shot a pointed look across the room.

Catching her signal, a specific shareholder deliberately furrowed his brows. "It’s true. Mr. Sloan has made far too many mistakes recently. Take the land in Sorhaven, for instance—he failed to secure it! The Sloan Group already drew up development plans for that plot, so our losses are substantial!"

Estelle clicked her tongue and rested her chin on her hand. Just as Nathaniel had calculated, the Sloan Family was going to use that plot of land to make a fuss.

Hearing that their own profits were at risk, the shareholders immediately grew restless.

"What?! Mr. Sloan didn’t get that land?"

"Then what will happen to the Sloan Group? Is all our initial investment just going down the drain?"

"Who holds the land now? I recall it was auctioned off a few days ago. Nathaniel, were you truly unaware of how important that plot is?" someone demanded, their tone laced with resentment.

Estelle was astounded by their sheer audacity. If Nathaniel had actually won the bid, did they expect him to spend his own money to contribute to the Sloan Group?

But the true height of shamelessness was yet to come.

Ethan smiled, shook his head, and sighed dramatically. "Please don’t worry, everyone. That land is currently in Theodore’s hands! Theodore is a boy who likes to do practical work and possesses incredible foresight. While Nathaniel gave up because he thought it was too expensive, Theodore persisted.

"He knows that the benefits of acquiring that land are immeasurable, and one shouldn’t give up over a bit of petty cash.

"It’s based on this very point that I feel Nathaniel is unsuited to be the heir of the Sloan Group. After all, he lacks Theodore’s vision and methods. I’m doing all of this for the good of the company!"

Old Mr. Lancaster finally spoke up. "As you all know, my eldest daughter, Miranda, was quite gifted in business. Theodore is her son, and he can do even better."

The shareholders could barely process the sudden turnaround. A moment ago, they thought they had lost the land and that their early investments were doomed. But now, learning that the plot belonged to Theodore, they realized their capital was safe!

The very same shareholders who had been flattering Nathaniel moments prior immediately pivoted to Theodore. "I never imagined Young Mr. Lancaster would have such boldness. Truly, like father, like son!"

"I completely agree with making Young Mr. Lancaster the heir. I will definitely cast my vote for him."

"Sigh, Nathaniel, it’s not that we seniors don’t trust you, but you were simply too wrong this time..."

Yvonne beamed, shooting Nathaniel a triumphant sideways glance. Now that Theodore was the heir, once that land was developed, who could possibly stand in his way? Conversely, Nathaniel—an illegitimate son who had made a catastrophic error in judgment—had no right to even show his face!

Laura rolled her eyes slightly and suddenly spoke up. "Ethan, I must apologize to everyone. As Nathaniel’s biological mother, I failed to teach him well, which is why he grew up so arrogant and reckless..."

"How is this your fault? Haven’t you sacrificed enough over the years?" Ethan’s brows knit together as he shot Nathaniel a look of sheer disgust. "Nathaniel, giving up that land nearly brought disaster upon the Sloan Group. Do you realize your mistake yet?!"

In an instant, every gaze in the conference room zeroed in on Nathaniel. Old Mr. Lancaster scrutinized him, Yvonne despised him, Laura hated him, and Ethan was trying to force a confession of guilt out of him—all for Theodore’s sake.

Admit his mistake?

Nathaniel checked the time and let out a faint smirk. Someone definitely needed to admit their mistakes today, but it certainly wasn’t going to be him.

Fury surged in Ethan’s chest. "I’m talking to you! Do you have any respect for me at all?!"

TICK TOCK, DING—

The clock in the conference room struck exactly ten o’clock.

"Chairman Sloan! Chairman Sloan!" Just then, the doors to the conference room were shoved open in a frantic rush, and a man burst in, gasping for breath.