The CEO Gets What He Wants

Chapter 655

Chapter 655 Safeguarding His Assets

All of a sudden, Kendrick bowed to Avery.

Avery was startled by his sudden action. “Kendrick, what are you doing?”

“Avery...” Kendrick's voice was filled with exhaustion. “Cayden hasn't shown up at the company for several days now and the board of directors is starting to voice their concerns. I've been doing everything I can with Mr. Dartsley to keep everyone in the dark, saying that Cayden is just on a business trip abroad and will be back soon, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to keep this a secret. In Cayden's will, he appointed you as the acting CEO of Trident Group. Could you temporarily take over at the company?”

He glanced at Avery's large belly and let out a sigh. “I know right now is not the best time to bother you, but the company is really in a mess. I'm feeling truly overwhelmed.”

Kendrick felt profoundly powerless and overwhelmed by guilt and self-reproach.

My intelligence and emotional quotient are no match for Cayden, nor do I have the latter's talent in business. I already feel overwhelmed from being a manager. How can I possibly handle running an entire company?

Even though Avery appeared delicate, Kendrick strongly believed that the woman his older brother chose must have exceptional and intelligent qualities. She would surely be able to shoulder responsibilities and become the mainstay for the development of Trident Group.

Avery quietly stared at him. She did not say a word, but tears welled in her eyes.

That's right. Cayden's not here anymore. His company has lost its backbone. It must be in complete chaos now, huh?

Kendrick gritted his teeth and said, “I don't know who the hell spread the rumor that Cayden has been killed, causing the stocks of Trident Group to plummet to their lowest point recently. Many shareholders were selling their stocks aggressively. Even the board of directors forced us to hold a shareholders' meeting to elect a new CEO.”

He added, “However, Cayden holds fifty-six percent of the company's shares, which makes him the largest shareholder. He has designated you as his successor for these shares. Tomorrow at noon, the board of directors will hold a shareholders' meeting. Avery, I hope you can come to the company and attend it.”

Kendrick could never have imagined that his elder brother, whom he revered as a godlike existence and the man who stood at the top of the world, would disappear like that with no trace of his whereabouts.

The Moore residence had been gloomy for the past few days.

Jeffrey was hospitalized due to the sudden piece of devastating news. He had just escaped death after being transferred out of the ICU.

After being in the company for such a long time, Kendrick only now understood that Cayden had been the one to allow him to live his carefree life, giving him a chance to spend money recklessly and play around.

If I'm honest with myself, Cayden has been good to me, and I've learned a lot under his guidance. During these few days when Cayden wasn't around, Mr. Dartsley and I had to shoulder many responsibilities. He holds excellent prestige within the company but is not the decision-maker. He has no right to intervene in the CEO's affairs. It's okay for a short while, but such an arrangement won't work in the long run. The company has become chaotic since the announcement of Cayden's passing. Many who had been harboring intentions started clamoring for the election of a new CEO. Some even wanted to sell their shares outright and leave Trident Group.

Avery glanced at Kendrick. Her gaze then shifted to her and Cayden's wedding photo on the wall.

In the wedding photo, Cayden was holding her waist. He leaned in and lovingly pressed his forehead against hers.

The two of them shared a kiss and were laughing happily.

That warm and beautiful scene seemed as though it had happened yesterday.

Avery closed her eyes as she felt a sense of loneliness wash over her. She no longer looked at the sweet photo. She was determined as she said, “I'll go to the company tomorrow. No matter what, I won't let his hard work be wasted.”

Cayden single-handedly built Trident Group up from a small company on the brink of bankruptcy to the multinational corporation it is now across Aploth. The amount of effort and dedication he had poured into it was immeasurable.

Now that he's gone, as his wife and lover, I must protect his assets no matter what.

The next day, Avery wore exquisite makeup, striving to look as professional and stern as possible, before heading to Trident Group.

She rode the private elevator to the CEO's office. It was nine o'clock when she arrived.

Xavier was taken aback momentarily when he saw Avery. Surprise flashed across his eyes. “Mrs. Moore, you've come to work?”

Everyone in the secretarial department greeted Avery in unison.

Everyone had different expressions when they noticed her pregnant belly, but most stared at her sympathetically.

“Mrs. Moore, shall I make you a glass of hot milk?” A stunningly beautiful secretary, Tina, rose from her seat, ready to head toward the pantry.

Making a hot drink for Avery every morning was a daily task assigned by Cayden.

Even though Cayden was no longer around, Tina had already gotten used to the habit.

“No thanks, Tina. I don't feel like having a hot drink right now.” Avery waved at Tina, signaling her to sit down. “Everyone, don't mind me and carry on with your work. Mr. Dartsley, come with me.”

In the CEO's office, Avery sat on the swivel chair. She stared at the stacks of documents on the desk

and gently massaged her slightly aching temples.

Xavier stood before the office desk and reported the company's situation to her. He said, “Since Mr. Moore left, everyone has been very upset. Some even find it hard to accept this reality and cried their hearts out. I can understand how you feel. However, even though Mr. Moore has left us, his legacy remains. You should pull yourself together for the sake of Mr. Zachary and Ms. Rory...”

Avery held her hand up to stop him from speaking further as she muttered, “Cayden isn't dead. He must still be alive and living somewhere in this world. He will definitely return.”

Xavier was rendered speechless.

A grown man like him couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat when he saw how Avery was comforting herself. His eyes gradually turned red as they brimmed with tears.

Avery fell silent as she shifted her focus onto the documents spread out on the table. They were all carefully selected by Xavier—urgent papers that required immediate attention.

Xavier himself had promptly handled other matters. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Avery sat in the swivel chair that Cayden often used and read through the documents before her. Most of them were contracts and bidding documents that required her signature. There were also annual reports and various statements to be submitted to the board of directors, as well as business plans, profit distribution, and loss compensation plans, among other things.

Xavier temporarily handled all the plans and schemes that followed. However, the signing of the contracts and bidding documents had to be done by her.

Although her eyes were focused on the contract, Avery's thoughts were consumed with Cayden.

Her gaze fell upon the door not far from her.

That was the CEO's private lounge, where they, more than once, have shared moments of affection and intimacy.

Rubbing her slightly stinging eyes, Avery collected herself and shifted her focus back to processing the documents.

Even though she had never handled any business, she had absorbed a lot through her time with Cayden. The basics were not a big deal to her.

Avery signed many contracts, but it wasn't until a particular land bidding document that it caused her to pause momentarily.

The bidding document was written in great detail, but at the end of the paper, there was a sticky note stating that Xenos Group was the company's competitor.