In an instant, every director present jolted, chills running down their spines and their scalps prickling. No one dared face his wrath.
The room erupted as everyone hurried to voice their agreement, practically falling over one another in their eagerness to please.
"No problem! Absolutely no problem! Every word Mr. Homelander said is true!"
"It's just that we still don't understand the situation. What exactly happened to Edgar? Why did he suddenly defect? We haven't been able to reach him at all!"
"And has the new CEO been decided yet? If I may be frank, if you were to take charge of Vought, every one of us would wholeheartedly approve and support you one hundred percent!"
The directors chimed in one after another, fawning shamelessly, terrified that the slightest misstep would give Homelander the urge to kill them. Enormous fear gripped every one of them.
As everyone clamored to agree, Homelander raised a hand and gently pressed it down, silencing the noisy room.
His gaze swept across the room as he said evenly:
"We're also investigating Edgar's whereabouts. If any of you have relevant leads, you can report them directly to me."
He paused, turned sideways, and pointed straight at Ashley beside him, announcing loudly:
"As for the new CEO, it won't be me. It'll be her-Ashley."
The sudden nomination briefly stunned everyone present.
Ashley had exceptional composure and steadied herself in an instant. Taking her cue, she rose calmly, a poised, competent professional smile appearing on her face. Her gaze swept unhurriedly over every director seated there, her manner neither servile nor overbearing.
"Hello, directors. I'm Ashley Barrett, Vice President of Vought International. It's a great honor to have the joint recommendation of Mr. JS and Mr. Homelander to take over as the company's CEO."
She understood these veteran