NOVPUBChapter 1317: 604_1 Chapter 1317: 604_1 These days, Nicholas Drake was also not idle, parachuting into the Drakes Group.
The old folks of the Group and Dustin Drake’s confidants naturally didn’t recognize him until Granny Drake stepped forward, transferred her heavyweight shares to Nicholas Drake, and formally recognized him.
“Nicholas Drake is my beloved grandson, Trixie Philbert, the future patriarch of the Drakes.
Anyone has a problem with that?”
With Granny Drake’s imposing aura, the entire conference room fell into silence.
An old group member, looking at Nicholas Drake’s familiar face, suddenly exclaimed, “He…he’s Jayden Drake’s son?”
Upon hearing the name Jayden Drake, the conference room exploded.
Jayden Drake was the brilliant mastermind of the Drakes, Granny Drake’s proudest son, the uncontested future head of the Drakes, and the next in line for inheritance.
If Jayden was alive, Dustin Drake wouldn’t have stood a chance.
...
The young man before them bore a striking resemblance to Jayden in his youth.
Although Dustin Drake was also Granny Drake’s grandson, he was actually not biologically related to her.
It was a secret within the Drakes, and not many people outside the family knew about it.
Granny Drake held a large proportion of original shares in the Drakes Group, which gave her considerable sway in the Board of Directors.
She prepared all of this for her son.
Jayden’s death, however, was unexpected and a great blow to both the Drakes and Granny Drake.
Since then, she had withdrawn from the company’s affairs and kept a low profile.
That’s why Dustin never dared to cross Granny Drake; her presence in the Drakes was as steadfast as the needle of the compass.
“One who is the son of a hero is himself no coward.
Edward, as the biological grandson of Granny Drake and the biological son of Jayden, naturally is the legitimate successor of the Drakes Group.”
There’re two factions in the company: one represented by Fraser Grant, the company veteran, who naturally cherished meritocracy, and the others represented the sycophants of Dustin Drake from the emerging management layer, who revered Dustin Drake above all else.
“What a joke, where does Manager Grant’s words place Manager Drake?
Let’s not forget, Manager Drake is the current CEO of the Drakes Group.”
“The position of the CEO naturally belongs to the capable.
During Dustin’s reign, what development and benefits has he brought to the company?
Scandals are non-stop.
I wonder if Ms.
Callum pays attention to popular online topics.
The problems with Knox Village have not been solved yet, and he’s infamous for another scandal.
This time he offended the whole country, and our Drakes Group lost all face.
The company’s stock price keeps declining.
If it keeps going on like this, the company will fall apart sooner or later.”
“Manager Drake has been framed.
That doesn’t prove anything.”
“Framing?
I think flies do not bite seamless eggs.”
Granny Drake watched quietly as the two sides bickered.
Nicholas Drake stood behind her, displaying a calm and mature aura of nobility, which was irresistible.
Both sides were evenly matched and no conclusion was reached from their arguments.
Granny Drake finally spoke: “In that case, let’s make a bet.
I presume everyone is familiar with the situation in Knox Village, which brought plenty of bad press for the Drakes Group.
This behavior goes against our company’s guidelines.”
Granny Drake looked at Ms.
Callum quietly: “Ms.
Callum, as Manager Drake’s most trusted aide, I’m sure you remember the corporate culture of the Drakes Group.
What is it?
Speak up and let everyone hear.”
Under such intimidating gaze, Ms.
Callum subconsciously broke out in a cold sweat and stuttered, “People…centric?”
“Say it louder.” Granny Drake’s voice was like a gong, startling everyone in the room.
“People-centric.”
“Very well, since Ms.
Callum knows, then she should understand that the Drakes Group’s treatment of the residents of Knox Village completely contradicts the corporate culture of the company, causing a very serious negative social impact.
If Nicholas can solve the crisis in Knox Village in a short time, this would prove his capability to manage the company.
Ms.
Callum, do you have any reasons to oppose?”
Ms.
Callum choked on her words.
Granny Drake was cunning, trying to force her beloved grandson into power and strip Dustin of his authority.
Ms.
Callum glanced at Nicholas Drake.
He was just a greenhorn, unlikely to cause any upheaval.
When Manager Drake came back, he would see.
At the end of the meeting, Fraser Grant came over, rubbing his hands together in excitement.
“He truly deserves to be Jayden’s son.
He looks almost exactly like Jayden when he was young, just a bit taller, and his demeanor a bit colder.
Jayden loved to laugh; he didn’t frown all the time.”
Granny Drake said, “This is Fraser Grant, one of our oldest members at the company, who watched your father grow up.”
Nicholas Drake ceremoniously saluted him: “Mr.
Fraser, nice to meet you.
I’m Nicholas.”
“Good, good,” Fraser was overwhelmed with emotion.
“If the company is handed over to you, I can rest assured.
I will have something to report to your dad in the underworld.”
“Don’t speak ill-omened words.” Granny Drake frowned at him.
“It’s almost noon, let’s have lunch together.
Call old Zhao and the rest, let them meet our young master Nicholas.” Fraser walked aside to start calling others.
Granny Drake explained, “Some of the company’s elders physically have aged.
They generally don’t attend Board of Directors meetings unless it’s a severe situation.
They are all supporters of your father, and they can be your connections now.”
Yesterday, Nicholas told her that he would stay in Coral Island and stay by her side.
Granny Drake couldn’t describe how happy she was.
She convened a board meeting early the next morning, eager to hand over the company to him.
Nicholas Drake supported Granny Drake as they left the meeting room, eyes cast downward, “Granny, thank you for your effort, I won’t let you down.”
“Silly boy, what are you talking about?
This company naturally belongs to you.
Granny will ask you again, are you sure about your decision?
This road might not be as smooth and glorious as the one your mother paved for you.
It’s not too late to back out now.”
Nicholas Drake shook his head without hesitation, his eyes firm, “Granny, I am a Drake, a member of the Drakes.
I ought to shoulder my responsibility.
What my father couldn’t do, I will.
Please believe in me.”
Granny Drake burst into tears, “Of course I believe in you.”
Granny Drake soon got serious, “For now, we must first remove Dustin Drake, the malignant tumor.
If he stays, the Drakes will eventually fall into ruin in his hands.”
Nicholas said softly, “Granny, you have done enough for me.
I shall handle the rest.
You should rest.”
Although Granny Drake was worried, she understood that the fledgling eagle must eventually soar in the sky.
Regardless of her reluctance, she had to let go. 𝚗ov𝚙𝚞𝚋.c𝚘m
“Okay, Granny will enjoy her life peacefully.”
“By the way, Nicholas, how did you get acquainted with Aubree Groove?” Granny Drake asked casually.
Nicholas Drake replied indifferently, “Many years ago, she saved my mother’s life.”
Granny Drake muttered a prayer, “Praise the Buddha, the Buddha is merciful.”
