As silence blanketed the room, all eyes fixed on the once-arrogant Hayden, now standing speechless for the first time. Whispers rippled through the crowd, carrying a single question: Who was this man who had reduced Hayden to silence?
Jedidiah and Hayden locked eyes in a tense standoff, their gazes unbroken until Aquileia stepped in, greeting Jedidiah warmly and inviting him into the office. As Jedidiah passed Hayden, he leaned in slightly and whispered something too soft for the others to hear. The brief exchange only deepened the mystery surrounding him.
Inside the meeting room, Jedidiah outlined his vision for the company. His voice was calm, yet it carried an authority none could ignore. His plans to elevate the company to international standards were ambitious, but sound. Though Hayden bristled at the thought of Jedidiah taking control, he was powerless to object—Dr. Raymond had already granted his full approval.
"I'll simply observe your work," Jedidiah concluded. "I'll only intervene when necessary."
Soon after, his appointment as CEO was made official and publicly announced. During his inaugural address, Jedidiah praised the company's potential, promising to guide it toward unprecedented growth. The audience applauded, though the atmosphere remained thick with unspoken tension.
As the meeting adjourned, Hayden stormed out, slamming the door behind him. His fury boiled as he sped toward Dr. Raymond's mansion. Bursting through the first floor, he brushed past a young man who had greeted him, his mind too consumed with rage to respond. Charging up the stairs like a man possessed, Hayden left behind a trail of confusion.
Downstairs, Michelle entered, catching sight of her visibly upset younger brother, Michael. Concerned, she asked, "What's wrong?"
Michael, struggling with his emotions, confessed his frustration at being ignored by Hayden. Teasingly, Michelle poked fun at his idolization of Hayden, even mentioning how he had styled his hair to mimic him.
Flustered, Michael fired back, but Michelle quickly steered the conversation to a shocking revelation. Their long-lost brother, Jedidiah, had not only returned but had been named CEO of the family company.
Michael froze in disbelief. Jedidiah—the brother their family had practically erased from existence—was not only alive but now led their grandfather's empire. Michelle filled him in on everything: the dramatic reappearance, the meeting, and the official appointment.
Still skeptical, Michael sought confirmation from their mother, Alice, who was preparing to leave. She nodded solemnly, confirming every word.
Just then, Kate, Hayden's mother, stormed into the hallway, her voice laced with venom. "This is all your fault, Alice! You sided with Jedidiah on purpose. Now he's CEO!"