Chapter 441

Margaret Blackwood finished barking her commands with an air of self-importance, plunging the conference room into stunned silence. All eyes were fixed on her and Sophia Montgomery.

Sophia beamed, relishing the spotlight that had suddenly shifted onto her.

Evelyn Sinclair couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous display before her. "Taking over? And what exactly will you be overseeing? The circus act?"

Margaret's face darkened instantly. "Vivian Prescott! How dare you speak to me like that? You're merely Alexander's wife—what right do you have to manage Blackwood Enterprises?"

She turned to Sophia with a smug smile. "From today onward, this will be your seat. When Alexander returns, I'll inform him you're now his personal assistant."

Sophia's eyes lit up with triumph. "Thank you, Aunt Margaret!" Without hesitation, she slid into Evelyn's chair.

"Why are you still here?" Margaret snapped, shooing Evelyn away with a dismissive wave. "Go tend to your little jewelry boutique. You have no business in Blackwood Enterprises." She straightened her posture and announced grandly, "Let's begin the meeting."

The department heads exchanged uneasy glances, none of them moving to comply.

Evelyn watched the charade unfold with amusement before slamming her notebook onto the table with a sharp crack.

The executives flinched as an undeniable aura of authority radiated from her.

"So," Evelyn drawled, tilting her head. "My dear mother-in-law thinks she can waltz in and seize power while my husband is away, is that it?"

She watched with satisfaction as Margaret's expression twisted.

"A meeting? Do you even know what this meeting is about? The South American shipment deadlines? The RS contract negotiations? The Cielo Aqua Bay project?" Evelyn's lips curled. "You don't even know the client's basic requirements, yet you're prancing around claiming authority? How... comedic."

Margaret's face flushed crimson, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Vivian! How dare you—" Sophia began indignantly.

"And you," Evelyn cut in coldly. "Did you honestly believe you could steal my position so easily? Your celebration is premature."

Margaret slammed her palms on the table. "Vivian Prescott! You—"

"Mrs. Blackwood." A senior department head stood abruptly, intervening before the situation escalated further. "With all due respect, Mr. Blackwood made it clear yesterday that his wife is to oversee all company affairs in his absence. No one else has authority to interfere."

The color drained from Margaret and Sophia's faces. They hadn't anticipated Alexander would issue such explicit orders.

"Furthermore," the executive continued, "Mr. Blackwood stated that anyone who disobeys his wife will face immediate termination. Should anyone cause disturbances, security will escort them out. You wouldn't want to put us in that position, would you, Mrs. Blackwood?"

Margaret's expression turned thunderous. She hadn't expected her son to defend this woman so fiercely.

Evelyn's lips curved in a cool smile. "Did you hear that, Mother-in-law? Or do I need to call security to make it clearer?"

Margaret trembled with rage, her glare burning into Evelyn.

"Since you have nothing constructive to add," Evelyn said smoothly, "kindly remove yourselves. Every second you delay this meeting costs Blackwood Enterprises millions. Are you prepared to shoulder that loss?"