Chapter 843

Margaret Blackwood and Sophia Blackwood, absent from Montecito for months, suddenly appeared before the assembled crowd.

A ripple of shock spread through the room.

Tears streamed down Margaret's face as she rushed to Reginald Blackwood's side. "Father, you must help me! Nathan exiled me. He's abandoned this family completely. That rebellious boy never cared about any of us! Even as his mother, I can't tolerate this anymore!"

As Nathan's biological mother, Margaret's public opposition made his position seem untenable.

Nathan remained stone-faced, his icy gaze fixed on Margaret without emotion.

Sophia stood meekly nearby, too intimidated by Nathan's authority to act out.

Margaret gathered her courage to confront her son. Sobbing dramatically, she alternated between glaring at Nathan and appealing to the others. "My husband still holds shares. I officially endorse the Chairman's decision on his behalf."

The boardroom erupted in murmurs. "This settles it then!"

"Nathan has no way out now. Blackwood Industries' leadership is about to change."

"What can he do? Will Mr. Blackwood really be ousted?"

Margaret's appearance became the decisive factor.

Not a single Blackwood family member spoke in Nathan's defense. Strangely calm, Nathan only frowned slightly before suddenly laughing - a chilling sound that made everyone's skin crawl.

Instantly, the atmosphere grew oppressive as the temperature seemed to drop. Nathan raised his hand, and Harrison immediately handed him a document.

Without glancing at it, Nathan slammed the papers onto the table with force. Loosening his tie, his voice cut through the room like ice. "Read this. My father's signed share transfer agreement. No one speaks for him now."

Margaret paled, her eyes locked on the contract where Charles Blackwood's signature stood out in bold ink.

When Margaret had begged Charles for help abroad, he'd ignored her. Now she realized why - while she returned to Montecito to oppose Nathan, her husband had secretly transferred his shares to their son.

Her own husband and son had united against her? Margaret's expression twisted in panic. 'Then why did I return? To become a laughingstock?'

She whirled toward Reginald, who looked equally stunned. The old patriarch never expected Charles to transfer shares without consultation.

Clearly, Charles had chosen sides in the power struggle between Reginald and Nathan. His absence meant avoiding direct confrontation with his father.

Reginald thought bitterly, 'My spineless son would go this far for his own child?'

Nathan gave no quarter, producing a second document. "I intended to keep this civil as family, but since you've forced my hand, let's settle everything now."

His piercing gaze swept the room, revealing ruthless determination beneath the cold exterior.

"When I first took over Blackwood Industries, I discovered accounting discrepancies and questionable contracts signed by certain shareholders."

A deadly pause.

"Perfect timing - I'll have investigators thoroughly examine these matters. Financial irregularities are serious offenses. I'm certain under Reginald Blackwood's leadership, all transactions were aboveboard."

With his final words, Nathan stood abruptly, his chair screeching across the floor. After one last withering look at the assembly, he strode out without hesitation.

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