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To ensure fairness, the three Kalen brothers–Richard, Rick, and Silas–abstained from voting during the decision–making round.Â
Yet, despite Sharon’s proposal being clearly superior, more votes still went to Victoria.Â
Only the shareholders aligned with Shayla’s faction, along with a few opportunistic neutrals hoping to claim a share of the profit, voted in Sharon’s favor.Â
The majority of the neutral camp, however, remained noncommittal.Â
No matter how exceptional Sharon’s proposal was, or how capable she proved herself to be, they dared not take sides so easily.Â
Everyone in the Kalen Group knew one truth: talent alone could not save Sharon. 1Â
Over the years, Richard had made his intentions clear–he was suppressing Shayla’s faction and step by step reclaiming the last of their original shares. Supporting Sharon would be tantamount to defying him.Â
And Richard was still the company’s largest shareholder. Choosing the wrong side could mean sharing the same fate as the ousted Shayla faction–systematically purged and left with nothing.Â
Without the Kalen family’s support, Sharon was doomed to lose to Victoria.Â
The shareholders loyal to Shayla darkened as the results were tallied. Victoria’s votes outnumbered Sharon’s by a landslide.Â
Across the room, Silas and Scott exchanged knowing smiles at last, smug satisfaction flickering across their faces.Â
When the voting concluded, Richard turned toward Sharon.Â
“Sharon,” he asked mildly, “you have no objections to the results, I presume?”Â
This was not a place where Sharon could act willfully. She was still a newcomer–rash words or visible resentment would only hand others an excuse to undermine her.Â
So she smiled faintly. “Since the decision was made by vote, nothing could be fairer. I have no objections.”Â
The room went still.Â
Fair?Â
There was nothing fair about the Kalen Group anymore.Â
Silas’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had expected her to explode. (1)Â
He knew Sharon’s fiery nature well–treated unfairly, she would surely lash out, revealing her immaturity and ignorance for all to see. That outburst would have cost her everything.Â
But she didn’t take the bait. She remained calm and unshaken.Â
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That composure unsettled him.Â
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“Sharon,” Richard said, “I assume you have a backup company in mind? Why don’t you show everyone your alternative proposal?”Â
Sharon nodded, unruffled by having her first choice stripped away.Â
She had no reason to be upset–she had never intended to choose that company in the first place.Â
The night before, she and Thomas had worked deep into the night, analyzing which companies Victoria was most likely to select, and preparing three detailed counter–proposals.Â
Her goal had never been the company itself; it was to expose Victoria’s choices for what they were.Â
If Victoria chose the most promising candidate yet still lost to her, it would highlight Victoria’s lack of true capability.Â
Even if the two proposals came out evenly matched, the edge would still belong to Sharon.Â
It was all a psychological game.Â
Thomas had been right: within a single year, real change was impossible. Now was the time to compete in influence and connections–not dreams.Â
For Sharon, the choice of company didn’t matter. If Victoria won, the outcome she wanted would still be achieved.Â
After Sharon presented her backup proposal, several neutral shareholders found themselves reevaluating her. Her composure, her focus–her refusal to let disappointment cloud her judgment–won their quiet respect.Â
When the meeting finally adjourned, the shareholders filed out one by one.Â
Because it was an internal executive session, Thomas, as her bodyguard, had not been permitted inside.Â
He waited outside the conference room.Â
When Sharon emerged, she caught his gaze and gave a small nod–subtle, composed, but clear enough to say: Everything went as planned.Â
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