Betrothed To An Alpha? I Don't Think So!
Chapter 62: They Wouldn’t Dare

Chapter 62: They Wouldn’t Dare

Surprisingly, Brandon was seated away from Preston and Lyra. Caesar and Adeline were of course next to each other.

A few seconds later, the entire hall was suddenly blanketed in darkness, leaving only the one above the high platform turned on.

The host, who was none other than Lucia, dressed in a black shimmering sleeveless dress, stepped forward. She tucked her shoulder-length hair behind her ear, inviting a smile on her face, before proceeding to test the mic.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen... This event tonight isn’t just to give a title, but to witness the rise of a vision."

A few seconds of pause.

"Sage Darkwood is a man we all know, a great man who’d built TDG, an empire vastly recognized across the world. It is unfortunate that such a man has met his end, but his legacy hasn’t come to an end just yet."

Everyone was attentive, the hall was so quiet, a pin dropping could possibly be heard.

"Tonight, we’re honouring the legacy of Sage Darkwood...and the woman who now rises to continue it."

Lucia paused briefly, scanning the room.

She continued, "Many know Sage Darkwood as the formidable founder of TDG. But to her...he was something more."

Her voice softened.

"He was a father, a mentor, a shadow so vast, it would take a woman of uncommon strength to stand where he once stood."

The soft sound of the piano began.

"Tonight, she is lifted, not as a replacement, but as a continuation, one chosen by Sage Darkwood himself. So—"

She turned towards the wing of the stage, her tone rising with conviction. "—It is with great honor that I announce the new CEO of TDG, daughter of Sage Darkwood, Evelyn Veora Darkwood."

The lights panned towards Evelyn. Music swelled and the crowd rose in applause as she made her way to the high platform, composed and ready.

Zayne was watching her.

He had no doubt she was going to be okay. If she could handle people like Preston, she could handle this much. His mate was a tough woman, he felt no uncertainty towards that.

Evelyn stepped onto the podium. The applause faded, but the room was still a tad bit wild. She took a slow breath to speak, but then stopped, eyes rising the rows to halt on Zayne.

They locked gazes instantly because he hadn’t taken his attention off her, not even once.

He didn’t need her to say it to know she was trying to tell him how anxious she was. He could practically taste her feelings.

With an assuring smile on his face, he did an okay sign for her. And as if Evelyn got the message, she breathed into the mic, nodding her head, ever so slightly.

"When I was fifteen, which was the first time my father ever took me to work with him—" she spoke, voice surprisingly steady and collected, even to her. "—He said to me, ’Power isn’t taken. It’s built quietly, and brick by brick. It may take a while, but what one is really after is the day, it speaks for itself."

"He taught me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room. It’s about listening, serving, and always leaving something better than you found it. However, that doesn’t mean one must bend to others’ will, because it turns you into a coward, one that could be stepped on."

"To many of you, he was a mentor. A partner. A friend. A brother—" She lifted her gaze, eyes locking with none other than her uncle, Lincoln Darkwood. "To me, Sage Darkwood was...home."

A beat passed before a light smile pooled on her lips.

"I stand here tonight, not to replace him, no one could ever. But I stand to continue what he started, to protect what he built and to carry it further into a future he dreamed of, but left us to shape."

A round of applause broke out.

"This is a new beginning for TDG and I will lead it with his heart, and my hands."

The clappings grew louder and at this point, a lot of the guests had already risen to their feet. Preston was seated, fuming where he sat. His face had grown red, hands gripping the armrest of the chair.

Lyra was no different.

Brandon however was on his feet, applauding with an actual genuine smile on his face. It only confused Preston and Lyra, but who cared? All shareholders had withdrawn from TDG, and no one was willing to invest. Surely none within the hall was buying her crap.

Preston almost wanted to chuckle.

Evelyn straightened from her bow and cleared her throat. She smiled at the crowd, standing behind the podium again.

"I know everyone here today has seen the article going around. Yes, it is not a lie that the majority of TDG’s shareholders have withdrawn, however—"

The snap of the camera was all over the place. Flashes of light, her pictures being taken and the entire event being recorded.

"—That is not a problem, and it won’t shake TDG. Why? Because tonight, we have a few of our prominent businessmen willing to invest in TDG, to put their trust in me and become TDG’s newest shareholders."

"What?" Preston mumbled to himself, confused. He flashed a look at Lyra. "What the fuck is going on? Who’s investing in TDG?"

Lyra shook her head. "I don’t know. I was sure no one was willing to. I even made sure to cut off any of the potential investors she had. Do you...think those assholes betrayed us?"

He balled his fists. "They wouldn’t dare!"

Stepping aside, Evelyn allowed Lucia to walk over to the podium with a list in her grip.

Lucia scanned the room, cleared her throat into the mic, and half-smiled at Evelyn. "It is an honour to introduce the first of our investors. A man known across the world for his achieved success."

The light panned over to the audience.

"Caesar Romanovich Kuznetsov."