My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 283

Chapter 283: We are long-standing partners.

Chapter 283: We are long-standing partners.

The tension in the meeting room was suffocating.

Voices clashed as the directors pushed Ava to step down from her position.

“Running a business is not child’s play,” barked a balding director.

“You are too young and inexperienced for this role.” A chorus of agreement erupted around the table.

“We don’t trust you!” the directors echoed in unison.

But Ava refused to back down.

She stood tall as she met their hostility head-on.

“My father built this company from the ground up, and I hold the majority of shares after him,” she stated firmly.

“If I’m not qualified to lead, then tell me-who is?” “You may have the maximum shares, but you lack the experience of running a business,” another one interjected.

“Mr.

Moss has been working as the vice president for the past few years.

He is more eligible than you.

He can run the company better than you.

Instead of taking the president’s post, you should work under him and learn first.” A smirk flickered across Ethan’s face, though he masked it quickly.

The directors’ harsh words played perfectly into his hands, feeding his ambitions.

But he couldn’t appear too eager.

Straightening his posture, he stood and raised a hand.

“Gentlemen, let’s not be so harsh on Ava,” he said smoothly.

“She is talented, and we shouldn’t underestimate her potential.

More importantly, Mr.

Williams himself entrusted her with this position.

Questioning her means questioning his judgment.” He turned to Ava, his gaze locking with hers.

“I believe in you,” he said sincerely.

“I have no desire to take your place.

Instead, I would be honored to stand beside you as vice president and help you lead.” Ava stared at him silently.

If she hadn’t uncovered the conspiracy against her, she might have felt grateful for his supposed support.

But now, she saw through his polished words-his hypocrisy, his deceit.

She regretted trusting him so blindly, ever believing that he was truly on her side.

“Thank you, Ethan,” she said with a practiced smile, masking the disdain simmering beneath her cool demeanor.

Then she turned to the directors and addressed them with quiet confidence.

“I have worked under my father since graduating, learning from him every step of the way.

I have also gained experience at Ace Group, one of the leading firms in the industry.

I am more than capable of leading this company, and I assure you, you can rely on me.” A scoff echoed from across the table.

“You were just a mere project manager at Ace Group,” one of the directors pointed out.

“That hardly qualifies you for the role of president.” Ava met his gaze without flinching.

“I was a Chief Operating Officer,” she corrected.

“If I lacked the necessary skills, I never would have been promoted to such a position.” The room fell into a brief silence, but the resistance did not waver.

A senior director cleared his throat, interrupting her.

“Miss Ava, the board is not the only one concerned about your appointment.

Starlite Company has expressed its discomfort as well.

They insist that Mr.

Moss take the position if we want to maintain our partnership with them.” His words were deliberate, laced with warning.

“This news has already spread throughout the company, unsettling the employees.

If Starlite withdraws, it could bring this business to its knees.

We cannot afford such a risk.” Murmurs of agreement rippled across the room.

“It would be wise if you stepped down,” several directors chimed in.

Ava clenched her fists beneath the table, anger flashing in her eyes.

They were pushing her into a corner, using fear to manipulate her.

“Don’t pressure her,” Ethan interjected.

“If the partnership with Starlite is in jeopardy, I’ll personally handle the negotiations.

Let me speak to them and find a solution.” Ava held back a bitter smile.

His act was flawless, and his words were carefully crafted to paint him as a reasonable, selfless leader.

But she knew the truth-Ethan didn’t want to resolve the situation.

He tried to tighten the noose around her, to make it seem as if he was the only viable option.

She would not let him win.

“Why is everyone so alarmed over some baseless rumors?” she questioned.

“Who exactly spread the news that Starlite intends to pull out?

Because as far as I know, I haven’t heard anything about it.” “Ava, I’m afraid it’s true,” Ethan said with false regret.

“I received a call from the CEO’s office.

They have concerns about your leadership.

They are not confident in your ability to run the company.” “Is that so?” Ava let out a soft scoff, tilting her head slightly.

“Sounds to me like someone played a little prank on you.” Ethan stiffened, his fingers curling into a fist under the table.

He had expected her to panic, to stumble, but instead, she looked completely unbothered.

Her gaze swept over the directors.

“I don’t believe Starlite is canceling the partnership.” The murmurs grew louder, uncertainty flashing across the directors’ faces.

Ethan, still silent, studied Ava carefully, trying to figure out why she was so certain.

“To put all your doubts to rest, I personally reached out to the chairman of Starlite,” she revealed.

“I asked her to join the meeting today and she agreed.

She will be here shortly.” A hush fell over the room.

Ethan’s expression darkened for a split second before he quickly masked it with an unreadable look.

His mind raced.

How had things taken such a drastic turn?

He had spent weeks attempting to secure a meeting with the chairman of Starlite, only to be met with polite refusals.

Instead, a mere delegate had been sent to meet with him.

However, he had managed to convince the delegate to support him in becoming the president of Williams Holdings.

Yet now, the very chairman was coming to attend the meeting, personally invited by Ava.

How could things have changed all of a sudden, ruining his plan?

As he struggled to make sense of the situation, the heavy creak of the conference room door broke through his thoughts.

Mr.

Douglas strode in, his expression composed as he approached Ava and whispered something in her ear.

Ava gave a slight nod.

“Bring her in with honor,” she instructed.

Mr.

Douglas turned on his heel and exited the room.

Silence settled over the directors.

All eyes were on Ava, but she remained poised, her confidence unwavering.

Moments later, the door opened again, and a woman stepped inside.

She was dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, her makeup flawless, her posture exuding authority.

She was a force to be reckoned with.

Ethan clenched his jaw, his tension rising.

Ava rose to her feet, extending a hand with a composed smile.

“Miss Bell,” she greeted warmly.

“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here.” Miss Bell accepted the handshake with a smile.

“I had to.

After all, we are long-standing partners.”