Chapter 93: Proposal
Edward frowned when he saw the delirious look on Eric's face. It was clear he wouldn't budge, so he got a few people to take him to Cameron's place. "Perhaps Cameron will cough blood in anger when he finds out. No matter how much effort he expended in trying to help Eric, it simply wasn't enough," Edward thought. Meanwhile, at the Wilson's main estate. Cameron was surprised to see his son being escorted home. Just what was going on?
"Dad! Edward has taken over the company! He also stripped my power and banned me from entering the company!" Eric said in a hurry as though this was his lifeline. Cameron's heart ached when he saw how distraught Eric was. His eyes were red with tears, and he looked like a mess.
From Eric's intermittent wails, Cameron slowly found out what had happened. He didn't expect Edward would actually have such a trick up his sleeve. He regretted not attending the meeting with his son. What a careless mistake he had made.
"That unfilial son!" Cameron yelled in exasperation.
"We underestimated him. I didn't expect Mum to own 15% of the company's shares. Just what sort of spell did Edward cast on her? I don't see why she would favour him over you," Cameron said.
He regretted not being at the company meeting to argue with Edward.
"Dad, you have to help me. Please! I am the rightful heir!" Eric yelled crazily.
"Don't worry, Eric. I will definitely help you get the company back," Cameron said in reassurance. His fury blazed against Edward when he saw Eric in such a sorry state. They were brothers! How could Edward treat his brother like this!
Yet Eric hadn't considered their bond as siblings when he plotted against Edward.
If only Eric wasn't such a greedy mongrel who coveted what wasn't his, he might still have a place within the company. After all, Edward wasn't a narrow-minded person like he was. Cameron rushed to the company to argue with Edward.
Edward had expected his father's arrival. Eric was his favourite son-of course, he would show up. Moreover, they had suffered a huge loss, so he would definitely try to stir up trouble. "You unfilial son!" Cameron yelled. He pushed the door open and stormed into the room. His hand was raised in an attempt to slap Edward.
But how could Edward allow himself to be slapped? He grabbed Cameron's hand and pushed him back with great force.
Cameron staggered, almost losing his balance. He stared at Edward and shouted, "How dare you treat your father like this?"
"Do you know what sort of father you are?" Edward asked coldly.
"I beseech you! You must return the president's position to your brother! Do it immediately!" Cameron yelled. He didn't understand what Edward meant with his question, but he was very confident. Edward found it quite amusing that Cameron would still have the courage to implore him.
"Return it? I am the firstborn son, the rightful heir to this company. How can I return it? My mother only gave birth to me. Why do I even have a brother?"
Hearing this, Cameron's blood pressure almost spiked in anger.
"You unfilial son! You!"
Edward didn't want to waste his time talking to Cameron. Over the years, he had slowly cast aside his longing for his father's attention. Moreover, the only son that Cameron cared about was Eric. Did he not consider Edward as his son?
Hence, the person standing before him was only a stranger despite sharing the same blood.
"You have two options to choose from. First, you are to take Eric with you and leave the country, never to return. Your finances will be taken care of by me. The condition to selecting this option is that you must hand over your shares to me."
"The second option-Neither of you nor Eric will in peace in this city ever again," Edward said calmly.
Cameron began to panic at his words.
"H-Hey! I am still your father. You can't do this to me."
"Father? Have you ever taken any responsibility towards me? When you helped Eric plot against me, did you ever consider yourself my father?" Edward sneered.
"Choose!"
It would be disastrous for him if Eric was left in this country. He was the type to return and sabotage whenever he could.
Although he wasn't afraid of Eric, it was annoying to deal with such a menace. It was better to send him abroad once and for all. That way, he would have no opportunity to stir up trouble.
Edward remembered how he had pretended to have feelings for Irene, and the time he had used Celine to cause a misunderstanding. He was beyond disgusted with his actions, likening it to having swallowed a fly.
Edward had reassumed his position as the president swiftly. He also fired a great number of unloyal staff aggressively.
It shocked all who witnessed it. They expressed their grievances as they watched how Edward made them leave one after another.
No matter what the public opinion was, they got to witness the extent of his authority.
Celine was quite anxious as she watched Eric's downfall.
Just a few days ago, she was cheering for Eric's victory. After all, she was pregnant with his child. Perhaps she could become Mrs. Wilson in the future. That way, she could make Edward regret not marrying her. That was her dream.
Yet now, her fantasies were shattered. She knew Edward would definitely hold her accountable for her actions, and she shivered in fear.
After he arrived home, Edward lay on the sofa and massaged his forehead. Finally, everything had been taken care of. Now, he could focus on planning a grand wedding for Irene.
Irene heard about the scene Cameron had caused in the company. She was very worried about Edward. What sort of father was he? He clearly biased Eric so much. Irene walked up to him and massaged his shoulders gently.
Edward grabbed Irene's hand and said wearily, "Irene, I will give Cameron a bunch of money and let him go abroad with Eric. They won't interrupt with our life again."
"I'm really disappointed in him. After all these years, not once has he ever fulfilled his duty as a father to me. Eric is his favourite son after all."
Irene looked at her husband. He was tall, handsome, and nobody could ever compare with his looks. Despite all that, he had such a gentle and fragile side to him. Even though he said that, he may hope his father can pay some attention to him.
"Darling, he chose to go down this path. You've done a great job, Edward. Don't worry, you still have your grandmother, mother, Charlotte and me. We'll be very happy in the future," Irene said gently.
Edward began to picture a happy family life as he listened to Irene.
Edward grabbed Irene's hand, determined to never let her go.
Due to the disturbance caused by the presidential change in the Wilson Group coupled with Edward's bold actions, rumours began to spread. Those rumours had a certain impact on the development of the company.
Edward decided to hold a press conference to announce something important.
"Irene, there will be a press conference in a few days. Let's attend it together," said Edward.
"You want me to come along? Why?" Irene asked in confusion.
"As the wife of the president, shouldn't you be present? I mean, you should make it well known to all. Just in case some other person dares to try seducing me," Edward said with a smile.
"You'd dare to cheat on me?" Irene asked with her eyebrows raised.
"No, no! Of course not!" Edward replied. He raised his hands in surrender.
Irene felt amused when she looked at the expression on his face.
When both of them showed up together for the press conference, they dazzled everyone. Edward was handsome, and Irene was beautiful. What a pleasing combination!
Everyone was whispering. Some of the people in attendance didn't know who Irene was. After all, Edward rarely brought her along to attend such public occasions.
Many people looked at Irene curiously, trying to figure out who she was. There were rumours that Mr. Wilson didn't get along well with his wife. Was she a new flame? She must be amazing if he was willing to bring her along.
Some of the crowd decided to butter up to her after the press conference. That way, it would allow them to give him a good impression.
Irene didn't know that some people thought she was Edward's new flame.
"I'd like to thank all of you for attending this press conference. My father had prepared a test for me by changing the president of the company. I have passed the test and I'm now in charge of taking over the group. I have great hopes for the company, hence I have reformed the structure of the company slightly."
Everyone present was well aware that it was just a formality. It was common for siblings to plot against each other if they came from wealthy families. Now that Edward had emerged as the victor, who dared to oppose him? His word was pretty much law.
"From today onwards, we..."
Edward made his announcement on the stage. Irene noticed that many women looked at her brilliant husband in awe. She didn't know how she felt about that.
Lost in her thoughts, Irene didn't notice that the person on the stage was walking towards her seat.
Everyone wondered what Edward was up to.
Edward walked to Irene before getting down on one knee, saying, "Irene, with all my heart, I love you. Will you marry me?" He presented a diamond ring to her after he asked.
Irene was stunned. W-What was going on?
The audience burst into an uproar. As it turned out, the site for the press conference had become the site of his proposal.
The crowd finally knew her name. However, some of them were confused. Wasn't he married? Did he get a divorce? Moreover, he had married the daughter of the Jones family, Irene. Was she the san.e person?
Irene looked at the man kneeling before her and sighed emotionally. Edward was really diligent! He actually chose to propose to her at the press conference!I