As soon as the words left her lips, the room felt like it was encased in ice.


    Vanessa locked eyes with Colby, fully aware of how crucial the White family''s international influence was to him, and even more so, how hard Colby had fought to get to his current position. She couldn''t wrap her head around the idea that Colby would throw it all away for just one woman.


    Sophie, taking in Vanessa''s confident stance, allowed herself a slight smile. Poor Vanessa, coddled by Mr. Elwood all these years, waspletely clueless about the cutthroat world outside. Right now, Vanessa had no more cards to y against Colby.


    "And where''s your evidence?" Sophie asked slowly.


    Vanessa frowned. "What evidence are you talking about?"


    "The additional condition you mentioned Mr. Elwood set for Colby before his passing. You''ve been insisting that Mr. Elwood required Colby to marry you to entrust the family business to him. You should presen some form of proof to substantiate that Mr. Elwood indeed made such a request. Otherwise, it looks like you''re just using this to force Colby into marriage because you have feelings for him, right?"


    "You..." Vanessa''s voice was earnest. "My father made this request when he was on his deathbed. I was there, and so was Colby!"


    "Just the two of you?" Sophie asked, feigning concern. "That''s tricky. With both of you giving conflicting ounts and both being involved, it''s hard to know who to believe. Is there any other evidence to suppor your im? Perhaps a witness? Or a contract signed by Mr. Elwood while he was alive?"


    As Sophie spoke, Vanessa''s expression grew more troubled. All of Mr. Elwood''s promises were verbal; nothing was written into his will.


    "So, there''s nothing then," Sophie concluded. "Without solid evidence, Ms. Vanessa, your imsck legal standing."


    "You..."N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    "I get it. You''ve done all this to get Colby to marry you. But going to such lengths for a man? I''m really Costello


    worried If the overseas really


    ud


    Corporation ends up in White family hands, I wonder if there will be any good days ahead for us."


    Sophie''s words cut deep, hitting the shareholders who were already unhappy with Colby''s leadership. They were hoping to turn Vanessa into a puppet.


    But, at the end of the day, these


    people were after profits. A naive girl


    like Vanessa, once in charge of the overseas Costello Corporation, would get devoured by the Pord family and Odie, who wouldn''t spare a thought for old loyalties. If they had cared back when Mr. Elwood died, they wouldn''t have stayed silent, allowing Colby to seize power.


    They were just showing up now to grab a piece of the pie.


    Sophie smiled slightly. "I think everyone should carefully consider their options. With Colby in charge, we''re guaranteed a substantial ie each year. But if you choose a new leader, earning money might not be as easy."


    Sophie''s words made some of men waver. They hadn''t really intended to dethrone Colby but were just there to appease some of the White family elders. Colby stepped down, they could please the White family elders. If Colby remained in power, they''d just attended the shareholder meeting without any loss.


    Moreover, Vanessa''s demeanor had been that of an inexperienced young girl, hardly intimidating to them, let alone to a seasoned warrior like Colby.