Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
As the video concluded, the room erupted into chaos, with shareholders seething over Alexis’ audacity. It was no surprise Alexis had a knack for winning over clients. He knew just how to use what they liked to get on their good side.
Alexis, mouth agape, struggled to find words. He was so sure he could outmaneuver Cornell and get Cornell to back down. But now, it felt like he’d been slapped in the face. Finally, he managed to say, “Cornell, this… You’re framing me!”
But no one took Alexis’ side.
The footage showed it all: Alexis’s face, his voice, clear enough for everyone, including the three gentlemen, to recognize.
Alexis ranted, “You’re pinning this on me? How dare you frame your own dad, Cornell Clement! You’re heartless!”
Alexis couldn’t accept losing after all the effort he’d put in. If Cornell started to catch on, laying another trap would be difficult.
“But even if I did try to get ahead, what’s the deal with the Eastern Garden project? You’re just bailing because of that woman, letting your emotions rule, right?” Alexis argued.
Right after he said this, someone checking their phone exclaimed, “The Eastern Garden project just blew up!”
The internet was in an uproar. The Glyn family’s forceful evictions and bullying under the disguise of carrying out the Eastern Garden project were now public knowledge.
The reporter’s father, coerced by the Glyn family’s thugs to drive off into a river, ended up with brain damage after being saved. Not long after, he died miserably.
At first, the reporter hesitated to report to the authority, concerned of the Glyn family’s actions against him.
It was only after Cornell’s team located him and provided him the protection and support in his quest for justice did he speak up.
As he spoke up, more victims began to share their stories online.
Some didn’t lose family members, but they encountered constant bad luck when they went out during those days. Preferring to steer clear of trouble, they quickly agreed to the settlements.
The Clement Group wasn’t involved in the project’s early stages. They only joined later, after Katie had done the harm.
And when the Clement Group backed out a while earlier, they openly clarified and explained the circumstances.
The shareholders breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if they had dodged a bullet.
Violent demolition. Causing death. Any of these accusations could ruin the Clement Group’s longstanding reputation of integrity. And restoring that reputation would be an uphill task.
At this point, those shareholders admired Cornell’s decisiveness. No one wanted to hear another word from Alexis. Clearly, Alexis wanted to promote his illegitimate son, Henley, and hand over the company’s interests to outsiders, all for his selfish motives, pushing the company toward ruin. Henley certainly wouldn’t be any good from Alexis’ education.
Cornell, however, was a different story. Kyler himself had personally mentored Cornell. With a formidable mentor like Kyler, Cornell’s competence was a sure thing.
Alexis’ face was as dark as charred coal, signaling he understood his defeat was imminent.
Cornell’s strategy was undeniably clever, holding back until Alexis made his moves.
Cornell outsmarted Alexis by methodically proving Alexis’ accusations baseless, flipping the script completely.
Feeling the need to salvage the situation, Alexis clutched Henley and wept. “My son, I was lost. I was wrong not having heeded your advice. You’ve been nothing but kind, urging me to believe in Cornell, and I foolishly turned a deaf ear…”
With a self-inflicted slap, Alexis exclaimed, “I shouldn’t have dragged you into this mess. You had done nothing wrong.”
Alexis’ words were clearly an attempt to disassociate Henley from the situation. He simply wanted Henley to continue playing against Cornell since one had to take the blame and that was him.
Henley stayed quiet, his face a picture of sorrow. Deep down, he was unfazed.
For Henley, protecting his reputation was all that mattered, regardless of Alexis’ fate.
This meeting turned into a farce.
Cornell commanded an internal audit on Alexis’ misdeeds and decided his shares would compensate for the financial damage. In other words, Alexis stood to forfeit his entire shareholding and possibly even fall into debt. Such a move effectively banished Alexis from the Clement Group for good.
Cornell showed he was much more formidable than Alexis could ever be.
It was a thorough clean-up!
Alexis, fuming with rage and feeling the weight of his guilt, was powerless. The shareholders’ stares were almost powerful enough to swallow him whole.
Alexis shot Henley a glance, ready to sneak off, but Cornell stopped him in his tracks.Cornell got straight to the point, asking, “Dad, isn’t there something you’re leaving out?”
“What are you talking about?” Alexis frowned.
“The letter you claimed to be handwritten by my grandfather.”
Alexis’ expression shifted, and with a surge of anger, he shot back, “Kyler’s handwriting is known to all. Don’t pin this on me!”
“Whether I’m pinning it on you, you know the truth, don’t you?”
Cornell’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “I’m just giving you the opportunity to come clean.”
“Go and verify it, then. You’re just hoping your dad dies, aren’t you?” Alexis scowled.
Alexis couldn’t stand it any longer. Being set up by Cornell was humiliating enough, and the fact that he hadn’t snapped was a sign of his self-control. He knew he still needed to support Henley and couldn’t risk ruining the latter’s reputation. Now he was facing such a bold confrontation!
Henley chimed in, “Cornell, our dad just made some mistakes. Can’t you cut him some slack and not fight him on everything? I know you’re not fond of me, but I’ve worked hard for what I’ve achieved, and it’s all been for the good of the company. Shouldn’t the company’s well-being be our main concern?”
On the surface, Henley was trying to ease the tension between Cornell and Alexis, but he was actually hinting that Cornell was being petty and resentful.
Cornell looked at them with a cold expression. They were clearly ready to fight to the end. He instructed, “Bring Beuford here, please.”
At the mention of Beuford, Alexis’ face went white.
An elderly gentleman with a distinguished mane of graying hair, adorned in a garment of dark cyan silk, made his entrance with Matteo’s assistance.
Alexis’ gaze sharpened upon recognizing the man. It was indeed Beuford, Kyler’s personal butler, a figure of unwavering loyalty who had retreated to oversee Kyler’s grave at Mount Moriah following Kyler’s demise.
Alexis had nearly forgotten Beuford, half-convinced that the latter had passed away due to the years that had slipped by.
Yet, here Beuford stood, very much alive.
“You ungrateful bastard! Why have you pulled Beuford away from his duties, disrupting his tranquility?” Alexis’ accusation against Cornell betrayed a hint of a tremble in his voice, perhaps unaware of the emotion it carried.
Beuford had been a formidable presence in the Clement household, one who had never bent the knee to Alexis’ authority.
Before Cornell could interject, Beuford took the floor, his voice carrying the weight of years yet resolute. “Mr. Alexis Clement, this visit was of my own volition, not at Mr. Cornell Clement’s urging.”
The unease on Alexis’ face was palpable as he managed a strained smile. “And what caused your presence here, Beuford?”
“I came upon learning of your recent endeavors within the Clement Group, which brought to mind the final charge Mr. Kyler Clement entrusted to me,” Beuford stated, his voice gaining volume as he brushed his beard.
“He warned me, ‘Alexis lacks stability. In my absence, you must steer him on my behalf. ‘”
The authority with which Beuford spoke mirrored that of Kyler himself, a testament to the years spent under the patriarch’s influence.
Alexis, attempting to mask his mounting ire, diverted his gaze downward. He was tormented by the notion that even beyond the grave, Kyler’s dominance shadowed his every step.
Witnessing Alexis wrestling with his inner turmoil, Cornell seized the moment. “Dad, why not share with Beuford the letter you claimed to be handwritten by my grandfather?”
Caught off guard, Alexis found himself at a loss for words.
Beuford, intrigued by the mention of a letter handwritten by Kyler, pressed further, “A handwritten letter from Mr. Kyler Clement exists? Mr. Alexis Clement, why not let us see it?”
Alexis faltered. “Well, it’s… It’s not of great consequence. It simply discusses my father’s desire to integrate Henley into our lineage…”
“Impossible!” Beuford’s interjection cut through the room before Alexis could elaborate.
Beuford’s decisive rebuttal left the room stunned, and Henley’s composure broke, his visage darkening with fury.
Henley’s hands balled into fists so tight that they whitened, his gaze burning into Beuford with barely contained rage.
Alexis, flustered and humiliated, insisted louder, “Beuford, you’re speaking out of turn. This letter outlines my father’s explicit wishes!”
Alexis’ appeal to Kyler’s authority was a desperate bid to regain control over the narrative.
However, Beuford’s response was unyielding. “Mr. Kyler Clement would never authorize such a directive. He held a stringent view against acknowledging any illegitimate offspring within the Clement lineage, a stance codified within our family’s charter to deter opportunistic claims.”
Kyler’s Legacy was one of moral fortitude, staunchly resistant to any form of scandal or dishonor. The notion of an illegitimate heir gaining recognition would have been unthinkable under his watch.
Beuford chose not to vocalize these thoughts, offering Alexis a sliver of respect by withholding a full condemnation.
Nevertheless, the message was clear, leaving Alexis to reflect on the implications.
Alexis’ patience snapped. He slammed his hand against the table, glaring at Beuford with intense animosity. “Beuford, while I acknowledge your long service to my father, need I remind you of your station? You remain a servant of this family, nothing more.”
Alexis’ words were utterly devoid of respect, a clear indication of his disregard for decency. In a sudden movement, he ordered his security, “Get this liar out of here!”
However, before they could act on Alexis’ command, Cornell’s reaction was swift and bold. He flung a cup of tea directly at Alexis.
The splash of tea left Alexis drenched and humiliated, a stark visual contrast to his earlier arrogance. “You insolent cur! You…” he began.
But Cornell cut Alexis off. “Dad, choose your next words carefully.”
The threat in Cornell’s tone was palpable, silencing Alexis instantly.