Chapter 654 - Voting for the rightful heir

The loud interior turned silent when the two heirs entered the conference room. The entourage went to their respective seats.

As the family head, Guan Gu Ri sat on the former seat of the deceased Old Guan. 

All people who have designated seats had a great amount of power and authority to affect the decisions guiding the direction of the Guan Empire. They were the board of directors consisting of the elders and shareholders who owned at least a percent share of the Guan Empire. They were also the people who had the power to vote and dictate the rightful head of this massive business empire.

The people waiting inside stood up and gave their greetings to the new family head. 

Guan Gu Ri gestured for them to sit down. His eyes glanced at the empty seat on his right. 

It was Guan Xixin's seat. His second brother had not arrived yet.

Since this was the day where another hallmark in the Guan family and Guan Empire's history was formed, the branch heads were present as well. All of the people needed in this sucession procedure were present, except for his second brother.

Guan Gu Ri glanced at his watch. The appointed time for the start of the meeting had passed. He should begin now. 

His eyes darkened.

'Please come quickly, second brother.'

"All of you have come. This will be the day when the new head of the Guan Empire will be appointed. I am glad that everyone here stood witness and become a part of this historical moment. We might have faced the difficult hurdles and troubles of yesterday, but we will strive forward to bring greater glory to our corporate empire. In behalf of my deceased grandfather, I thank everyone's efforts and endless support for the Guan Empire. Thank you."

Guan Gu Ri bowed. 

This might be the first and the last time that he would sit on his grandfather's chairman seat in the Guan Empire's headquarters. 

Because today, the rightful man who would be appointed by these people would be sitting on this chair from this day onwards.

Guan Gu Ri gave a little speech about the history of the Guan Empire and the struggles of the Guan family. 

...It was all for formality. 

In reality, he was just taking his sweet time while his eyes would deliberately look at his butler from time to time. This day could not go on without his second brother's presence. 

However, even though Guan Gu Ri bought time subtly by giving a lengthy speech and asking for the elders' and shareholders' opinions on the recent changes in the Guan Empire, the board of directors still realized that he was buying time. 

Fed up with the long wait, Guan Gao Huan tapped on the table lightly. 

"Headmaster, I think all of the people present here understands and gives their ultimate support for the Guan Empire. I might sound a bit abrupt, but I believe that there are still matters that have to be done today."

The board of directors who also had grown tired of listening nodded their heads in agreement. They wanted to cast their votes and see how the power in the Guan Empire would shift. The sooner that this matter was done, the sooner they could gain benefits.

But there were a few of people who were loyal to Guan Xixin. They shot hesitant glances at Guan Gu Ri. 

If they started the voting step right now, was it not exactly the same as saying that no one would be choosing Guan Xixin? The presence of their candidate was important for today's voting.

One of Guan Xixin's supporters swallowed his uneasiness and spoke cautiously. "Headmaster. In order for us to continue voting, everyone present, especially the candidates, must be present as well. We haven't heard anything yet from Second Young Master Guan. Perhaps, there is an unseen accident on the way? Something happened before, and I worry that he might be caught up with something again."

Guan Gao Huan's eyes darkened. 

There were still some shareholders who were stubborn and loyal to Guan Xixin. How annoying.

He shot a meaningful glance at his entourage. 

"Headmaster! You have bought enough time already! If the Second Young Master Guan did not attend today, isn't it the same as backing off from the succession trial?" 

"Second Young Master Guan was not in the best state of mind in these past days to begin with. Who knows if we are wasting our time like this for a person who had already given up?"

Bang!

Guan Gu Ri expressionlessly rammed one hand on the table.

Everyone fell silent.

The new headmaster slowly spoke. 

"Director Han, I am grateful for your concern for the Guan Empire. However, it is my second brother, and a Guan, whom you are slandering. Please respect him, especially in front of me and my third brother. Our grandfather has just died, and my filial brother is still grieving."

Many people in Guan Gao Huan's faction frowned and had a bitter taste in their mouths. Berating Director Han was the same as berating their own faction. 

Even Guan Gao Huan frowned. He spoke gently to his brother. 

"Eldest brother, please pardon Director Han. Director Han did not mean to slander second brother. However, it is a fact that if one deliberately did not come in the appointed time, it usually meant a voluntary withdrawal from the competition. I wish for my second brother to come and witness this important moment as well. But if his heart is still grieving, then we cannot force him."

Guan Gao Huan's words made the majority of the people in the room nod, mainly from the first and the third factions. 

Even the elders in Guan Gu Ri's side spoke up as well. After all, one less candidate meant one less competition. 

"Third Young Master Guan is right, Headmaster. We should proceed with the matter. If the former head is alive, he would have already concluded this matter by now." 

Since the eldest faction had already spoken, Guan Gu Ri had no choice but to continue on with the voting. 

He gave a regretful glance at his second brother's empty chair, before turning to look at his butler.

The butler just shook his head. There was still no news of Guan Xixin.

Xixin... Where have you gone to?

Guan Gu Ru sighed. He had done as much as could so that his second brother could at least witness this important moment. He just hoped his second brother would not regret missing this event.

He collected himself and refocused his attention.

"It seems like I made you all wait. Head butler, please arrange it so that everyone can start voting. "

There was intense silence in the conference room as the head butler issued out commands to the chairman's secretarial team. The assistants brought electronic tablets for each person. 

The board's fingerprints would be the sign of their votes.

"The Guan family's branch heads and the lawyers will stand witness to today's voting. I hope that everyone will choose the rightful heir who can lead the Guan Empire to greater heights." 

As his voice fell, everyone stared at the screen below them. 

On the minimalistic page were three names. Beside each name was a small box where each shareholder would stamp their fingerprints on to indicate their chosen candidate.

There was also a huge poll screen set up on the wall of the conference room showing the names of the three heirs and the zero number beside them. 

At any moment now, this seemingly straightforward voting would appoint the new chairman of the Guan Empire.

*****