She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 957

The CEO's office fell dead silent.

A moment later, Holden Lockridge suddenly started clapping.

The unexpected applause completely threw Gavin off.

For as long as he could remember, his grandfather had never once clapped for him.

"Not bad, Gavin. Your analysis was sharp and well-reasoned... It seems my efforts weren't wasted after all."

Holden’s cryptic words only left Gavin completely baffled.

The praise alone was shocking enough.

But he didn't understand a single thing about these supposed 'efforts.'

What efforts was Holden even talking about?

Gavin tilted his head, staring at his grandfather with absolute confusion.

Seeing his grandson's bewilderment, Holden simply shrugged and chuckled.

"You're still so naive... You aren't a kid anymore. If you keep this up, naive just becomes stupid."

Berated right after being praised, Gavin frowned, his mind spinning with questions.

Praising him one second and insulting him the next—what exactly was the old man playing at?

"Grandpa..."

Gavin whined a little, letting a hint of a plea slip into his voice.

Holden smiled again, this time with the fond indulgence of an elder looking at a favorite child.

"Did you really think I had gone senile? That I suspended you because I actually bought into the garbage that guy from Valiant Manufacturing was spewing?"

Hearing this, Gavin froze.

What did his grandfather mean by that?

"Did you really think I didn't know Dominic Hale was pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

Listening to the older man's slow, measured drawl, Gavin caught the cunning, predatory smirk spreading across Holden's face.

Right outside the CEO's office, Dominic just happened to be walking by.

He had just closed a deal and was planning to inform Holden—which was really just an excuse to fish for credit.

Dominic was currently the Vice President, and Gavin had just been suspended.

Whether Holden was still furious with his grandson didn't matter, as long as that anger didn't spill over onto him.

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