The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 957

Talbot and Reese trailed at the back of the pack.

Talbot looked impeccable in a tailored black suit, his tie knotted to perfection, his face set in an Oscar-worthy expression of profound grief. Reese clung tightly to his arm, draped in a flawless Chanel suit. Her makeup was immaculate, but the slight upward curve of her lips and the fleeting, arrogant smirk in her eyes made Dante's stomach turn.

They looked exactly like what they were: usurpers marching in to stage a coup.

"Chairman," Director Judson, the most senior board member, started. "I... I assume you've seen the news this morning? The tragic loss of Callahan... We were all utterly devastated to hear it. But."

His tone abruptly shifted, turning hard and urgent. "An empire cannot survive without a king! The media is having a field day, the stock is plunging, and the employees are panicking. We have to take decisive action to stabilize the board immediately!"

Director Larson stepped up to back him, far less subtle. "Exactly, Chairman! The dead are gone, but the living must survive! Our top priority right now is appointing an acting CEO to take the reins and calm the markets!"

"We discussed it on the drive over, and we are in full agreement. In this crisis, Talbot is the most qualified—and frankly, the only—candidate who can salvage this. He's the Vice President, he knows the operations, and this is exactly the moment he needs to step up and lead!"

Looking at the pack of hypocrites—especially his treacherous son and daughter-in-law—Dante shook with rage. He slammed his cane into the floor, the heavy thud echoing like a gunshot. "Shut up! All of you, shut your mouths!"

"Callahan is missing! We don't know his status! Who gave you the right to declare him dead to the press?! Do you think just because I'm old, I'm weak enough to let you walk in here and stage a coup?!"

Intimidated by the sheer force of Dante's wrath, Judson took a half-step back, looking uncomfortable but pushing forward anyway. "Chairman, we completely understand your grief over your grandson."