Chapter 386: Betrayed By Son

The board meeting for the Ford Group had been called. Briena remained at home—reporters were still after her, and her appearance in public would only worsen the situation.

Sephina, Jay, and Clara Ford arrived at the Ford Group headquarters. The media was already aware of the sudden board meeting, speculating that it was related to the scandal surrounding the current CEO.

The moment Sephina stepped out of the car, reporters rushed toward her.

"Chairwoman Ford, what do you have to say about your granddaughter’s role in her movie?"

"Her role has caused quite a stir. Is this board meeting being held to dismiss her as CEO?"

Sephina kept her composure despite the barrage of invasive questions. "Regarding this board meeting, you’ll know the outcome once it’s over. I trust the board members will do what’s best for the Ford Group, and the company will act accordingly."

Reporters then turned to Jay and Clara, but both echoed similar statements.

Inside the meeting room, all the board members were already present, waiting for Sephina’s arrival. The moment she entered, everyone stood to greet her.

They took their seats, and the meeting began.

"...Regarding the dismissal of Ms. Briena from her position as CEO," one board member began, "we’ve decided not to rush the decision."

Sephina was caught off guard by the statement, while Clara smirked subtly.

"What are you all talking about?" Sephina asked, her tone sharp. "For the sake of the Ford Group, it’s time we put Briena on hold. As Chairwoman, I am making that decision."

The board members exchanged glances, clearly prepared for this moment.

Finally, the most senior member spoke up. "Today’s meeting was called for another reason as well."

Sephina narrowed her eyes. "What reason?"

The man replied steadily, "All the board members have unanimously agreed—it’s time for you to retire from your responsibilities, Mrs. Ford."

Not .

The title had already been stripped from her the moment he spoke—clearly, the decision had already been made.

Clara slammed her hand on the table. "I am the major shareholder of this company! Who dares challenge my position?"

"Mrs. Ford, you’re taking us the wrong way. No one is challenging your position," the board member said calmly. "We’re simply thinking about what’s best for you. After Mr. Ford’s passing, you’re still grieving, and we believe you shouldn’t be burdened with company matters right now."

"I am fine," she declared firmly.

"But the decision has already been made, Mrs. Ford," the man added. "Also, you should know—you are no longer the major shareholder."

Another shock hit her like a thunderbolt. "What did you say?"

"Mrs. Ford," the man continued, "after you transferred all your shares to your son, Jay Ford, you no longer hold majority control. As such, Mr. Jay Ford will be the new Chairman, and Briena Ford will remain as CEO."

Sephina turned to Jay in disbelief. He looked calm and unbothered.

"Mother, the decision has been made. From now on, you should stay home and focus on your health," Jay said, unfazed.

Sephina was handed documents—official and legally binding—that showed she had transferred her shares to Jay.

She felt her blood boil. "When did I transfer my shares to your name?"

Jay gave no reply. Instead, he looked to the board and said, "This meeting is over."

"No. I need answers!" Sephina demanded, her voice rising as she looked around the room. "Have all of you agreed to this?"

Except for two, almost every board member nodded.

"Natalie and Caryn... what about them?" Sephina asked sharply. She knew they would never agree to Jay becoming the board chairman.

"Both of them said that aside from holding shares, they have no further involvement in the Ford Group. They will not interfere in decisions made by the board. That means they’ve agreed to follow whatever the board members decide."

With nothing left to say, the board members began to leave one by one.

There was no point in staying back.

Jay finally turned to Sephina. "Mother, what I did was for our family."

"Family?" she snapped. "You tricked me into transferring my shares to you when I was mourning your father’s death?

Jay remained calm. "But you will always be my mother, because you’re the one who raised me. As for the share transfer, I did it because I want to prove to you that I handle this company. But you and Father never truly gave me a chance. He trusted Caryn and made her CEO. And after she was gone, you took everything into your own hands and kept me sidelined. Now it’s turn to prove myself."

Sephina remained silent for a moment, knowing there was nothing she could do now. She stood up to leave and said her final words:

"I’m sure Albert knew you would turn out to be a snake one day. That’s why he never trusted you. Let’s see how long you can hold onto it."

With that, she left.

Jay clenched his fists, her words cutting deeper than he expected.

Clara placed a hand on his. "Let her go. Everything is in our hands now. We don’t have to be scared of her. We should focus on Briena. If you don’t, those crafty mother and daughter—Caryn and Natalie—will take everything from us one day."

Jay pulled his hand away from hers and walked out silently.

Clara sighed. "That old hag isn’t even his real mother. I don’t know why he still calls her that." She stood, her expression turning smug. "Not his fault, really. He’s been loyal to her like a dog. If she hated Caryn, so did he. If she made things difficult for her own granddaughter, he kept quiet. Such a loyal son that old woman raised."

Meanwhile, as Sephina rode home in her car, her mind wandered to Albert’s final words:

she thought, Her gaze shifted to the passing scenery outside the window.

"Take me to my home in Valena Town," she ordered the driver.

It was a small, peaceful town near the Imperial City. She and Albert once lived there, owning a quiet farm and a cozy home—where they had stayed in the early years of their marriage, before moving to the city when Albert decided to start his business.