Leo looked at him, "It is not difficult to do a play. It is difficult to find evidence."
"All you have to do is force the man to jump out. Once it's beyond his control, it's not hard to find evidence."
"You want to take advantage of it?" Leo frowned.
Joseph thought for a moment, "If possible, I will return to Runestone Group."
"What if not?" Leo stared at him and asked.
Joseph's gaze seemed to penetrate Leo's face, distant and unadorned, as he uttered a single phrase: "Comprehensive acquisition."
"What?" Leo was shocked.
Joseph's gaze sharpened, firmly fixed on Leo's face. His voice carried a resolute tone as he explained, "As the confirmation of Roy's body remains uncertain, the Lake family is more inclined to accept the idea of him being missing. However, regardless of whether Roy is alive or deceased, the Runestone Group cannot afford to wait. Instead of allowing it to fall into the hands of others, it would be preferable for it to fall into your hands. Therefore, if acquiring it directly is not feasible, then you must make the purchase."
Leo felt a lump forming in his throat, his curiosity piqued. He questioned Joseph, "Joseph, why do you hold such a deep attachment to the Runestone Group?"
Joseph responded with a calm demeanor, saying, "It's quite simple, really. The Runestone represents something I want to preserve and safeguard. If it were to fall into the wrong hands, it would pose a significant threat. Leo, when it comes to keeping secrets, I believe you are the most trustworthy person I know."
Leo was shocked. "What secret?"
Joseph never spoke again.
*****
Roy's death had not been announced before the Runestone board knew this matter.
How could the President's office remain empty?
During the meeting, William, the sole elder, and master of the Lake family, took charge and presided over the proceedings. However, it was evident that he held a deep dissatisfaction towards Joseph's presence at the shareholders' meeting. Despite this, he managed to maintain a composed demeanor without displaying his discontent too overtly.
Joseph attended the shareholders' meeting not solely as a shareholder of the Runestone Group but also as representing Irish's family. Alongside Joseph, Cassie and Shirley, as well as Roy's relatives, were also present at the meeting.
Given Roy's unexpected death without a will, the fate of his shares became a pressing concern for all parties involved.
The presence of the Runestone Group's legal team at the board meeting indicated their involvement in addressing the legal aspects surrounding Roy's shares and inheritance.
William cleared his throat, bringing the attention of the attendees to the matter at hand. "Now that we are all gathered here let us come to a consensus. The Runestone Group is currently facing a critical period. We are exerting pressure on the media to keep Roy's death under wraps. However, considering the gravity of the situation, I would like to hear everyone's thoughts today."
One of the shareholders expressed their deep shock and sorrow over Roy's passing. They emphasized the importance of apprehending the murderer but acknowledged that it was the responsibility of the police. They suggested that the immediate concern should be resolving the issue of Roy's inheritance.
As the new second-largest shareholder of the Runestone Group following Roy's demise, Irish's opinion held significance, though not as authoritative as William's. She addressed the matter, saying, "Regarding Roy's equity and assets, I believe that your concerns are somewhat excessive. Although he did not leave a will, we have the company and legal experts to guide us. It is best to follow the appropriate legal succession process in dealing with these matters."
William's gaze shifted, and he spoke with measured words, "It's not that I don't trust Cassie, but she has never been directly involved in the high-level operations of the Runestone Group. Therefore, I believe that this matter should be discussed and decided within the board of directors."
Shirley's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling as she angrily interjected, "What do you mean by digesting within the board? This is my son's death, and it involves his equity and inheritance! Let me make it clear to you, there is no way I will accept that! Cassie is my daughter-in-law, carrying my grandson, who is Roy's flesh and blood. Not only does she have every right to inherit everything, but the child she carries also has that right!"
"Mom..." Cassie reached out and held Shirley's hand, her heart filled with a mix of emotions, making her feel deeply uncomfortable at that moment.
Shirley's emotions escalated, her words carrying a hint of hysteria. She exclaimed defiantly, "Let me make this clear. Anyone who dares to lay claim to Roy's and Cassie's possessions will have to face me in a fight!"
Irish attempted to calm Shirley down, suggesting a more measured approach. "I believe it would be best to follow the legal procedures with the guidance of our lawyers," she reassured Shirley.
Irish had always been concerned about Shirley's treatment of Cassie. The grudge she held against Shirley, which had not dissipated even after her father's passing, fueled her fears that Cassie would be subjected to mistreatment.
Her primary focus was ensuring that Cassie would not be subjected to bullying or mistreatment within the family.
Irish was aware of Shirley's critical attitude towards Cassie before their marriage. Before the marriage, Cassie was concerned about how Shirley would treat her. However, after the wedding, Shirley complied with Roy's wishes and refrained from living with them, which surprised Irish.
However, with Ruby's passing, Shirley again moved into Roy's home. This change worried Irish. Shirley had just lost her daughter, and her emotions were expected to be greatly affected. Irish couldn't help but wonder if Shirley would vent her anger and frustration towards Cassie. This was also a concern that troubled Cassie deeply.
Cassie frequently expressed her worries about Shirley's behavior to Irish, seeking guidance on how to navigate the situation. However, Cassie noted that Shirley seemed preoccupied with grief, spending most of her days in tears. This left Cassie unsure of what steps she should take next.
Irish sensed an opportunity to observe Shirley's true thoughts by looking for potential trouble between her and Cassie. This would allow her to better understand Shirley's mindset.
However, to Irish's surprise, Shirley took it upon herself to cook for Cassie after Cassie's bout of vomiting and insistence on not having the nanny prepare the meals. This unexpected gesture left Irish perplexed. Concerned about handling the situation, Cassie confided to Irish, saying, "What if I can't eat her cooking? She might think I'm pretentious if I show my displeasure."
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