Page 177 of Love Unspoken

Hugh beamed with malicious delight. "Lucas, while you've made contributions to LPC, it's clear that your leadership has been compromised by personal distractions and a lack of focus on what truly matters—profitability and company growth. Under your direction, we've seen a shift toward burdensome initiatives like sustainability, which, though noble in intent, do not align with LPC's core business interests."

He shot a glance at Kath, who gave him a slight, almost imperceptible nod of encouragement.

Hugh continued, his tone growing more confident. "I've spoken with several board members, and it's clear that a change in leadership is necessary to steer LPC back on course. Therefore, I propose that Lucas step down and we appoint someone with a clearer vision and a focus on driving our profits. Kath has, as you all have seen, demonstrated her commitment and capability as CFO, and I believe she will make a fine CEO."

The room was silent, the tension ratcheting up as everyone waited for the vote. I could feel the eyes of the other board members on me, gauging my reaction. But I wasn't rattled. I'd known this was coming. And what even they didn't realize was that I didn't care—if I were kicked out, I'd be disappointed, but life would go on, and I'd live it fully with Amara.

I calmly glanced around the table. "Let's put the motion to a vote."

Hugh's confidence wavered slightly because he wasn't getting the response from me that he'd imagined. "Yes, let's," he snapped.

I kept my eyes on Hugh, making him squirm with discomfort.

"Those in favor of removing Lucas Covington as CEO, please raise your hands," Diedra said and looked around the room as if counting.

Hugh's hand shot up immediately. But as the seconds ticked by, none of the other board members moved. Arthur, who had been on the board longer than I'd been alive, kept his hands firmly on the table. Marjorie and Michael exchanged a brief look before faintly shaking their heads in what could only be perceived as disgust.

Hugh's face twisted in confusion as he glanced around the table, realization dawning on him like a cold, hard slap. "Arthur? Marjorie? Michael? What the hell is going on?"

Arthur cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly. "Hugh, I'm afraid I can't support this motion. Lucas has proven himself as a capable leader, and while we may not agree on every decision he's made, I believe his vision is what's best for LPC."

Marjorie nodded. "I agree. Lucas's leadership has taken LPC in a direction that ensures not just our profitability, but our reputation and legacy as well. I stand behind and with him."

Michael, who was a pragmatist, added, "Lucas's made some tough decisions, and they've been the right ones. I won't vote to remove him—which is what I told you when we spoke the last time about this."

"Careful, Mike⁠—"

Michael cut him off. "No, Hugh. You can't blackmail me into doing what you want. I talked to my wife last night, and she knows about my affair. Put that in your pipe and fuckin' smoke it, asshole."

Hugh's face turned a deep shade of red, his hand dropping back to the table as he realized the vote wasn't going his way. He'd thought he'd convinced Arthur and Marjorie and thought to bring Michael to heel by threatening him.

Kath went pale as she watched her father's plan unravel in real time.

Grandma, the Chairwoman of the LPC board, leaned forward slightly, her voice carrying a note of finality. "The motion to remove Lucas as CEO has been rejected."

Hugh's eyes flashed with fury as he looked from me to Grandma and then to the board members who had betrayed him. "This is ridiculous. You're all making a huge mistake."

I remained calm, leaning forward slightly as I addressed the board. "Since we're on the topic of leadership and the best interests of LPC, I'd like to propose a motion of my own."

Hugh's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his expression.

"I'm proposing the immediate removal of Hugh Bellamy from the LPC board," I said, keeping my tone cool and detached—I wasn't about to give that prick the satisfaction of seeing any emotion. "His actions today were driven by personal vendetta, not the company's best interests. His continued presence on the board is a conflict of interest, given his repeated attempts to undermine LPC's leadership."

The silence in the room was deafening, and the tension was so dense it was suffocating. I kept my gaze locked on Hugh, watching as anger and disbelief played across his face.

"Let's put it to a vote," I said, my voice hard.

Grandma immediately raised her hand. Arthur, Marjorie, and Michael followed suit, raising their hands in unison. It was a swift, decisive vote that left no room for interpretation.

Hugh's face was frozen in shock and humiliation as the reality of his defeat sank in. The board had turned against him, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"The motion to remove Hugh Bellamy from the LPC board has passed," Diedra announced, her voice cold and final.

"Effective immediately, Hugh, you are no longer a member of this board," Grandma's tone was bland, like she was reading a weather report.

Hugh's chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptly, his face contorted with fury. "You'll regret this, Lucas," he spat. "You'll all regret this."

He stormed out of the room, his footsteps echoing in the silence that followed. Kath remained seated, her hands trembling slightly as she stared down at the table. She knew what this meant for her, too.