Her Return, His Regret

[Ryan Kingsley is in his last days and the future of the Kingsley Group remains uncertain.]

[The Kingsley Group's stocks keep dropping following Ryan's declining health. Could this be the end of the Kingsley Group?]

[The Kingsley Group is on the verge of collapse as Ryan Kingsley approaches his end.]

The news of Ryan's deteriorating health spread through the city like an angry wildfire. Ryan was going through his phone, reading the headlines when Lora grabbed his phone from him.

He was better now but to avoid getting another infection, he still stayed in the isolation ward. Lora was there for her daily visit when the internet went crazy with the news of Ryan's condition.

"I don't think you should read the news. It will just stress you," Lora remarked as she put the phone away.

"It's funny how quickly these reporters get wind of information about me. I'm guessing this is Celeste's doing," Ryan replied, his eyes turning cold at the thought. "She just won't let this go until I make a move to deal with her."

"Grandpa said he will deal with her," Lora said. "You don't have to worry about anything. Just focus on getting better."

Lora's phone suddenly buzzed and her expression changed when she read the message she had received.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

"What is it?" Ryan asked.

"Um... it's nothing-"

"Tell me the truth, my love... please," Ryan requested.

Lora sighed heavily. She responded reluctantly, saying, "It's Lawrence. He's saying Grandpa is having a hard time calming the board members. Apparently, they had called for an emergency meeting since the current news has shaken the company to the core." Ryan's eyes flashed coldly. He knew the company was very vulnerable and was at risk of a hostile takeover in its current state.

"I need to go there..." Ryan said as he pulled out the IV on his arm gently.

Lora's eyes widened when she saw Ryan getting down from the bed.

"Hey, no you can't. It's risky-"

"It's ok... I'll wear a mask. I need to deal with this. Someone will take advantage of the company's weak state to take control of it. I can't let that happen. This is our family's legacy," Ryan replied.

Lora pursed her lips into a thin line as she watched Ryan put on his suit. She didn't like the idea of Ryan risking his health by going out there. However, she understood why he wanted to protect the company.

She would do the same if her family's company which had been there for generations were on the verge of collapse.

Thus, she wasn't going to stop her husband but support him.

"I'll go with you," Lora offered, a smile crossing her lips. "I know you would stand by my side if something happened to Davis & Co. too."

Ryan glanced at Lora lovingly, a warm smile on his lips. He replied, "Let's go and put things in order."

...

Meanwhile, in the conference room at the Kingsley Group, intense tension hung thick in the air.

Shareholders sat around the long oak table, their faces a mix of concern, fear and greed.

Charles Kingsley and Miles shared a look, sighing heavily from exhaustion. They had been having a hard time for close to an hour, trying to calm the shareholders. However, this time, they were not willing to listen to anything.

"The company has been taking hit after hit for the last few weeks. Do you know how much I've lost? When I invested in the Kingsley Group, k was told I would only make profits. This is ridiculous! We need sotution, now!" One of the shareholders yelled.

AQUA

Another one agreed with him and remarked, "think we've been patient enough. Ryan is dying, we need new leadership. If we don't change the company's CEO, the stock price will keep dropping! I'm not willing to make any more losses."

"We are doing our best to rectify the situation-" Charles replied but he was cut off.

"Clearly your method is not working. Today's news has just made things worse. I propose that we change the CEO. Jason Kingsley is perfectly healthy," Franklin Hall suggested.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I know you would prefer for Jason to take over as CEO right now, but I suggest he steps in as the acting CEO until Ryan gets better-"

"Stop lying to yourself. He's not going to get better," Franklin cut Miles' words off.

Flames of fury danced through Miles' eyes. He glared at Franklin and said through gritted teeth, "My son will get better. The CEO position is his."

Franklin arched an eyebrow and laughed before asking, "Aren't you the one who gave your hidden son your shares? Wasn't it because you wanted him to steal your first son's position?"

"You-" Miles' face turned red from anger. He was about to reply when the doors suddenly opened.

All heads turned towards the doors and Ryan Kingsley walked in with Lora by his side. He still had an imposing figure and he oozed power and dominance. Once he stepped into the room, his presence could be felt. "M-Mr Kingsley," Franklin remarked, his eyes rounding in shock. "Weren't you on the brink of death?"

"Is that what Celeste told you?" Ryan sneered. He ignored the old man and took a seat next to his grandfather and father. He looked at everyone and said, "I was enjoying my leave but I think it's better I address you all personally." Lora took a seat next to Ryan and held his hand under the table. They shared a look and smiled at each other faintly before returning their attention to the meeting.

Franklin recovered from his shock

and asked, "You did well to show up, Mr Kingsley. Given the state of your health, don't you think you should step down and let someone more capable handle the company? We can't keep losing money just because the CEO is about to die."

Lora's eyes flashed with anger but Ryan squeezed her hand to silently calm her.

"Do you want to be the CEO?" Ryan asked, arching an eyebrow. "I'm sorry but I won't let the company fall into the wrong hands." Before Franklin could reply, the doors opened again and Ivy's parents, David and Celine Williams, walked in together with Celeste. "We hope we are not too late," David Williams said, a smug smile on his face. He looked like a man who had just won the lottery.

"We heard about this meeting and thought we would offer a solution to the company's... situation. Our company is willing to invest and stabilize the Kingsley group to prevent it from going bankrupt," David added, a huge grin on his face. Silence fell over the place as everyone registered David's words. He wanted to buy the Kingsley Group.

Ryan narrowed his eyes at David and company. So this was their goal. They wanted to cripple the company to a point where they could take control easily.

He scoffed and said coldly, "The Kingsley Group will never be for sale."

David sneered and replied, "Put your pride aside, Ryan. The Kingsley Group will be done for if you don't rectify the situation."

Ryan simply smirked and uttered, "That's why I'm here. I came to address the board and announce my decision."

The room fell silent and all eyes fell on him.

Ryan scanned the room before his eyes fell on Jason who was sitting quietly at the far end of the table. He announced, "I am stepping down as the CEO of the Kingsley Group and handing over my authority to Jason Kingsley."