Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

In the back, Andrew could not help but shake his head. Emily was turning into a second Christina-blindly arrogant with excessive self-confidence. He thought this brutal slap in the face was inevitable.

Meanwhile, Duncan appeared to be yielding but was actually advancing silently, having already secured his alliances like the cunning old fox he was. Emily did not have even the slightest qualification to compete with this seasoned manipulator.

"Ms. Emily, you can see the situation for yourself!" Duncan's cane rested casually across his knees as he spoke with mock regret.

"It's not that I won't step aside for you, it's just that this is the will of the people, and I'm being forced into this position against my wishes!"

He laughed, but his eyes held no warmth whatsoever. Instead, they were filled with nothing but contempt and ice-cold calculation. If George were not sitting there protecting her, he would have already slapped this naive little girl across the

room.

Not only would he slap her, but he would destroy all three of these ignorant Keller bitches who did not know their place. He had been waiting for the Chamber of Commerce chairman position for years and had been laying the groundwork for just as long.

Nobody was going to take it from him now.

Hannah panicked and turned desperately to the assembled members, "Everyone, are there... Are there any of you who support Emily?"

Freya quickly added her own plea, "Anyone who supports Emily will become an ally of the Kellers and will receive our friendship and assistance in the future!"

One family head sneered dismissively, "Ladies, please sit down and stop embarrassing yourselves! Your only skill is name-dropping the Kellers and relying on your family connections! Without Mr. Keller Senior's reputation backing you up, what else do you have that could possibly convince anyone?"

Another member spoke up without any attempt at politeness, "The Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce chairmanship is critically important! It affects the interests of all our Chamber members and our competition with the Somaeth Chamber of Commerce.

"Even if Mr. Keller Senior gets angry with me today, I have to speak my mind! Ms. Emily, you should just find someone to marry and settle down. While Mr. Keller Senior is an amazing leader, you have none of your father's capabilities! That delusional confidence you just displayed would have gotten you thrown out of any other venue!"

The other Duncan supporters quickly joined the verbal assault. "That's right, Ms. Emily is far too young, and her recent speech shows her level is absolutely pathetic!"

"Why don't you girls just find good husbands like you're supposed to? Why are you meddling in men's business?"

"The Keller sisters? Seeing you today proves the rumors are true: beautiful but completely useless!"

The various harsh verbal attacks left the three sisters feeling utterly humiliated and exposed. As the main target, Emily was particularly devastated, with tears welling up in her eyes from the brutal criticism.

She was on the verge of a complete breakdown as she screamed at the entire room; "Y-You look down on me because I'm a woman and think I'm just riding on my father's coattails and the Keller name! But I want to tell all of you that I'm not inferior to any of you! I could manage the Chamber of Commerce better than any of you!"

The beautiful widow who controlled billions in assets sneered with cold disdain. "Actions speak louder than words-anyone can talk a good game! Ms. Emily, if you think you're so capable, then why isn't a single person here supporting you?"

Emily was left speechless, her face turning as red as a tomato from embarrassment and rage. All her previous pride and confidence had been completely shattered and swept away.

The widow continued her coldnoveldrama

assault, "Even I, who have way more

money than you could dream of,

wouldn't dare to covet the chairman

position! Ms. Emily, spend at least

another 20 years building your

reputation, then come back and

compete! Not everyone has Mr. Keller Senior's skills and capabilities!"