His Naughty Lessons-Chapter 283: Breaking News

** Eli ** fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"I see that your opinion of me is extremely poor." Eli sighed. "Even though you hardly know me."

"I don’t need to know you to be aware." Emory rolled her smoky eyes. "You’ve got enough cheating bastard genes."

Ouch. That probably burned more than she intended to, because it was quite true.

And ... interesting how his half-sister shared his own opinion of their father.

Eli had always assumed that the other side of his "family" would be a happy, harmonious one unlike his own. They hadn’t been torn apart by his father’s sins back in the day, and Emory hadn’t been forced to grow up alone with a negligible parent. But it seemed that the girl had still formed an unfavorable judgment of her morally questionable dad, which actually made Eli’s impression of her instantly turn a lot more positive.

"Well, you aren’t wrong on that." He glanced briefly toward the direction where Emory had come from, mentally cringing at the sight of his father that always spoiled his mood. "Though it does make me curious — what exactly did you hear from your father that makes you say such things?"

"Don’t pretend you have no idea!" Emory glowered. "I might not have heard the details about those announcements that he plans to make, but it’s not hard to guess when your name is mentioned right next to some rich heiress woman. Dirty deals like this happen all the time with you businessmen, that’s why I’ll never go work at Sterling Trust myself!"

The information gave Eli a bad omen. So his father was really planning on an announcement without informing him? That was unexpected. Hastily, he turned around and scanned the crowd behind them. He needed to find—

"Evening, Eli. I’m impressed, did you really heed my advice and decide to reconsider your companion for the night?"

Unfortunately, instead of either Harper or his father, which would be the two people Eli needed to find at the moment, it was Vanessa who sauntered into his view. Sparing a casual look at Emory, she held up her cocktail glass and smiled fakely. "Your taste seems to change quite fast," she added in a suggestive drawl.

Emory raised an incredulous eyebrow. Eli, having way more urgent tasks on his plate, didn’t bother to entertain the ridiculous woman with a reply. He was about to leave the table and push through the crowd when suddenly, the room fell quiet, and he saw everyone turning toward the podium by the red-curtained wall.

He followed suit, though he already knew what he was going to see — his father, getting up the stage with a perfect smile and a wave to the audience that gathered a round of applause.

Fuck. Finding Harper would have to wait. If the announcement was really coming now, he’d have to hear it and clear up whatever bullshit his father was about to spin to the crowd.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," his father began. "I hope you’re all having a wonderful time tonight. The atmosphere at Garden Royale is always fantastic, and I love how the conversations flow as easily as wine."

As the audience laughed cooperatively, Eli felt a subtle shuffle next to him. "Don’t worry, it’s good news." Vanessa’s whisper came again into his ear. "I promise you’ll like it."

She sounded like a hissing snake, and Eli definitely did not like it. Throwing her a warning look, he took a step away, putting some more distance between them.

On the podium, his father had already finished the small talk and gotten to the real topic. "I have been waiting to share some important news with you all, and the gala tonight simply seems to be a perfect opportunity for it. As many of you may know, I’ve faced some health challenges in recent years. Do rest assured that it’s nothing terrifyingly serious, but we all know that leading a company requires time, strength, and energy, things that I admit have been increasingly difficult to come by with my ongoing health troubles."

Small murmurs rose from the crowd. Eli frowned a little — health challenges? He hadn’t either heard of or noticed anything out of ordinary for this old man. Was it real news, or was he trying to get at something else by using it as a ruse?

"After long and careful considerations," his father continued, "I have decided that it is time for me to take a break and focus on my personal wellbeing. It is not a decision that I make lightly, as you all know that I hold the future of my business dear in my heart. But I am incredibly fortunate to say that I have my son," — his arm stretched out in Eli’s direction — "Eli Sterling, who is ready to step into my role and take over these responsibilities for me."

Wait ... What? That was the surprise announcement coming out to the public?

As the crowd burst into loud cheers, applause, and congratulations, Eli would only stare at the man on stage in disbelief. Not again. Who hands over a CEO position just like this, without even honoring a proper discussion? Was it because the old man had already known that his chosen heir was never interested in this job, so he had to strike by surprise and catch him off guard?

"See? Told you you’d like it." Vanessa’s voice was somehow back beside his ears again. Only this time, she no longer sounded like a poisonous snake, but rather pleased with her fake smile soaking through her tone. "Congratulations, CEO Sterling."

Other finance partners and acquaintances were quickly coming through the crowd now, offering handshakes, more congratulatory words, and questions on visions or new plans for the company. Eli’s head was still whirring between the shock of the news and the chaotic buzz of its reception when suddenly, a new question popped out from somewhere in the back of the crowd:

"Who was that beautiful lady who arrived with you this evening, CEO Sterling? What role will she be playing in the future of your company and your leadership?"