Chapter 348

Evelyn's statement temporarily silenced the public's demands for her return to the show.

As the CEO of Sterling Corporation, she didn't need the entertainment industry to sustain her livelihood. That alone gave her every right to make that choice.

The frenzy died down quickly. Evelyn thought this would be the perfect excuse to step away for good—until the next morning, when Leo abruptly switched the room to daylight mode before she even woke up.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming her face as she blinked awake.

She stretched lazily and poked the AI tiger. "You got the timing wrong. It's not time yet."

Leo nuzzled her forehead insistently.

"Someone's waiting for you! No more sleeping in!"

Groaning, Evelyn dragged herself up, her drowsiness fading. Twenty minutes later, she emerged refreshed.

She slipped into a luxurious Elie Saab casual dress—a soft beige knee-length piece that radiated elegance and youth.

Alexander Sterling had already checked his watch a dozen times by the time she descended the stairs. The moment she appeared, he pulled her toward the door.

"You're needed at the office today. Everyone's waiting."

Evelyn stared at him, bewildered. "Today? Since when was this decided?"

Alexander exhaled sharply. "It's the shareholders' meeting. Some have been eyeing your position for months. You showing up will shut them down."

Understanding dawned. "Ah. So that's what this is about."

Sterling Corporation.

The top-floor conference room was tense, every attendee sitting stiffly in the heavy silence.

Evelyn had faced this kind of atmosphere before. She was unfazed.

When she entered with Alexander, the room erupted in a mix of reactions—some gazes calculating, others relieved, a few indifferent.

Applause broke out as she stepped inside.

This was her first official meeting since her return.

Some faces were familiar. Others, not so much.

"Welcome back, President Evelyn."

She smiled politely and took her seat beside Alexander. The meeting began.

In business settings, Alexander mirrored Nathan Blackwood's demeanor—cold, unreadable, never smiling.

As directors and shareholders presented their arguments, his expression remained icy, detached.

Evelyn quickly grasped the situation.

A Wall Street magnate from Liberty, Preston Sinclair, had proposed a groundbreaking AI project.

Sinclair was an enigma—his name never appeared on Forbes' lists, yet his influence in the business world was undeniable.

AI development was booming globally, with nations and corporations fiercely competing for dominance. But no one had successfully integrated these advancements into a cohesive system.

Research, medicine, smart devices—each field excelled independently, but no single company had bridged them all.

Preston Sinclair wanted to change that.

He sought to unite the industry's top players and create the century's leading AI conglomerate.

Smaller firms had no place in this vision. Only those at the pinnacle of the pyramid stood a chance.

Sterling Corporation had reached out multiple times—with no response.

Then Lawrence Whitmore, one of their shareholders, saw an opportunity.

He wanted his son, Damian Whitmore, to lead this collaboration—a move that sparked immediate backlash.

"How can you hand such a critical deal to your son as a training exercise?" someone snapped. "Are you losing your judgment?"

Even if Sterling secures this deal, it'll be because of our reputation—not Damian's competence."

"Trying to claim credit already? Bold."

"Damian is a department manager. He's capable enough—"

The debate raged on.