My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 137

Alexander’s POV

The moment John’s words left his lips, a thick silence filled the room. The air became charged with tension.

The board members exchanged glances. Some whispered to one another, others remained detached, while a few shared significant looks.

John Smith took a moment to assess the room before speaking again. “Of course, I’m not denying that Alexander has made substantial contributions to the company. But that doesn’t absolve him of his negligence. A general might have won countless battles, but when he suffers a defeat that causes heavy losses, he has to shoulder the responsibility. And let’s not forget that many of these problems stem from Alexander’s personal life. We all know that as CEO, every action and word he says reflects on the company. Yet, he’s shown little regard for the organization’s interests. What does that tell us—and our shareholders?”

John’s words stirred murmurs around the room. He let the silence linger before continuing, “We can’t just stand idly by while they dump our stock.”

“That’s a valid point,” one board member hesitated, “But replacing the CEO right now could prove complicated. The shareholders might not go for it.”

“At least it would show that we’re taking action. We can’t just leave them hanging,” John shot back quickly.

“The blending of personal issues with work is a real problem,” another board member chimed in. “Earlier, there were discussions about replacing the head of V&R to mitigate public scrutiny and prevent any further damage. But Alexander, in his effort to protect his wife Vivienne, completely disregarded the company’s interests. That’s not something a qualified leader should do!”

“Not to mention the fire at the industrial park. The public outcry is largely driven by the working class. The company prides itself on its inclusive culture. Yes, the deceased may have been at fault, but there was no need to be so ruthless, pushing them to the edge of bankruptcy. It only hurts both sides!”

The implication was clear—my handling of the situation was seen as excessively harsh, which ultimately led to Mason resorting to violence.

“Ah, inclusivity?” Another board member scoffed. “A leader should be open-minded, able to listen, absorb feedback, and come up with a resolution that satisfies everyone. We can’t have someone who makes decisions on a whim! The shareholders and the board are the real owners of this company. The CEO answers to us!”

“Vanguard has grown steadily over the years, and I believe our focus now should be on solidifying our existing business models, not jumping into new energy projects...”

“I disagree,” another director interjected, voicing support for my decision. “Green energy is the future. With government backing for renewable energy projects, there’s no reason not to invest. If we wait too long, we’ll fall behind.”

“That’s easier said than done,” John replied, shaking his head. “If the project were so viable, the bigger players would have already entered the market. Getting in too early carries significant risk. What if we fail? Vanguard GE might not take a huge hit, but our smaller suppliers won’t survive. They’ll collapse!”

“I’ll tell you this,” Dexter interjected, “As long as the shareholders’ interests are secured, I’m fine with whoever leads the company. My only concern is that any changes to senior management are made for the company’s benefit, not to satisfy some power play.”

“Dexter, what exactly do you mean by that?” someone asked.

As the argument continued, I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers on the armrest, the gleam of my watch catching the dim light. “Enough of this. Let me speak,” I interrupted.

The moment I spoke, the room went still, every eye turning toward me.

“I’ve been the CEO of Vanguard GE for five years now. Time has flown by. I won’t pretend I’ve been perfect, but I’ve always done my best to live up to Chairman Hawthorne’s expectations and to ensure that the company thrives under my leadership.”

"In the early days of my career, people had already formed their opinion of me. I’m not the type to back down easily, nor do I let public opinion sway me. I firmly believe that a true leader needs the foresight to manage the bigger picture, the insight to read situations accurately, the courage to make tough decisions, and the strength to unite all factions in order to guide the company toward positive growth. Whether it’s product innovation or process improvement, both are essential for a company’s progress."

"However, since all of you are here today, it seems our views and approaches may differ. If that’s the case, I won’t press the issue. Effective immediately, I’m resigning from my position as CEO and General Manager of Vanguard GE."

"Although we’ve had our disagreements in the past, I want to thank you all for your support and trust over the years. As I approach my thirtieth birthday next year, it will also be the year I become a father. With my wife expecting, I want to dedicate more time to her and my growing family."

The board members exchanged mixed looks.

The room fell into a brief silence.

One of them finally spoke up, "We all understand how important the role of CEO is to Vanguard GE. CEO Alexander Hawthorne, please don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. I believe we should hold a vote on this matter." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"No need," I replied, standing up as my chair slid back automatically. "I’ve already submitted my resignation in writing to the board via email. Please approve it as soon as possible, complete the necessary audits, and elect a new CEO. I’ll follow the company’s procedures to ensure a smooth handover."

Everything that happened in that meeting was exactly what I expected.

My resignation was clear and final, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Some board members likely didn’t anticipate how smoothly things would unfold.

Others, now realizing that the CEO position at Vanguard GE was about to be filled by someone else, began to worry about their own future interests.

"As for the new CEO, the board will need to reach a consensus. But I’m sure you already have a candidate in mind, so I won’t interfere. Farewell."

With that, I turned and walked out of the room.

The boardroom was left in stunned silence.

John Smith quickly regained his composure. "The CEO vacancy is a serious issue for the company. We need to elect a new one quickly to stabilize things. I nominate Mr. Sebastian Hawthorne as the new CEO and General Manager of Vanguard GE..."

As I left the meeting room, I spotted Sebastian walking toward me, accompanied by Jaxon Aldridge, who had already left the company.

I stopped in my tracks, not surprised to see them together. "Sebastian."

"Alexander."

We exchanged a look, and without needing to say anything more, Sebastian smiled his usual smile.

"Good luck, big brother. I’ll leave you to it."

Leaving the company, I headed straight to The Crescent Estates.

Vivienne’s POV

Hearing the car engine pull into the driveway, I looked up from my book, feeling anxious but unsure whether I should go downstairs to check.

I called out toward the door, "Gabriella, who’s here?"

"It’s me. I’m back," came a male voice. Alexander appeared in the doorway, wearing a black V-neck knit sweater that revealed the collar of his shirt, paired with black suit pants.

"Why are you back so early?" I asked immediately.

"The board meeting is over."

"Did the board really meet? Why didn’t you tell me? What happened?" I asked, worry crossing my face.

Normally, Alexander wouldn’t come back at this time.

"Are you worried about me?" he asked, sitting at the edge of the bed with a smile.

I didn’t answer.

"I’m no longer the CEO of Vanguard GE."

"Aren’t you disappointed? Or upset?"

"No," Alexander shook his head. "But there is one thing I’m concerned about."

"What is it?" I asked, confused.

"If I’m no longer the CEO of Vanguard GE, will you still want me?"