While in the CEO’s office.
Jacob Donovan paced the room, ignoring his family in the seating area. He was too nervous about what Bella wanted to discuss with them.
"Jacob, can you stop pacing like that?" scolded Isaac Donovan. He asked his son to join them while waiting for Bella.
However, Jacob ignored his father’s warning. He continued walking back and forth, muttering to himself like a crazy person.
’Bella will not replace me, right? If she does, who is the right candidate?’ This question danced in Jacob’s mind since he left the meeting room.
The more he thought about it, the more worried he became about his own future. Even though he could predict what Bella might do, he still tried to ignore it.
His heart still held a slight hope that Bella would be merciful, and she only wanted to warn him. She wouldn’t replace him as the CEO of the Donovan Group.
A nervous smile slowly appeared on his lips as he continued to guess Bella’s next plan.
’I’m sure Bella will not offer the CEO position to other people, right? Or did she plan to give it to Lucas...? No!’
Jacob suddenly halted. He frowned while glancing at Lucas, who was now talking to Thomas.
’No! Bella can’t offer the CEO position to her father; that girl despises her father so badly! Lucas didn’t have a chance—’ He dismissed his thought and tried to walk again.
But it didn’t take long; his steps once more stopped when Emma yelled at him.
"Come on, brother Jacob! Stop acting childish. You are old enough to face this matter with maturity and calmness," Emma said, exhausted from seeing Jacob pacing before her eyes.
"Jacob Donovan, you had better stop now, or don’t blame me if I get angrier!" This time, Isaac Donovan called his son in an icy tone, enough for Jacob to shiver. He didn’t utter anything but rushed to join his family.
Looking at Jacob, now sitting across from him, Isaac Donovan stared him in the eyes for a few more seconds before he continued his words.
"That’s why Bella wants to replace you as CEO of this company. You’re useless but arrogant. You’ve been leading this company for years, but you have not been able to make it soar; instead, you brought it down because of your incompetence. And yet, your lifestyle and personal expenses that the company paid were extravagant, too lavish, and uncareful, putting the company at risk."
Isaac paused for a few more seconds to take a deep breath to calm his anger, his cold, icy gaze still fixed on Jacob.
"Jacob, I’m really disappointed in you. You brought down not only this company but also our family. Our family image was diminished by your tendency to find easy ways while disregarding ethics and morals." Isaac Donovan said with a heavy heart.
"Father? What do you mean?" Jacob frowned, confused by his father’s last sentence.
"How could you send a gangster to abduct Bella and detain Liam? Are you a human or a devil in disguise? Why do you bring yourself so low like that?"
Isaac Donovan’s voice was trembling, too angry to remember how his eldest son orchestrated his evil plan to harm his niece and nephew.
Jacob Donovan was almost choked to hear his father’s words. He was too shocked to realize that his father knew what he had done in the past, especially about the gangster he sent to abduct Bella.
As he looked into his father’s eyes, Jacob wondered how his father knew. Soon enough, a chill ran down his spine as he realized Bella must have known about it, too.
’Damn it!’ Jacob cursed inwardly. Now, he understands why Bella purchased shares in their company through an anonymous entity intending to oust him from the company’s management.