Chapter 193

Henry Chamberlain exchanged a glance with the butler. Both men frowned simultaneously.

"The Valdemar Group's press conference is in half an hour. Given the Patriarch's current condition..." Henry's voice was grave.

Dr. Whitmore shook his head decisively. "Absolutely not."

His expression turned solemn. "The Patriarch needs complete rest. Any stress could worsen his condition."

Though the doctor phrased it diplomatically, everyone understood the implication.

A heavy silence fell over the hospital room.

"I'll go," Henry broke the silence.

The butler immediately objected. "No. Without a Valdemar family member present, it'll only fuel speculation. The stock price will plummet further."

Henry massaged his temples. "But we don't have better options right now."

Alexander Valdemar had regained consciousness, but his awareness came and went.

Not to mention his multiple fractures made public appearances impossible.

This press conference had been scheduled when both the Patriarch and Alexander were lucid, meant to stabilize the Valdemar Group's situation.

No one anticipated Vincent Valdemar would provoke the Patriarch into collapsing at this critical juncture.

The Valdemar direct lineage now only included Vincent.

But letting him represent the family? That was laughable.

Vincent was a hopeless incompetent who favored his illegitimate son Sebastian.

Allowing him to speak for Valdemar Holdings would mean surrendering the Patriarch's lifelong work.

Worse still, Vincent's recent phone call clearly had ulterior motives.

If internal chaos erupted, certain parties would exploit the situation.

As the two men reached an impasse, a clear voice interrupted:

"Have you forgotten the family member the Patriarch just acknowledged?"

Sophia Laurent hadn't planned to involve herself in Valdemar affairs.

She intended to leave eventually.

But the Patriarch had treated her well. Since circumstances demanded it, she saw no harm in helping.

Before marrying into the family, she'd done thorough research.

The Patriarch had long retired from frontline operations, with Alexander steering Valdemar Holdings.

Alexander's ironclad principles and fair dealings commanded respect even from industry veterans.

His presence alone kept dissenters in check.

But since his accident, subtle shifts had begun.

Initially, things remained calm.

As time passed, however, probing attempts multiplied.

The family publicly called it a car accident with ongoing treatment.

Yet industry circles already buzzed with rumors of Alexander's vegetative state.

This press conference aimed to restore confidence in Valdemar Holdings.

Stabilizing the stock price would buy time to address internal issues.

But with the Patriarch aging and Alexander's prolonged unconsciousness, the situation would only deteriorate.