Morning came fast, and with it came a tight schedule for every Hale employee.
The succession ceremony was set for the afternoon, yet time moved like it was racing forward.
Levi sat quietly in his room, undisturbed, going over his speech one last time.
William and Leo were already busy handling the important guests arriving in the city.
As usual, Kaitlin and Vennesa stayed in constant contact, moving between phone calls and venue updates, making sure everything stayed on schedule.
At the same time, Alex was at Luke’s place.
Luke stood straight, holding his paper as he read his speech aloud.
Alex sat calmly on the couch, eyes closed, listening carefully.
Teyana sat at the dining table, paying attention as well.
While some people faced pressure head-on, others chose calm to survive it.
“…and finally, I am deeply thankful to Mr.
William Hale, former CEO, and Mr.
Alex Stonewall, former COO, for building this empire into what it is today.
Seeing your past work, I am confident that with your guidance, I will do a good job assisting Levi Hale, our new CEO.
Thank you all once again.”
Luke paused.
“How was that?”
“…Excellent,” Alex replied.
“Really?
I did well—”
“No,” Alex cut in gently.
“You said you’ll do a good job.
It should be excellent.
Good is not enough.
You need them to believe you know exactly what you’re doing.
‘Good’ sounds like second place.”
Luke slowly sat down.
“But I’m not sure I even know what I’m doing.”
Alex opened his eyes.
“We’ve done a great job covering your background.
No one will question where you studied.
But you must show them that with or without a perfect background, you belong there.
Confidence and courage—that’s the key.
Whether you know everything or not.”
He continued, “I chose you instead of someone on the board or their sons.
They’ll be watching closely.
If you hesitate even for a second, they’ll see it as weakness—and they won’t stop until they crush you.
We can’t afford a single crack, not even in your speech.”
Luke looked even more nervous.
“Well… I hope it won’t be the same for me,” Teyana said quietly as she stood up and walked closer.
Alex turned to her.
“The board won’t focus on you the way they will on Luke.
In your case, it’s the staff.
People you once worked beside—now reporting to you.
Jealousy will follow.”
She swallowed.
“You may not need a speech,” Alex continued, “but you must show authority from the very first moment.
Anyone who comes to you without respect—correct them immediately.
Start firm.
You can soften later.”
He sighed.
“Levi was born into this family.
Even though he didn’t grow up in it, people will accept him eventually.
But for you two, it’s different.
If you start gently, they won’t respect you.
They won’t fear you. This story is hosted at novelping.com.
And they won’t love you.”
Then he added calmly, “Now try that speech again.
Time is against us.”
He closed his eyes once more.
“Don’t worry.
You’ll both do great.
Levi won’t let anything happen to you.”
EVENT HALL
By afternoon, the grand hall was filled.
Business leaders, celebrities, politicians, senators, and media figures filled the space.
Seats were arranged carefully by rank, wealth, and influence, with names placed on every table.
Cameras flashed endlessly as guests arrived.
Only people of importance were allowed inside—both from the surface world and the underworld.
Each guest had a special invitation.
Some came hoping for business opportunities.
Others came for connections.
Some came simply for power—and some for pleasure.
Security stood at every corner.
Nothing was allowed to go wrong.
At exactly 4:00 PM, Vennesa stepped onto the stage.
“Good afternoon, esteemed guests,” she said with a warm smile.
“You all know me.
I am Vennesa White, personal assistant to the Hale family.
On behalf of the Hales, welcome to the handover ceremony.”
She paused as the audience applauded.
“I understand everyone here is very important, and time matters.
So without further delay, please welcome to the stage the former CEO of the Hale Empire—Mr.
William Hale.”
William, seated at the front beside Kaitlin, stood slowly with his cane.
Cameras flashed as he walked to the stage.
“Thank you, thank you,” William said, smiling.
“This turnout is larger than I expected.
Some of you—I haven’t seen in years.”
Laughter followed.
“Seven years ago, my grandson was found and brought back home.
Although Tessa—God rest her soul—did not return with him, his return alone was a blessing.
We thought our lineage had ended, but heaven had other plans.”
He continued, “After years of training, he has proven himself ready.
Those who have met him know this.”
He smiled.
“Leonard has decided to rest and enjoy life—just like me.
So today, we are here for this reason.
Please welcome my son, Leonard Hale, and my grandson, Levi Hale.”
Leo walked up first.
Levi followed.
The moment Levi stepped forward, the room shifted.
Heads turned.
Cameras flashed nonstop.
His calm walk, steady gaze, and strong presence filled the hall.
A table was placed at the center with the documents ready.
Leo spoke briefly, then said, “Today, I hand over the leadership of the Hale empire.
My son has proven beyond a doubt that he is the future of this company.
I sign this handover with full confidence.”
Leo and Levi walked up together.
Levi moved with a majestic, calm aura.
He didn’t look like a nervous young man; he looked like a king.
The entire room stood up, the sound of their clapping filling the hall.
“Next,” Vennesa said, “the handover of COO from Alex Stonewall to Luke Keith.”
Alex and Luke stepped forward.
“It’s a new era,” Alex said.
“And I’ve decided to rest and let the young lead.
There is no better person to stand beside Levi than Luke Keith.”
Alex and Luke signed their papers.
At first, the crowd was quiet, unsure of who Luke was.
But once Vennesa started clapping, everyone joined in.
The pictures were taken, and the power had officially shifted.
HALE MANSION
Later, the after-party moved to the Hale mansion’s wide backyard.
Music played softly.
Guests mingled, laughed, and drank.
When the Hale family appeared, applause broke out.
“Say something, Levi!” someone shouted.
Levi stepped forward with Luke beside him.
“Good evening,” Levi said calmly.
“I am Levi Hale, the new CEO of the Hale Group.”
Applause followed.
“I am not much of a talker, “So forgive me if this is short,” Levi said.
“I know many of you have doubts about me.
I will prove to you in words today on camera—” He gestured to the cameras.
“—and in actions tomorrow, that I am capable.
I am not my father, and I am not my grandfather.
They have trained me to be a business-minded robot.
To me, business is business.
I won’t run this company based on friendships, and I won’t stand for anything less than excellence.
I will make your investments grow.
I am confident, my COO Luke is confident, and I expect my staff to be confident too.
Dad.
Grandpa.
I won’t disappoint you.
Thank you.”
The crowd went wild, though some people whispered
Levi turned to Luke and gave his arm a firm, supportive squeeze.
“You can do it.
I’m right here.”
Luke smiled weakly.
“Good evening, everyone.
I prepared a long speech—but Levi already beat me to it.”
The crowd laughed, and Luke felt his courage grow.
“He isn’t a talker, but I am,” Luke continued.
“Like Levi, I had to prove my worth.
I will do my absolute best to assist him.
People told me I couldn’t replace Alex Stonewall because he is too good.
They were right—I won’t replace him.
I will just be a new version of the role.
I want to thank William and Leonard Hale, and especially Alex.
I won’t let you down.
I will do an excellent job.
Thank you.”
Luke bowed as the crowd clapped loudly.
He looked at Alex, who gave him a small, approving nod.
The reign of Levi Hale had truly begun.