LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 567 - 510: The New Dean
Chapter 567: Chapter 510: The New Dean
Three days later, a meeting was convened within the Research Institute.
Everyone was focused on the Dean’s position, genuinely concerned about the matter. Not just domestically, but also internationally, all eyes were on the Research Institute.
Thus, the sooner the new Dean was confirmed, the better.
On the day of the meeting, all twelve families of the institute were in attendance.
Furthermore, not only did each family send one representative, but they had all come in larger numbers, hence a large conference hall was purposely used.
The Lane Family couple and William Lane were all present.
Hugo Clark represented the Clark Family.
The Hobson Family attended as a trio.
Charlotte Lane could have chosen not to come.
However, she was slightly worried about Turner Daniel, so she asked Kevin Clark to accompany her early in the morning.
Tables were arranged in four directions in the conference hall, surrounding an empty space in the middle. The sightline was clear, and one could easily see the people sitting opposite with a glance.
Everyone arrived early, taking their seats, with little conversation. Each one appeared solemn, preparing for the intense discussion ahead that would draw no blood.
The Santiago Family arrived only right when the meeting was supposed to start.
As Turner Daniel, his family of three, and Siera Santiago entered the conference hall with Austin Allen, everyone immediately turned their gaze towards them.
However, the Santiago Family merely greeted the Clark and Lane families from across the room with their eyes before sitting down nearby.
After Austin Allen took his seat next to Turner Daniel, he cocked an eyebrow and greeted Charlotte Lane sitting diagonally across him.
Charlotte Lane: “……”
Once everyone arrived, the conference hall suddenly went quiet for a moment.
In the silence, an endless taste of gunpowder permeated.
It seemed like the smallest spark would cause an explosion that could tear the sky apart.
Hugo Clark waited for someone to speak with a stern face.
Somebody would inevitably lose their patience, exposing their desire.
After he waited for a while, he inadvertently looked down to see Kevin Clark, sitting next to him, playing with the diamond ring on his aunt’s hand under the table.
Hugo Clark: “……” He regretted letting his gaze wander.
More than a minute passed without anyone saying a word.
Finally, Julian Maxwell spoke first.
“Now that everyone has arrived, let’s begin the meeting.”
Kevin Clark continued to play with the ring, without even lifting his eyes.
Charlotte Lane’s face also seemed somewhat hesitant.
And those who echoed Julian Maxwell were all part of Julian Maxwell’s camp.
With someone responding, the conversation could progress.
So, Julian Maxwell continued, “Dean Yue’s death has saddened all of us. However, the position of the Dean cannot remain vacant.”
“True. The candidate for the new Dean must be determined immediately.”
“Correct, this is the most pressing matter for the Research Institute currently…”
Everyone looked at Julian Maxwell.
Julian Maxwell nodded and looked towards the Santiago Family, “I wonder if the Dean specified an heir before his death.”
The father of Turner Daniel steadied his gaze at Julian Maxwell, paused for a moment and said, “Indeed, he had.”
Julian Maxwell seemed relieved, “That’s good. This meeting will be a lot simpler, then. Since the Dean has designated a successor, let’s vote and count the ballots.”
Everyone also agreed.
However, Julian Maxwell quickly added, “Even though the Dean has designated a new Dean, I would like to say one thing. The Dean of our institute has always been the one with outstanding capability. The ability to lead the Research Institute and the capability in academics are indispensable.”
Charlotte Lane’s eyes were now focused on Julian Maxwell.
Julian Maxwell continued, “We here all share a common wish, and that is to see the Research Institute continue to grow and prosper. Therefore, I hope everyone will make careful considerations, and not blindly follow. Isn’t that right, Professor Yue?”
Turner Daniel nodded, “Indeed. We are all here for the betterment of the Research Institute. At this time, the Research Institute will stand united, presenting a unified front to the outside world. We prioritize the Institute, letting go of minor grudges and personal gains. Is that not correct, Mr. Maxwell?”
Julian Maxwell pulled at his lips in a smile but did not comment.
Allonzo Hobson, noticing his forced smile, felt slightly relieved and said, “Since the Dean has personally selected a candidate, they must undoubtedly be capable of taking on the role of Dean. Let’s stop wasting our breath with pointless chatter. Let’s announce the Dean’s designated candidate.”
Julian Maxwell glanced at Allonzo Hobson, listening to him speak, but decided not to argue with him.
Sitting in his seat, seemingly confident about the result of today’s meeting, he calmly said, “Lawyer Allen, go ahead and announce.”
Austin Allen adjusted his glasses, gave a genial smile, and opened the file in his hand.
“This is the will left behind by Dean Yue.” Austin Allen organized his words and then took out his cell phone, “There are also audio and video recordings.”
Turner Daniel looked downward at the table, holding a pen and slowly twirling it.
All eyes in the conference hall were either on Austin Allen or on Turner Daniel.
It even seemed that some people were prepared to oppose the announcement.
Julian Maxwell and the Skyler family’s representatives exchanged glances across the table.
“According to the will of Dean Yue…” Austin Allen looked at everyone in the conference hall and said, “The appointed new Dean is…Nicholson Amos.”
Austin Allen’s voice wasn’t loud, but his words resonated like a giant boulder thrown into the sea, stirring up waves of reactions.
Aside from Dean Yue’s family and Siera Santiago, everyone was taken aback.
Proponents, opponents, and even those neutral were stunned into silence.
Regardless of their positions, they all came today thinking Turner Daniel would be the successor.
But none of them could have anticipated Nicholson Amos.
Having always been composed, even Charlotte Lane was taken aback upon hearing the announcement.
Harton Clark gently touched the ring on her hand and then slowly enveloped her hand in his.
Compared to the others, Harton Clark was calm.
He had a vague suspicion, and even… when Charlotte Lane inferred that things were not quite right, he had deliberately guided her.
Charlotte Lane, after a moment of shock, looked towards Turner Daniel.
As Turner Daniel noticed her gaze, he responded with a smile.
Charlotte Lane quickly understood the situation.
From the beginning, Dean Yue never intended for Turner Daniel to take charge of the Research Institute.
He simply had Turner Daniel shoulder the risks on her behalf.
In the Research Institute, the potential candidates were few.
The younger ones were her, Harton Clark, and William Lane… and a few older ones.
She had been granted the exceptional opportunity to join the Research Institute by Dean Yue himself.
Whether it was her novel methods of addressing the suppression of 319 or her solution for researching 319, among other things.
All of it made her stand out, attracting attention.
She hadn’t been at the Research Institute for long, but her achievements surpassed those of others who had been there for years.
With the support of the Clark family and being the favored, perhaps even preferred, choice of the Dean, it made her become an attention-getting target.
If Dean Yue did not explicitly groom a successor, she would have been the most likely candidate for the next Dean.
However, with a designated successor, no matter how high her achievements, the attention on her would lessen.
That is why Dean Yue had been so ostentatious in fostering Turner Daniel; it was all to protect her.
Charlotte Lane’s eyes gradually grew moist.
Dean Yue’s words – “make her obey,” weren’t a command to protect Turner Daniel’s succession.
Instead, they were an instruction for her to heed his words and accept the position of Dean…