Chapter 168:

Bryce's face flushed with anger. He pointed at Jayden and retorted, "What do you mean? You look down on me? I also majored in finance. How can you say I lack business acumen? You're just jealous!"

Jayden remained silent, calmly meeting Bryce's gaze. Feeling the weight of Jayden's stare, Bryce's anger subsided, replaced by a flicker of guilt.

"So, just because you majored in finance, you think you're ready to run the company?" Jayden quipped sarcastically.

Annoyed, Bryce snapped back, "I can do everything you can. Mom believes I'm our family's beacon of hope. As for you, you're just a has-been with no chance against me."

With newfound assurance, Bryce relaxed and said condescendingly, "Once I'm in charge, I'll make sure you have a job here. Am I not a generous brother?"

Jayden was amused by Bryce's naive confidence. Bryce couldn't even manage the design department director. "You're really hopeless," Jayden sighed.

Taken aback by Jayden's bluntness, Bryce's temper flared as the door opened. Brook's assistant entered, pompously announcing, "I'm Mr. Brook Owen's assistant. There's a meeting to review the first half of the year. Mr. Owen would like you to attend."

Jayden responded emotionlessly, "I've been away from the company for a year. Its business is no longer my concern."

The assistant was caught off guard by Jayden's indifference. "Mr. Owen believes you're quite familiar with the company. Perhaps you could offer some advice?"

Jayden simply replied, "If Brook requests it, I will attend."

The assistant stepped aside, but as Bryce tried to follow, he was stopped. Frustration etched Bryce's face. "Why am I being barred? I'm family too."

The assistant retorted haughtily, lifting his head, "You weren't invited. This meeting isn't for everyone." Bryce, a mere design department employee, was clearly out of place. Realizing he wasn't taken seriously, Bryce felt a surge of ambition to prove himself.

Jayden reached the eighth-floor executive meeting room, where some employees greeted him enthusiastically. "Mr. Owen, you're back at the company?"

Jayden shook his head. "No, I'm just here to take a look."

The employees exchanged glances before opening the door for Jayden. Upon entering, the executives reacted with surprise. Those who had previously disagreed with Jayden were visibly restless; others, unfamiliar with him, scrutinized him closely.

Brook surveyed the room before inviting Jayden to join. "Jayden, we're reviewing the overseas business department's report. Please have a seat."

Jayden accepted and moved closer. The department director, standing before a large screen, announced confidently, "Our target is to acquire the third-ranked global airline in the domestic market. We aim to be number one nationally and fifth worldwide within three years. The announcement of our acquisition plans will impact several countries. I urge you to review the financial report related to this strategy. Our liquid assets stand at 21.5 billion, and our liquidity ratio is 2.1531."

Jayden interjected, "No, it's 21.531."

The director, startled, echoed, "21.531." A colleague confirmed, "Indeed, it's 21.531, not 2.1531."

The director, visibly embarrassed, quickly recovered. "Despite the miscalculation, our cash flow remains robust enough to support this initiative."

Jayden, maintaining a stern demeanor, pressed further, "Even with sufficient cash flow, shouldn't you approach such a significant acquisition with greater diligence? Your plan seems too vague. How realistic are our chances of achieving these ambitious goals within a few years? If you aim to impress the staff, I suggest you draft a more comprehensive strategy."

Sweat beaded on the director's forehead as he avoided Jayden's gaze, overwhelmed by the critique and Jayden's firmness. . . .