A murmur swept through the crowd, disbelief painted on many faces. Tom’s statement was a shock, especially to Robin Hendrix, the acting CEO of the Hendrix Corporation. The younger Hendrix brother, Jackson, was standing at the edge of the crowd, his face flushed with anger. He had expected this partnership to be the highlight of the evening, a step toward solidifying his family’s legacy in the business world.As the murmurs grew louder, Robin’s patience thinned. “What the hell?” he shouted, cutting through the chatter. “You can’t just say that here, Tom!”Tom’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained his composure. “This isn’t just a business decision, Robin. We have our reasons.”“Yeah, and I bet they’re all about you trying to play the hero,” Robin snapped back. “You’re just scared of the competition.”Before Tom could respond, chaos erupted. Guests were caught in the crossfire of mounting tensions, glancing between the podium and the enraged CEO. Whispers morphed into heated deba