147| Change Of Guard

"What did he say?" Austin asked, his voice sounding strangely shrill. "Father, what did Nikolai say?"

"He…" Lukas stuttered, looking utterly frightened and confused.

"What did he say?" Blake jumped in, shaking their father a little to get him to snap out of his terrified trance.

"He said he's heartbroken and can't sit and watch everyone remove him from his seat."

Austin gaped at his father, pure incredulity shining brightly in his eyes, unable to understand why he'd lie so blatantly. Whatever Nikolai had said had nothing to do with heartbreak, and Austin knew this because he'd never seen his old man so…petrified.

Before he could push for the truth, Willem swiftly moved things along, asking Andrei, "do we have your permission to remove your father from his seat?"

Andrei nodded. "You'll get his resignation in the morning."

"Then I guess all that's left is to vote the Hawthornes in," said Willem. "All those in favour, raise your hands."

Everyone except Jaco, Vishal and his capos raised t