Chapter 582:
“You!” Drake sprang up, his voice trembling with fury as he jabbed a finger at her. “What do you know about management? Detour Inc. is massive. Hand it to you, and it’ll be ruined in three months! What right do you have to—”
“Because I carry the Owen name!” Rylie’s voice rang out, firm and unshakable, drowning out Drake’s outburst. “Because Detour Inc. was built by my parents, and in the eyes of the law, every single document bears my name. You, as employees, have no right to speak on this matter.”
The executives, used to commanding others, felt a rare unease. It was not common for them to be silenced by someone so young, yet her presence alone left them hesitant.
And deep down, they knew that she spoke the truth. Detour Inc. had been part of her parents’ legacy for years. Before their deaths, they had already passed the company to her, with the condition that she would inherit it at eighteen. If this went before a court, and several male members of the Owen family sided with Rylie, Terrance knew that his position could be stripped away.
The air at the table grew heavier. Paola shrank back into her seat, her voice gone. Rylie sat upright, unflinching, locking eyes with anyone who dared meet her gaze. She looked nothing like a college student. Instead, she resembled a seasoned negotiator who knew the weight of every word.
Laurel’s mind raced. Pushing now would only hand their rivals more ground. Resting her hand on Terrance’s arm, she spoke with deliberate calm. “Rylie, please don’t be upset. We’ve always thought you were young and capable. But you have to know — Detour Inc. is not a small venture. It spans real estate, fashion, and other industries. The network is complicated, and the management is demanding. Passion is valuable, but so are experience and learning.”
A senior manager from the ‘Elegance’ brand leaned forward with a smile that tried to appear kind. “Laurel makes a good point. Miss Owen, you’re still in school. It might be wise to first learn more about the local market and the company’s specific operations. Taking over too soon could lead to costly mistakes, which wouldn’t serve you, Detour Inc., or the Owen family well. You’ll need more experience to be capable.”
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Laurel nodded slowly, letting out a sigh. “You are your parents’ cherished child, and the company is rightfully yours. That is beyond question. But precisely because of that, it’s our duty as elders to protect you from burdens that might be more than you should carry.”
Her tone shifted, placing weight on the need for responsibility.
Terrance caught the signal in her words. A direct clash with Rylie here would not serve him. He softened his voice. “Laurel is right. I truly have your best interests in mind. Detour Inc. is a vast enterprise. Handing it over to you now would worry not just me, but even your grandfather.”
Laurel added, “Why not start with something smaller? I have just the brand for you — ‘Sweetberry.’ It’s perfect for honing your skills. The target market is teenagers. It’s lively, it matches your energy, and it will be easy for you to handle.”
Rylie saw that Laurel, after holding her tongue for a while, had grown shrewd.
Her words were polished to perfection.
Pushing the matter further now would only paint Rylie as rash and hot-headed, feeding the executives’ quiet scorn and making them more certain she was unfit to lead.
Terrance caught onto Laurel’s tactic. Forcing down his irritation, he spoke with a practiced gentleness. “Rylie, Laurel is right. ‘Sweetberry’ may not match the size of Detour Inc.’s main ventures, but its focused niche and young consumer base call for fresh ideas. Taking charge of it will give you hands-on experience, sharpen your grasp of the market, and let you prove your ability. It benefits both you and the company. Once you succeed, no one will doubt you, and we can confidently place Detour Inc. in your hands.”
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