At a Mercer Group succession meeting, board members push to elect Mr. Rowan as the next chairman. Damian protests that the vote is rigged and blurts no one would vote for him "unless...he dropped dead," provoking outrage. Rowan responds that he’s been chosen by the Sanctum and will be installed as one of the Twelve Ascendant Elders at his wedding, drawing cheers. Relatives try to silence Damian, but when told he can’t decide Rowan’s fate he fires back, "Actually, I do." The meeting fractures and the succession vote remains unresolved, raising an immediate power clash.