“Has Jack come to Langstel, and how did Leo offend him again?”
“I’m not entirely sure about this, but we can leverage Winifred Group’s influence in Langstel and exert pressure on your Henley Group. Finally, we can launch a lethal strike against Sophia Cosmetics. How does that sound?”
Bruno’s eyes lit up, and he couldn’t resist giving Patrick a thumbs up. “Mr. Gregory, your plan is brilliant. Whatever you need me to do to get rid of Leo and crush Sophia, I’m in!”
“Really, anything?” Patrick asked skeptically.
“Absolutely!” Bruno reassured with a hand on his chest.
“Mr. Henley, I’ve told you before that if you want to achieve great success, you have to be ruthless, both against your enemies and sometimes even against yourself. Do you understand?”
“Mr. Gregory, I understand. I just need a little more time,” Bruno replied, grappling with a hint of internal conflict.
Patrick flicked some ash from his cigar and continued, “I know you, the Henley family, have always aspired to become a top-tier family. But do you think you can achieve that by relying on an elderly lady who’s almost at the end of her life? Alright, I won’t say any more on this. You’ll make the right choice about what needs to be done.”
Exiting Spring Wind Tower and getting into his car, Bruno had made up his mind. To accomplish something significant as a man, to make his life count, he had to be ruthless and resolute. As the eldest grandson of the Henley family, the family would eventually be his. But with the old Mrs. Henley still in charge and unwilling to hand over the reins, he might have to take matters into his own hands.
For himself and for the future of the Henley family, he’d have to pay a price. As Patrick had just told him, you can’t expect a woman who’s about to step into the grave to lead the Henley family to first-rate status. The future belonged to him, and only he could provide a brighter one for the Henley family.
Bruno slammed his fist on the steering wheel, his facial muscles twitching a few times as he determined his next course of action.
…
Sophia Cosmetics.
Secretary Lydia hurriedly approached Sophia’s office and knocked on the door. After receiving Sophia’s permission, she entered the room.
“Miss Henley, something’s happened. There are a lot of people gathered outside the company’s gates, and it looks like they’re here to cause trouble,” Lydia said with a worried expression.
Since similar incidents had occurred before, Sophia assumed it was another problem with the cosmetics. She asked, “What’s going on?”
“I’m not entirely sure. Most of the people outside are elderly, and they claim to be from some Go association. They’re causing a ruckus, saying they want to see you,” Lydia replied.
“Go association? To see me?” Sophia was perplexed. What could her company have to do with a Go association?
“They also mentioned that if you don’t convince Leo to participate in some Go competition, they won’t leave and will disrupt our business,” Lydia continued.
Now Sophia was bewildered. It seemed like these people were here for Leo. She put down the documents she was holding and said, “Come with me to see what’s going on.”
Lydia followed Sophia as they made their way to the front. While walking, Lydia added, “Miss Henley, I observed that the two leading figures among them are Solomon Zacharias and Porter Croft. They used to work in cosmetics distribution when they were younger and have some influence in the cosmetics market.”
Hearing the secretary mention Solomon Zacharias and Porter Croft, Sophia’s heart sank for a moment. These two men were indeed leading figures in the cosmetics distribution industry. Years ago, they had fiercely competed with her grandfather in this sector. She wondered why they were suddenly appearing now, long after they had retired, and if it had something to do with a hostile takeover of her company’s shares.
Sophia couldn’t help but speculate.
Arriving at the company’s entrance, a group of elderly individuals was indeed blocking the way, with Solomon Zacharias and Porter Croft leading the charge.
“Sophia, come out and meet us, or we’ll bankrupt your company!” Solomon Zacharias exclaimed.
“Sophia, make your freeload husband accept Master Spencer’s Go challenge. Just because he managed to win against Master Spencer’s disciple Colin doesn’t mean he’s on top of the world!” Porter Croft shouted.
The presence of Sophia sparked excitement among the group of elderly men. In every culture, seniors were highly respected, so Sophia had to suppress her anger and asked, “Gentlemen, please, let’s not get worked up. Could you tell me what’s going on?”
Solomon Zacharias stepped up to Sophia and said with a condescending tone, “Sophia, I’ve known you since you were a little kid. To be honest, back in the day, your grandfather had to show me some respect. Now listen carefully, make your good-for-nothing husband challenge Master Spencer in a game of Go. Otherwise, your company won’t be able to operate normally!”
Porter Croft added loudly, “Your good-for-nothing husband, Leo, may have managed to win against Master Spencer’s disciple Colin, but he’s unwilling to accept Master Spencer’s challenge. This is unacceptable in our world of Go. The fire Leo ignited must be extinguished by him.”
Amidst the clamor from Solomon Zacharias and Porter Croft, Sophia had a general understanding of the situation. She cleared her throat and raised her voice, “Gentlemen, I think I understand your intentions. My husband, Leo, won against Master Spencer’s disciple, and Master Spencer challenged him. However, if Leo chooses not to accept the challenge. Am I correct?”
“Yes, that’s about the gist of it. We couldn’t find Leo, so we had to come to you,” Solomon Zacharias responded arrogantly.
Porter Croft added, “Sophia, if you don’t want your company to face a shutdown, make Leo come out and accept the challenge. It’s your only choice.”
As a businesswoman and a tough woman, Sophia had no fear of threats. Her expression remained cold as she retorted firmly, “Gentlemen, this challenge is directed at Leo, not me. Although I’m his wife, I have no authority to make him do anything. Are you, as respected seniors, only capable of intimidating a woman?”
This statement, neither submissive nor overbearing, was like a slap in the face for the group of men. Solomon Zacharias’s face turned unpleasant, and he growled, “Sophia, it seems you’re determined not to cooperate with us.”
“What if so?” Sophia retorted.
“Are you not afraid we’ll bankrupt your company?” Solomon Zacharias’s face contorted menacingly.
Sophia’s powerful aura suddenly erupted. “Well, do you have the guts to try and touch my company in today’s society ruled by law?”