Today’s meeting wasn’t about the car accident but focused on the malicious acquisition of Sophia’s cosmetics company’s shares.
Regarding the car accident, although the old Mrs. Henley suspected foul play, there was currently no evidence to support her claims, so it had to be put on hold.
While Leo’s words might have been harsh, deep down, the old Mrs. Henley believed he had a point. Family meetings were not for fights; they were meant to address and solve problems.
The reason the old Mrs. Henley underestimated Sophia was due to her gender. In the old Mrs. Henley’s traditional mindset, a married daughter was like water thrown out. She couldn’t carry on the Henley family’s legacy.
If Sophia had been a son, the old Mrs. Henley might have handed over the chairman’s authority to her, and Bruno wouldn’t have been in the picture.
Though Bruno wasn’t very competent, the old Mrs. Henley still held a glimmer of hope, hoping that he would genuinely grow and take control of the Henley family’s fortunes.
Many people at the Henley family meeting were skilled in going with the flow. When they heard the old Mrs. Henley scold Bruno, they immediately understood that the real issue at hand was Sophia’s cosmetics company.
The old Mrs. Henley turned to Leo and asked, “Leo, since you claim to have a solution, why don’t you share it?”
This statement left everyone, including Sophia, in shock. The head of the family, for the first time ever, wanted to hear an opinion from a supposed outsider, Leo.
Bruno and Fanny could only stare with widened eyes, careful not to provoke the old Mrs. Henley any further.
“Grandma, to solve the problem is quite simple, just one word,” Leo said with a nonchalant smile.
“What?” The old Mrs. Henley wasn’t pleased with Leo’s expression.
Leo uttered a single word, “Money.”
The room fell into an instant silence, followed by a burst of laughter, even some mocking voices.
“This waste really is a waste. I thought he had some groundbreaking insight, but what he said is like farting.”
“It seems this waste still wants to get his hands on the Henley Group. He wants grandmother to cough up money. It’s quite comical!”
“I heard the hostile takeover this time involved a considerable amount of money. Without six or seven billion, they can’t beat the opponent. The Henley Group doesn’t have that kind of money. Leo’s delusions are truly far-fetched.”
In the face of skepticism and mockery, Teresa remained silent. Leo’s words had a hidden meaning, and she recognized that.
“Where would the money come from?” after a long pause, the old Mrs. Henley asked.
Leo, with a hint of a smile, replied, “Borrow.”
Hearing the mention of borrowing money, people in the room became even more agitated.
“Is this fool out of his mind? Sixty or seventy million? It’s not six or seven hundred. Who would lend you that kind of money?”
“Even if Grandma goes to the bank personally, they won’t lend the money after a thorough risk assessment. It’s too risky.”
“Indeed, Sophia’s cosmetics company is on the edge of a precipice. If things go south, it might go under. The banks won’t take such a gamble.”
Bruno regarded Leo with a contemptuous gaze, inwardly smirking.
This time, Patrick, along with many other companies, had pooled seventy million dollars for the takeover. Seven billion! Leo, as a mere son-in-law, couldn’t possibly fathom the concept of seventy million dollars in a lifetime.
In fact, it could be said that only by selling off all the subsidiaries under the Henley Group could they hope to fill this financial hole.
The old Mrs. Henley, seemingly unaffected by the crowd’s objections, continued, “How do you plan to borrow the money?”
Leo responded, “I propose two options. The first is for me to borrow the money to resolve Sophia’s cosmetics company’s issue. However, the condition is that Sophia’s cosmetics company will separate from the Henley Group and no longer contribute to the family fund from its profits.”
As soon as Leo presented his first option, it triggered intense opposition.
“Separate from the Henley Group? This waste must be delusional. It seems he’s had this plan all along. What an audacious thought from someone like him. Is this what they call overreaching?”
“A freeloading son-in-law with no abilities is trying to lay claim to the Henley family’s assets. It’s ridiculous!”
“Without the Henley family and Sophia, Leo wouldn’t even be worth as much as a dog. He dares to entertain such crooked thoughts in front of the old lady. I’d love to shut him up with a mouthful of salt soda!”
The Henley family members, unusually united, launched a collective attack on Leo, ignoring the precondition that he would be the one borrowing the money.
Amid the uproar, Leo found their reactions both amusing and pitiful. A self-respecting cultivator, he wouldn’t be bothered if it weren’t for his commitment to helping Sophia.
“Quiet!” the old Mrs. Henley shouted in a deep voice, silencing the room, before inquiring, “What’s the second option?”
“The second option is to allocate twenty percent of Sophia’s cosmetics company’s annual profits to the family fund,” Leo explained.
Before Leo could finish, the eyes of the Henley family members lit up. The predetermined share of the family fund had been fifteen percent, so if it was increased to twenty percent, it would amount to a significant sum.
Moreover, Sophia’s cosmetics company was highly profitable, making the proposition even more appealing.
The family fund served to maintain the smooth operation of the Henley Group and provide financial support for the group’s subsidiary companies.
In simple terms, if the family fund grew, the individuals overseeing the Henley family’s matters would indirectly have more available funds. It was hard not to make them excited.
Once the crowd’s initial elation died down, they began to question Leo again.
“Leo, in our Henley family, you’re just a freeloader. If Sophia hasn’t said anything, why should we bother listening to your nonsense?”
“That’s right, Leo is not in charge of Sophia’s cosmetics company. Why should we heed his baseless opinions?”
“Sophia, you’ve heard what Leo said. Are you willing to allocate twenty percent of the profits?”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Sophia.
By now, Sophia had placed complete trust in Leo. No matter what decisions he made, she was determined to support him. If offering twenty percent of the company’s profits could resolve the current crisis, she was more than willing to comply.
Standing up from her seat, Sophia proclaimed loudly, “Dear family, what Leo just said is also my opinion.”
Sophia’s clear affirmation relieved the Henley family members, who now looked towards the old Mrs. Henley, eager to know her stance.
However, the old Mrs. Henley stared at Leo, her tone devoid of any emotional fluctuations, and asked, “What does Henley Group need to do in return?”