“What did you say?” Lottie never expected a young girl like her would have such a meticulous plan! Her father must have been careless and did not look at the date clearly when he signed the agreement. Indeed, it appeared as it had been signed on a Thursday!
“Ava, what do you mean? You have to explain it clearly.”
Several of the shareholders looked at her with surprise. Ava swept her gaze across at everyone, and her eyes finally fell onto the second uncle; she looked grave and solemn.
“Grandfather told me a long time ago that he suspected that my eldest aunt and eldest cousin brother might have done something discreet to take over Garcia Corporation.”
” Ava, don’t you slander us!” Lottie almost exploded in a fury. She took the cup on the table and threw it at Ava. How could such a young lady be so malicious? She even dared to defame them!
“Eldest Auntie, you should know if I am slandering you.”
Ava, a girl in her twenties, faced Lottie without a trace of menial look. The demeanor of the young Miss Garcia took everyone by surprise. Lottie was speechless because she was furious.
Ava said, “The shares have been transferred to my name, and I have also discussed with my second granduncle; he has agreed to revoke Joseph’s title as the CEO.”
“You—”
“Auntie, Joseph was not born with the Garcia surname. You intend to take over Garcia Corporation, and thus, you got Joseph to change his last name. You wanted a new look for Garcia Corporation!”
“How could this be?”
Everyone disagreed when they heard that Joseph wanted to change his surname. Garcia Corporation must stay with the Garcia family. How could an outsider be in charge of the Garcia Corporation?
” Ava, Joseph and I have never thought to do so!”
“Only both of you would know about that, but I can’t put the entire Garcia Corporation at risk!”
Ava looked at everyone and did not allow Lottie to retaliate. She announced quickly, “Next, I will take over the position as the CEO of Garcia Corporation. I hope that the grandson of my second granduncle, David Garcia, will serve as my assistant. Do any of you have comments?”
” Ava, you have no right to decide for the company!”
Lottie pointed at her and roared angrily, “Your plan will make Garcia Corporation fall into an outsider’s hands!”
She had conspired with her second uncle. No wonder her second uncle helped her and gave her his full support that day!
Lottie glowered at her second uncle. “She is not our family’s granddaughter. If Garcia Corporation falls into her hands, it will not belong to the Garcia family anymore.”
Second Uncle Garcia kept his poker face that day. “If she wasn’t his granddaughter, then why did Eldest Brother give her all his shares? Lottie, I don’t want to know what you and your son have schemed, but now, I agree with Ava’s decision entirely.”
Ava continued with a wide grin. “I have good news for everyone.”
All the directors, who had yet to make up their minds, turned to look at Ava and waited for her announcement.
Ava explained cheerfully, “After I take over as the new CEO, I will sign a City L to Bentson trunk line agreement with Williams Corporation in Bentson. I believe all of you have heard about this five-year mega project. As long as I become the new CEO, I will be able to get this project.”
“New trunk line from City L to Bentson!”
Someone exclaimed and stood up in excitement. “Really? You can get the project?”
Everyone had studied the project for a long time. It would be good for the Garcia Corporation to bag that project; the Garcia Corporation would soar to a new height with that project in hand. However, they heard that Williams Corporation had several existing partners and had yet to finalize their chosen partner for the project!
“But, Miss Garcia, how can you be so sure that we will get this project?”
Someone asked questions, so everyone’s eyes fell on Ava again.
Even Lottie forgot to rebut as she also had her eyes locked onto Ava. “How can you guarantee that?”
“I have an agreement with me. As long as I become the new CEO, I will immediately sign the agreement with Williams Corporation.”
Ava lifted her chin, and her assistant immediately sent the agreement to Second Uncle Garcia.
He was so excited that his fingers shook. “It’s true. The Williams Corporation had unilaterally signed the agreement!”
“Unilaterally signed the agreement? How is that possible? Do you… You and the Williams family…”
“I’m not sure if you all knew about my relationship with Eldest Young Master Williams?”
Ava beamed widely as if she was a little girl in love. It turned out that their future CEO was in a relationship with Eldest Young Master Williams! Would the Williams and Garcia families be united through marriage? Once they were married, they would work hand in hand on many other projects! That was like icing on the cake for the Garcia Corporation!
“Miss Garcia, you are the old master’s granddaughter. If you are not the CEO, who else is fit for the position? We can’t allow an outsider to take this position.”
Money would make the mare go faster. Everyone knew how much money they could make in the future once the trunk line project was signed, so some people stood up abruptly and supported Ava. Who could remain rational when the lust of money was so alluring?
Some of those who were on neutral grounds were immediately biased toward Ava. However, several shareholders still supported Joseph. Nonetheless, the old master had given Ava too many shares. Coupled with the support from the second uncle and several other shareholders, Ava successfully took over the CEO position with an absolute advantage in the board of directors meeting.
“Eldest Madam, they will organize a press conference in the afternoon to announce Ava as the new CEO. Where is Joseph at such a critical time?”
After the meeting ended, several of the shareholders went to Lottie’s office. They all looked sad. Even if Joseph returned to the company, he might not be able to turn the tide. The possibility that he could achieve that was almost zero.
After all, Ava had won the trunk line project, which convinced many of the shareholders to switch to her side. It was tough to explain Joseph’s absence at such an important event.
“I checked the CEO’s itinerary. There are no arrangements for him to go outstation these few days. Where is he now?”
“Right, Eldest Madam, I heard that something had happened to your father, is that true? How is your father now? Is he alright?”
It seemed like there were some internal issues within the Garcia family. They were all worried if Garcia Corporation would be affected by the Garcia family’s internal disagreement and if the Garcia Corporation’s stock price would be affected…
“Don’t panic, Joseph went out in a hurry to tend to some urgent matters. He will be back soon.”
Lottie was utterly baffled about the situation. She could not even contact Joseph! She had failed to get in touch with him for a day. It was not easy to solve the pesky matter. Where was her dad?
The worst thing was that even Elena was gone! She had lost contact with everyone in the family. Given the years of experience that she had had in the business, she forced herself to remain calm and composed!
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. Joseph and Dad will be back soon. They will be able to stop Ava’s madness!”