Chapter 398 With Steven in her Corner
<Chapter>Chapter 398 With Steven in her Corner</Chapter>
"They didn't give you a hard time, did they?" Abigail inquired gently, her voice laced with concern.
"No," came the response. The assistant had indeed been subjected to harassment and threats, but she chose to keep this to herself, aware of the weight Abigail was already carrying. She quickly changed the subject, "Ms. Parsons, what's our next course of action?"
"Join me in the conference room," Abigail instructed, clutching a handful of documents as she navigated her way toward the meeting.
The assistant couldn't help but notice a change in Abigail's demeanor. It was as if she had evolved into a more formidable figure.
"Ms. Parsons," the assistant cautiously ventured as she trailed behind, "you collapsed at the competition today. There were rumors of poisoning. Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine," Abigail replied tersely.
The assistant let out a sigh of relief, a smile slowly spreading across her face. "I'm glad to hear that. You were phenomenal at the competition today, your designs were a knockout. They left everyone in awe. Do you realize how much our stock prices soared as a result? I suspect the old board members are just envious of the attention you're receiving, hence their attempts to oust you. Your talent is undeniable, and you truly deserve to be in charge."
Abigail was taken aback by the unexpected show of loyalty from her assistant. An idea suddenly occurred to her, and she instructed, "Investigate the two receptionists downstairs for any breaches of company policy."
"Ms. Parsons, I'm well aware of their antics. They've been trying to woo Neil, inflating their expenses, arriving late, and leaving early. And let's not forget the attendance bonuses they've been claiming. I've been tolerating their behavior for quite some time now," the assistant declared, her disdain evident. She then added nervously, "Are you considering terminating their employment?"
"Yes, and we'll pursue damages as well."
The assistant was startled by Abigail's newfound assertiveness, but it also filled her with a sense of exhilaration. "I'll get on it immediately. They'll rue the day they crossed us."
As they entered the conference room, the assistant held the door open for Abigail, who was greeted with derisive smirks from the senior board members. "So, becoming CEO has made you too important to open your own doors now, has it?"
The assistant was taken aback. It was her own initiative, not a directive from Abigail.
These seasoned board members were relentless in their attempts to belittle Abigail.
"Do you really believe that coming third in some competition qualifies you to run the company? That's utterly delusional!" A board member bellowed, his fist slamming down on the table, commanding the attention of the room.
Abigail's gaze swept over the assembled shareholders and directors, finally settling on Mr. Lewis, the board director. A faint smile graced her lips. "May I inquire about the accolades you've won during your twenty years in the industry? I secured a third-place prize in an international fashion contest. Can anyone here claim a similar achievement?"
The room fell into a stunned silence.
The assistant's heart pounded fiercely in her chest, a testament to the shock she felt at how Ms. Parsons commanded the room's energy, elevating the tension to a palpable level.
Mr. Lewis retorted dismissively, "We only need to know how to manage the business."
Abigail responded, her voice icy and challenging, "You want to talk about management? And who, pray tell, managed to drive the company to a stock surge like today's before the contest? No one, correct?"
"That's just you riding the coattails of the contest!" he shot back.
Abigail's reply was sharp and immediate, "Yes, and unfortunately for you, there are no coattails for you to ride!" With that, she slammed the trophy onto the conference table, silencing the room once more and leaving them fuming yet speechless.
Taking the documents the board had prepared, Abigail slapped them down, "What is this mess? The writing is incoherent, elementary school level. And you dare to compete with me for control? This company was built from the ground up by my grandfather. What's it to you?"
Mr. Lewis was left speechless by her fierce retort. Unable to stand silent witnessing the confrontation, Mr. Watson, another board member, blurted out, "Bottom line, our board has the authority to remove you!"
Abigail remained unfazed. "Yes, as CEO, I don't have the power to dismiss any of you here. I can only accept the fate if you choose to dismiss me. However, as luck would have it, today, I've acquired shares!"
Shareholders and board members were taken aback, turning their gazes toward her in unison.
It was common knowledge that Abigail's uncle had seized the shares from Abigail and her mother. Tragically, her uncle, aunt, and cousin died unexpectedly. As investigations were ongoing, the shares were not immediately transferred to Abigail.
Not long before, Neil, her cousin, in hopes of a lighter sentence, willingly transferred his shares to Abigail. The illegal possession of the family shares by her uncle had been resolved, and legally, the shares were successfully transferred into Abigail's name.
In simpler terms, Abigail was now the major shareholder of the company.
"With my current standing, I could indeed remove any of you if I so desired."
Mr. Watson was livid, his frustration boiling over as he tossed his employee badge onto the conference table. "Fine, I quit! Let's see if the company can survive without me.""Pff, what's the big deal." Mr. Lewis followed suit, tossing his own badge as well, clearly ready to oppose Abigail.
On the sidelines, the young assistant couldn't help but worry for Abigail. 'The chairmen's provocations are truly unfair—a blatant attempt to embarrass her!'
To everyone's surprise, Abigail sat at the head of the table and let out a cold laugh, as if she had anticipated this all along. "Is anyone else leaving?"
Silence fell over the room once again.
"That's it? Just the two of you?" Abigail found it almost humorous. Didn't the entire board want her gone? Why were only two stepping forward and the rest silent? Had they lost their nerve?
"I've already recruited talent from abroad. Any of your positions can and will be filled."
At that, Mr. Thomas, the board director, slammed his hand on the table, fuming, "What are you implying, Abigail? You want to replace all of us?"
"I never said that. Just bringing in more talent for a rainy day."
Mr. Thomas pointed an accusatory finger at her. "I've worked with your father for years. If he knew what you were doing..."
Abigail cut him off, "If he knew that, after his passing, you would so quickly turn your back, support my uncle's claim to power, and try to slash the shares my mother and I hold while bullying his wife and daughter... do you really think with my father's temperament, you'd still be sitting here?"
Mr. Thomas hadn't expected her to return from her competition as if she were a new person.
Abigail's demeanor shifted in an instant, slamming her hand on the table, "Playing the sympathy card with me? Do any of you here truly deserve it?"
Once again, the room was enveloped in an echoing silence.
The assistant gaped from the sidelines, not having expected today's meeting to be such a blatant showcase of Abigail's power.
Just then, an employee knocked on the conference room door and entered.
"Excuse me for interrupting, Ms. Parsons, but Mr. Steven Medici of Medici Group is waiting for you in the lounge. He mentioned that your earlier discussion on collaboration wasn't finished and is inquiring how much longer you will be."
'Medici Group? Steven Medici?' Everyone in the room was stunned. 'Such a high-profile figure is dealing with our modest firm? It's unthinkable. No wonder she is so arrogant in front of us. She has the Medici family backing her up.'
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