Chapter 414 Ishara's Scheme
In the Vice President's office, Mars received the news that the bosses of his subordinate companies had been directly fired by Lawrence. He remained gloomy for a few seconds as he pondered.
The day before, in the lobby of the Rodriguez family, he had mocked Lawrence for being unfamiliar with the bosses of the subordinate companies. Now, Lawrence had directly targeted him by firing the bosses of his and Bryan's subordinate companies.
Undoubtedly, Lawrence was trying to convey to them that he didn't need to cater to the bosses of the subsidiaries. He had more impactful methods at his disposal. However, Mars regained his smile. Lawrence thought he was capable, but he had crossed everyone's bottom line.
Before Lawrence could make a move, Bryan would retaliate. If Lawrence dared to fire people, he could forget about carrying out his work. He would soon become a joke, sitting in that CEO office, unable to command anyone.
Mars was well aware of the struggles within the factions, and it was not as simple as Lawrence imagined.
However, contrary to what Mars and Bryan had imagined, the CEO's office did not send any notices for rearranging managers or convening a shareholders' meeting. It was quiet there, causing doubts.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door, and a voice came from outside.
By half past nine, the entire company's executives were waiting for Lawrence, who had called them up for their first meeting. As instructed by their superiors, they were to make things difficult for Lawrence and come up with excuses to keep him from getting involved in any matters of the group.
But as the elevator doors opened, an elite team walked out, mostly men dressed sharply in suits. They were serious and cold, each holding a laptop, walking quickly toward the CEO's office.
Luke smiled and opened the door, greeting them, "Welcome, Lawrence's think tank team! He has been waiting."
"Good morning, Lawrence." They all entered in a single file.
Lawrence leaned against his desk, looking noble and elegant, holding a cigarette with his slender fingers. He didn't say a word, just gestured. Everyone promptly opened their computers and quickly got to work.
"Luke, what are those people outside doing, peeking their heads in?" a female manager asked.
Luke stood by the door, slowly closed it with a mischievous smile, and said loudly, "Those are the managers of the Rodriguez family waiting for Lawrence to assign them work. However, Lawrence doesn't lack talent and doesn't need them. It's just some internal company politics, don't bother Lawrence with it. He can't be bothered!"
Lawrence's eyes flickered slightly, forming a subtle curve of indifference, his expression cold and sharp. Everyone in the office laughed. They had been with Lawrence at Island Electronics for three years and were capable individuals sought after globally, able to excel in any company.
Mars and Bryan's spies heard the news and quickly returned to their respective offices.
"What? He brought in his own team directly to work? Without involving any employees from the Rodriguez family? Is he trying to tell us that his team can replace any position in the company and treat me like a mere spectator?!" Bryan slammed the table, his face contorted in frustration. He suddenly felt the threat of this illegitimate son of Bob's. He had originally planned to use his power to embarrass Lawrence, asserting dominance over the entire company. But he didn't expect Lawrence to not fall for it at all. Lawrence had already prepared a countermeasure and brought in his own leadership team.
In Mars's office, he took a deep drag of his cigarette, his lips curling into a grim expression. "Well done, Lawrence. Did you bring Bryan in just to scare me? Going above our general manager, taking control of the group's business with your own team. Do you think we won't be able to give you a hard time?"
Mars stood up and chuckled coldly, thinking that he had plenty of ways to make Lawrence's life difficult. "What kind of documents has he already taken over there?" Mars asked his assistant.
"Lawrence has accessed all the information of the group's subsidiary companies, down to the smallest details. There are also over a dozen major businesses, but the core real estate and finance are still under your and the chairman's control."
Mars exhaled a puff of smoke from his cigarette as he instructed, "Secure all the important project files. If he tries to access them, inform him that the shareholders won't relinquish their authority. I'll handle any challenges that come our way, and I'm not concerned about his survival!"
In the CEO's office, Lawrence nodded as expected and said coldly, "Why the rush? Just wait for Mars. Let them make their move!"
Taking office today, firing a few old geezers was merely a minor ripple on the surface, letting these people know that he couldn't be fooled easily. In the future, if he really wanted to control the Rodriguez family, he would have to break each stronghold and uproot them one by one. These various factions had been entrenched in the Rodriguez family for over ten years, so it wouldn't be easy to deal with them.
The man suppressed his coldness, and at that moment, the office phone rang. Luke answered it for him, his expression slightly strange. "Lawrence, they say it's Ishara on the line. She wants to cancel this marriage alliance and meet with you."
Lawrence raised an eyebrow in surprise. Although he had the contact information for the Blanchet family, he hadn't yet had the chance to make the call. It seemed Ishara had taken the initiative instead. Lawrence felt that if neither side had any intention, then it worked out perfectly.
The man responded indifferently, "What time?"
"The other party's butler said this morning if it's convenient for you."
"Okay."
At ten o'clock, at the Garden Café in Trento City, close to the Rodriguez family conglomerate, Lawrence arrived first. He sat indifferently in the private room, his eyes focused on the documents.
Ishara approached the door of the private room and peered through the crack, gazing at his handsome profile. Chiseled and refined, her pale lips curled lightly. With mysterious depths in her eyes, the young girl pushed open the door and spoke with lowered eyes, "I'm sorry. I'm Ishara from the Blanchet family. Today, I invited you here because I want to refuse our marriage alliance. I heard that you are extremely wealthy and have great financial power, but I don't value these things. I detest being bound by family fame and fortune. I already have someone I really like, and I hope you can understand..."
Her gentle voice made Lawrence lift his head, and his eyes showed a hint of surprise. "Ishara?"
"Huh?" The girl suddenly looked up; her eyes filled with confusion. "Lawrence? What are you doing here? This isn't the private room Lawrence reserved, did I walk into the wrong one?" She seemed lost.
Lawrence furrowed his brow, a trace of doubt flickering in his mind. But seeing her innocent appearance, he spoke, "You didn't walk into the wrong room. I am Lawrence."
"How is that possible..." The girl was stunned.
He was also puzzled. "You are the young lady of the Blanchet family?"
Ishara awkwardly explained, "Yes, Lawrence... I was afraid that you wouldn't like me once you knew I came from a wealthy family."
But the man narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at her. "Do you not know that I am Lawrence? The national news has been reporting about me," Lawrence said.
Ishara shook her head, coughing softly. "I usually keep to myself and don't read newspapers. It's just that my father arranged for me to marry someone and I had no intention of marrying into a wealthy family. Why did it have to be you?" She blushed and looked surprised.
Lawrence put aside his suspicions and began to understand that this was a misunderstanding. He didn't know that Ishara was the donor, and she seemed unaware that he was Lawrence, the person she had met to reject the arranged marriage.
"Well, since it's a misunderstanding, please have a seat," Lawrence said, his surprised expression fading as he stood up and pulled out a chair for her.
The girl, still amazed and excited, grabbed his arm. "Lawrence, it's such a coincidence that we met each other in Lymington by chance and our families arranged this marriage. Could it be called fate? I thought you were just an ordinary CEO. I've been searching for a simple man to share a tranquil life with before my time comes. Never did I expect it would be you, Lawrence."
She looked at him, her eyes clear and free of impurities.
Lawrence withdrew his arm and sat down next to her. "I am Lawrence, not the ordinary man you wanted. Do you want to change your mind?"
Ishara was taken aback, she wanted him to see her as pure, unassuming, and plain today. She couldn't let things go off track, so she smiled innocently. "As long it’s you, Lawrence, I'll be happy. Do you want to change your mind?"
Due to his mother's deteriorating health condition, he couldn't change his mind anymore. Thus, whether she truly was Ishara or not became inconsequential, and he replied, "Our agreement stands."
Ishara coughed lightly, her eyes brightening. "What a coincidence. Then I don't have to reject the arranged marriage, do I? After all, you, Lawrence, are my boyfriend, and it will soon be our engagement!"
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