Chapter 431 The Rodriguez Family's War
"I didn't mean anything by it, just teaching Angela how to be a good person and not to be used as a pawn," Winnie said with a smile. Angela, witnessing Ishara's denial, appeared distressed. Her silence conveyed volumes to the surrounding ladies. "This Ishara, everyone says she's pure and kind, frail even, I thought she was unambitious." "Oh, in wealthy families, which sister doesn't have a competitive heart? If the rumors about Ms. Winnie are related to Ishara, that's not very credible." The crowd dispersed, discussing, and suddenly no one believed the scandal about Winnie. Ishara hung her head low, coughing to mask the gloom in her eyes, having intended to use Angela to ruin Winnie's reputation. But in just a few words, Winnie had nearly caused the image Ishara had so carefully cultivated to be doubted. She glanced in the direction of Lawrence, her eyes narrowing slightly. In the coffee room adjacent to the banquet hall, the Rodriguez family gathered. Mars looked at Lawrence with a smirk. Since Lawrence had announced his relationship with Ishara that evening, and Mars had seen Winnie at the party, he found the situation increasingly interesting. Bob sat in the principal seat, with the irate Bryan beside him. Lawrence stood before his father. Bob looked up and asked, "Lawrence, what's going on? Bryan has brought a complaint to me. Yesterday was your first day at the Rodriguez Group, and then you went to Lymington. I didn't get a chance to ask you, but I heard you fired some people?" His tone was inquisitive but unhurried. Bryan, unable to control his anger, exploded. "Bob, he fired three of my managers, and Amy got fired directly by him! Lawrence is outrageous. Are these people for him to fire? Are you going to favor your son? If you don't reinstate her today, I'm telling you, the Rodriguez family will fall apart!" Bob frowned, "Lawrence, explain yourself to Bryan and Amy." Lawrence's demeanor turned cold as he clarified, "Bryan's three managers were intending to construct a private golf course on a parcel of land they acquired in Trento City. Somehow, it resulted in a 2 billion deficit in the group's finances. Regarding Amy, I discovered that she was the project manager for the golf course and had authorized 400 million in project funds, yet no progress had been made on the ground." Bryan and Amy's faces turned pale. They hadn't expected Lawrence to uncover their secret embezzlement so soon after taking office. Lawrence smirked and added, "Should I just let people who don't work and steal from the company keep their jobs, and wait until they bleed us dry? Amy, am I right?" Amy was sweating profusely. Bob's sharp eyes turned to Bryan, asking, "Bryan, do you think those three should have stayed?" Bryan's expression stiffened, his eyes filled with hatred for Lawrence. He turned to look at Bob, unable to speak. Bob slammed the table. "So, Lawrence did nothing wrong yesterday, right? Look, from now on, cooperate with his work!" The authority in his voice silenced everyone. They would have to carefully consider their approach to Lawrence in the future. Bob's tone then softened as he said, "Bryan, hand over that land to Lawrence to deal with as soon as possible. 2 billion is still money.
"And Lawrence, I hear you brought your own team into the company. How familiar are they with the business?" "They've adapted quickly to their roles. I also discovered," Lawrence added, casting a glance at Mars, "that Mars's subsidiaries have been awarding significant contracts to the Peterson Group. Despite the Peterson Group not ranking high in Trento City, I'm intrigued—what leverage did they use to earn Mars's trust?" Mars's lips tightened. As they reached the door, Hellen abruptly halted, her brother, Ronnie Peterson, by her side.
Ronnie shot a glance at Hellen.
In a hushed tone, Hellen remarked, "This Lawrence, barely back and already stirring up trouble, is quite a nuisance!" Mars slowly smiled and explained himself, "Bob, Lawrence is exaggerating. As far as I remember, the deals with the Peterson Group weren't very profitable. Could it be that Lawrence has some issue with Hellen that he speaks this way?" Mars twisted Lawrence's words in front of everyone. Bob, hearing this, couldn't defend Lawrence outright, only saying, "Mars has a point, the Peterson Group should be moderately assisted." But his gaze lingered on Lawrence. Lawrence understood his father's meaning. The dealings between Mars and the Peterson Group were likely not so simple, and his father probably knew it, but it couldn't be openly discussed. He was told to keep investigating. "Also, Father, I can't access the company's real estate financial documents. The shareholders, citing my team as outsiders, have refused my team's access to the documents." Lawrence glanced again at Mars. Bob pondered. He understood why Lawrence wanted to use his own team. Lawrence was decisive, and instead of waiting to deal with the company's non-compliant senior executives, he preferred to take swift action. But this had caused Mars to withhold authority. Mars laughed and remarked, "Lawrence, you can't blame the shareholders! Your team is, after all, dealing with the core secrets of the Rodriguez family. Who can be sure you won't betray the Rodriguez family? Why not show some project results first? Once you have a performance record, the shareholders will naturally let you take full control of the Rodriguez family. Bob, don't you think I'm right?" Using the shareholders as an excuse, Bob couldn't argue. Lawrence knew there were pitfalls ahead; whatever projects Mars gave him, they would not be easy to manage. He looked at Mars with a half-smile, arms crossed. "Give me the projects, Mars. Just don't throw your position my way." Mars's eyes remained cold, but he managed to keep his temper in check as he spoke with meaningful intent, "Congratulations on your alliance with the Blanchet family, Lawrence. Your power has certainly increased." Lawrence paused, looking at Mars, and turned to his father. "I'll step out for a moment, Father. Bryan, remember to confiscate that land for the company." Bryan glared at Lawrence, furious. He wouldn't let this go. Lawrence had touched his interests as soon as he returned; he would not forgive him. Bryan stormed out of the coffee room. Outside the coffee room was a vintage corridor where Eleanor was trying to chat with Bryan's wife, Skylar Rodriguez. As soon as Skylar saw her husband come out, she interrupted Eleanor, "Mrs. Blanchet, let me speak with my husband first." She saw Bryan's face was not good and walked over, asking, "Bryan, what's got you so angry?" "It's that Lawrence!" The private conversation they were supposed to have in their room had to be put on hold, as Bryan couldn't contain his frustration and needed to share his grievances with his wife right away. "That piece of land he uncovered for the golf course, that guy's tactics are ruthless. He's made it public knowledge that I embezzled 2 billion from the company. But isn't that common practice for everyone?
"He's used me as a scapegoat! He's a real piece of work, just you wait. Now they're confiscating the land... and what about the investment I secured for the golf course? That's a complete loss, isn't it? By the way, I urgently need the 500 million from your previous investment." Skylar's face showed difficulty, not daring to say it was gone. She vaguely responded, "The money is in a cycle... I'll think of something, Bryan." "Do it quickly. I've been taken advantage of by him this time; you manage your good son too. Lawrence allied with the Blanchet family and found good backing. You tell Sean to get serious, not just fool around with women!" Bryan glared at her, said his piece, and left. Skylar looked around the banquet hall, unable to find Sean. Her son was a playboy; she hoped he hadn't set his sights on some young lady at the party and done something indecent. She didn't even have time to worry about the 500 million. "You seem to be in trouble?" Eleanor, who had overheard from a distance, walked over thoughtfully, smiling as she called out to Skylar.
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