Chapter 13 How Strange!
So, Robert's former lawyer set up a meet with her today. They were supposed to catch up at 10 AM.
She kinda had a hunch about what it was gonna be about.
After changing into some outdoor clothes, Elizabeth grabbed her bag and bounced out the door.
It was already fall, and a cold rain had just come down, making her shiver a bit.
Since she had to hit the office today, Elizabeth threw on a skirt and her only pair of stockings.
She picked up the pace and headed towards the gate of the residential area.
It was a 10-minute walk to where she could grab a cab.
The Thomas Family's silver Bentley cruised by Elizabeth.
Michael, siting in the back seat, glanced out the window and saw Elizabeth shivering in the fall wind.
Through the window, he noticed her skirt and frowned a bit. He told the driver to slow down.
The Bentley eased up.
Elizabeth was walking aheadwhen the Bentley suddenly stopped next to her.
Michael's bodyguard popped out, looking kinda annoyed.
He shoved a black shirt into her hands, not looking too happy about it.
Then he quickly turned and bounced.
Did he think she had cooties or something?
After the bodyguard got back in the car, the driver hit the gas, and the car sped off.
Elizabeth was left standing there, confused.
How Strange!
Maybe Michael saw her shivering in the wind and sent his bodyguard to give her the shirt?
Elizabeth wanted to say thanks, but the guy had already taken off.
She stopped thinking about it. It was too cold, and she was dressed too light, and the cab spot was still a ways off.
She threw the men's shirt over herself and hurried to catch a cab.
Before 10 AM, Elizabeth made it to The Jones Group.
The lawyer was waiting for her in the conference room and the employees were still working attentively at their desks.
Even though they hadn't been paid in over a month, The Jones Group had always had a good rep and took care of its people probably becausehe company always had its employees' backs.
Even the bankruptcy rumors flying around for over a month.
But until it was official, the employees kept doing their thing.
If Elizabeth didn't already know the company's real deal, she might've thought the place was doing just fine.
After taking a look around and getting a feel for the place, the vice president, Charles Wilson, walked Elizabeth into the conference room.
The lawyer stood up and walked over as she came in.
Elizabeth nodded in greeting.
The lawyer opened the file in his hands and showed it to her, "Mrs. Jones, I'm really sorry about what happened to Mr. Jones. "
The lawyer held up the file, "Before Mr. Jones passed away, I drafted his will. Now, as per Mr. Jones's request, I'll read his will to you."
Elizabeth signaled him to go ahead.
The lawyer opened the file and started, "Mrs. Jones, Mr. Jones had six estates, three parking spaces, eight shops, and twelve cars. In his will, he named you as the sole beneficiary of these assets. Here are the relevant documents and materials. Please check them out."
Elizabeth took the documents and gave them a good once-over.
She'd never really paid attention to her family's assets before.
Robert always handled her living expenses and tuition, so she never had to stress about it.
The company was mainly managed by Robert and Jennifer, and she didn't really get involved.
But now, looking at this stack of asset papers, Elizabeth suddenly realized Robert had a ton of stuff that could be sold off.
So why didn't he sell them to pay for his treatment? Elizabeth was stumped.
Her mind was all over the place.
The lawyer kept going, "Besides these assets, there's also the company. Mr. Jones wanted to leave it to you. But, uh, the company's currently in the red."
Elizabeth looked at the lawyer, "How much in the red?"
Charles, who'd been quiet, adjusted his glasses, "The company's books show a deficit of 200 million dollars. If you take over Mr. Jones's company, you also take on his debt."
Charles looked her in the eye, "The properties, cars, and shops you inherited might all need to be sold to cover the company's deficit."
Elizabeth was floored.
She knew Robert's company was struggling, but she didn't think it was that bad.
Selling all these assets wouldn't even scratch 200 million dollars!
Charles, looking kinda down, said, "Elizabeth, you can choose not to take over the company. It's up to you. This way, you won't have to deal with the massive debt."
He added, "But I hope you'll think it over. This company was founded by your father. Can you really let it go bankrupt? If you don't take over, we'll announce bankruptcy and dismiss the employees the next day."
Elizabeth didn't answer but asked, "What about Jennifer and Patricia?"
Robert always ran the company with Jennifer.
With Robert gone, Jennifer should be stepping up. Why was it falling on Elizabeth, someone who knew nothing?
Hearing Elizabeth mention Jennifer, Charles got a bit heated, "Don't even bring them up! Your stepmom's the reason the company's in this mess. The financial crisis is all on her. A few years back, she put her brother in as the financial officer. The guy did nothing but screw around. When your dad got sick, he embezzled money from the company's projects and took off. Now, who knows where he's living it up."
Elizabeth held her head in her hands, her voice shaky, "I don't want my dad's company to go under, but 200 million dollars is no joke. Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?"
"You can take a loan!" Charles said, "The company's new product development is almost done. If we can borrow money or get investors, once our new product hits the market, it'll ease our financial crisis."
Elizabeth looked at Charles, speechless, "Who’s gonna lend me that kind of money?"
Money wouldn't magically pop up.
If it were that easy, she wouldn't be stuck in this mess.
Charles said, "You can try getting a bank loan. If the bank refuse, look for other investors. Let's give it a shot. If it doesn't work, you can walk away. How about that?"
Charles's suggestion seemed fair.
Elizabeth agreed for now.
After all, so many employees stayed because they believed in the company.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
