Chapter 606 Electra is a Bit Pretentious
Randy grinned and said, "I'm not sure, but at least a month."
"A month? That's way too long! A week, tops!"
"Yeah, the company's gonna be a mess in a month. We've got some big deals about to close. If you bail now, it's gonna cause problems."
Finnegan finally lost his cool and raised his voice, "Everyone, chill out. Mr. Smith has been grinding nonstop for years. He deserves a break."
As soon as he finished, another shareholder sneered at Finnegan, "Of course, you'd want Mr. Smith to take a break. You've been quietly buying up shares for the past two years. You must have around 10% now, right? If Mr. Smith steps down, you'll naturally become the new CEO of the Smith Group."
The tone was mocking, but Finnegan kept his composure.
"Mr. Fife, I don't appreciate your accusations. Mr. Smith called this meeting to ensure a fair and just selection of a temporary replacement. It's not up to me who gets chosen, right?"
"Fine, since Finnegan says so, I have nothing more to add. I just hope all shareholders here choose the most suitable person to temporarily replace Mr. Smith."
Finnegan withdrew his gaze from Mr. Fife, his eyes dark.
Randy pretended not to notice the tension.
"I have someone in mind to temporarily take my place."
Randy looked at a shareholder sitting in the corner, "Mr. McCarthy, would you be interested in managing the Smith Group for a while?"
All eyes turned to the corner, most shareholders in disbelief and shock.
The man, Zachariah McCarthy, held only 1% of the Smith Group's shares. He usually sat in the corner during meetings and didn't even qualify for major ones.
No one expected Randy to choose him.
Finnegan signaled to another shareholder, who immediately understood and said, "Mr. Smith, Mr. McCarthy usually just holds a title without handling major projects. He lacks experience in managing the company. Isn't this decision a bit hasty?"
Randy smiled, "It's just my suggestion. It depends on whether Mr. McCarthy is willing and if the shareholders agree."
An hour later, Finnegan walked out of the meeting room with a grim expression, followed by a smiling Randy.
In the vote, Finnegan lost to Zachariah by one vote. Zachariah would manage the Smith Group for the next month.
Randy moved quickly, transferring his responsibilities to Zachariah within two hours and instructing his secretary to assist Zachariah for the next month.
With everything settled, Randy left the Smith Group.
News of Randy stepping down quickly reached Seb.
Seb called Randy, his voice cold, "Is this your solution?"
Randy chuckled, "Uncle Seb, I want to take a break."
"Have you considered that when you return in a month, the shareholders might not listen to you?"
"That's why I chose a shareholder with minimal shares to replace me. He won't pose a threat in a month, and the secretary will update me on the company's status."
Hearing Randy's confidence, Seb's tone remained icy, "You better be fully prepared."
"Uncle Seb, don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Besides, he had more important things to do than the company.
Randy decided to use this month to win Sophie back.
If he stayed by her side, she wouldn't have time to spend with Saul.
After a month, once he reconciled with Sophie, he could return to work. It was a win-win.
"Then I have nothing more to say."
Seb hung up, clearly annoyed by Randy's decision.
Randy put down his phone and drove to the Lee Group.
After parking, he called Sophie.
"Sophie, do you have time tonight? I'd like to have dinner with you."
"I'm very busy today. I might finish work late."
"No problem, I can wait. We can have a late-night snack."
Sophie paused for a moment and then replied, "I meant no."
"Got it. I'm downstairs at your office with your favorite matcha cake. I'll leave it at the front desk for you to pick up when you're free."
Sophie frowned, about to speak, but Randy had already hung up.
She sighed, not wanting to see Randy until she figured things out.
Soon, the front desk called.
"Ms. Lee, Mr. Smith left a dessert for you. Should I bring it up?"
"No, you can have it."
Sophie tried to focus on work but couldn't. She eventually gave up and decided to take a break.
In the evening, as she left the office, she saw Randy's car and hesitated before walking over.
She knocked on the window, and Randy rolled it down, "Sophie, you're off work?"
She got in, "Randy, we need to talk."
"Sure."
"Don't come looking for me. I need this month to decide if we should stay together."
Randy's smile faded, "Sophie, you said if I didn't see Electra for a month, you'd forgive me. Isn't that reconciling?"
"I need time to think. Besides love, I have other things to do."
Love could be part of her life but not consume it. She couldn't spend too much time maintaining it.
Most importantly, she couldn't trust Randy anymore.
"I understand. I'll give you time. I've left the Smith Group to pursue you."
Sophie frowned, "Randy, you don't need to do this. It only burdens me."
The car fell silent, their breaths audible.
After a while, Randy said, "Sophie, I know I disappointed you. Can you give me one last chance? If I let you down again, I'll leave you alone."
Sophie looked out the window at the passing people, "I'll think about it and let you know in a few days."
She got out and left.
After she left, Randy called Valentin, "Are you free tonight? Let's grab a drink."
"Sure, but doesn't Sophie keep you on a tight leash? You can go out drinking?"
Randy lowered his gaze, "She doesn't care where I go now."
Sophie didn't want him anymore, so she wouldn't care if he drank.
"Alright, I'll call Geraldo and Delbert. We need to resolve your issues with Delbert. Your online spats are making you a laughingstock."
Randy frowned, "If Delbert's coming, I'm not. I don't want to see him."
If Delbert came, he'd push him to see Electra.
Just hearing her name annoyed Randy.
If not for Electra, he and Sophie wouldn't be in this mess.
"Fine, I won't call Delbert. See you at the usual spot."
"Okay."
Randy drove to the bar.
Geraldo and Valentin arrived shortly after.
Seeing the bottles of XO, Valentin raised an eyebrow and sat across from Randy, "What's going on with you and Delbert? Didn't Electra get hurt saving you? You haven't visited her once?"
Randy downed his drink, "No."
"That's cold. Even if you don't like Electra, she's been our friend for years."
"When I brought Sophie to dinner, you saw how Electra and Delbert acted. I told Delbert not to invite me if Electra was there, but he kept tricking me."
"Every time Electra was there, Sophie would find out and show up. Do you think that's a coincidence?"
It was either Delbert or Electra informing Sophie.
Valentin sighed, "I don't get your relationships. You and Sophie, Delbert and Electra, it could be simple, but you make it complicated."
"Sophie said if I avoided Electra for a month, she'd forgive me. So no matter what Delbert and Electra do, I won't see her."
It was harsh on Electra, but if Valentin had to choose between his girlfriend and friends, he'd choose his girlfriend too.
"I get it. I'll talk to Delbert, but I can't help with Electra."
Their friendship with Electra was mainly because of Delbert. They only got close because Delbert brought her along.
But honestly, Valentin found Electra a bit pretentious.
She knew Delbert liked her but pretended not to, using him to get close to Randy, and now she'd driven Randy and Sophie apart.
"It's fine. You don't need to. I don't care."
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