Chapter 171 Layoffs
The office went dead silent after Axel's outburst.
He was breathing hard, more worked up than anyone else.
He'd been a key player in putting the team together, betting that Clara was Charles's girl.
But he never saw Diana going off the rails, making the whole team chase their tails, and now they were even booted out by the competition.
With Clara gone, where were they supposed to go?
"Everyone seems pretty lively."
A clear female voice cut through the tension.
Diana strolled out of the conference room, Robert right behind her.
All eyes, whether scared, curious, or shocked, were glued to them.
Clara's team had their thoughts written all over their faces.
"Ms. Spencer, what's happening? Why is Ms. Williams..."
Axel's hand, gripping the table, turned into a fist as he voiced everyone's concerns.
Diana didn't beat around the bush. "Starting today, Ms. Williams is no longer with the Spencer Group. I'm the biggest shareholder now."
Her words hit like a bomb, sending ripples through the room.
What? Had the Spencer Group split from the Percy Group? Was it now just the Spencer Group?
"So, with Ms. Williams gone, what do we do?" Nia blurted out, more worried about his own skin than the leadership change.
This time, Robert answered, not Diana. "Starting today, for the company's growth, the board has proposed the 'Elite Plan.'"
Sensing it might sound too formal, Robert simplified, "Basically, the company will be laying off employees."
The word "layoffs" hit everyone hard.
What elite plan? It was clear Diana was cleaning the house!
"No way, we're not leaving!" someone from Clara's team shouted.
They were caught off guard. With the New Year around the corner, getting fired now would be a huge blow.
Robert added, "The company will compensate everyone. And if you want to sue the Spencer Group, go ahead. We'll be ready."
Clara's team went pale and quiet.
Who had the time to sue a big company? And even if they won, who would hire someone who took on their boss in future interviews?
Diana tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said calmly, "Don't be too nervous. Since the board mentioned the 'Elite Plan,' the real elites will stay, and the company will promote and give raises to them. Think about the value you've brought to the company."
The so-called board decision was actually just a chat between her and Robert.
But the people seemed to buy it. The capable ones calmed down and got back to work.
The suck-ups were now shaking, feeling the axe over their heads.
Coralie, still holding her cup, finally got what Diana meant in the elevator when she heard about the layoffs.
With these people gone, new spots would open up.
Clara, kicked out of the Spencer Group, quickly got up to avoid the stares. She walked to a corner and dialed a number.
"This is Clara. Diana's back at the Spencer Group, and she kicked me out."
On the other end, Claire sounded surprised. She didn't expect Diana to be so capable. "Are you okay?"
Clara shook her head, eyes full of resentment. "That doesn't matter. I recorded our conversation. Can you help me get it to Mr. Percy? Beg him to stand up for me."
Claire hesitated. Right now, Diana was being coddled because of the baby. Knowing Charles, even if he knew Clara got kicked out, he probably wouldn't care much. He could do something even more ruthless. The timing wasn't right; bringing this up now would be useless.
Claire cleared her throat and advised, "Wait a little longer. Now's not the best time to bring it out."
"What do you mean? If now's not the best time, then when is?" Clara, on the verge of collapse, shouted hysterically.
The sound through the phone almost deafened Claire. She moved the receiver away, her expression full of disdain.
But remembering her own plan, she softened her tone and advised, "I'm the only one who can help you now. If you panic and mess up, all the suffering you've endured will be in vain. To ensure success, you need to stay calm."
Claire's gentle and coaxing voice calmed Clara down.
"I can wait a little longer, but you must help me." Clara clutched her phone, her tone almost a humble plea.
Not knowing who else could save her, she placed all her hopes on Claire.
Claire nodded and reassured, "Of course. Send me the recording. I'll handle it."
"Okay." Clara sent the recording file over.
As soon as she received the file, Claire eagerly put on her headphones to listen.
Hearing Diana say she was pregnant with the Percy Group heir, Claire's smile faded, and she gritted her teeth. "Relying on a child to elevate your status? Let's see how you stick with Charles without this baby, Diana."
Diana, after notifying everyone, didn't rush to leave the Spencer Group. Today, besides kicking Clara out, she had to meet a "very important person." She wanted to reclaim all the shares.
Apart from the 15% in Nathan's hands, another 15% was with an old shareholder. Diana had looked into his background.
Back then, Charles had acquired shares from many shareholders to control the Spencer Group. But this person remained unmoved, neither selling his shares nor stepping up when the Spencer Group faced bankruptcy, as if he were invisible.
But this person had embezzled over two billion dollars in the seven or eight years after Bianca's death, using methods similar to Nathan's. Because of this, Nathan was so arrogant. The entire Spencer Group's board of shareholders was thoroughly corrupt, colluding to pocket funds from investment projects. As long as the Spencer Group existed, they could continue to embezzle.
Diana sent the person's file to Robert. At first, Robert could calmly read the information about the shareholder named Walker.
But when he saw what Walker had done, Robert was so shocked he almost dropped his phone. "How dare he! This is all the hard work of your grandparents and your mother!"
Diana remained calm, having already seen Nathan as an example, the others were nothing. "Robert, people change. In the face of interests, what are feelings? I have an appointment with him this afternoon. Please accompany me."
Then, she changed her tone, coldly saying, "He better obediently hand over the shares to me."
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