Chapter 517 Confrontation
A soft voice came from the doorway. Elise, dressed in a sharp black business suit, had her long hair neatly pinned up.
Usually, she was warm and approachable, but today's outfit added a touch of seriousness.
The shareholders, upon seeing her, immediately broke into smiles and even stood up to shake her hand.
"Mrs. Percy, it's been ages! How have you been?"
They exchanged pleasantries for a while, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, until Nolan urged them to take their seats.
As soon as Elise sat down, her gaze fell on Diana. They were seated close enough that Elise only needed to turn her head slightly to see Diana's face.
This was the first time the two had met in such a setting.
Elise smirked, letting out a breath that sounded almost mocking.
"Didn't expect to see you here. You really surprised me."
Diana stared straight ahead, not reacting to Elise's words, though she thought to herself that Elise didn't seem surprised at all to see her.
Diana had always maintained the appearance of having come back from the dead. Could it be that Elise had known she was alive all along?
"Now that everyone is here, let's start the meeting."
Nolan placed a hand on the documents in front of him and looked around the room before speaking.
The shareholders exchanged glances, and soon someone asked, "Nolan, what's going on with Mr. Percy? Why can't we visit him?"
"Mr. Percy's health is important, but with him so severely injured, who will manage the company?"
"Exactly! Keeping us in the dark doesn't help. You should tell us the truth so we can figure out what to do next."
Once one person started, the rest followed suit, asking questions one after another.
Most of them were more concerned about the company's future than Charles's well-being.
"Everyone."
Elise gently clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"I know you're all worried about Charles's health, but he's currently in the ICU, and his condition is critical."
She pretended to wipe away a tear before continuing, "But the company must continue to grow. After all, it's my husband's legacy."
The shareholders listened quietly, almost anticipating what she would say next.
"Given Charles's current coma and the uncertainty of his recovery, I believe the company cannot be left leaderless. As his mother, I hope..."
Elise had played the role of the grieving mother long enough and was eager to state her true intentions.
However, before she could finish, Diana spoke up, "I think everyone has overlooked me, even though I'm sitting right here."
Diana looked around the room. The shareholders clearly didn't take her seriously, glaring at her with disdain.
"Nolan, I know you're busy, especially with Mr. Percy's situation. But bringing a woman here isn't going to solve anything."
The shareholders remembered the last meeting and realized Diana was Charles's wife from his quick marriage.
But what did that matter? She was just a woman, albeit a pretty one. What could she possibly contribute in the business world?
"Let's let Mrs. Elise Percy continue."
Someone suggested.
"It doesn't matter if you don't remember me, but you all recognize this certificate, right?"
Diana said as she pulled out her marriage certificate. The very thing she had once avoided was now her key evidence.
"I am Charles's legal wife, Diana Spencer. This is our marriage certificate. According to the company's bylaws, the spouse has the right to act in the chairman's stead when he is unable to perform his duties."
The shareholders who had been sneering suddenly changed their expressions. Diana Spencer? Wasn't she Charles's deceased wife?
Someone stared at Diana, finally recognizing the familiar feeling.
No wonder Charles had said everyone knew her!
But quickly, they remembered that Charles's wife was supposed to be dead.
"Are you Diana? Are you a ghost?"
Diana forced a smile, feeling exasperated at the shareholders' slow realization.
"To put it simply, I didn't die. You don't need to dwell on that. According to the company's bylaws, I have the right to manage the company. Once Charles wakes up, I'll return all the power."
"Ms. Spencer, the bylaws do say that, but not just anyone can manage the company. Besides, I'm still alive as his mother."
Elise interrupted her without hesitation, adjusting her hair as she spoke.
She had come to this meeting with the intention of reclaiming control of the company.
As for Diana? A woman with some cleverness, thinking she could manage the company? Ridiculous.
Diana finally turned to look at Elise, her expression calm, devoid of the past timidity and eagerness to please.
"Ms. Sinclair, how can you be so sure I can't manage the company? My education, my major, and the company I run are all managed by me. Charles has put a lot of effort into the Percy Group, and as his wife, I won't let it fall apart."
She then sat up straight, looking ahead.
"If the company falls apart just because Charles is gone, the shareholders and executives wouldn't stand by idly, would they?"
Whether she could manage the company or not, if there were problems, Diana would hold them accountable.
She wasn't like Charles, who had to consider Elise's feelings. Ineffective employees would be fired.
"Ms. Spencer, you should call me 'Mom.' You and Charles are good kids of the Percy family, but managing a company isn't as simple as you think. You're a young lady; shopping with your friends might be more suitable."
Elise's tone was gentle, as if she genuinely cared for Diana, but every word was a put-down.
The shareholders, initially shocked, began to murmur again.
"Exactly, what could a young woman possibly do?"
"Quiet!"
With a loud command, the room fell silent.
Diana raised an eyebrow and turned to Elise.
"Ms. Sinclair, you usually stay at home, drinking tea and getting beauty treatments. Where do you get the ability to manage a company?"
Elise hadn't expected Diana to be so blunt.
If Elise were to take over the company, she would rely on the supportive shareholders to make decisions, acting as a figurehead due to her status as Charles's stepmother. The shareholders would still show her some respect.
But Diana didn't care about any of that. She wasn't one to lose an argument.
"If Ms. Sinclair can manage the company, then so can I. You can check the current status of the Spencer Group. From near bankruptcy to its current state, I have single-handedly turned it around."
Diana spoke nonchalantly, prompting the people below to start searching on their phones.
When they saw the Spencer Group's market value, someone exclaimed.
"$11 billion!"
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