Chapter 074 Bragging

Grandpa Smith's appearance during the board meeting surprised Bernice. He had retired for a while and seldom intervened in these matters. She never expected him to show up today.

"Bernice, this is my decision. Since you became the president, the group's earnings haven't seen significant growth. Moreover, the purchase of shares from the Jones Group caused financial losses for the company. Associating with the Hawker family almost brought complete disaster to the entire Smith family. Offending Sienna also damaged the company's reputation," Grandpa Smith said calmly but firmly.

Bernice's eyes welled up. Apart from the incident involving the Jones Group's donation, she hadn't willingly involved herself in any other issues. Others had truly bullied her.

But she never expected that her grandfather, as a family member, only cared about the result without inquiring about the causes and processes behind these matters.

"Grandpa, I've reconciled with Sienna. She even mentioned that she will apologize to the Smith Group, compensate for the losses, and even sign a cooperation agreement with us without charge," Bernice said, pursing her lips. She didn't want to lose her position.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Bernice?"

"Sienna already made it clear that you and your useless husband must kneel in front of her house for three days and nights! You think you can resolve things within three hours? And do you believe Sienna will apologize to the Smith Group, compensate for the losses, and sign an agreement without charge? Can you at least make your lies more believable?" Christine said coldly. Her words made the executives burst into laughter. Indeed, Bernice's words seemed incredibly unbelievable.

Grandpa Smith shook his head and said, "I have decided on this matter. There is no further discussion. From today onwards, Bernice will no longer serve as our president."

With that statement, the decision was pretty much final.

Ethan, however, laughed and said, "Don't make hasty decisions. Sienna only recognizes Bernice. If you dismiss her, Sienna won't hold herself accountable, and the company will suffer even greater losses."

Grandpa Smith's face turned cold, and he sternly replied, "So you must be Ethan? The Smith family only agreed to arrange the marriage between you and Bernice because of your father. Don't act ungrateful or I will kick you out of this family."

Christine sneered and said, "Ethan, stop babbling here. Will Sienna only recognize Bernice? We can dismiss Bernice and then beg for Sienna's forgiveness. It might be easier that way. You must be really devoted to helping her keep this position that you even came up with such lies."

Ethan ignored Christine and turned to Grandpa Smith, saying, "Sienna has agreed to compensate for the losses, offer an apology, and sign a contract free of charge. This is a golden opportunity for us. If you dismiss Bernice now, I can guarantee that the Smith Group won't receive a dime of this money, and Sienna won't sign a contract with the Smith Group again."

"Hahaha," Christine burst into an unrestrained laughter and said, "If you can really make Sienna forgive you and sign a contract without payment, I will kneel down right now and call you Dad!"

Upon hearing her words, a mocking expression appeared on Ethan's face. In all fairness, Christine should have kneeled and called him Dad several times already.

"Well, remember what you just said. Sienna's representative will come later with the signed contract and a check. I hope you won't back out," Ethan sneered.

"I definitely won't back out! But if things don't develop as you've said, then every time you meet me, you must kneel, and you are not allowed to stand up!" Christine said as she crossed her arms.

Grandpa Smith waved his hand, interrupting their conversation and said, "I've heard that the Aim Group has put a lot of effort into the development of the New Age Mansion site and they have some projects available for outsourcing. This is crucial for our future. If we can secure projects from the Aim Group at the New Age Mansion, it will greatly benefit the development of the Smith Group."

"The Aim Group... the leading company in Boston. It won't be easy to get their projects."

"Yeah... Ella has a formidable reputation. She is known to be cold and difficult to deal with."

"But this is also an opportunity. We must go all out and secure some projects from the New Age Mansion."

Grandpa Smith's words immediately caught the attention of everyone, and they started discussing this issue.

At this moment, Ethan spoke up, "Bernice can handle this project!"

He had already made a verbal agreement with Ella regarding the development of the New Age Mansion site. He had a say in it because he helped the Aim Group retrieve the site from the Tiger Group.

Ethan's statement shocked all the executives present.

One by one, the executives stopped and looked at him and Bernice.

Bernice was caught off guard by Ethan's sudden remark. Her face was filled with shock as she turned to him, bewildered, "Why are you saying such things again?"

"In the face of this behemoth called the Aim Group, the Smith Group has no outstanding points whatsoever. She has no confidence in being able to handle the Aim Group's project."

"Grandpa, I suggest we kick out this attention-seeking clown out first to avoid interrupting our meeting and strategic deployment," Christine spoke up.

"This useless person only knows how to boast and attract attention but has no abilities of her own and loves causing trouble."

"If Bernice can pull this off, then I could partner with the Lee Group in New York for business!"

Grandpa Smith's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Bernice, is this what you mean?"

Bernice was about to shake her head, but Ethan said, "This is what Bernice means, she can handle it."

"I..." Bernice wanted to speak, but Ethan's reaction was always one step ahead, which made her annoyed and helpless.

"Hahaha! The Aim Group is not a small company. Does Bernice truly have what it takes? What a joke!"

"If Bernice can reach a cooperation with the Aim Group and secure their two projects, I'll cut my head off and use it as a soccer ball for everyone here."

"Under Bernice's leadership, the group will only incur losses and never make a profit! How could she possibly negotiate a cooperation with the Aim Group? It's ridiculous!"

"Two attention-seeking fools, sacrificing their dignity just to keep their positions as president, right?"

Christine and the senior executives all expressed their disdain.

Grandpa Smith coughed lightly twice. Ethan noticed that his cough sounded somewhat strange, furrowing his brows slightly, but didn't say much.

At this moment, Bernice fiercely pinched Ethan's hand and gritted her teeth as she whispered, "Ethan, what are you doing? I can't handle this at all. Are you trying to kill me?"

Just then, a secretary came in the office to report, saying, "Miss Smith, there's someone outside claiming to be Sienna's secretary. They specifically asked to see you!"

"Me?!" Christine stood up, feeling energized.

"No, they're looking for Bernice..." the secretary awkwardly pointed at Bernice.

Christine's expression immediately turned awkward, and she coldly said, "It must be the final ultimatum. Ethan, get ready to kneel before me!"