Chapter 546 The Battlefield of Deborah and Avery
At the Hawthorne Group meeting, Deborah sat confidently next to Owen, an evidence of her capacity. Since her return, she never saw Jasmine as a threat; her real competition was Avery.
When Avery walked in with documents, she saw Deborah in her old seat. That spot had always been Avery's before Deborah came back.
The execs knew Avery was capable, way more than Owen's disappointing son. But they were surprised to see someone even more talented in the family.
Deborah hadn't been back long but had already set up a new department and landed projects the company had been chasing for years. She quickly made a name for herself.
Owen wanted to bring Deborah back into the family and change her last name to Hawthorne. This was clearly unfair to Avery.
"Mr. Hawthorne," Laura, Avery's assistant, whispered nervously. "You're sitting on the left today, over there."
She didn't expect Deborah to be so bold, directly challenging Avery.
Avery sneered, walked over to Deborah, and placed the documents on the table. "Young people should know their place. Those who can't make it to the top often use dirty tricks. Not every seat is yours to take."
Deborah's face darkened with anger. "Dad, with all the execs here, is my sister trying to embarrass us?"
"Have some shame. We're not family," Avery sneered. "You've shamelessly provoked me, and you think the execs here can't see through it?"
Avery made it clear she wouldn't tolerate Deborah. To her, Deborah was nothing.
"Avery, enough. What kind of place do you think this is? If you two want to argue, do it at home. This is the company," Owen said sternly, signaling Avery to be sensible.
"Sisters? What sisters? I only remember my mom giving me a brainless brother, not a sister. Where did this sister come from?" Avery signaled to her assistant, Kayla. "Escort Director Morris to her proper seat."
Kayla, also formidable, stepped forward and pushed Deborah's chair to the director's spot.
Deborah's face turned red with anger as she slammed the table and stood up. "Avery, don't go too far."
"Is this too far?" Kayla brought Avery a new chair, and Avery sat down confidently. "Director Morris seems confused about her place."
"Avery, this is a bit much. Deborah secured so many big projects at once. Indeed..." someone spoke up.
Avery interrupted. "No matter how capable she is, she's just a director. I'm her superior, and she shouldn't be sitting in my seat."
The person was taken aback and fell silent.
"Deborah is just a small project department director. It's her job to handle project collaborations. As her superior, I should get credit for any achievements. It's my good leadership, understand?" Avery said seriously.
Since Deborah was shameless, Avery didn't need to be polite either.
"Avery, you're too much. You're even trying to take credit for my work," Deborah said, looking at Owen with a face full of grievance. "Dad."
"Avery," Owen started to speak but was cut off by Avery.
"In the workplace, there's no father-daughter relationship. Mr. Hawthorne, I'm Deborah's superior. The project department's achievements are also my contributions. Think carefully before you speak, or the next big project she secures might mean her taking your position, too," Avery reminded Owen pointedly.
Owen snorted and changed the subject. "Alright, let's start the meeting!"
Deborah glared at Avery and snorted coldly.
"Deborah's return has really helped us a lot. Even Chairman Douglas of the Douglas Group personally praised her, saying Deborah is a very capable woman," someone flattered Deborah.
Deborah smiled and said, "Michael overpraises me. We all recognize Avery's capabilities as well."
Such hypocrisy.
Avery watched her act without showing any emotion.
When she was almost done, Avery smiled and said, "Keep up the good work. Don't worry about the commission; I'm always generous."
Avery was making it clear that no matter how capable Deborah was, she still had to work under her.
Deborah clenched her fingers and sneered.
Times had changed. Even Owen knew that choosing her would bring absolute benefits to the Hawthorne Group. Let's see how long Avery could stay arrogant.
"Dad, our Hawthorne Group has been stagnant in recent years, not just due to capability issues but also severe cash flow problems," Deborah said with a smile after the meeting ended in front of everyone. "Avery is already in her thirties and still unmarried. If she could have a business marriage, it might bring us considerable benefits."
Avery leaned back in her chair, watching Deborah dig her own grave.
"Hurry up. Look into those suitable guys and have some discussions," Owen said seriously.
"I heard that Mr. Anderson from New Venture Capital Group likes Avery and is interested in investing in our new project development. If Avery could marry him..." Deborah smiled at Avery.
That guy was a man in his fifties, very lecherous.
Avery wasn't angry, just smiled faintly.
Let her be arrogant for now.
The more arrogant she was now, the harder she would fall in the future.
"Avery, what do you think?" Owen asked.
Avery found it laughable. Family ties were no match for interests.
"What do I think? I think Deborah is more suitable for Mr. Anderson. Don't you agree?" Avery smiled at Owen. "After all, Mr. Anderson has been divorced three times. He can't be too high-profile in finding a new partner. The daughter of a mistress is a perfect match for him."
Owen felt very awkward and frowned in anger.
Deborah's face twisted into a sneer, seeing Avery as nothing more than a talker.
"Avery, our company is in a critical situation now. Don't just stand by and do nothing," Deborah smiled, seemingly confident.
Sure enough, not long after, the chairman's assistant came in with the finance team.
"Mr. Hawthorne, there's a major issue within the company. We have severe cash flow problems. If we can't find investors, the new project will be shelved, which would be extremely detrimental to the Hawthorne Group," the assistant said worriedly. "Do you have any solutions, sir?"
Owen frowned and said, "I understand. I'll find a way. You may leave now."
Deborah looked at Avery triumphantly.
She wanted to push the Hawthorne Group to the brink so she could step in and help.
She wanted to force Avery into a business marriage. If Avery refused, she would sign a betting agreement with Avery.
By then, as long as Avery lost, she would take everything from her and kick her out of the Hawthorne family and the Hawthorne Group.
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