Chapter 558: Ethan's Counterattack Begins
Nobody had a clue who spilled the beans about Howard and Raymond Group teaming up, but the Douglas Group went nuts. The money-hungry board members were losing it, pounding the table like crazy.
"This is just nuts! Our Douglas Group shouldn't be teaming up with Raymond Group!"
"Totally, the chairman jumped the gun this time!"
"This is a slap in the face to all of us, just to settle his own score!"
"Remember how he went all out against that tiny LY before, just 'cause of his personal beef, turning the Douglas Group into a circus!"
The higher-ups were letting it all out.
"And this Daniel guy? He's a joke compared to Ethan; it's like night and day. Since he took over, it's been nothing but downhill. Check out the company's reports for the last six months! At this rate, we're going under!"
In the meeting room, everyone was red-faced and fuming.
"Look at this. We can't even land a small project, Raymond Group snatches it every time. And now, we even have to pay them up."
"Yeah, I heard Mr. Hill from New Venture Capital Group went to Raymond Group after getting canned, and he took the other fired folks with him. They're killing it now; just look at us!"
The remaining employees started griping.
They all knew the mass firing was 'cause those people were Ethan's crew.
"Now they're all with Raymond Group, working against us. In less than a year, we won't even be able to compete with them."
"I say we bring Ethan back. I heard Howard used a contract to force Raymond Group to fire Ethan. If he's down to come back."
Someone threw out the idea.
This was all part of Ethan and Brandon's master plan.
They had their people stirring the pot.
By now, Howard's situation in the Douglas Group was beyond saving.
Howard knew his only shot was to get the Harper family's dirt.
So, when Howard agreed to that lopsided contract, he wanted that info ASAP. Only with that could he help the Douglas Group get back on its feet in Silverlight City.
Only then could he make the company trust him again.
But right now, it seemed like a lost cause.
"Ethan's the real deal, capable, and he looks out for us. Plus, he's Ava's son, the heir chosen by Mr. William Douglas." Another board member chimed in, slamming the table. "I'm in."
"But Ethan got burned bad. He might not wanna come back. Who's gonna talk to him?"
"Ryder, you go. You're a senior in the company and watched Ethan grow up. You're like family to him."
Someone started nominating a rep to talk to Ethan.
"But Ethan's shares." Ryder looked troubled.
"I remember William Douglas left a will before he passed, and it was notarized. Ethan never claimed his inheritance. He's got pride. You go talk to him. Tell him to fight for what's his! We'll all back him!"
"Yeah! We will back him!"
That was human nature. When their interests were on the line, they remembered someone else's good.
Right now, they were all about Ethan's good qualities, unlike when they booted him out of the Douglas Group and everyone was all for it.
The Douglas Group folks had bugged Ethan for a meet-up a bunch of times before he finally caved and agreed to meet at Coast Cafe.
"They're already losing their cool. You wanna meet out in the open or keep it on the down-low from Howard for now?" Brandon asked Ethan over the phone.
"No way to keep it quiet. Howard's already sweating bullets." Ethan chuckled. "Let him sweat and know the higher-ups are already sniffing around for me."
"Got it." Brandon paused before adding, "Watch your back these days, don't be wandering around alone, don't go down any sketchy streets. I'm worried someone might jump you."
Ethan sighed. "Just zip it."
"You're really asking for it." Brandon laughed and hung up.
Right after the call ended, Ryder showed up.
He sat across from Ethan with a smile and sighed. "Ethan, how's it going? I heard Raymond Group canned you? They don't see the big picture."
Ethan smiled. "Mr. Anderson, why the sudden meet-up?"
"Ah, I watched you grow up. Seeing you like this, it sucks. Look at your grandpa's company; your mom put in so much work, and now Daniel's trashed it. I had to come to you."
Ryder was straight-up and didn't hold back. "Ethan, your dad strong-armed us into kicking you out. We had no choice. Now we get it, the Douglas Group with you was the real deal."
Ryder sighed and went on. "Now we're stuck. If this keeps up, Howard and Daniel will run the Douglas Group into the ground, and it'll never bounce back."
Ethan just nodded, staying quiet.
"Ethan, the Douglas Group isn't just your mom's and grandpa's legacy, it's ours too. We need you back to save the company."
"But my shares." Ethan looked troubled.
"Ethan, remember your grandpa's will? You gotta fight for it. You're married now, got a kid. You can get your grandpa's shares back from Howard; he was just holding them."
With the will, even if it wasn't notarized back then, William had it notarized with the company and the lawyer, so it was solid.
Plus, if Ethan really wanted to fight, those shares were his.
"But even so, Howard still has my mom's shares. My shares are still less than Howard's." Ethan kept up the troubled act.
"Ethan, to be blunt, your mom's estate should include your share. You gotta fight for it. We will back you." Ryder looked at Ethan seriously.
Ethan was quiet for a long time. "Alright then."
He knew he couldn't drag this out too long, or things might change.
Ryder was stoked. "Then it's settled. We'll help you dig up the evidence and get you back in the Douglas Group."
"Thanks, Mr. Anderson." Ethan faked being moved.
"Oh, I had a great bond with your mom back then if it weren't for..." Ryder shook his head. "Forget it, too sad to talk about."
Ethan just smiled coolly and said nothing.
Human nature sure was fickle.
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