abcnovels
Chapter 297
Chapter 297
Chapter 297
While they were on the way to the conference room, Edmund explained the share distribution of the company. Callum held the most shares at thirty percent ownership, Elspeth was the second at twenty- five percent ownership, and the remaining shares were distributed among the shareholders.
Elspeth nodded. “I’ll deal with this. You and Elias go for the DNA test. Don’t worry, I’ll handle the matter.”
Edmund was worried, but he nodded and left in the end.
When Elspeth reached the conference room, she took a deep breath. Then, she entered the room. Within it, a few people sat. All of them looked hostile. When Elspeth stepped in, the shareholders looked at her, and they scoffed.
“A girl? Is there no one else from the Winthrops to hold the meeting?”
“That’s Elspeth, isn’t she? She’s Callum’s fiancée. Pity she’s going to be a widow before she’s even married.”
“Let’s hear what she has to say.”
Elspeth shot them a withering look. Shudders were sent down their spines, and they shut up. None of them said another word. Elspeth took the main seat and crossed her arms, a smile curling her lips. “Sorry I have to take Callum’s place, but I’m also a shareholder as well, and I own twenty-five percent of the company. Since Callum isn’t here, that makes me the biggest shareholder. And Callum is only unconscious, not dead. Watch your tongue. We’re all educated here. We know better than to spread rumors like uneducated swines.”
Did she just call us uneducated swines? The shareholders’ faces turned red. They were sure that Elspeth had heard them gossiping just now, but it didn’t matter. Callum was still unconscious, and that
was the truth. They said nothing wrong.
One of the female shareholders sneered. “I know you’re worried about your fiancé, Miss Lynwood. You’re trying to keep us silent until he comes back, but our company can’t run without a leader. It’s been half a month since he fell into a coma. Who knows when he’s coming back, or if he’s even coming back?”
They want to elect a new leader? They’re greedier than I thought. Elspeth looked at the shareholder in confusion. “And how do you know Callum can’t survive?”
She kept the fact that Callum had awoken a secret. Let’s see how many traitors there are among these people.
“Haven’t you paid him a visit? You don’t care how serious his condition is? I have a friend who works at the same hospital Mr. Winthrop is in. He said Mr. Winthrop might not survive the month.”
Elspeth smiled. “I know, but what are you trying to do now? Usurp the leader?”
A middle-aged man waved his hand. “Usurp is a strong word, Miss Lynwood. We’re trying to elect a new leader to manage the company. We can’t go without a leader, can we?”
“It has only been ten days since he fell into a coma, and already you’re electing a new president. So, who do you have in mind?”
Elspeth spied the man in the corner sitting up straighter.
The woman who was arguing with Elspeth earlier quickly huddled closer to the man, smiling sycophantically. “Why, Mr. Horus, of course. He holds the most shares, and he has been working hard for the company. He’s perfect as the new leader.”
The shareholders around him nodded as well.
Xavier smiled. “Oh, you flatter me. I’m but a regular man like everyone else. We’re all working for the company. I can’t be the only one to be nominated.” He was lying. The smugness in his eyes was unmistakable.
Elspeth shot him a look and sneered. “What a hypocrite.”
Xavier’s face fell. What a rude young lady.
The female shareholder shot Elspeth an icy look. “I know you don’t like the results, but that’s the truth. We’re calling a vote. As long as the combined number of shares of the people that vote for Mr. Horus exceeds half, he will be our new president.”
Elspeth nodded. “I presume none of you own more shares than me?”
Xavier smiled. “Of course. With Mr. Winthrop absent, you are the biggest shareholder.”
Elspeth smiled, but she felt disgusted. Does he think he has won this? “Then I think I can vote for Callum, can’t I?” She stood up and pushed her hair back. “The number of shares I own coupled with the number of shares he owns should be enough to veto your decision.”
Xavier expected that, so he explained, “Miss Lynwood, the vote is counted only if the shareholder is present and voices their decision. As you can see, Mr. Winthrop is…”
Elspeth paused for a moment. Sly old fox. I knew this would happen. “So, you’re saying you’re elected president without competition then?”
That’s a bit too explicit. Sheepishly, Xavier said, “No. We need to call a vote—”
He wanted to say more, but then someone said coldly, “She’s not the only one vetoing your decision.”
It was a familiar voice, and Xavier turned around in disbelief. When he was met with Callum’s icy look, he gasped, “Callum?”
The shock made him forget everything. He didn’t even address Callum with any formality. None of them expected Callum to be in full health, and now he even came to the company. Damn it. I was so close to being the president. Xavier gnashed his teeth, but he could do nothing about the matter. “You’re finally here, Mr. Winthrop. We were just fooling around. We all know you’re the only one who can push our company forward.”
Xavier was cursing and screaming in silence. I spent nearly a million last night to buy everyone out, and now it’s all for nothing!
“Didn’t seem like a joke to me.” Callum approached Elspeth, and she made way for him. He took the seat and announced, “I’m healed. I can work now, and it’s a Friday. A BOD meeting is on par for the course, so let’s begin. First agenda: the company’s development.”
The shareholders paled.