I’m Someone Else

Chapter 246

Chapter 246

“Is that Miss Pearson?” More than twenty executives exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Olivia.

As she had previously served as the PRESIDENT of Pearson Group, it was only natural that they were familiar with her. However, they thought that she had switched jobs due to her falling out with the Pearson Family, which made them wonder why she had returned.

Olivia nodded slightly to acknowledge the crowd as a greeting.

With that, Declan waved his hand and announced, “Everyone, please take a seat.” He felt a tinge of frustration. He couldn’t reach the four independent directors of the Pearson Group, who were the real decision-makers of the company. Although he had attempted to contact them and even went as far as to check in with their families, they remained far from his reach. As a result, he had no choice but to gather the management personnel for a meeting.

“You are all aware that some time ago, we acquired a batch of lucrative businesses from Keyshire Property. I’ve requested a meeting today in order to discuss this matter. While these businesses are profitable, they do not belong to us. We need to return them.” Declan bluntly stated the purpose of the meeting. He had already arranged this prior to his injury and hospitalization. Even the four independent directors had agreed to this particular announcement. He had thought it was a rather open-and-shut case, and thus, already settled. Yet, to his displeasure, there was an unwelcome twist that left him frustrated.

Silence permeated the conference room after Declan finished speaking. Everyone exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

Declan surveyed the room and said, “Since no one has any objections, let’s finalize this matter. Return those real estate businesses immediately.”

“Who said there are no objections? How is that possible?” A middle-aged executive in his fifties stood up and confronted Declan. “Mr. Pearson, you have been an experienced businessman for years. So, how could you say such ridiculous things? You know better.”

“That’s right. Everyone knows that the real estate industry is highly profitable! These businesses can bring substantial profits to Pearson Group, so why should we return them?” another man chimed in.

“This goes against the best interest of Pearson Group!”

“Exactly! We already have it in our hands, so there’s no reason to let it go!”

“Mr. Pearson, if you called us here today solely for this matter, we can adjourn the meeting. After all, we are all very busy.”

Indeed, they were occupied. In addition to the already extensive businesses that the Pearson Group had in their possession, the recently acquired significant amount of business from Keyshire Property had left everyone overwhelmed. They barely had time to eat lunch. It was half of Keyshire Property’s existing business! What was Keyshire Property? It was the leading real estate company in the entire Irieson! The magnitude of their operations was staggering.

Nevertheless, these executives had no complaints. They understood the significance of these businesses for the current state of the Pearson Group. If they could successfully absorb these businesses, the Pearson Group would undoubtedly advance to a new level, and they would reap numerous benefits.

Now, with Declan’s arrival and his demand to return everything just like that? On what grounds? There was no way they would return these assets, not in this lifetime! Everyone shot Declan a peculiar look. Indeed, the meeting could be adjourned as there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

Declan merely released a cold snort. He had anticipated this reaction from everyone. Even so, he maintained his air of dominance. “I have the final say in this matter. If I tell you to return them, then you will return them. Those businesses do not belong to Pearson Group and we should not hold onto them!” Adjourn the meeting? I didn’t say to adjourn the meeting. Who dares to leave? Let me see someone try! People like you are merely employees of the Pearson Family, and you dare to confront me like this? This is outrageous!

“Tsk tsk tsk, Mr. Pearson, you are indeed stubborn!” When they witnessed Declan’s unwavering stance, the executives began clamoring as they started to protest. They had been serving the Pearson Group for a long time and they all occupied high positions. Thus, they controlled a significant portion of the company’s business and resources. It wouldn’t be easy to dismiss them. It was precisely because they knew how valuable they were that they weren’t afraid of Declan, who had already been sidelined.

Previously, they had agreed with Declan to return the business to Keyshire Property. Nonetheless, circumstances had changed. Back then, they still believed that Declan would become the heir of the Pearson Family and take over the Pearson Group. That was why they would follow whatever orders he issued. Alas, things were different now. The Pearson Family was already under Leah’s control. If she remained silent, no one would pay attention to what Declan said. In fact, they were already giving him their utmost respect by deigning to attend this meeting!

“Mr. Pearson, let’s not beat around the bush. We will not even consider returning the business. There is no logic in the world that suggests you should give up something that is right in front of you. Alright, we are all very busy, so we shall take our leave now!”

Declan never expected that these influential executives of the Pearson Group would actually defy him. To make matters worse, these people stood up one by one and prepared to leave after that remark.

“I dare you to leave!” Thomas, who had remained silent throughout, roared angrily and he sounded resolute. Everyone instinctively halted in their tracks as they were taken aback by his infuriated bellow.

It didn’t sound like it came from a person. Instead, it resembled the command of a deity, a god governing all living beings!

Suddenly, they all felt as if a mountain had descended upon them. Their legs weakened, and they found themselves back in their seats.

Thomas rose to his feet and gazed at the people in front of him coldly. “If you refuse to return the business, so be it. Then, let us find another way to settle this—with your lives! If you don’t believe me, then why don’t you place your lives on the line?!”

After a while, the people regained their composure. “Who are you?”

“Are you intentionally seeking trouble? Do you have any idea where you are? This is the Pearson Group, not a place where you can behave recklessly!”

“Aren’t you afraid of suffering the consequences?”

A middle-aged woman, who had been observing the scene unfold, took a good look at Thomas before she spoke up, “I know him! His name is Thomas, he used to be Olivia’s driver!”

Thomas had previously spent a considerable amount of time at the Pearson Group, making him a well- known figure. It wasn’t surprising that some of the executives recognized him.

“Thomas?”

“Yes, that’s him. Do you remember the SAT top scorer in Irieson eight years ago?”

“The SAT top scorer from eight years ago? Are you referring to the one who ditched the director of Irieson’s University of Technology’s Admissions Office and joined the military?”

“That’s right!”

“I remember now, it’s him!”

The crowd suddenly had an epiphany. Irieson’s University of Technology was one of the top universities in Droycore. They taught a great deal of students and churned out several well-known academics and researchers. It wasn’t uncommon for many of the executives within the Pearson Group to have graduated from there.

“Oh, so that’s him!” The crowd looked at Thomas with peculiar expressions, with disdain, contempt, and disgust. In short, everyone was hostile toward him.