Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
Lina, catching Luka’s faint smile, felt an inexplicable thrill of satisfaction.
After a tense silence, Luka finally broke the stalemate.
“Those who want the company to be acquired, step over here,” he commanded.
A few employees moved immediately, while others hesitated. The first employee encouraged them.
“Don’t you all want promotions and pay raises?” he urged. A few more shuffled over reluctantly.
In the end, out of over twenty employees, twelve stood on one side, while the rest remained firm.
The first employee continued to push, trying to persuade the others.
But the remaining group stood resolute. They understood Luka’s position and chose to support him.
Lina, observing the divide, was curious about Luka’s next move.
“If you feel you can’t stay here, leave tomorrow,” Luka declared coldly. “Your subsidies will be included with your salaries.”
A stunned silence fell over the room. Instead of considering the number of supporters to determine if the company should be sold, Luka intended to terminate the employees who had sided with the acquisition.
A wave of unease swept over those individuals.
“Mr. Calderon, are you firing us?”
“Mr. Calderon, we’ve dedicated years of service to this company. How could you just cast us aside like this?”
Everyone was upset, their voices rising in protest.
“If you think this company isn’t good enough for you, go find somewhere better,” Luka said, his tone unwavering.
The group scrambled to explain.
“It’s not that, Mr. Calderon! We just think the company has the potential to do even better!”
“Enough! Just go,” Luka snapped, waving them off in frustration.
Lina stepped forward, her voice accusatory. “Luka, these people are trying to help you! How can you be so heartless? This will only hurt their morale. Who will work sincerely for you after this?”
Buoyed by Lina’s words, the employees echoed their discontent.
“Yes, Mr. Calderon, this is too heartless!”
“Mr. Calderon, we’re loyal to this company. How can you treat us like this?”
But Luka sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Lina’s words are poison meant to sow discord. Can’t you see? She’s manipulating you.”
The employees felt a wave of shame, realizing that they didn’t truly want to lose their jobs. Yet Luka’s resolve remained unshaken, leaving the room filled with a thick sense of uncertainty.
Lina offered a sly smile, sensing the shift. “Don’t worry. Timeless Elegance will close eventually. Homelight Enterprise will acquire it, and when they do, they’ll rehire all of you with better pay and benefits.”
Feeling a sense of relief, the employees gradually began to calm down. Luka, cold and unfeeling, couldn’t blame them for their ruthless actions. They had to look out for themselves in such a precarious situation.
With a final glance at Luka, they turned to leave.
Just then, a man and a woman strode in. The suited man’s expression shifted instantly when he spotted the man.
“Mr. Cooper, why are you here?” he asked, his voice suddenly laced with deference.
Jared glanced around the room, his sharp eyes surveying the tense gathering. “What’s going on here? Why is there such a crowd?”
Eager to impress, the suited man wasted no time in explaining. “Mr. Calderon is losing control of his employees. He’ll bankrupt the company soon enough. Then they’ll beg us to take over!”
He finished speaking, looking at Jared. He had played his part perfectly, so surely Jared would be pleased, right?
However, Jared’s expression slowly shifted to one of deep unease, as if an unspoken fear had taken hold of him. He looked at the woman beside him, watching her every move with intense focus.
The suited man looked confused. Who was this woman? She looked so familiar.
Lina, on the other hand, was overwhelmed with joy. She hadn’t expected Jared to show up!
“Luka, Homelight Enterprise seems really eager to acquire your company. You should demand a higher price now. Later, when your company’s worth drops, they won’t offer you as much,” she taunted smugly.
Employees who decided to leave felt vindicated. With Jared showing up in person, the takeover of Timeless Elegance seemed like a sure thing.
“You fool!” Jared smacked the suited man on the back of the head.
Shocked, the man stared at Jared in bewilderment. What had he done to deserve this?
“Who gave you permission to pull this stunt?” Jared asked coldly. “Get out of my sight!”
Jared’s fury was unmistakable. While he had been aware of the acquisition plans, he never imagined his subordinate would resort to such disgraceful tactics. The approach was nothing short of coercion.
Confused but too afraid to resist, the man bowed his head and walked out of the office.
A tense silence descended upon the office, leaving everyone on edge. Everyone had their own thoughts racing in silence, but all eyes were on Jared. Everyone watched him closely without saying a word.
Luka also studied Jared carefully, noting the clear contrast between him and the suited man.
“Mr. Calderon, I deeply apologize. I had no idea my subordinate would handle the acquisition so poorly. I hold Timeless Elegance and its values in high regard. If you prefer not to sell, that’s perfectly fine. I have other options in mind.”
Jared promptly presented a contract.
“We’re prepared to invest 100 million dollars annually to support Timeless Elegance’s clothing research and development. The profit-sharing terms are outlined here. Take your time to review and share any concerns.”
Luka was stunned by the staggering figure. As he skimmed through the contract, he was surprised to find the terms both transparent and equitable, with no hidden traps. It felt as though he had just won the lottery.
After a brief pause, Luka asked, “Are you certain about investing such a large amount? We might not deliver the kind of returns you’re expecting.”
“Have faith in our strategy. Every company we’ve invested in has gone on to succeed,” Jared said firmly.
His words certainly lifted Luka’s confidence, especially since Homelight Enterprise’s investment skills were renowned in Lorpond. Any company they backed was almost guaranteed to succeed and prosper.
Watching the tables turn, Lina was enraged. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and said, “Mr. Cooper, they’ve been on the decline. They might even go bankrupt soon. Investing in them is a risky move compared to investing in us.”
“Our strategies align, and we both rely on traditional techniques. Our sales have been consistently rising these past few months. We’re the better choice for investment, no doubt about it.”
“Excuse me, who are you?” Jared asked, scratching his ear nonchalantly.
“We’re Orly Company.”
“What brand is that? I’ve never heard of it,” Jared said, his face reflecting confusion as he glanced at Isabella.
Isabella replied with a calm tone, “Just a small company that started by copying others.”
Lina’s eyes immediately narrowed as she recognized Isabella. “Isabella, I know you’re Luka’s niece, but that doesn’t give you the right to slander us like this. Our clothes are all designed by our own designers. If you keep this up, I’ll sue you for defamation.”
Jared clapped his hands, a realization dawning on him. “Ah, now I remember! Your company, the one that gained infamy for copying others about ten years ago! I almost forgot that name. It’s impressive that you’re still around.”
Lina’s face turned beet red, her defenses crumbling under the weight of his words. “Mr. Cooper, we did design those clothes ourselves…” she stammered, trying to salvage some pride.
Jared paid no attention to her and turned to Luka with a sincere gaze. “Mr. Calderon, what are your thoughts?”
Luka nodded, still processing the turn of events. “I agree. Thank you, Mr. Cooper,” he replied.
A deep sigh of relief escaped Jared’s lips as he smiled.
“I look forward to a great partnership. Timeless Elegance will rise again, I’m sure of it.”
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