Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
Flossie went speechless at Adie’s actions.
The next few days, Flossie kept herself busy with the Ellsworth Residence’s redevelopment and Azure Group’s matter. It was as if Halston’s death was just a small chapter in her life. She simply ignored it without mentioning anything about it
However, the more Flossie behaved this way, the more worrying it was.
Liam thought venting negative emotions was necessary. How Flossie constantly repressed her emotions might make matters worse in the long run. Therefore, Liam and Leia discussed the need to find a way for Flossie to vent.
After the discussion, Leia patted her chest and reassured Liam confidently, “Fine. I understand. I’m good at that. Just leave it to me!”
Leia finally broke up with William after he was rescued. She had been suffocating anyway and could not wait to vent!
At the moment, Flossie was sitting in a conference room at Azure Group headquarters. It was an important meeting with the company’s executives.
Flossie was not nominated to hold any position in Azure Group over the past few years. Liam had made all the major decisions as the company president. Even so, the executives knew Flossie was the soul of the company.
Azure Group was just a small technology company in the industry. Without Flossie’s effort behind the scenes, competitors in the industry would have eaten Azure Group.
Even so, many of these executives disliked Flossie. The first on the list was Liam’s third sister, Laura Osborne.
The Osborne family had eight children, and the eldest to the fifth were all girls. Liam was the only boy in the Osborne family and naturally took on the responsibility of carrying on the family’s legacy.
Liam had five elder sisters. His third sister Laura was the strongest and most business-minded. She had been managing the Osborne family business together with Liam.
In the beginning, Liam requested his father for money to set up Azure Group, saying he wanted to break into the field of communication technology. The Osborne family business started in the gray market and revolved around it.
Liam’s family laughed at him for his sudden career change. They thought he set up the company to pick up girls, and the company would collapse sooner and later.
After all, H Group had about seventy to eighty percent market share as the leader in the communication technology industry. How could Liam compete?
Liam’s third sister Laura was the only one supportive of him. She even invested in the company and became the third largest shareholder of Azure Group.
As Azure grew, so did Laura’s appetite. She was no longer happy to have someone outside the family with a higher authority above her.
Therefore, when Flossie spoke, Laura objected immediately.
“From what Miss Ellsworth is saying, a huge capital injection is required in opening new R&D and manufacturing sites. It’s too risky and not in line with Azure Group’s current plans. I disagree.”
Four years ago, Flossie wanted Azure Group to build its own product development and manufacturing base. At that time, the majority of the top management, including Liam, opposed her proposal.
However, because Flossie insisted, Liam finally overcame the objection and secretly diverted a large amount of money from the Osborne family to support her unconditionally. Unfortunately, the production and R&D center was not profitable and lost all the money.
Laura questioned Flossie with a stern expression, “The investment for a company to build its own R&D and manufacturing base is enormous. The Osborne family has depleted much of its financial resources in supporting Azure Group over the years. We’ve only been able to get some relief, and now you propose this. I can’t help but wonder, Miss Ellsworth, are you trying to lead Azure Group to glory or its end?
Flossie seemed unruffled by Laura’s questions. She responded calmly, “The only way for a technology company to last in the long run and avoid being a middleman dealer is to establish major centers for production as well as research and development. Meanwhile, a normal enterprise generally needs three to five years from inception to profitability…”
“Azure Group has been established for four years. Soon, well reach the fifth year. I promise you that this year will be a good year. Everyone here will make a big fortune!”
The management unceremoniously disagreed with Flossie’s ambitious words.
“You’re talking big again… Miss Ellsworth, you’ve been talking big for the past four years. When will we get something real?”
“The industry is declining now. Our competitors are cutting back costs with layoffs and plant closures. Keeping costs low is the most important right now, while you… How could you increase spending to build more production and R&D centers! That’s such a waste of money!”
“I heard that H Group will soon launch the G6 Chip phone. Our market share will decline soon. Our survival is on the line. How could we hope for any profit?!”
The executives clearly had long held a grudge against Flossie, but no one dared to voice out because of Liam. Liam was out of town for this meeting, so Laura took the lead, ready to embarrass Flossie.
“Miss Ellsworth, you’ve been far away all these years. You probably don’t know much about the company’s difficulties. While you’re here today, please allow our CFO, Mr. Schwartz to present our true accounts…”
After saying that, Laura turned to Schwartz in the corner.
Schwartz stood up and bowed to the crowd. He said with a heavy expression, “Azure Group has indeed grown over the years. However, the operating costs have risen significantly. The construction of the two centers costs a lot of resources. At present, our account is already in a serious deficit. Don’t talk about profits. If we can’t obtain new investments, even survival is difficult…”
Schwartz made a detailed data graph regarding the company’s financial situation. Indeed, it looked really alarming.
Flossie furrowed her brows hard. She had no idea that Azure Group was in a financial crisis!
Flossie had been working with Liam on Azure Group for several years. Liam always complained about having no money and running out of resources but still presented only good results to her. As a result, Flossie could do research and planning in peace. However, in reality…
Laura grunted at Flossie’s stunned expression. “Seems like my crazily-in- love brother has been reporting only the good news and not the bad. He must have made you very happy. To be frank, Azure Group won’t last much longer. Neither will the Osborne family. If you’re looking out for the group, you shouldn’t give Liam more problems now. We no longer have extra funds to build this and that!”
“That’s right! Miss Ellsworth, please! Have more consideration. We can’t build any new centers anymore!”
Most of the management was conservative and agreed. Besides, the group had cash flow difficulties. The management wanted business as usual and could not afford much higher risk.
After a long silence, Flossie said sternly, “I understand the company’s situation now. I’m sorry for the suffering I caused you. I’ll find a way to solve the funding issues.”
After the meeting ended, Flossie felt a little heavy-hearted. She was too idealistic and thought everything would be easy and smooth. She never thought that Liam had been shouldering the burden!
Flossie suddenly felt exhausted. All she wanted to do was have a drink and relax a little.
At the same time, her best friend Leia called.
“Hey, Flossie. Are you free? Sob… My heart is breaking… Will you come and have a drink with me?” Leia wailed.
Flossie had been worried about Leia and wanted a chance to comfort her. Therefore, she agreed without hesitation. “Don’t cry. Where are you? I’ll be right over.
’We’re going to The Blue Inn. I booked the best seats and the strongest alcohol. We won’t be going home sober tonight!” Leia sounded like she was already tipsy and excited.
The Blue Inn!
This bar was very popular as of late. Flossie had heard about it a long time ago.
The Blue Inn was the place women frequented when they wanted to be entertained.
In the current era, women in the city were under a lot of stress. Those who worked, those who had failed relationships, those with children, and those taking exams… Like men, they all needed a way to relax.
When this bar was launched, it became very popular right away. That’s why Flossie hadn’t been able to make a reservation there all this time. She had long wanted to go there to experience what it felt like.
Without wasting any time, Flossie walked out of the office and hailed a taxi to get to The Blue Inn.
Although it wasn’t even nighttime yet, The Blue Inn was already crowded.
All the men who worked there, including the waiters, the bartenders, and the entertainers on stage, were handsome guys, and they were all at least six feet tall.
The moment Flossie walked in, she was mesmerized by all the good looking men.
The best part was that all the customers here were women. There weren’t any annoying men to ruin the fun by pestering her. On the contrary, the women were allowed to mess with the handsome, six- foot-tall men.
“Flossie, over here!’1 Leia waved passionately at Flossie from the second floor where the most luxurious seats were located. She had on a shiny dress and a pair of black high heels.
Flossie was surprised. From their phone conversation earlier, it sounded like Leia was devastated. Why did she seem to be having so much fun now?
With guidance from a handsome waiter, Flossie made her way to the second floor where Leia was seated.