Chapter 48
Originally, everyone was speculating about what had prompted Gerald to call this meeting so ungraciously. No one expected it was to announce my promotion to the company’s vice chairman. I looked up in shock, staring at him in disbelief. In the crowd, people exchanged looks and murmured in astonishment.
“Oh my. Mr. Smith actually promoted… him? Is he planning to hand me the company to him in the future?”
“But I heard that Joshua isn’t the Smith family’s biological son…”
“Really? Why don’t I know about this? Then, what does this make Racquelle?”
“If the company is to be handed over to Racquelle, it will probably go under sooner or later. Joshua has a great reputation in the business world. At least with him, the company will thrive, and we will still have stable jobs.”
“Racquelle may sit at the management table, but does she really think that makes her capable? How ridiculous! Does she even understand contracts? Can she sign her name on anything?”
These whispered remarks reached my ears loud and clear. Not far away, Racquelle also seemed to hear the gossip and ridicule directed at her. Her face darkened, and she looked at Gerald in frustration, exclaiming, “Dad, what are you talking about?”
Gerald paid her no mind, coldly cutting her off. He then continued sternly, “After careful consideration, I’ve decided to remove Ricquelle from her position as the general manager and demote her to a department supervisor.”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock. None of them expected Gerald to be so clear-headed. He promoted the person who had contributed the most to the company—me—and demoted Racquelle, who was known for accomplishing little and being capable of even less. Naturally, the employees wanted the company to develop in a positive direction. That way, they could work smoothly and earn happily, rather than endure the oppressive atmosphere created by Racquelle and live each day in misery.
To them, my promotion and her demotion made little difference. After all, I was already the one handling both big and small matters in the company. In truth, I had already been in charge.
However, it was a different story for Racquelle. She had grown up spoiled, never having to face any hardships or challenges. Gerald’s promotion of me now struck her as a massive blow. She could no longer care about the fact that we were in the middle of a meeting and that the entire company was present. She stood up angrily, staring at Gerald in disbelief.
“Dad, what exactly are you saying? Why should he be the vice chairman and get so many shares? I’m your biological daughter. Why are you giving the shares to him?”
Gerald’s gaze remained calm, unfazed by her outburst. Instead, he gave her a brief glance and said seriously, “When it comes to the company’s affairs, I make the decisions. If anyone has any objections, feel free to speak up now.”
The room fell utterly silent. Everyone understood who could actually bring them prosperity. Following someone like Racquelle might mean they wouldn’t even get scraps to live on.
Fuming, Racquelle clenched her teeth, but she couldn’t utter a single word. She could only glare at me with hatred. If looks could kill, I would probably have died under her gaze a good hundred times by now.
Seeing that no one objected, Gerald cleared his throat, smiled, and continued, “Alright then. It seems like everyone greatly respects Joshua’s abilities, so I can hereby announce…”
At that moment, I slowly rose, interrupting him. “Mr. Smith, please reconsider. I am not the best candidate for this role.”
In a month, I would be leaving the Smith family and stepping away from the Smith Group. I didn’t want any entanglement with Racquelle, so I wouldn’t take these shares, nor would I accept the vice chairman position. Gerald was simply trying to use this as a condition for me to marry his daughter.