Chapter 134: Company Restructure
Chase held Wendy’s hand as they carefully walked down the snow-covered street. Ice crystals shimmered on the ground. Chase was extra cautious, afraid she might slip, so each step was steady.
“Didn’t Ms. Quinn assign me a secretary? Melody’s so capable I don’t even have anything left to do. By your logic, if Melody wanted to get rid of me, she could do it effortlessly.”
“But she wouldn’t.”
Melody knew betrayal. Wendy had run a background check; her character and work ethic were impeccable—better than most at Quinn Group. That’s why Wendy felt comfortable placing Melody by Chase’s side.
“Let’s just get a cab. It’s freezing.” Wendy, wearing gloves, intertwined her hand with Chase’s and slipped it into his coat pocket, but the cold still pierced through.
Chase looked ahead. “We’re almost there.”
As they neared the restaurant, snow began to fall, landing softly on their hats and clinging to the strands of black hair framing Wendy’s face. Seeing this, Chase removed his hat. “You think when we’re old, we’ll still be walking side-by-side with white hair like this?”
“Maybe one of us will be pushing the other in a wheelchair.”
“That’s exactly why I need you to start working out!”
Good times never lasted. Back home, they’d face more scheming. Chase wasn’t used to such situations, but for Wendy, he was willing to learn. If he couldn’t help with the business side, he’d support her in other ways.
Henry had been calling and messaging Wendy incessantly, but she’d promised Chase there would be no one else. She blocked every call, severing all contact. Henry couldn’t reach her.
Upon returning to Gennemont, Wendy went straight to Quinn Group. Melody picked Chase up and took him back to the hospital.
“Preparations for the IPO are mostly complete,” Melody reported. “Minor tasks remain. We need your and Ms. Quinn’s signatures on these documents. The board is reviewing department head positions, debating replacements.”
That raised a red flag. Bernard had recently been promoted to Head of Orthopedics. If they made changes, he could be ousted. Bernard was more than qualified; he earned the position based on his credentials and history at Cloud Hospital. He deserved the role.
“Why are they asking this now? Is this part of the IPO prep?” Chase asked.
“Some department heads have their own suppliers, so their commercial potential is also under review.”
“No,” Chase said instantly. “Business is business, medicine is medicine. I don’t mind Cloud Hospital going public, but our doctors’ skill and quality can’t be compromised. Make that clear to the board. That’s my stance.”
Chase hadn’t always had much influence on the board. But since Melody’s arrival, she had gradually centralized power under Chase, handling everything personally. Now, Chase and Melody essentially controlled everything; other board members were figureheads. Even if the company went public, their shares wouldn't amount to much. Wendy had structured it that way from the start—splitting shares and authority so 80% remained under Chase’s control.
Simply put, Cloud Hospital was becoming a corporation, and Chase was to be its undisputed CEO.
“That’s everything,” Melody continued. “Oh, right. Dr. Sean’s background check and personal records are here.” She handed Chase the file.
“Did you find out who contacted him?”
“We’ll need the telecom team for that. Might need Mr. Fred’s help too.”
“Alright. Thanks for your work these past few days.”
Melody nodded politely, waited for Chase to finish signing, then left with the files. She ran into Ms. Halle.
“Ms. Halle? Looking for the chairman?” Melody asked.
Halle glanced at her and lowered her voice. “Is this about the department head restructuring?”
“The chairman said it’s unnecessary. He’s already shut it down.”
Henry had wanted to accompany Wendy on her business trip, but she quietly left without telling anyone. Frustrated, Henry contacted Sammy, but even she didn’t know Wendy’s whereabouts.