Chapter 294

Thea asked Nicolas to send her to Sparkle Rocks before he left. Nicolas said, "Thea, wait for me. I won't keep you waiting long." Thea calmed down as she watched his car drive away. Nicolas's return was beneficial; at the very least, it gave Thea peace of mind to handle the situation.

Facing the skyscraper, Thea took ten minutes to mentally prepare herself before entering the building. It was as she expected: even the receptionist was slacking off. Noticing Thea's reflection, the receptionist numbly stood and reluctantly called out, "Ms. Rowland."

Thea tapped her fingers on the marble table. "Sparkle Rocks doesn't pay idle employees. Recent events necessitate improved performance. What if a visitor had arrived instead of me? Another instance of this attitude will result in your dismissal."

Before Thea entered the elevator, the receptionist's voice followed her: "How can a prisoner awaiting trial criticize me? The company's collapse is your fault, yet you demand better work from me?" Thea ignored her and sent a message to the front desk. She felt, for the first time, that Sparkle Rocks' predicament could be an opportunity to bring in new talent. Wearing a tweed suit changed in Nicolas's car, she looked like an elegant woman from an oil painting.

The sound of her heels silenced the chattering employees. "What are you gossiping about?" Thea asked, her gaze fixed on a still-on screen displaying a trending topic. Sparkle Rocks' current crisis stemmed not only from external factors, but also from widespread employee negligence.

"With upper management detained, I'll hold a staff meeting in one hour. All remaining employees must attend."

Complaints erupted:

"The company's closing; why a meeting?" "I want my pension; I don't even know how to get it now!" "Who does she think she is, ordering us around?!"

Thea's office was deep within the building. Along the way, she heard countless disdainful comments. Sparkle Rocks' employees, she thought, were remarkably bold.

After a long wait in the conference room, only a few employees arrived. Most remained unsure of Thea's ability to recover the company.

"Ms. Rowland, you're close to the Hendrix family. Why didn't you ask Mr. Hendrix to suppress the trending topic? Our official account is flooded with negative comments." "If Mr. Hendrix intervened, we wouldn't be in this position."

The agreement was unanimous. Thea thought, These people are trying to get information from me.

"While Nicolas and I are married, we are independent individuals. Neither is responsible for the other," Thea stated frankly. "I have a solution to Sparkle Rocks' problems."

The employees were disheartened. "A solution? Ms. Rowland, the most practical solution is bankruptcy or selling the company."

"You don't understand. The marketing department is bombarded with contract termination calls. Even if you could turn things around, you'd drag us down with you!"

They cared little for Thea's position. Their livelihoods were paramount, and she was the one who jeopardized them.

Confirming their concerns, Thea received several calls.

"Ms. Rowland, you've made a mess," Ollie's teasing voice said. "My brother says, even though my casino is disreputable, I must cut ties with you to protect the Windrow family." He added, "Don't blame me; my position is precarious, and my brother has the final say."

Thea didn't blame him. A simple message from a subordinate would have sufficed.

"Understood. Please cooperate with the termination paperwork. Our legal department will contact you." Thea's calm demeanor belied the crisis.

Ollie's interest piqued. "Ms. Rowland, I respect your abilities. My brother only wants to sever ties with Sparkle Rocks. Why not abandon Sparkle Rocks and become my business partner?"

Thea thought, Absolutely not. Sparkle Rocks is my grandfather's legacy. I won't let it fail.

"Mr. Windrow, I'm sorry, another call. I'll contact you later." She wasn't bluffing; Ollie and Teri called simultaneously. Even while speaking with Ollie, Teri called repeatedly.

Thea's heart pounded. Her colleagues seemed to enjoy the spectacle. Teri's call held more weight than Ollie's.

She answered, her heart in her throat, fearing a termination of their collaboration.

"Ms. Rowland, you've felt the sting of failure these past two days, haven't you?" Teri chuckled.

Thea lowered her eyes. Ollie's wasn't the only terminated contract; many demanded heavy penalties. Sparkle Rocks was worse than an empty shell; it was deeply in debt.

Exhausted, Thea said formally, "Ms. Langstaff, are you terminating our contract?"

"No," Teri said firmly. "I'm offering timely assistance."

Thea's heart leaped. What did Teri mean?

"Ms. Rowland, I've done much to compete with you for that scoundrel, Duncan. The collaboration between Sparkle Rocks and Langstaff Group will continue. Consider it an apology." Thea could hardly believe her ears.

What is Teri saying? She wants to continue working with Sparkle Rocks!

Warmth flooded Thea's heart. Her voice trembled. "Are you sure?"

"Thea, listen. I bet on the inheritance to secure continued collaboration. Don't disappoint me."