Chapter 127

Isabella thought, I warned Emily long ago, but she didn’t listen. In that case, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.

Emily panicked inside; Isabella could call a shareholders’ meeting. But the next moment, she straightened up, anger flaring.

Emily said, “Call a shareholders’ meeting? Are you kidding? What gives you the right to fire me, even if you can call a meeting? I’ve been in this department for so many years, working hard,—”

Before Emily could finish, Isabella let out a cold laugh and said, “Work hard? You sure have some nerve. A new employee can be tested, but look at what you had me design—is that something a deputy director should be doing?”

Everyone suddenly realized that Emily’s challenging demands were deliberately aimed at Isabella rather than testing her. Such a toxic atmosphere was definitely unacceptable.

Emily argued, “Just because you used connections to get in doesn’t mean I can’t have unique expectations for you. Regular folks have to pass interviews and go through several selection rounds.”

When Emily said this, she felt puffed up with self-importance again. She thought, Isabella gets in through connections, so she requires special treatment!

But the mood in the office started to feel a bit off, and Emily seemed to notice it, too. Before she could fully understand, someone couldn’t hold back.

The person said, “Does Ms. Isabella Stout need to undergo all the selection processes? She skipped one step. Her skills are what countless design companies crave. Having her join our company is a stroke of luck.”

Another person chimed in, “I feel exactly the same way.”

Emily instantly glared at the two people talking. These two never listened to her, but she couldn’t fire them because they were skilled!

Ivana’s expression was complicated as she said, “Bella, I think you might be overthinking this. Emily has been with me for many years and has worked hard despite major achievements. Maybe we should—”

Before Ivana could finish, Isabella looked at Ivana with a cold stare. Isabella said, “You can ask Dad for some shares right now. If he gives them to you, you can speak at the shareholders’ meeting.”

Ivana was furious. She cursed inside, “What a bitch!” Ivana was so angry that keeping a calm face was hard for her.

Everyone’s expressions changed a bit. They thought, Judging from the situation, Isabella probably holds some shares. Even though Ivana is the department head, Isabella is a shareholder in the company. If Ivana made a mistake, Isabella could directly fire her!

In an instant, those who had flattered Ivana began to regret it. They didn’t even dare raise their heads, afraid Isabella might unleash wrath on them.

Ivana took a deep breath and said, “Bella, I think…” But she didn’t have the chance to finish her sentence.

Isabella didn’t even glance at Ivana. Instead, Isabella looked coldly at Emily and said, “You’d better pack up now so you don’t leave in a mess.”

Emily shouted, “You!” She was panicking. She could hardly imagine what would happen if this issue reached the shareholders.

In the next moment, Isabella took out her phone and sent a message to the group: (2 PM, shareholder meeting | Fri, Nov 15)

Everyone was startled. Only two or three shareholders with the most shares could notify the group about a shareholder meeting. Moreover, immediately after Isabella sent the message, many shareholders quickly replied, acknowledging receipt.

This left everyone completely shocked. They wondered how many shares Isabella had. It wasn’t until they saw Hudson’s reply that they realized Isabella had more shares than Hudson.

Even though Ivana was the head of the design department, she didn’t own any shares. The shares Isabella held were much more influential than the role of a minor manager.

Everyone’s gaze toward Ivana completely changed.

Ivana naturally understood what the others could understand, too. Her face was stiff with anger. She thought, ‘Doesn’t Dad dislike Isabella? Why does he give her so many shares?’

Ivana’s hands clenched into fists, desperately holding back her bursting emotions. She cursed inside, That witch! Why hasn’t she gone to hell yet?

Emily looked as pale as a sheet. Sitting on the couch, everything around her felt distant as her mind buzzed loudly.

Emily thought, Isabella is a significant shareholder of the Stout Group. How could it be? What kind of person do I offend?

Isabella’s cold gaze swept over Emily, who looked like her world had fallen apart. With a calm demeanor, Isabella looked away and sat back at her desk, continuing her work. She thought, Some people don’t deserve sympathy.

Now, everyone looked at Isabella in a different way.

In the afternoon was the shareholders’ meeting.

In the large conference room, Isabella sat at the head of the table, her expression cold, watching the shareholders enter through the door.

The shareholders entered with laid-back expressions, casting cold glances at Isabella before sitting in their seats.

Wearing a black suit and slightly overweight, Harry sat back impatiently and said harshly, “Ms. Stout, we’re all quite busy. Please don’t call us for meetings without reason.”

Harry thought, A young girl who doesn’t know any better. I wouldn’t have attended the meeting if it hadn’t been for the shares she holds. She’s been in the company for only three days and is already acting high and mighty.

Harry was extremely unhappy with Isabella.

Hudson was also quite upset but had to speak gently, “Bella, shareholders are all very busy. You shouldn’t be causing trouble like this in the future.”

Hudson thought, ‘No matter what Isabella’s reason for calling this meeting, she couldn’t be allowed to succeed. Although Hudson seemed to gently soothe Isabella, he was portraying Isabella as a naive troublemaker.

Isabella lifted her gaze, glancing over everyone in the conference room. Instead of responding to Hudson or Harry, she got straight to the point, saying, “I want to fire Emily, the deputy design director. As a deputy director, she hasn’t been careful with her words and actions, making rules independently. I have evidence to support this.”

Isabella didn’t plan to waste time arguing with these people. She stated her purpose directly.

Harry furrowed his brow at Isabella and directly refused, saying, “Ms. Stout, you are being overly reckless. Do you understand the crucial role of the deputy design director? You can’t fire someone based on personal feelings.” He stared at Isabella with displeasure.

The others chimed in. One said, “Yeah, even if you’re unhappy with Emily, you have to consider the company’s interests.”

Another person said, “Ms. Stout, even though you’re a major shareholder, you don’t have the right to make decisions arbitrarily.”

Isabella only had shares; she didn’t have any real power. The design department was such an important place. If a deputy director could be fired just on Isabella’s word, who in the company would feel secure enough to work?

Many people already felt unhappy because Isabella suddenly called this meeting. Now, it seemed like they were taking the chance to criticize Isabella endlessly.

Hudson’s gaze fell on Isabella as the shareholders scolded her. Feeling satisfied, Hudson frowned slightly and suggested, “Bella, you’re being unreasonable. Just apologize to shareholders, and let’s leave it at that.”

Hudson was completely suppressing Isabella, giving her no room to fight back.

Isabella looked at Hudson with a smirk. She said, “You don’t think I called a shareholders’ meeting just for fun, do you?” She took out her phone and placed it on the table.

Isabella glanced at Harry. She raised her voice firmly, saying, “Or are you all, knowing I have evidence, still allowing Emily to—”