Chapter 293: Approved by the Board Meeting
"Have I ever had high expectations of myself?" Oscar asked Hannah. He fell silent, gazing at her, a slight smile hinting at underlying loneliness. Rising from the sofa, he mumbled, "I'm going to bed," his discomfort evident.
Hannah pursed her lips, watching his retreating back. "Is it that important?" she asked.
Oscar turned. "Is having sex that important to men?"
"It depends," he replied.
Hannah frowned.
"It's very important with you," Oscar said, emphasizing each word. The realization that sex with her held such significance for him struck Hannah. She felt a pang of sympathy, observing his lonely posture. This man, born into wealth and admiration, seemed to carry a profound, lifelong loneliness, a mystery that had somehow drawn her in.
The next morning, Hannah awoke to an empty bed. Oscar, who usually slept late, was gone. Was he angry? she wondered, attributing his early departure to displeasure from the previous night.
A Post-it note on the bedside table held the explanation: "Left early for something. Don't worry. Yours, Oscar." A smile played on her lips despite a chuckle at his childish note. "Yours, Oscar," she repeated softly to herself.
Hannah composed herself, washed, applied makeup, and dressed in a suit before heading to the Cooper Group building after breakfast.
Upon arriving at her office and settling in, Rose, her assistant, reported, "Ms. Hannah, there's a board meeting at ten. The chairman's secretary asked me to notify you."
"What's the agenda?" Hannah inquired.
"They didn't specify, only that your attendance is mandatory."
"Okay," Hannah nodded. "Bring forward the opening marketing case for the 'Huatan' project."
"Yes," Rose confirmed. "I've already expedited it with marketing; the deadline is Wednesday."
"Good," Hannah replied, turning to her work. "And a black coffee, please."
Rose prepared the coffee and left, noting Hannah's focused work ethic.
At ten o'clock, Hannah entered the boardroom, surprised to find Mary and Wayne present. She sat quietly, awaiting the meeting's start. Miguel, seated centrally, addressed the microphone bluntly: "This meeting's purpose is simple: to review Hannah's performance since joining the company."
Hannah smiled faintly. Her father's eagerness to publicly acknowledge her success was evident. Miguel called his secretary, Lily, who projected a document onto the screen.
The performance table displayed Hannah's exceptional achievements in her first three months. Applauses erupted as Miguel highlighted her exceeding her initial promises. Hannah maintained her composure, a serene smile on her face.
Miguel continued, "Cooper Group values competence above all else. Given Roger's imprisonment, and the executive CEO's current workload, I propose Hannah assume the position of Senior Vice Chairman, overseeing all marketing."
The announcement caused a stir. A twenty-two-year-old woman in such a senior role at Cooper Group was unprecedented. Murmurs of disbelief and even ridicule rippled through the room.
"I object!" Wayne exclaimed. "My father's absence doesn't justify Hannah's appointment. Three months of success, however impressive, doesn't qualify her for this position. Uncle, this is self-serving."
Miguel's gaze met Wayne's. He knew Wayne's objection stemmed from his own ambitions.
"Then who do you suggest?" Miguel challenged.
"Hannah is unqualified," Wayne retorted, unable to openly advocate for himself.
"And why is that?" Miguel pressed.
"Her age?" Miguel countered. "Should her abilities be dismissed simply because she's twenty-two? While others faltered on the 'Light Building' and 'Huatan' projects, Hannah turned them both profitable in three months. Who can deny her capabilities?"
His forceful words silenced the room. Many were swayed by his argument. Soon, voices of support for Hannah's appointment began to rise. She was astonished by the unexpected endorsement.