Chapter 11

Bruce raised his eyebrows slightly, affecting a casual air. Deep down, however, he was consumed by a rage that urged him to kill everyone present.

Shaun tugged at his suit and said impatiently, "Joann, if you sign it, you'll be chairwoman! However, I warn you, I doubt you can fulfill the role. You'll lose everything and disgrace the entire Haynes family. If that happens, I'll disown you. But if you relinquish your shares now, you remain my beloved daughter, and I'll treat you well!"

Everyone understood Shaun's implication: he was threatening Joanna. If she persisted in replacing him, their father-daughter relationship would end.

Joanna felt a sudden chill. First, her ex-husband had obstructed her, and now her father was resorting to emotional blackmail. This was undeniably a difficult situation.

"Fine," she said. "I'll sign. However, I require the complete cooperation of all shareholders."

Mr. Paul and Mr. Roger nodded enthusiastically. "Of course. You're the largest shareholder; we'll follow your lead."

Bruce sneered. "Well, at least you have some guts. The meeting's adjourned. My lawyer will send the agreement tomorrow."

Bruce stood and strode from the room, leaving everyone else behind as if he were the undisputed boss. In his mind, he had already condemned Joanna. “Since you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, I’ll make you choke!” he thought.

Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul also rose and shook Joanna's hand. "We believe in you, Ms. Haynes. We expect you to elevate the Haynes Group!"

Joanna smiled. "I hope we all enjoy working together."

Ignoring Joanna, Shaun snorted and stormed out of the conference room.

Downstairs in the lobby, Ingrid and her two sons saw Shaun emerge with a sullen expression and hurried toward him.

"Honey, how did it go?" Ingrid asked.

Shaun sighed heavily. "Forget it. Let's go home."

Ingrid caught up with him, visibly worried. "How was the meeting? Did Joanna refuse to give up her shares?"

"The wretched girl not only refused but wants to oust us all! I've been fired!" Shaun sputtered, pulling out his inhaler and using it. Deep down, he had never truly considered Joanna family.

"The viper!" Derick hissed. "Dad, you're not going to let Joanna replace you, are you?"

"It doesn't matter what I want; she already has! She's determined to be chairwoman!"

Ryan, equally indignant, added, "Who does she think she is? We can't let her take everything! The Haynes Group belongs to us!"

"Yeah, we'll sue her!"

Shaun sighed. "She has Grandfather's will. It's pointless. Who knew she'd hired all four top lawyers in Greyport? We'll lose. She's the chairwoman, and that's final."

Despite losing control of the Haynes Group, the Haynes family was far from ruined. They owned numerous properties and estates in Greyport, representing significant wealth. They possessed an entire office building, not to mention substantial private accounts. Even if they stopped working, they could live comfortably for life. But who would refuse more money?

Ingrid's rage was palpable. She panted furiously. "Joanna has gone too far! I won't stand idly by! The Haynes Group is ours, and I won't let an outsider take it…"

Chapter 11

As she spoke, Joanna, Mr. Roger, Mr. Paul, and others emerged from the elevator. Ingrid rushed toward Joanna. "Joann, how could you be so vicious? You kicked your own father out! How ungrateful!"

Ingrid shouted, attempting to grab Joanna. Joanna's security detail intervened.

"Ma'am, please! You're causing a scene!"

"I own this company! I'll make scenes as I please! You shameless thing! You seduced Roxy's fiancé years ago and now stole the company! You deserve to be cast out by the Everetts!"

Joanna's face darkened. "Calm yourself before I'm forced to hurt you, Ingrid."

"Threaten me? I won't let you take everything!" Ingrid raged.

Joanna, weary of the confrontation, ordered her bodyguards to escort Ingrid away.

Numerous reporters were already gathered outside the Haynes Tower.

"Joanna! Say something!"

"Are you taking over the Haynes Group today?"

"No interviews," she said.

Security held back the reporters while Joanna entered her car. Ingrid and her sons followed, immediately surrounded by reporters.

"Mrs. Haynes, what happened?"

Ingrid, maintaining a composed facade, said, "We raised an ungrateful daughter who betrayed us all, even her own father!"

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