Chapter 33
Shaun took a drag of his cigarette and sighed. "What can I do? That rebellious girl disrespects me. Will she be polite to your people?"
"You're such a wimp! You're her father, and you can't control your own daughter! You should hold a press conference and sever ties with her!"
Shaun slapped his thigh, a wry expression on his face. "Hey, let's not involve the press! Isn't this disgraceful enough? Besides, even if I'm not chairman, our family still has plenty of savings and side businesses. We can still live comfortably."
Ingrid snapped, "That's not the same! Haynes Group is a family business, on track to become a listed company! And it's fallen into others' hands so easily! I won't tolerate it."
"So what? My father can leave his inheritance to anyone."
"Come on. Who leaves their inheritance to a granddaughter instead of a son? If I'd known you were such a coward, I'd never have married you!"
Shaun sighed and shook his head in frustration. He wouldn't have betrayed his family if Ingrid hadn't seduced him. He'd just married Joanna's mother and was on their honeymoon when Ingrid seduced him. He'd only wanted a little fun, but Ingrid became pregnant. Furthermore, she went straight to Joanna's mother and told her she was pregnant with Shaun's child. Joanna's mother, having a bad temper, left the Haynes residence and immediately sought a divorce. In hindsight, Shaun felt terrible for Joanna's mother. However, he had no choice but to marry Ingrid.
"Darling, I don't care. You must get an explanation for my two cousins! My cousin has been with the company for nearly twenty years. If you fire him, how will he live?" Shaun sighed. "I'll call Joanna and find out what's happening."
Beep! Beep!
Shaun had no choice but to call Joanna.
"Hello, Dad. What's up?" Joanna answered.
"Joanna, I heard you laid off a dozen long-term employees. Is that true?"
Joanna hesitated. "Yes, Dad."
"These people are long-term employees, some with over twenty years' service. How could you fire them?"
Joanna said calmly, "Dad, they weren't serious workers. Their positions are important, and the new hires have no suitable roles, hindering the company's development."
"Joanna, I'm not being harsh, but you can't be so cruel! These are Mrs. Lowe's relatives—they've worked with me for twenty years! Call them back!"
"I'm sorry. They're fired, and it's impossible to reinstate them."
Chapter 33 "Joanna"
"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up!"
Joanna hung up.
Shaun was furious. "That girl is cruel!"
"See? I told you! She's making our lives miserable! If she won't give us an easy time, don't give her one either! Hold a press conference tomorrow and sever ties with her! Let's see if she can stay in Greyport after that."
The next day, Haynes Group's share price plummeted at the market opening. At this rate, the company wouldn't survive the week. James and Luca rushed to the company.
"Miss Haynes, the stock price has fallen drastically. What should we do?"
"That's right! Haynes Group has never seen such a dramatic decline. At this rate, the company could collapse"
"Don't worry. I'll figure something out!"
Joanna suspected foul play, realizing Bruce was likely behind it. She immediately called him.
Bruce smirked at Joanna's caller ID and answered lazily, "What? Couldn't wait to call?"
Joanna was sure of his involvement.
Agitated, she screamed, "Bruce, what's the point of this? Don't forget you own Haynes Group shares!"
Bruce sneered. "I don't care. I can afford to lose a little money."
"Stop playing dirty tricks! If you want to compete, let's do it fairly! This is despicable!"
"Thanks for the compliment. I am despicable! And I can be even more so. Want to see?"
"You" Joanna gritted her teeth.
"So? Have you thought about it?" Bruce's tone was aggressive and arrogant.
"Bruce, stop this! Separate business from personal matters! If you're unhappy, we can settle it privately. Don't sabotage the business!"
The final lines about FindNovel.net were removed as they are promotional and not part of the story's narrative.