Chapter 61 Take Back the Company
Actually, after that slap, Joanna did feel a bit of regret.
But hearing Chad's crazy questioning, she calmed down again.
"Did I slap you for no reason? Chad, you're scared of Mom finding out about all the awful things you've done, aren't you? You joined a gang before even graduating, drinking, smoking, street racing - you've done it all. Someone died in a bar fight you were part of, and after getting an innocent girl pregnant, you sent her to some sketchy clinic for an abortion!"
Joanna's chest heaved violently, clearly truly angry and hurt. "I've cleaned up so many of your messes. If it weren't for me, you'd still be stuck in jail right now!"
Chad still glared back at her defiantly: "Even Mom and Dad haven't finished criticizing me for my mistakes - what gives you the right to lecture me?"
His self-righteous attitude was exactly what Henry had enabled.
Joanna was about to continue scolding him, but gradually realized something was wrong - Sandra seemed to have been quiet for a while.
She suddenly looked down and discovered that Sandra had passed out, her face pale. She didn't know if it was from shock or her illness acting up.
"Doctor! Doctor!"
Joanna couldn't be bothered arguing with Chad anymore. She pushed him aside and ran out: "If anything happens to Mom, I'll personally send you back to prison myself!"
Chad gritted his teeth, somewhat unwilling, but also genuinely afraid he'd scared Sandra to death.
He looked at the hospital bed, then at Joanna's anxious figure running out, and with a hardened heart, just ran away.
By the time Joanna returned with Dr. Bruce, Chad was already gone.
But she couldn't worry about that now - she quickly had the doctor check on her mother.
After emergency treatment and examination, her mind was completely filled with panicked thoughts.
She must have lost her mind!
Joanna raised her hand and rubbed her face to calm herself down.
She'd known before that Sandra's condition couldn't handle stress. With Chad coming, something was bound to happen!
And now the nursing home's location was exposed too. She didn't know if Henry would use Sandra to threaten her again after he got out.
Joanna's mind was a mess. Even when Angelo came over after hearing the commotion to comfort her, she still couldn't calm down.
Until Dr. Bruce walked out with a serious expression: "Miss Jones, your mother really can't handle any more stress. If possible, keep her away from upsetting people and situations. She needs peace and quiet."
Joanna lowered her head apologetically: "I'm sorry Dr. Bruce, I didn't expect my mom to call Chad. He's... kind of a jerk."
Dr. Bruce frowned but ultimately didn't say more.
After all, no one can choose what their family is like.
After explaining the follow-up precautions, Dr. Bruce left.
Angelo roughly understood what had happened and gently hugged Joanna: "Your father should be released soon. You can use this time to negotiate."
Joanna wiped her red, wet eyes and looked up: "I know, I'll go this afternoon."
She'd just figured it out - she had to take control quickly and couldn't let Henry and Chad drag her down anymore.
Her vulnerable appearance made Angelo want to pat her head, but after hesitating for a long time, he pulled back his outstretched hand.
Joanna didn't notice this gesture. She looked through the hospital room door at Sandra, who had stabilized, then steeled her heart and left with her bag.
First, she found Peter to draft a stock transfer agreement, then took a cab to the rest room where Henry was temporarily staying.
Seeing Joanna, Henry was obviously excited: "You came to get me out, right? Joanna, I knew it - I knew you wouldn't abandon me. Quick, take me out of here. The food here is terrible, and I can't sleep well. I've had insomnia for two nights already!"
The haggardness on his face wasn't fake - there were heavy dark circles under his eyes.
Joanna glanced at him, suppressed her sympathy, and pulled out the stock transfer agreement to hand to him.
"I can help you pay off the company's debts, but you have to transfer the shares you and Chad hold to me. Only keep five percent for living expenses. From now on, I'll find someone to manage the company - you two don't need to be involved anymore."
"No way!" Henry's eyes widened as he angrily accused: "That's my company, why should I transfer it to you? You've never even managed the company. Giving it to you would be worse than giving it to Chad!"
Pain flashed in Joanna's eyes. She knew Dad had never valued her abilities - he didn't believe she could manage the company well.
And most importantly, the company was meant for Chad's future. Henry simply didn't want to give it to her.
"Then give it to him. You know his capabilities - he'll definitely lose all your company shares! The ten million dollars to bail you out, the employee salaries and client payments - even if you gave him ten years, he couldn't come up with it! So just stay here and wait for him to solve it for you!"
Henry froze, his momentum instantly deflated.
He knew Joanna was telling the truth.
But giving the company to Joanna - he really couldn't accept that!
"You're saying if I give it to you, you can come up with ten million?" Henry said defiantly.
Joanna didn't mention that she'd actually already used her competition prize money to handle the company matters.
Although Henry hadn't been released yet, that was only due to procedural issues - still under review.
Once the process was complete, he could immediately return to the company.
She was forcing Henry to sign the stock transfer now to use the time gap and get the company first.
"At least I'm more capable than you two. I won't run losses year after year, having to rely on Cooper Corporation's investment just to keep the company running!"
Hearing this, Henry's mind suddenly became sharp.
Cooper Corporation's investment had been stuck in the approval process - was it because Chris was also unwilling to support Jones Corp anymore?
Although Joanna couldn't handle Chris, if he gave Jones Corp to her first and let her solve the problems, he could just take the company back later, couldn't he?
With the company in Joanna's hands, Chris definitely wouldn't ignore it.
And if this batch of accounts really turned up problems, he could let Joanna go to jail while he and Chad packed up and fled abroad!
The more Henry thought about it, the more excited he got. His eyes practically glowed as he looked at the stock transfer agreement.
"Fine! I'll transfer it to you first, but let me be clear - if you dare lose my company, I'll beat you and your mother to death!"
Joanna's gaze turned cold for a moment, but more than that, she felt heartache.
Sandra, do you see? This is the husband and son you've been protecting and sacrificing for.
I will never become you, never!
After the stock transfer was signed, Joanna left. That evening, Henry was released.
He went home and saw Chad hiding at home playing video games, which made his blood boil.
"How are you so useless? Aren't you about to graduate? You won't go to your internship, you can't manage the company - are you planning to just give the company to Joanna?"
Chad angrily stood up and glared at him: "Isn't it all because of that wonderful daughter you raised? Secretly hiding Mom away, and even though she's been awake for days, she wouldn't let us see her! If Mom hadn't called me today, I still wouldn't know she'd woken up!"
"You're saying your mom is awake?" Henry was shocked and couldn't be bothered scolding Chad anymore. "Do you know which hospital?"