Chapter 186: Power Struggle
The second hand of the wall clock in the conference room kept moving.
The air was filled with a faint smell of smoke and the bitter aroma of coffee, mixed with the perfume of several female directors—it really didn't smell good.
I raised my hand to signal Adrian to open the window for ventilation, then calmly looked at the other directors. "Do you all think the same as Rex?"
Rex had been displeased with me for quite some time.
Previously, the hotel was under Gale's sole control. Gale's dominance, presence, and capability won everyone over—even if they disagreed with his decisions, no one dared to voice objections.
Before my birthday party, Rex had already heard rumors that power was about to be transferred. He had his eye on securing a position with real authority, rather than being just another director collecting dividends like the others.
But I didn't let him have his way. I inherited Gale's management style, so Rex kept looking for opportunities to question my work.
When the Valeri family came to cause trouble, it was Rex who called me with that hostile, scolding tone.
So I knew this day would come sooner or later.
And I had been prepared for it all along.
"Isabella, I don't have anything against you personally," a middle-aged female director said hesitantly, "but Rex is stating facts—since you took over, there have been constant problems inside and outside the hotel."
Rex crossed his arms, smiling smugly.
Another director spoke up, "Temporary closures for inspection are common in this industry, but the daily losses are real. And this time they're targeting you specifically. What if there's a next time, and another time after that? We just want to make money in peace!"
Vincent Drake, an old director who had always supported me, couldn't take it anymore. "How can doing business always be peaceful? The bigger the risk, the higher the return. You want to make big money without doing anything—where in the world does that exist!"
I gave Vincent a gentle smile, then looked at everyone. "Don't just focus on the loss reports. Since I took over, the hotel's profits haven't decreased—they've doubled. The money going into your pockets has increased too. What, you won't admit it?"
Vincent smiled with satisfaction. Those two directors fell silent, but Rex's expression soured.
"How long can this growth last?" he asked sharply. "It's still uncertain whether we can get through the current crisis. You've offended powerful people, and you're dragging us down with you and the Sorelli family!"
"How do you know I've offended powerful people?" I raised an eyebrow. "Who are these powerful people?"
"How should I know who they are?" Rex rolled his eyes. "These waves of attacks can only mean someone is deliberately targeting us!"
"How do you know it's definitely aimed at me? What if it's because Platinum Haven Hotel's momentum is too strong and has attracted jealousy from other competitors?" I asked leisurely.
Rex's expression changed, and the others' gazes toward him became subtle.
Of course I knew exactly who was targeting me—besides the Valeri family and the Gambino family, there was also Starstream City's government, other families in Dawnharbor, and so on. Rex had clearly joined forces with these people.
This group had banded together, each with their own agenda—some wanted revenge on me, some were after wealth, and others wanted to suppress the Sorelli family's power before it grew stronger!
But there's a saying: "What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger!"
Rex raised his voice. "Don't try to slander me! What we're discussing now is your competence!"
"My competence is not the problem," I said firmly.
Rex wouldn't let it go. "The kitchen, fire safety, food safety—these areas are inspected every year and always pass. But when you're in charge, there are constant complaints. How dare you say there's no problem?"
The conversation had come full circle, back to the starting point.
"If you don't have what it takes to be the decision-maker, let someone more capable do it!"
"Someone more capable—who?" I drew out my words, then suddenly laughed coldly. "You? Or your son? Your illegitimate son? Or maybe your nephew who's been embezzling from the procurement department?"
"You!" Rex's face flushed red, nearly choking on his own saliva. "Don't talk nonsense!"
"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, the evidence will show." I nodded to James, who distributed the evidence of Rex's nephew's embezzlement and use of substandard goods in procurement to all the directors.
"Rex's nephew is the deputy manager of the procurement department. Not only has he been negligent, but he also tried to bribe his superior for a promotion." I announced my decision cleanly. "He's been fired. As for the competence issue Rex mentioned—do I need to remind everyone that my shareholding is larger than all of yours combined?"
I leaned forward slightly, my presence commanding. "Platinum Haven Hotel is my property, so naturally I want it to succeed more than anyone. I'm not someone who won't listen to opinions, but the decision-making power can only be in my hands—this will never change! If you're unhappy about this, then I'm sorry to say you lack vision."
I glanced at Cole, who distributed printed share transfer agreements. The directors were stunned. Vincent quickly asked, "Isabella, what does this mean?"
I smiled. "Anyone unwilling to continue working with me can sell their shares. I'll buy them at 1.5 times the market price."
People who won't cooperate—I'll kick them out!
I wanted a stable, united internal environment, not a bunch of foolish teammates dragging me down while external enemies were attacking me!
Vincent breathed a sigh of relief, closed the document, and set it aside. "I'm not selling. I've always had no problem with your decisions. Outstanding young women like you are rare. I'm old now—I just want to eat well and play with my grandchildren. I'm not interested in power struggles."
With his statement, the other directors quickly followed suit, and soon four-fifths of the directors clearly expressed their support for me.
The rest were all watching Rex's reaction.
I quietly made note of these people.
Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Rex backed down temporarily. "I raised objections for the hotel's development. Since everyone recognizes you, Isabella, please tell me—how do we solve the current crisis?"
I spoke calmly. "Don't worry about the online public opinion—it's just a bunch of internet trolls making fools of themselves. As for the vegetable supplier—Theodore's farm can provide quality produce, but the farm is too far from Starstream City. The annual transportation costs are huge. I've already contacted a new supplier—this is a farm jointly operated by the Garcia family and the Fletcher family. The quality of their produce is as good as Theodore's farm. They originally only supplied retail, and we're the first hotel to partner with them. The purchase price is the same as with Theodore's farm, but transportation costs can be reduced by two-thirds."
As soon as I finished, Vincent excitedly shouted "Excellent!"
The other directors nodded in approval. Rex took a deep breath. "That problem is solved, but when can the hotel reopen?"
I pressed my tongue against the inside of my cheek and tapped my fingers on the table. "It needs a bit of time."
Rex showed his smug face again. "I'll give you one week! Within one week, if the hotel can't reopen and you can't resolve all the complaints and inspections, you'll voluntarily resign from the vice chairman position and hand over management authority!"
Afraid I wouldn't agree, he deliberately provoked me. "Isabella, prove your competence to us!"
I didn't take the bait. "One week is too short. Two weeks."
Rex compromised. "No, ten days!"
"Fine. Ten days as the deadline." I twirled the pen in my hand, watching the undercurrents in the conference room, and slowly smiled.
"In ten days, either I resign, or you get lost!"