Chapter 193 Humiliation
I could see everything happening in the conference room clearly through the surveillance.
"That Rex, he's not even pretending anymore!" Jonas sat with his legs crossed, his dangling foot swinging leisurely back and forth.
Lucas didn't care much about what was happening in the conference room. His arm rested on the back of my chair, his eyes only on me as he said casually, "He's celebrating too soon."
Jonas found Lucas annoying. "Can you control your possessiveness? Bella, it must be uncomfortable being stuck like a piece of tape."
Lucas glanced at him. "Too bad this couch only fits two people. There's no room for you."
I was speechless.
These two were always bickering. I was getting more and more used to it.
On the surveillance screen, Gale asked Rex calmly, "If Bella hands over power, who do you think would be suitable to take over the management?"
Rex observed Gale's expression and said cautiously, "Isabella is excellent, just too young. The hotel should be managed by someone more professional."
A few shareholders who were close to him caught his hint and chimed in cooperatively:
"Yeah, young people just aren't reliable."
"The hotel has been closed for over ten days. The losses during this time are huge!"
"Rex used to run a hotel, a family business. I think the management rights could go to Rex."
"I think I heard that Rex's son is a highly qualified graduate in management?"
Vincent laughed in disbelief. "Stop pretending. Just say you want to give the management rights to Rex."
After they finished talking, Gale spoke up. "Let's vote by raising hands. I want to see how many people agree to change leadership."
Gale's expression was like a calm sea, impossible to read. The shareholders looked at each other, but no one raised their hand first.
Rex's expression gradually became uncomfortable. Under pressure, he was the first to raise his hand, and then gradually, half the people raised their hands.
Although many people had left the board during this time, the number who remained was still considerable. Rex actually had half the supporters, which made me feel I'd underestimated him before.
Gale looked at the first seat on the left side of the long table and asked Vincent, "You disagree. I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Vincent rubbed his cane and said, "Gale, the hotel is yours. Who manages it is your decision. What anyone else says doesn't count!"
Rex couldn't help but stand up. "Vincent, everyone heard the bet that day. Isabella personally promised that if she lost the bet, she would resign voluntarily!"
Vincent also stood up. "Isabella isn't here right now! Isabella is a party to the bet. We should wait for her to come back before discussing this!"
"Wait until when?" Rex accidentally revealed his true thoughts. "Who knows if she'll even come back alive!"
Gale's eyes suddenly gathered a layer of coldness. Rex realized he'd said the wrong thing and hurried to make amends, but it was time for me to make my entrance.
Adrian and Cole pushed open the heavy doors for me. I walked into the conference room unhurriedly, with Lucas and Jonas half a step behind me on either side.
Rex exclaimed in shock, "Isabella! You—weren't you seriously injured?"
"Who told you that?" I asked back. I knew Rex had been fooled by me, but I didn't feel guilty at all when scolding him. "You believe any rumor you hear. Don't you have any judgment of your own? Having ears is good, but I suggest you grow a brain too."
Jonas laughed out loud.
Lucas also smiled with pursed lips.
Gale looked at me with relief. Vincent sat back in his chair and said cheerfully, "Good that you're not injured."
The shareholders who supported Rex were too ashamed to meet my eyes, because my words had included them in the scolding too.
Rex's expression twisted. He took a deep breath and said, "Since you're here, let's talk about the bet! The ten-day deadline is up, and you haven't solved the hotel's crisis!"
He pressed aggressively, "We haven't seen the results of the improvements. The investigation team hasn't released their report either. I'm asking you, when can the hotel reopen? Most of the shareholders here are ordinary people who don't get involved in your mafia family affairs, but the hotel is everyone's hard work. You must give us an explanation!"
"That's right, you must give us an explanation!"
"Can the hotel continue operating or not?"
"If the hotel goes bankrupt, give us back our investment!"
"Give us our money back! Give it back!"
The shareholders' response gave Rex confidence. He raised his head proudly like a victorious general.
I crossed my arms in front of my chest and snapped, "Everyone shut up!"
After the conference room quieted down, I said calmly, "Who says the crisis hasn't been solved? The problem is already resolved. Bring him in."
Following my command, Adrian and Cole dragged in the pale-faced Bayle from outside. They let go, and Bayle collapsed limply on the floor.
Behind them was Alfred leading a team of Soldati. The other members of the investigation team were surrounded by a group of Soldati, trembling and shrinking their necks, not daring to look around.
The last to enter were the expressionless lawyer and CFO in suits.
A crowd of people flooded into the conference room, overwhelming the scene in both numbers and presence.
Rex looked at Bayle and swallowed.
I looked at Everett, the deputy head of the investigation team. "Where's the investigation result?"
"Here." Everett jolted and quickly pulled out an official stamped document, handing it to Adrian with both hands. "After review, Platinum Haven Hotel has completed all improvements and meets operating standards. The suspension is lifted effective immediately, and normal operations may resume!"
Adrian placed the document on the long table for the directors and shareholders to review.
"And the complaint," Lucas reminded Everett.
Everett's legs went weak as he said shakily, "The complaint was false! It was deliberately misleading! When we get back, we'll definitely verify the source and severely punish those who made false reports!"
I waved my hand, and Bayle and the investigation team members were dragged out. I looked at Rex. "Did you hear that clearly?"
Rex was still unwilling to give up, but I didn't give him a chance to speak.
I nodded slightly at the lawyer, who pushed a stack of documents to the center of the long table. "According to our investigation, Theodore's sudden cancellation of the contract with Platinum Haven Hotel was instigated by you and your son. We have phone recordings and financial transactions as evidence."
The lawyer continued, "There are also false reports and articles online slandering the hotel—all done by you."
"You also bribed Bayle, leaked the hotel's internal improvement progress, and worked with the investigation team to extend the closure period."
Piece after piece of evidence was laid on the table—call records, transfer receipts, chat screenshots, witness testimonies from intermediaries—everything was there.
Rex trembled all over and frantically leaned on the table, trying to cover the evidence with his body. "Forged! These are all forged!"
Gale gave him a cold glance. "Rex, I'm now stripping you of your director position at Platinum Haven Hotel. We will hold you fully accountable for the losses you've caused!"
Vincent couldn't help but shout, "Well done!"