Chapter 206 Shareholders’ Meeting
After hearing what I said, Maria smiled at Henry and said, "Since this is Helena's idea, shall we eat out?"
"Sure, let's go."
Henry told the driver to get the car ready. The three of us sat in the restaurant, and I picked out some fun and amusing stories to tell them. Henry and I had tacitly agreed not to mention Rosalind’s phone call.
After a warm dinner, when I went to work the next day, the employees who saw me looked at me differently. The moment they saw me, they all stood aside and greeted me politely. I nodded in acknowledgment and returned to my office. As soon as I entered, York appeared behind me like a ghost.
He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Ms. Lockwood."
"Come on, stop joking around."
I lifted my chin and asked, "What's the situation outside?"
"Early this morning, colleagues were all talking about it, but everyone is definitely happy because you used to be in the sales department. In the future, when colleagues mention it, they'll say they once worked in the same office with you."
York said with a grin, then mentioned Ivan, "He didn't show anything special, just came to work much earlier than usual today."
He really can keep his cool.
I snorted coldly and said, "Alright, I got it. Go do your work, and same as before—keep an eye on Ivan."
"Yes!"
York gave me a military salute before leaving with a cheeky grin.
After he left, Henry had someone notify me to prepare for a meeting.
It was my first time at a shareholders’ meeting, and I was nervous
The conference room wasn’t crowded, but everyone there was a major shareholder. These people had worked with Henry in the early years to run the company—they were veteran figures. The moment I appeared, everyone's eyes fell on me.
After I took my seat, Alfonso Carr, seated across from me, spoke first, "Haven't seen you in years, Helena has grown so much. Now you're shouldering the responsibility of managing the Lockwood Group. The younger generation is truly formidable!"
I nodded and said, "Mr. Carr, you're too kind. I still have a lot to learn. If I don't do well in the future, I hope Mr. Carr and all the directors will guide me."
"I wouldn't say guide. The fact that Henry can confidently hand over the company to you shows you're capable. Anyone he values won't be wrong."
Alfonso's words praised both me and Henry. I could see Henry was in a good mood.
But where there's agreement, there's opposition. As Alfonso finished speaking, another voice rang out, "That may be true, but Helena is still young. The position of company leader isn't something anyone can just sit in."
The speaker was Emilio Blair. After he spoke, a chorus of agreement filled the conference room. "Yes, yes, the company is such a big operation. Changing leadership just like that could destabilize employee morale."
"Exactly. Look at Helena—so young. Can she command respect?"
Discussions erupted, and those doubtful looks fell on me to varying degrees.
I saw Henry sitting calmly to the side, showing no intention of speaking up for me.
I knew this was all Henry's test for me. If I couldn't get past today's challenge, how could I manage the entire company in the future?
With this in mind, I smiled slightly, "Everyone."
At the sound of my voice, the conference room instantly quieted down.
I looked around and said calmly, "The Lockwood Group has been built to its current success by all of you alongside my father. I know you all have deep feelings for the company. Since I was little, my father brought me along, and I spent a lot of time at the company. It's fair to say I grew up here, so my feelings toward the company are the same as yours."
"Moreover, this company embodies my father's life's work. I won't treat the company as a joke or take it lightly."
"My father made this decision after careful consideration, and I only feel the burden on my shoulders has grown heavier. All of you worked with my father from your youth, and when you first joined the company, you might have been younger than I am now. But through all the storms, through all the trials, you never backed down. It's precisely because of your efforts that the Lockwood Group is what it is today."
"Now that my father is giving me this responsibility, it's not on a whim but a serious commitment. Since I was born into the Lockwood family, this burden will fall on my shoulders sooner or later, so please have confidence in me."
"Furthermore," I looked at Henry, "my father is only giving me management authority, not leaving the company. He still has his place here. He'll continue to contribute and provide guidance."
"I believe that under his supervision and with everyone's joint efforts, the company will get better ."
As I finished speaking, Alfonso was the first to applaud. With his lead, the others began clapping too.
After the applause, Henry smiled and said, "Just as Helena said, I'm only transferring management authority to her, not leaving without caring. You can all rest assured."
"Good. Since Henry has said so, we'll cooperate well."
After the first voice of agreement, the rest followed. The conference room filled with approval. I had finally passed the shareholders’ test.
After the meeting ended, I went straight to Henry's office. As soon as the door closed, the smile on Henry's face disappeared.
"Helena, don't think you can relax just because today is over. Those old foxes are very cunning. They might be plotting what trouble to cause right now."
I nodded. "I know, but isn't that exactly what we want—for someone to make trouble?"
Henry sneered, "You're right. I'll keep an eye on the people here. You just go ahead and do what you need to do boldly."
"Okay."
After responding, I turned and left. As soon as I returned to my office, there was a series of urgent knocks on the door.
"Come in."
The person who entered was Giselle. I frowned. "What is it?"
"Yes."
Giselle slid a voucher across the table. "Ms. Lockwood, there's a problem with this account."
I picked up the voucher, my eyes scanning the details. It was for employee training fees, totaling over five million dollars. I'd heard of the training company but hadn't looked into it in detail.
"What's going on?"
Giselle pushed up her glasses and explained, "The training fee is fine, but half of the invoices weren't issued by this training company."
"You mean false billing?"
Giselle nodded. "Yes."
I threw the voucher on the desk and said coldly, "This isn't the only case, is it?"
At my words, Giselle nodded. “Yes.”
She flipped through some more pages and pointed to one, "And here, in just one month there are two accounts that don't match, totaling over three million dollars."
Hearing this, my expression instantly darkened. Two accounts revealed problems of over eight million dollars—what about a year, or even longer?
With a cold face, I said, "Find all the accounts and contracts related to this company and keep investigating. I want results by tomorrow night at the latest."
Giselle caught my grim expression and realized the gravity of the matter. Nodding, she said, “Alright, Ms. Lockwood. I’ll take care of it right away.”