Chapter 151 Something Happier Than This Is Seeing Him
Everything started going against the Johnson Group.
This morning, shareholders came storming in again, forcefully demanding that the Johnson Group immediately cut ties with the Brown Group.
The Brown Group was now on the verge of collapse. If the Johnson Group got involved in this mess, they might not be able to get out.
At this moment, Hayden looked serious as he warned, "Michael, you need to listen to the shareholders on this matter. There's no need for the Johnson Group to take on the Brown Group's mess! They've violated too many regulations. Now that it's been exposed, who knows how much they'll have to pay in fines.
Plus, in the past few days, all their projects have fallen through, including previous contracts - everything's been abandoned. The Brown Group... probably can't be saved!
Even if there were some miraculous recovery, it would just be a shell barely hanging on.
I know you have feelings for Sophia, but you're the one in charge of the Johnson Group. You'd better not mix business with personal feelings!"
Michael was calmer now than ever before.
"Dad, I know what to do."
Hayden wasn't entirely reassured at first, but seeing his son's eyes maintain their usual rational look, he felt somewhat relieved.
"That's good. I was afraid you'd lose your head and do something you shouldn't for Sophia again!"
Speaking of this, he frowned, displeasure in his eyes. "Rescuing her this time was really inappropriate. Even if you had to, you shouldn't have chosen this moment... No matter what, you and Olivia just got divorced not long ago, yet you chose to do this on such a happy holiday - it's like adding fuel to the fire.
No wonder she and Daniel are being so ruthless!
Before, I actually supported you being with Sophia. I thought the girl was smart and capable... but now, I'm starting to have doubts.
Since she joined the Johnson Group, all she's brought is negative publicity, including for you...
Before, no matter how bad Olivia was, she never made you lose face in public. You were a good husband, a good father.
But now, look at how people are criticizing you!"
Michael's face darkened, his tone growing colder. "Enough. I'll handle things with the Brown family properly. You should go home."
Hayden wanted to say more, but considering his son's temperament, he kept quiet.
After he left, Michael called Robert in and instructed, "Have the PR department cut all ties with the Brown Group, including previous collaborative projects - stop them all. Also, suspend all of Sophia's positions at the Johnson Group!"
Robert wasn't surprised at all by this order.
Right now, the Brown Group's problems were affecting the Johnson Group. If they didn't make a choice quickly, they might get burned too.
But... he felt somewhat wistful.
In all his years at the Johnson Group, this was the first time he'd seen the company in such a mess.
And all of this was caused by Sophia.
After dealing with this woman, she was actually just so-so - not much real ability, but quite skilled at deceiving people.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have stirred up such chaos throughout the Johnson Group.
He couldn't help but miss the days when Olivia was around.
In every aspect, she had handled everything perfectly.
From major department decisions and R&D to daily life matters, she took care of every detail.
Before... how blind must everyone have been to think she was ordinary and incapable?
While caring for an autistic daughter under such difficult circumstances, she still managed a department flawlessly... That ability was simply amazing, wasn't it???
Of course, Robert didn't dare say this out loud.
But he remembered something else. "What about Ms. Smith's company's compensation claim?"
Speaking of this, Robert really wanted to grimace.
Before the New Year, the Wilson Group's compensation demand was one hundred million, but now it had suddenly jumped to one billion.
In the current situation, this was adding insult to injury for the Johnson Group.
That Daniel was ruthless - he knew how to kick someone when they're down.
Michael's face darkened at the mention of this, anger rising.
He was obviously being manipulated to this degree for the first time.
And it was a total loss situation...
This matter couldn't be dragged out any longer.
If they kept negotiating and it got investigated again, some details about how he rescued Sophia would be dug up.
Then even more people would be implicated.
So this matter had to be settled quickly.
Thinking of this, Michael took a deep breath, and after a while, said through gritted teeth, "One billion - give it to them!"
Robert's heart jumped. He quickly said, "Alright."
He left to handle it right away.
Shortly after he left, Sophia came in, looking pitiful as always, her eyes red and crying like a pear blossom in the rain.
Looking closely, there seemed to be a handprint on her face.
As soon as she entered, she rushed straight to Michael, her voice choked with tears. "Michael, what should we do? The news about the Brown Group won't go away. Things have gotten to the worst point. Can you help the Brown family? With the Johnson Group's position, you can do it, right?"
If this were before, Michael would have softened immediately.
But now, with anger burning in his chest, when he saw her, instead of his usual affection, he felt an indescribable irritation.
Michael pulled his hand back and said flatly, "Sophia, if you really understood the situation, you wouldn't come asking me this right now! To get you out, the Johnson Group has already been implicated. The shareholders are very unhappy about it. If I help the Brown Group now, do you want my position to be challenged by them?"
His tone was sharp and cold.
Sophia flinched, realizing she had been taking his favor for granted.
He did rescue her, yes.
But that didn't mean he could give up his position.
And that wasn't what she wanted to see either.
Being Mrs. Johnson of the Johnson Group was the ultimate status!
That belonged to her!
"I'm sorry, Michael. I was rash. I didn't want to ask either. You've already done so much for me, it's been so hard, but I... my dad forced me to come. He just threw a huge fit at home, saying the Brown family's situation is all my fault, so..."
She began sobbing quietly, deliberately turning her slapped cheek toward Michael.
Michael watched her quietly, his expression unmoved.
He didn't know why he felt no wavering at all.
Before Christmas, he would have softened.
But now, there was only endless irritation and... a feeling of not wanting to see her.
Michael coldly looked away and said, "The Johnson Group can't be dragged down by the Brown Group, so all future ties will be completely severed. Don't worry, the Brown Group may fall, but I won't treat you badly. You can rest at home for a while. When everything settles down, if you want to work again, I'll arrange something for you."
Sophia's heart sank.
Was he removing her from the Johnson Group too?
Shocked as she was, she knew she could only compromise now.
The Brown Group had no leverage left!
She could only hold tight to the man in front of her!
...
On the fifth day after Christmas, Olivia returned to Emerald City alone.
Just as she had guessed, Bianca had gotten so close with her playmates back home that she didn't want to leave, so she stayed on with Victoria and her husband.
When her plane landed, it was already 6 PM.
As she came out of the airport and was about to call a car, Daniel's message arrived just in time: "The one billion compensation from the Johnson Group has been received. The Brown Group has been liquidating these past few days. I don't think they'll go completely bankrupt, but they're pretty much done!"
Reading this, Olivia felt so happy she could fly.
She thought to herself: Could there be anything more delightful than this?
Just as the thought crossed her mind, a familiar, deep, pleasant voice came from outside the airport, "Olivia..."