Chapter 158 Preparing to Hold a Press Conference
Joseph was already very satisfied with the production line, and the cooperation agreement went exceptionally smoothly. In less than an hour, this multi-million dollar contract was signed.
When it was over, Henry insisted on inviting Joseph to dinner, but Joseph was rushing to catch a flight, so he had to decline.
After Joseph left, Henry looked at me and said, "I want you to handle tomorrow's press conference, but you can't appear at the venue."
I knew Henry was doing this to protect me.
I nodded, "Okay, I'll start contacting the venue and reporters right away."
"Prepare two plans - one is to prepare a speech for Natasha, and the other is a backup plan in case she doesn't show up."
After Henry finished speaking, he looked at me and said, "This press conference is extremely important. It must succeed, no room for failure. Understand?"
I nodded with a serious expression, "I understand, Dad."
Henry patted my shoulder, "Go ahead and prepare."
I nodded in agreement and walked out of the office with Atlas.
"I'm probably going to be busy next. What about you?"
Before I could finish, Atlas said directly, "I'm staying to help you."
Seeing his determined expression, I knew he definitely wouldn't leave at this point. I nodded, "Okay."
Soon after, the heads of relevant departments gathered in the conference room. I had the secretarial staff start drafting, the PR department contact the press, and the external affairs people arrange the venue.
After everything was arranged, everyone in the conference room got busy.
By evening, all the preparations were in place. I reviewed the draft speech and found no major issues, so I took Atlas to see Henry.
As soon as I entered Henry's office, I was surprised to see both John and Rosalind there.
My heart tightened. Why were they here?
I instinctively hid the speech in my hand and walked over with Atlas.
"Grandma, Uncle John, what brings you here?"
Hearing my words, Rosalind snorted coldly, "If I didn't come, who knows how far you three would push Natasha!"
"Grandma, that's not fair to say. What do you mean we're pushing her? She started this trouble first. If it weren't for her, the company and my reputation wouldn't be affected."
Seeing my firm stance, Rosalind's anger flared up instantly.
"What nonsense are you talking about? I asked Natasha, and she said she knew nothing about this. Stop framing her!"
"So, Grandma, are you here today to back Natasha up?"
I looked at her coldly, "Even if Natasha destroys the Lockwood Group and me, you don't care at all?"
"What crazy talk is this? Don't think I don't know anything just because I'm old. It's just a few reporters writing a few things. How could that destroy the company?"
After Rosalind finished, she looked at Henry angrily, "Henry, tell me, what exactly do you want?"
Henry's expression was very unpleasant. He glanced at Rosalind, "What Helena said is what I want to say. This is the internet age, and those false reports can indeed destroy the company."
"Don't try to fool me!"
Rosalind angrily tapped her cane, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. It's just because Natasha got engaged to Knox, and you two can't swallow that, so you're finding ways to bully Natasha, right?"
"I'm old, but I'm not dead. You two can't fool me. I'm telling you, tomorrow's press conference is cancelled!"
"Mom, are you saying you want to watch the company go bankrupt?"
Henry's voice instantly turned cold.
"Who are you threatening? I don't believe this could cause the company to go bankrupt."
Rosalind completely didn't believe Henry's words.
Seeing she didn't believe him, Henry took out his phone and made a call, "Starting today, stop all living expense payments to John and my mother. Every expense for my family members must be personally approved by me before being released."
"Henry, if you cut off my living expenses, I'll never forgive you!"
Seeing Rosalind shouting, Henry frowned, "Mom, I want you to experience what life would be like if the company went bankrupt because of this."
"Great! I worked so hard to raise you, and instead of being grateful, you only think about how to harm me. Henry, you're so heartless!"
Rosalind made a scene while sitting on the sofa, throwing a tantrum.
Her commotion gave Henry a headache. He stood up to leave, but as soon as he moved, Rosalind grabbed his pant leg, "You can't leave. You're not leaving until you explain this today!"
"I've said everything I needed to say. Mom, if you keep making trouble, then just stay here by yourself."
After saying this, Henry was about to leave again. Seeing that bringing Rosalind this time didn't work, John suddenly panicked.
"Henry, you can't be so heartless. Let's talk this through."
Henry said impatiently, "There's nothing to talk about. Have Natasha attend tomorrow's press conference on time. If she doesn't show up, same thing - she'll face the consequences!"
"Henry, you can't be so heartless!"
Henry ignored the shouting John and left the office directly.
After he left, the atmosphere in the office became awkward.
John looked at me weakly, "Helena, can't this really be negotiated?"
I said coldly, "This concerns the company's reputation. It's not something you or I can decide with just a word. Please understand."
After speaking, I pulled Atlas's hand and walked out of the office.
Hearing no more sound from inside the office, I knew Rosalind and John wouldn't stay long.
I called security personnel to wait outside the office, so they could notify me immediately if anything happened.
Soon, security reported that the two had left, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Tomorrow's press conference would proceed as planned. I decided that if Natasha didn't show up, I'd have Mira from legal represent the company and issue a statement. Either way, we had to calm this storm.
And if Natasha didn't show up, she would become the center of attention.
"Helena, don't appear tomorrow. Just have the legal team watch over the venue."
As we were leaving work and about to part ways, Atlas reminded me again with concern.
I nodded, "Don't worry, I understand."
Atlas pulled my head close and kissed my forehead deeply, "Go home early and be safe."
I nodded, "Don't worry, I'll leave with Dad in a bit. I'll be fine."
Hearing this, Atlas finally nodded and left.
"Let's go."
Henry soon came down from upstairs. Seeing me waiting for him, he left the company with me.