Chapter 241 Company's People Are Restless
After her shower, Elizabeth finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She turned to see Timothy walking in with a glass of milk. He handed it to her, "Drink this and get some rest."
Elizabeth nodded, her lips curving slightly, "Mr. Robinson, you're so thoughtful. I'm really lucky to have married you in this lifetime."
Timothy flicked her forehead gently with his finger.
"That hurt." Elizabeth held the glass with both hands and took a small sip. The warm milk slid down her throat, bringing a soothing sensation.
Timothy sat down beside her, draping his arm over the back of the sofa behind her. She looked like she was nestled in his embrace. "The Silicon Express shipwreck - do you need my help?"
He asked softly, his voice full of concern.
After finishing her milk, Elizabeth put the glass on the coffee table and lazily leaned into his embrace. "No need. By the way, in a couple of days I'm taking Seraphina back to The Nightingale Mansion for dinner."
Timothy lowered his head and kissed her forehead lightly. "Perfect. That day I'll officially come to your family to discuss our wedding."
His tone carried both teasing and determination. Although they had gotten their marriage certificate, they hadn't held a wedding ceremony yet.
Elizabeth laughed softly, looking up at him with eyes full of tenderness and playfulness. "Okay."
She paused, then asked with some confusion, "Actually, I want to ask you something. You've been working from home instead of going to the office - is that really okay? Or do you want to go back to being a doctor?"
"Right now, you and our daughter are what matters most," Timothy's voice was slightly lazy. "Don't worry, there are many capable managers at the company. I just need to handle the big picture."
His life wasn't long anyway. As long as he could be with them while he was still alive, he was content.
Elizabeth nodded, deeply moved.
Her hand quietly slipped inside his robe.
"Stop it, you're already tired." Timothy pulled her soft, boneless hand out from inside his robe.
At six o'clock in the morning, Elizabeth's phone on the nightstand kept ringing non-stop.
Timothy woke up and looked at the caller ID - it was Robbie.
He frowned, picked up the phone and pressed answer, then held it to Elizabeth's ear.
Calling this early must mean something happened. Timothy said softly, "Elizabeth, it's Robbie."
Elizabeth rubbed her eyes, her voice still a bit drifting, not fully awake. "Hello, Robbie, what happened?"
Robbie on the other end was momentarily stunned hearing Elizabeth's soft, drowsy voice.
But he quickly regained his composure and said seriously, "Chairwoman Penrose, we have a problem. The salvage team pulled up several large bags of smuggled goods from the sea."
Elizabeth instantly snapped awake, sitting up straight, her nerves immediately on edge. "What did you say? Smuggled goods?"
Robbie's tone was heavy. "Yes, according to preliminary investigation, these smuggled items are illegal cargo. We've already notified customs and the relevant departments, and they're getting involved in the investigation."
Elizabeth frowned. "Notify all executives and department heads immediately. Everyone needs to be at the company for an emergency meeting before eight. We need to handle this right away."
Robbie responded, "Yes, Chairwoman Penrose, I'll arrange it immediately."
After hanging up, Elizabeth took a deep breath and quickly got up to change clothes.
Timothy tied his robe and went downstairs to prepare Elizabeth's breakfast.
Elizabeth hurried downstairs. She was about to head straight out, but Timothy stopped her. "Eat breakfast first. Ten minutes won't make a difference."
Elizabeth had no choice but to obediently eat breakfast first.
She ate quickly - just a sandwich, finished in a few minutes.
She reached up to hook her hand around Timothy's neck and quickly gave him a kiss. "Mr. Robinson, I'm leaving."
After Elizabeth left, Timothy called Joe. "Keep an eye on the Silicon Express shipwreck situation."
The smuggling issue involved many aspects. If not handled properly, it would not only cause huge damage to the company's reputation but could also lead to legal risks.
Elizabeth kept thinking about solutions.
After arriving at the company, she first went to her office to understand the current situation.
Once all the executives and department heads had gathered in the conference room, Robbie walked into the office. "Chairwoman Penrose, everyone's here."
Elizabeth nodded and picked up her documents. "Let's go."
In the conference room.
"Everyone already knows the current situation," Elizabeth began. "We need to fully cooperate with the police investigation. Internally, we must stay stable and absolutely cannot let this incident affect the company's normal operations."
"First, the PR department needs to immediately issue a statement showing that we're actively cooperating with the investigation and firmly oppose any illegal activities. Second, the legal department needs to fully cooperate with customs and relevant departments, providing all necessary support and documents."
The heads of PR and legal departments nodded to show they understood.
"Marketing and sales need to stay in close contact with our clients, calm their concerns, and ensure the stability of orders and partnerships."
Elizabeth paused, then said after thinking, "Finance needs to quickly assess the impact of this incident on the company's financial situation and prepare emergency funds. Whatever cooperation is needed, all departments should work together."
Each department head responded one by one.
Robbie had been monitoring the news. He handed his tablet to Elizabeth to look at.
Because the salvage team had pulled up several large bags of smuggled goods from the sea, news about the Sherman Group's alleged smuggling was already spreading rapidly.
At nine-thirty, when the stock market opened, the Sherman Group's stock price kept falling.
The news was gaining traction too quickly. Elizabeth couldn't help but suspect whether someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.
Elizabeth fell into thought, then slowly curved her lips into a cold smile. "PR department, hold off on issuing the statement."
The PR director said in surprise, "Hold off? Usually when something like this happens, companies issue statements as quickly as possible."
Elizabeth's gaze was calm and sharp. "The situation is too complicated right now. Rushing to issue a statement will only make things worse. We need to figure out the truth first, then decide our next move."
Though confused, the PR director nodded after seeing Elizabeth's serious expression. "Understood, Chairwoman Penrose."
After the meeting ended, Elizabeth returned to her office.
She picked up a cup of coffee and took a sip, then said casually, "Robbie, how many Sherman family members hold shares in the Sherman Group?"
Robbie's brow twitched. He had a feeling Elizabeth's question wasn't simple.
He answered cautiously, "Seven people. Together they own forty percent of the shares."
Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "So if they wanted to bring me down, they could do it easily, right? They hold too many shares combined."
Robbie answered honestly, "Yes, Chairwoman Penrose."
Elizabeth put down her coffee cup, a hint of coldness in her eyes. "Looks like behind this incident, there are also restless people inside."
Robbie was silent for a moment, then asked softly, "Chairwoman Penrose, what do you plan to do?"
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly. "Robbie, I wouldn't mind at all turning the Sherman Group into the Penrose Group right now."
Robbie gasped.
That was quite an ambitious plan.
No wonder she didn't let the PR department issue a statement.
Maddox woke up early in a particularly good mood, holding his phone and talking enthusiastically.
"Don't worry, everyone. This matter won't ultimately affect the Sherman Group or our interests. It's just that Elizabeth probably isn't suitable to continue as chairwoman."
A middle-aged man's voice came from the other end. "Are you sure? This incident is causing quite a stir, and public attention is high."
Maddox sneered. "Of course I'm sure. On the surface, this seems to affect the Sherman Group, but as long as we're united internally and publicly claim it was her management failure, we can successfully bring her down. Then we can elect someone more suitable to be chairwoman."
Most importantly, he would also get his hands on the twenty percent of shares Elizabeth held.
The person on the other end finally relaxed. "Alright, we'll do as you say. We'll wait for your good news."
After hanging up, Maddox smiled with satisfaction, full of confidence in his plan.
Maddox believed that although Elizabeth had some ability, this incident was enough to make her lose her position as chairwoman.
And Maddox had been waiting for such an opportunity all along, finally able to realize his desire to control the Sherman Group.
Jake, that lunatic, died well! Died wonderfully!
When Jake was alive, Maddox didn't dare act on his ambitions.
Now what was Elizabeth anyway?