Chapter 133
Before I could even make a move, The Novagen Group was already trending online. The reason was a video posted by an internal employee complaining about the company's benefits and how their bonuses had been completely withheld for various reasons.
The video quickly went viral, and the top comment with the most likes and replies was negative feedback about The Novagen Group.
As the video gained traction, suppliers also started calling out The Novagen Group online, demanding payment for outstanding debts.
#The Novagen Group Withholding Salaries
#The Novagen Group Deducting Employee Year-End Bonuses
These hashtags quickly shot to the top of the trending list. Watching all this, I couldn't help but smile. I notified our company's PR department that this was the perfect moment to send the termination letter and public statement simultaneously to The Novagen Group and the media.
Once the termination statement was released, it quickly went viral without any push needed. Gregory's call came through almost immediately, his voice anxious: "Emily, why did SoftGlow Biotech suddenly announce online that they're terminating our partnership? Who issued that statement?"
My voice was calm and steady: "I had someone issue the statement, of course."
Gregory asked in disbelief: "Why?"
I said flatly: "No particular reason. Since you can't make up your mind, I'm making the decision for you. It's best we keep our distance, both privately and publicly. So I'm voluntarily ending our partnership."
Gregory was silent for a moment, then sighed deeply into the phone: "Why are you doing this? Without our promotion, what will happen to your company's products? I'll have PR draft an announcement right now saying there was some misunderstanding. Either way, it won't affect your inventory. As for the decision you mentioned, don't worry, I'll give you a satisfactory answer within three days."
Was he really thinking I was so heartbroken that I'd throw caution to the wind and cut ties with him?
Whatever, let him think what he wants: "No need. Like I said, I don't like dragging things out. My employees are already at the counters removing our products. I hope your people will cooperate."
Gregory quickly said: "Emily, there's no need to take things this far. Even if you're trying to force me to make a decision, you shouldn't use SoftGlow Biotech as a bargaining chip."
I just gave a cold laugh and hung up on him, blocking his number. He likes to read into things? Let him read into that.
After hanging up on Gregory, I got several other calls asking if I had inside information. I told them all that the company was pulling out because we had other plans.
The smile on my face widened a bit more. After all, it was obvious that The Novagen Group had shown favoritism toward SoftGlow Biotech back then, and my relationship with the Lopez family was no secret either.
One statement couldn't immediately sever all ties between our two companies. I left the rest to my team to handle. I had more important things to do.
Because Adrian had reached out to Oscar on his own.
When Oscar drove downstairs, he sent me a message. I grabbed my bag, touched up my makeup a bit, and headed down.
After getting in the car, Oscar asked first: "Is Gregory bothering you again?"
I smiled and shook my head: "I blocked him. He's probably still thinking I terminated the contract because I was so heartbroken over him that I lost my mind."
Oscar scoffed dismissively: "How has someone so stupid managed to keep The Novagen Group going all these years? It's a miracle."
I couldn't help but sigh: "If only I'd figured out what kind of person he was earlier, none of this would have happened."
Oscar took the opportunity while helping me with my seatbelt to kiss my lips, smiling: "If none of that had happened, how would I have met someone as wonderful as you? When you think about it, I should actually thank him."
I pressed my lips together and couldn't help but smile: "If you're going to thank anyone, shouldn't you thank Sophia?"
Speaking of Sophia, I used to hate her with every fiber of my being, but now I seemed to have let it go. I could even joke about her.
"You've got a point. But there are different ways to show gratitude. When I get the chance, I'll send her a gift too." Oscar started the car, smiling casually.
That's a gift Sophia probably won't appreciate.
As we approached the hotel, I finally asked about the real issue: "Didn't Adrian say he was going back? Why did he suddenly come looking for you?"
Oscar smiled: "Probably still about The Novagen Group. He seems a bit worried."
"What do you mean?" I was confused.
Oscar said slowly: "All those times he helped me without asking for anything in return, it was probably to give me the strength to compete with the Lopez family. I'm guessing this meeting is about wanting me to take advantage of The Novagen Group's chaos and absorb the company."
As it turned out, Oscar's guess was right.
When Oscar met Adrian, his face still had that familiar calm and gentle expression, as if there had never been any conflict between them.
"Oscar, we need to clear up some misunderstandings face to face. Otherwise, if we hold grudges, we'll just drift apart." He spoke very sincerely.
Oscar smiled slightly at him: "Is that why you asked me here?"
"Not entirely." Adrian smiled as he poured two glasses of wine: "Oscar, you haven't forgotten the real reason you came back to Lumaria, have you?"
Oscar raised his eyebrows slightly, and his hand on the table tapped once, almost imperceptibly: "Of course not. But you came to see me this time—are you planning to come clean about something?"