Chapter 53

Chapter 53

It was obvious that Vitalis Pharmaceuticals hadn't been properly managed in years. She took a deep breath, pushed down her thoughts, and walked inside.

The receptionist looked her up and down, and seeing her simple outfit, showed a perfunctory expression on her face. She spoke lazily, "Miss, who are you looking for? Do you have an appointment? You can't just walk in without one."

Evelyn spoke flatly, her tone completely calm: "I'm Evelyn Taylor, the new CEO of Vitalis Pharmaceuticals."

The receptionist froze for a moment, clearly not processing this, then let out a scoff, her tone full of contempt and disbelief: "Miss, don't joke around. Our CEO just got transferred, and headquarters said they'd send down a new CEO, but they didn't say it would be this fast."

"And how could it possibly be someone as young as you? If you're looking for a job, go fill out a resume over there. Don't make trouble here and waste my time."

Evelyn didn't waste words with her or reveal her identity. She just took out her phone, called her assistant on speakerphone, her tone still calm: "Louis, I'm at the company entrance. The receptionist won't let me in. Please coordinate with them."

Louis, on the other end, quickly said, "Ms. Taylor, I'm so sorry. I'll call the company's administrative department right away. Please wait a moment, they'll be there to receive you soon."

Less than two minutes after hanging up, the receptionist's phone rang. She answered it, and her expression instantly changed from initial indifference to panic. After hanging up, she quickly stood up, looking at Evelyn with a fawning expression.

"Ms. Taylor, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were the new CEO. Please come in, I'll take you to the CEO's office right away."

Evelyn didn't even spare her an extra glance, her tone flat but carrying an undeniable pressure: "No need. Right now, immediately, notify all company executives and department heads. Meeting in the main conference room in ten minutes."

The receptionist was completely stunned and instinctively asked: "Right, right now? Ms. Taylor, you just arrived at the company. Don't you want to go to your office first to rest and have some coffee..."

"I don't have time to wait." Evelyn interrupted her, her tone completely flat. "Either go notify them now, or pack your things and resign right now."

With those words, the receptionist's whole body shuddered. She didn't dare say another word, grabbed the phone and frantically started dialing, her fingers shaking so much she could barely press the numbers!

Evelyn stood there, watching the receptionist fumble around, no emotion in her eyes.

She didn't have time to waste on these people. Vitalis Pharmaceuticals was in such bad shape now that if it wasn't cleaned up immediately, it would completely collapse sooner or later.

In less than ten minutes, the main conference room was already full of people, whispering and discussing among themselves.

In the seat next to the head position sat a middle-aged man in his forties, his suit worn loosely, his face showing an arrogant and dissatisfied expression. This was Manuel Barnett, Vice President of Vitalis Pharmaceuticals.

After the previous CEO was transferred, everyone assumed the CEO position would go to Manuel. He himself was confident about it too, but unexpectedly, headquarters suddenly parachuted in a young woman, and he couldn't swallow this.

Several executives nearby were also Manuel's people. Each one eyed Evelyn sideways, their gazes full of contempt and disdain, their whispers just loud enough for Evelyn to hear.

"Where did this woman come from? She looks about twenty years old. What does she know about pharmaceuticals?"

"Probably some rich family's daughter here to experience life. What real ability could she have?"

"Mr. Barnett is the most suitable candidate for CEO. Mr. Barnett has been at the company for so many years; nobody knows the company situation better than him."

Manuel picked up his teacup, slowly took a sip, and deliberately raised his voice: "Young people these days are really arrogant. Fresh out of school, they dare to become CEO. Aren't they afraid of running the company into the ground?"

Evelyn walked straight to the head seat and sat down, pushed the documents on the table to the center, her gaze sweeping across the room, her voice cold: "Everyone's here, so let's start the meeting."

Nobody paid attention to her. The employees either looked down at their phones or chatted with each other, not even glancing at her.

Manuel even crossed his legs leisurely and said slowly: "Ms. Taylor just arrived, right? You probably don't even know what the company does, do you? How about I introduce it to you first? So you don't embarrass yourself outside."

A round of agreeing laughter immediately rang out around them.

Evelyn didn't get angry. Her fingertips lightly tapped the table, the sound not loud but instantly suppressing all the noise.

"Vitalis Pharmaceuticals was acquired by the Taylor Group five years ago. The main business is pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Profits have been declining for three years straight. Last year we lost twelve million dollars, and this year's first half we lost eight million dollars."

"The core research institute has serious talent loss. Two out of three top experts left, and the remaining one is about to leave when their contract expires. Production line efficiency is low, material inventory is piling up, procurement accounts are unclear... Am I wrong?"

As soon as she said this, the whole room instantly went quiet.

Everyone was stunned, looking at Evelyn in disbelief.

These were all internal company secrets, especially the losses and research institute problems. They had kept them tightly under wraps. How did this newly arrived woman know so clearly?

The arrogance on Manuel's face froze, but his mouth still wouldn't back down: "You... you've investigated quite thoroughly, but what's the use of just knowing these things? Running a company isn't just talk on paper."

"I didn't say I only talk on paper." Evelyn's gaze fell on Manuel. "Let me ask you, has the research institute's funding been issued on time and in full every month? The experts' salaries, equipment purchases, raw material supplies - have they all followed proper procedures?"

Manuel's eyes flickered for a moment, and he immediately raised his voice: "What does Ms. Taylor mean by this? Are you suspecting me of misappropriating funds? I'm a veteran employee of this company. I've been working here since the company was founded. Even if I haven't achieved much, I've worked hard!"

"I didn't say you misappropriated funds." Evelyn's tone was flat. "I'm just asking you a question. Why are you so worked up?"

She paused, and without waiting for Manuel to speak, continued: "The previous CEO was responsible for marketing and sales. You were responsible for internal management, personnel arrangements, and resource allocation. According to the information I have, in the past year, the research institute applied for twelve pieces of high-end experimental equipment."

"You only purchased two, and both were second-hand. The rare medicinal materials the experts applied for were rejected seven times in a row. The interns' subsidies have been delayed for three months."

"Last month, Professor Orville Kidd from the research institute submitted an equipment repair application, which you directly suppressed, causing core laboratory instruments to malfunction and experiments to be interrupted... Are these also made up by me?"

Manuel looked embarrassed, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.