Chapter 47 People with Different Philosophies Cannot Work Together
At Green Group headquarters, in the executive boardroom.
The shareholders' expressions turned grim when they saw only Arthur walking through the door.
"Where's Michael?"
Arthur smiled politely as he replied, "Mr. Green had an urgent matter come up and can't attend the meeting. We'll need to reschedule. Sorry to have wasted everyone's time coming here."
"Hmph! What nerve he has now! He calls us here for a meeting, we wait around for ages, and then he just decides not to show up?"
"Young man thinks just because he's the CEO, he doesn't need to respect us anymore? Does he even acknowledge us shareholders?"
"Green Group wouldn't be where it is today without our backing and support, but that's no excuse for him to disrespect us!"
The shareholders voiced their complaints one after another, filling the boardroom with resentment.
Arthur seemed completely unfazed, maintaining his polite smile. "Gentlemen, Mr. Green actually had good news to share with you today. Green Group has secured the latest chip technology, and the development of our new flagship phone will be completed shortly. He also asked me to tell you that if any shareholder has grievances against him and wishes to divest, please feel free to do so."
Arthur was a trusted confidant Matthew had specifically cultivated for Michael. Though only in his early thirties, he was already shrewd and experienced. This past year, it was fortunate that Michael had Arthur's assistance, allowing him to quickly adapt to Green Group's operations and establish a firm foothold in Emerald City.
A few shareholders who only knew how to scheme for power within the company were no match for Arthur's silver tongue.
Green Group's partnership with Vertex Innovations Ltd. had given them access to cutting-edge chip technology. Not only could they proceed with manufacturing their new flagship phone, but Green Group's smart home devices and automotive divisions would soon dominate their respective markets thanks to this chip.
When that happened, Green Group's market value would skyrocket, potentially even surpassing the Smith Group, the six-generation business dynasty.
Anyone who divested now would be a complete fool.
The moment Arthur finished speaking, the shareholders fell silent.
The boardroom air grew suddenly quiet. After a long pause, a light voice finally drifted through the space.
"Since Mr. Green is occupied, let's reschedule the meeting. We'll wait for notification once Mr. Green is available."
The others quickly agreed, offering awkward smiles as they filed out.
...
The rain was letting up as Michael pressed harder on the accelerator, racing toward Solstice Haven.
The driver had just called, saying things were chaotic at Solstice Haven—apparently, Sophia had collapsed. How could he possibly have time to deal with those shareholders when nothing mattered more than his Sophia?
When Sophia groggily opened her eyes, Michael's handsome face came into view, his jawline still sharp as ever.
Wait, why was Michael here?
She shifted her gaze and saw Brandon sitting beside the bed, his face clearly displaying his stubborn pride.
"Mr. Wright..." she called weakly.
"Hmph! Don't call me Mr. Wright!" Brandon turned his face away, obviously caring deeply about Sophia but still stubbornly pretending to be angry.
Sophia pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes.
Brandon was speechless.
She actually stopped calling him that just because he said not to? Ungrateful child!
Brandon stood up, flicking his sleeve as he clasped his hands behind his back. "I'm going to check if the medicine is ready. Once you take it, leave immediately!"
Andy watched Brandon's contradictory behavior and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. After Brandon left, she went to the table to pour water. "Mr. Green already explained his parents' condition to Mr. Wright. Mr. Wright agreed to go to Eldoria tomorrow to examine them."
Michael helped Sophia sit up, letting her lean against him as she looked up at him. "Really?"
"Yes." Instead of joy, Michael's expression showed only heartache. If he'd known Sophia would put herself through this ordeal, he never would have let her come.
"Mr. Wright has a tough exterior but a soft heart. You're his only apprentice—after kneeling in the rain for over two hours, how could he possibly still hold a grudge?"
Andy handed the water glass to Michael, who thanked her and took it.
Sophia sipped the water from the cup in Michael's hands, taking small sips. The heavy stone pressing on her heart had been washed away by the rain, and her lips curved with barely contained joy.
Brandon was willing to come out of retirement—Michael's parents had a better chance of waking up now. This way, Michael wouldn't lose his loved ones.
Half an hour later, Andy returned with Sophia's dried clothes.
As Sophia changed back into her expensive designer outfit, she looked at the simple clothes she was taking off, thinking she'd never have occasion to wear such garments again.
People in high society could be criticized for every aspect of their lifestyle—clothing, food, housing, transportation. The simple, humble life at Solstice Haven wasn't suitable for her.
She had ambition. She pursued power and wealth, craved fame and success. She wanted to keep climbing upward, to stand at the pinnacle of the pyramid, not to live anonymously here as a healer removed from worldly concerns.
Thinking about it carefully, perhaps Andrew had been right to take her away years ago. Though he'd used threats and coercion to force her to sever ties with Solstice Haven, at least he'd returned her to the path that was right for her.
Andy entered carrying the prepared medicine, sighing. "Take your medicine and go. I've prepared two copies of the prescription. Mr. Green already has them."
"Where's Mr. Wright?" Sophia asked puzzledly. Since he was willing to treat her, surely he had forgiven her?
Andy placed the medicine on the table. "Mr. Wright says people with different philosophies cannot work together. He forgives you, but he'll act as if he never took you as an apprentice."
Sophia lowered her eyes and remained silent for a moment, understanding.
She drank the medicine, expressed her gratitude, and then left with Michael.
Brandon stood at the second-floor window, watching the two cars disappear into the distance, Michael's words echoing in his mind.
Five years ago, Andrew had come to drag her away, demanding she return to learn business from him. He'd threatened that if she dared waste time on worthless pursuits again, he'd make Solstice Haven disappear entirely.
Sophia knew Andrew's methods. Forget making Solstice Haven disappear—he could even make Brandon himself vanish.
So she'd compromised, saying those cruel words, severing their mentor-student relationship, and vowing never to set foot in Solstice Haven again.
Michael had also told Brandon about Sophia's experiences over the years. When her abilities were insufficient, she became subject to others' control. She fought desperately with her two brothers every day, and after discovering she wasn't truly part of the Smith family, she worked even harder to earn capital that belonged to her alone.
Her life was far from the effortless success it appeared to be. She bore enormous pressure as she grew, trapped within stone yet still striving to break free.
Brandon had originally been a monk practicing austerity at a mountain temple, self-taught in medicine. During a devastating flood that submerged the village below, he'd descended the mountain to provide medical aid.
That was where he'd met Sophia, who'd come for disaster relief. Recognizing her talent, he'd taken her as his apprentice.
The flood had also made his medical skills famous far and wide. Those he'd helped pooled their resources to build Solstice Haven for him.
He lived freely and according to his whims at Solstice Haven, refusing to treat wealthy patients who threw their weight around simply because of their money, never caring whether he'd offend the powerful.
But Michael's words made him understand that Sophia's world didn't allow her such freedom. What he disliked most about Sophia—her cold heart and calculating nature—had been her survival tools for over a decade.
People with different philosophies cannot work together. Let his student return to the path that suited her.