Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 382: The More She Acts Up, the More It Benefits Us!
Afternoon.
Silas Hawthorne had just returned to the Hawthorne Group when he found someone blocking the entrance to the CEO’s office.
"What’s going on?" Silas calmly asked.
Everyone looked as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
However, Silas remained composed.
"Mr. Hawthorne, what did you say to the media at noon?" someone immediately asked.
Silas simply glanced at the person, his gaze clearly saying—What’s the matter?
"Mr. Hawthorne, you can’t do this; you can’t keep getting entangled with Serena!"
"Yeah, Mr. Hawthorne, you need to stop being so lovestruck, wake up!"
But Silas ignored them and said, "The matters between Serena and me are not for you to comment on."
Seeing that they couldn’t persuade him, one person stepped forward and said, "Mr. Hawthorne, everyone is gathered in the first conference room waiting for you."
Silas raised an eyebrow, nodded, and said, "Alright."
He didn’t go there immediately but first brought the lunch box back to his office.
Secretary Sawyer was already waiting there.
"Who’s there?" Silas directly asked.
Secretary Sawyer understood what Silas meant, referring to the people in the conference room.
"It’s basically all from the opposition group," Secretary Sawyer said, "Our people have distinguished them clearly."
Silas nodded to show he understood, gave some instructions, and then headed to the first conference room.
The first conference room was noisy.
Countless people were speaking heatedly.
June Hawthorne and Orion Hawthorne were both handling things outside and hadn’t returned.
But they didn’t take this matter seriously either.
As June put it, "So what if Serena got her hands on shares? It’s just 75 million, no need to rush. And who says Serena will fail, worrywarts."
Orion shared the same view.
"The fact that Hawthorne Group is what it is today is largely due to my brother making money out at sea, what is everyone opposing over such a small amount? The company has many projects, and larger losses have occurred, yet no one complained then. If worst comes to worst, my brother can cover it with his private funds, so what’s the worry? And I trust my brother and sister-in-law."
At that moment, the assistant opened the door, and Silas entered, taking the main seat.
As soon as he sat down, people began to chatter and advise him.
"Mr. Hawthorne, you can’t let Serena keep messing around."
"You must sever ties immediately; Serena is just a jinx, you’re blinded, Mr. Hawthorne!"
"Mr. Hawthorne, you can’t drag the whole Hawthorne Group down!"
...
But Silas didn’t speak; he just gestured for the assistant to close the conference room door.
After they finished speaking, Silas knocked on the table with his finger.
The room quieted, and everyone looked at Silas.
"First of all, I have faith in the Aether project," Silas began.
Someone immediately opposed, "Mr. Hawthorne, this project is doomed to fail; don’t try to save face for Serena!"
Silas knocked on the table again.
The person fell silent.
"As for Serena and I, I’ve said it many times before—I won’t change my mind." Silas said.
"Regarding the Aether project, I do want Hawthorne Group to get involved." Silas continued, "I’ve already instructed Secretary Sawyer to arrange a meeting with Brandon Huxley of Aether this afternoon."
This caused another uproar.
"Mr. Hawthorne, you can’t do this!"
"Mr. Hawthorne, what sort of spell has Serena cast on you? Open your eyes!"
"Mr. Hawthorne..."
Silas let them speak, his expression remaining unchanged.
After another round of discussions, Silas smiled.
"Still unwilling to invest?" he asked.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let me speak plainly." Silas continued, "This project is indeed promising; now is a good time, and Serena has a great eye for opportunities."
"Aether’s funding target is 300 million; currently, there’s only 150 million from Serena and Jasper Ford; we can still step in."
"This is a small-scale trial. If successful, there will be a considerable sum in your year-end bonuses and dividends."
"If it fails, then it’s just a small investment. Hawthorne Group has several such trial-and-error projects every year, often involving much larger funds."
Silas explained slowly and clearly.
The crowd still opposed.
Finally, a middle-aged man stepped forward and said, "Mr. Hawthorne, let me be clear."
"There’s no need to overly embellish this failed project of Aether. We all know the investment is because of Serena; we disagree."
Silas looked up at him.
Secretary Sawyer immediately understood and said, "Director Wyatt, do you remember the project you strongly pushed before, which cost the company 500 million in losses?"
The middle-aged man’s face changed, but he quickly said, "That’s different!"
He was both angry and embarrassed, shouting, "Silas, Hawthorne Group is not your dictatorship!"
Silas smiled without responding directly and said, "What if I use my own private funds instead of Hawthorne Group’s funds?"
"That’s still not allowed!" the middle-aged man shouted.
Silas’s smile grew broader.
He scanned the room and asked, "What do you all think?"
Most nodded, agreeing that even with Silas’s personal funds, he shouldn’t invest.
"So, I, Silas, can’t even spend my own money." Silas maintained his smile and said softly.
No one responded.
The entire conference room fell into a deathly silence.
Around a minute passed.
Finally, Silas spoke.
"Alright." Silas said with a smile, "As you said, we won’t invest, just don’t regret it later."
People exchanged glances, displaying various expressions.
"Is there anything else?" Silas asked.
No one answered.
"Alright, meeting adjourned." Silas was the first to stand up and stride out.
Only after Silas left did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
"We’ve managed to resist collectively!"
The middle-aged man looked triumphant, and those beside him nodded and exchanged glances.
"The more lovestruck Silas is, the better. This time proves us right, and next time, eventually, we’ll get Silas to hand over his assets!"
The small group conferred in low voices.
"Yeah, I hope Serena causes more trouble, the more, the better for us!"
They all looked at each other and smiled at their success.
Meanwhile, Silas had returned to his office, listening to reports from his subordinates, he chuckled softly.
He was fully aware of their intentions.
In truth, he never intended to enter the project at this point.
