Web Fic
Chapter 2135
"Yeah, fifty-fifty, no more squabbling," Sanderson said, turning to Jacob. "Jacob, why don't we just team up and run the Strand Group properly?"
"What's the rush?" Rosalynn interjected, raising her hand.
Sean Hudy handed over a document case.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
"President Strand, congratulations in advance on inheriting the family legacy and becoming Chairman of the Strand Group. This is a token of esteem from the Jared and Silverman families."
Jacob was taken aback.
Rosalynn opened the document case, glanced at those gathered, and her gaze finally rested on Sanderson. "Contained herein are the shares of the Strand Group held by Mrs. Hilaria Jared and our family. In a total of seven percent, all duly notarized and, effective immediately, gifted to Mr. Jacob Strand."d2
The room erupted in murmurs.
"Seven percent... So with that, the Strand family's holdings just shot over 40%?"
"More than that. Plus, there are several other shareholders with significant stakes, and they're all backing Jacob!"
"Mrs. Silverman, this seems quite improper!" Sanderson, red with fury, stood up abruptly, his face a mask of cold rage as he shouted at Rosalynn, "This is an internal shareholders' meeting of the Strand Group. You're only allowed to observe; you have no voting rights!"
"I'm not voting, am I?" Rosalynn looked at Sanderson, perplexed. "I'm giving away shares I paid for with my own hard-earned money. How does that concern you, Mr. Sanderson?"
"Obviously, the more shares the Strand family holds, the less likely it will be for certain individuals to sell off the Strand Group," Matthew said with a sneer.
Lately, Matthew had been on edge.
Not for anything else, but because he had learned that Sanderson had long been in cahoots with overseas investors, planning to break up and sell the Strand Group.
The deal was all but done. Now all that was needed was to get his hands on the Strand family's shares, which would give him the decisive vote to sell the company.
In his desperation, Matthew heard of Jacob's return, and he went to the Strand family estate that very night. He hadn't thought much of Jacob initially, but faced with a sinking ship, he had no choice but to choose a side. Sanderson left him with no option; he had to side with Jacob.
Little did he know, after sitting down and reaching an agreement with Jacob, he found out that the young man had already set a trap for Sanderson on his way back, regardless of the direction the shareholders meeting might take.
Within half a month, Sanderson would have to roll off the acting chairman's seat and sell his shares obediently.
Mrs. Silverman's arrival was an unexpected twist. She directly balanced out what otherwise could have been a lost vote.
"Matthew!!" Sanderson roared.
"Mr. Sanderson, you were quite generous just a moment ago. Losing the vote doesn't warrant such a temper tantrum, does it?" Sean chimed in coldly.
Sanderson's breath came out in harsh, uneven pants as he cast a quick glance at the votes. Then he turned to Jacob, trying to steady his breath. "Jacob, the Strand Group is a hot potato right now. My decision to sell the company was made with everyone's best interests in mind. Right now, the Strand Group is like a bottomless pit. If we don't cash out soon, everyone's investments will be sucked dry. I'm thinking of the collective good!"
"You're incompetent; that's why you see the Strand Group as a hot potato," Jacob retorted bluntly.
Sanderson was momentarily stunned. It was as if he saw Lenora, as she stood before him twenty years ago.
"It was my father's plan for me to marry you, but Graham got in the way!" At that time, Sanderson said to Lenora.
Lenora, dignified and elegant, lifted her eyelids to look at him. "Failing to marry the one you wanted shows your incompetence. I don't know where you get the audacity to discuss such a shameful display of incompetence with me."
"Fine!" Sanderson let out a scornful laugh, "I want to see just how capable you are, Jacob. How will you revive this withered and rotten tree and make it flourish once again!"