C6 Newly Promoted President Wu

"What? The company has reached such a critical point? Third Brother, just the other day you assured us that shareholder dividends were on the rise. You weren't deceiving us, were you?" A shareholder, typically uninvolved in the company's affairs, inquired with a tone of alarm.

"The stock market has crashed? And our distributors are canceling contracts? Where are we supposed to sell all the inventory we've amassed?" A shareholder responsible for the jewelry and gemstone material factory asked, his voice tinged with panic.

A female shareholder, unable to remain passive as the crisis unfolded and directly impacting her interests, disregarded the authority of Henry and Carter Evans as she demanded, "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, what have you two been doing? You're always at the helm, and now we're facing such a massive issue. Don't we deserve an explanation?"

Henry Evans's complexion was ashen, the gravity of the situation hitting him hard. He was clueless about who could have orchestrated such a devastating blow to Evans Jewelry Group.

Turning to Carter, Henry asked, "Third Brother, do you have any solutions? The main issue is the industry-wide sanctions. Clearly, someone is targeting our group."

Carter, equally bewildered and pale, admitted, "At this moment, our priority should be to identify who's behind all this. Then we can assess if there's any chance for recovery."

Both leaders were at a loss, unable to fathom who they had managed to antagonize.

Who could wield enough influence to push Evans Group to the brink of bankruptcy in a single day?

The meeting room buzzed with heightened anxiety as the shareholders engaged in heated debates, looking to the leaders for direction.

*Knock! Knock!*

The meeting was abruptly interrupted as the bespectacled female secretary rushed back in, urgency etched on her face.

"Vice Chairman, we've just received a call. It's Secretary Wu from the Alvarez Group in the East Sea. He's requesting a discussion with you about the current situation at Evans Group," she reported with gravitas.

"Me?" Carter Evans responded, perplexed.

The room filled with puzzled looks. Logically, shouldn't the executive director, the Eldest Brother, be the first point of contact?

How did they come to seek out Third Brother? Could it possibly be...?

The room was filled with sharp minds, and at that moment, suspicious eyes turned towards Carter Evans.

"Third Brother, is this situation related to you? Have you crossed the Alvarez Group from the Eastern Sea?" Henry Evans asked with an icy stare.

What a ludicrous thought! The Evans Group wouldn't dare to provoke a behemoth like the Alvarez Group of the Eastern Sea.

A single word from them could spell financial ruin for the Evans Group!

"How could I be involved?" Carter quickly distanced himself from any connection.

"We'll get to the bottom of this. Answer the call and put it on speaker. Let's hear what the Alvarez Group has to say," Henry commanded, his voice devoid of warmth.

Though Henry was the executive director of the Evans Group, his holdings were entirely separate from Carter's.

They each controlled half of the Evans empire, each owning a thirty percent stake.

Should Carter's actions bring ruin upon them, brotherly ties would not prevent Henry from turning on him.

Carter felt the weight of the world on his shoulders as he took the call from Secretary Wu in front of the shareholders.

"Is this Carter Evans?" The voice of Secretary Wu was chillingly indifferent.

"Yes, this is he. Good day, Secretary Wu," Carter replied with forced cordiality.

"In one hour, we'll hold an expanded meeting. Summon all of Evans Group's management. The Alvarez Group intends to discuss the acquisition of your company. And make sure your son, Mason Evans, is present," Secretary Wu instructed, his tone flat.

"Yes, absolutely," Carter agreed, not daring to challenge Secretary Wu.

The call ended abruptly with a click.

Carter's complexion turned ashen, especially after his son Mason was mentioned, sensing that trouble was brewing.

The shareholders' glances at Carter were now laced with increased hostility and suspicion.

"The situation is critical. Let's convene the expanded meeting immediately. Gather all company management and await the arrival of the Alvarez representatives," Henry announced, his demeanor grave.

In under thirty minutes, the Evans Group had summoned their entire management team, a gathering of over two hundred people, into the expansive meeting hall.

Henry and Carter Evans personally greeted attendees at the entrance, anticipating the Alvarez Group's arrival.

Three hours later...

The air in the meeting hall was thick with tension, everyone on edge as they waited.

After two hours of heated debate that led nowhere, the power play by the Alvarez Group was clear—they had the Evans Group on tenterhooks, anxiously waiting an additional two hours.

Henry and Carter, the leaders of the Evans Group, paced the hallway outside the meeting room, anxiously awaiting the Alvarez representatives.

They were so cautious that they didn't dare place a call to inquire, fearing any misstep might cause offense.

"Big brother, should we call to check in? Are the Alvarez folks even coming today?" a shareholder finally broke the silence, unable to endure the agonizing wait.

"Father-in-law, perhaps we should call it a day. We can reconvene once the Alvarez Group arrives," suggested Leon, Henry's son-in-law, clearly restless himself.

"We have no choice but to wait. The fate of our group is in the Alvarez's hands," Henry stated gravely.

"Dad, what's happening? Aren't the Alvarez people coming?" Mason Evans chimed in, puzzled. Despite being a branch general manager for the Evans Group, he was clueless as to why Secretary Wu had specifically requested his presence.

"Is the Alvarez Group really that high and mighty? Making two hundred of us from the Evans family wait on one secretary?" Mason expressed his discontent.

"Shut your mouth, you fool!" Carter snapped back. "What do you know? Do you have any idea what the name 'Alvarez' represents? You're always causing trouble, and now I wonder if this mess is your doing!"

Once more, the mood plummeted into a heavy silence, with everyone present wrestling with their own inner turmoil.

Despite the ample air conditioning in the meeting room, beads of sweat glistened on the foreheads of many managers and shareholders.

Just then, a young man burst into the hall with his business entourage and a pair of lawyers in tow. "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself. I am Jefferson, the lead on Alvarez Group's acquisition of the Evans Group," Secretary Wu stated, his tone grave.

"I'm also stepping in as the new interim chairman of Evans Jewelry Group, overseeing all company affairs on behalf of Director Alvarez." With that, Secretary Wu confidently pulled back the chairman's seat and sat down with authority.

Since the passing of the venerable Old Master Zhang, the chairman's seat had remained empty, with the Evans family's two patriarchs, the Eldest Brother and Third Brother, only serving as executive directors.

The Evans family members in attendance wore looks of dismay. Yet, their fear of the Alvarez Group's formidable reputation, coupled with their vested interests, left them silent, unable to voice any opposition.

Secretary Wu's faint smile broadened as he took in their reactions. "It appears some of you may not fully grasp the current state of affairs," he said. "I currently hold 55% of the shares in Evans Jewelry Group, not to mention the debt rights to 20 jewelry factories and 30 flagship stores under the group's name."

"I trust there are no objections to me assuming the role of chairman?" His words resonated through the room, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.

"Here are the documents pertaining to the acquisition. I urge you all to review them thoroughly." Secretary Wu nodded to his team, who began distributing the documents to the shareholders.

Each shareholder's face was etched with seriousness as they contemplated the contents of the papers before them.

"Who here is Mason Evans?" Secretary Wu inquired coolly.

"That would be me. May I ask what you need from me, Chairman Jefferson?" Mason replied, his voice tinged with obsequiousness.

"And what is your role here? Is it your place to speak?" Secretary Wu's icy gaze cut through the air as he flung a seal in Mason's direction with a decisive *thump!*

The seal struck Mason Evans squarely in the gut, and it was like a sledgehammer blow. His stomach churned violently, and he retched, collapsing onto the conference table and spewing a mess of soup and food.

Mason seethed with resentment, feeling a profound sense of injustice and humiliation. His eyes, filled with bitter animosity, locked onto Secretary Wu, yet he was too intimidated to utter a single word in his defense.

He couldn't fathom why this secretary from the Alvarez Group had seemingly singled him out for no reason.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I had intended for us to discuss important matters, but it appears the room requires some tidying up first," Secretary Wu stated calmly.

"Of course, Chairman Jefferson, I'll have someone take care of it right away," Carter Evans responded obsequiously.

Carter, though eager to defend his son, recognized the gravity of their predicament and swiftly adapted, bowing his head in submission.

"Hmph," Secretary Wu scoffed. "There ought to be a principle in this company: you clean up your own mess."

Carter's smile was strained as he turned to berate Mason, "You disgraceful child, how dare you cause such a scene before Chairman Jefferson? Get this cleaned up immediately—you're bringing shame upon us all!"

"Do I need to say it again?" Secretary Wu asked coolly, his piercing gaze settling on Carter. "He's going to put back what he spilled. I want him to lick the table clean and eat it up. Now!"