"Yes, Mr. Gu. You're the boss of the company, and the decision-making is all up to you. I hope you can give us an explicit instruction on what we should do about this situation," a shareholder said ambiguously with the encouragement of Aron.
Aron closed the folder in front of him and leaned his entire body against the chair. His misty eyes under the thick glasses reflected a greedy light.
"Regarding the strike, I hope everyone can brainstorm and provide a solution. I'm adjourning today's meeting right now. If you have any objections, you can come to my office alone."
He knocked on the glass table of the conference room and said casually. A group of shareholders looked stunned and went into an uproar, but Aron wasn't a bit surprised.
Jonas had poured most of his attention on Melinda recently. The staff in the CEO office had often talked about it privately, and Aron knew all about it by the informants he appointed.
"What's wrong with Mr. Gu? It seems like he can't handle matters well in the company."
"Yes, the documents I sent him three days ago haven't even been approved yet."
The shareholders and the managers were busy tweeting about Jonas's attitude of handling things recently. They all showed their dissatisfaction with his performance.
"Come on. Since Jonas is not an iron man, it's bound to happen sooner or later."
Aron came out to intervene in the complaint, but still respected everyone's opinions. Even though Jonas had left, the conference room was still bustling.
Jonas didn't return to the office but went straight to the Gu's mansion. He chanced upon Melinda in the middle of a video call with Kent. Seeing that Jonas came back, Melinda just took a glance at him and then continued to discuss new articles with Kent.
"We can continue conferring about it tomorrow. My wife has called me,"
Kent said with consideration after he caught sight of Jonas standing behind Melinda with a long face in the video. Jonas's face softened a little after he heard those words, and he gave Kent an understanding look.
"Okay, let's meet up tomorrow and discuss it in detail."
After ending the video call, Melinda put away her mobile phone and turned around as she felt a shadow enveloping her slowly. Jonas leaned closer to her and blocked all the light with his tall body.
"What do you want to talk about?"
Full of jealousy, he stared at Melinda stubbornly, trying to find an answer.
"I don't have to tell you everything. I'm going to rest now."
Melinda gave Jonas a cold stare. She didn't want him to know that she had joined forces with Kent on her next project because she feared that Jonas might destroy the collaboration.
Melinda didn't want to say, and Jonas didn't go on asking. His stubbornness disappeared all of a sudden, and he shifted the topic. "My company has encountered some trouble recently. After I sort out this predicament, I'll take you on a trip. Do you have a specific destination that you want to explore?"
When he mentioned that there were issues in the company, Jonas looked forward to her concern.
"I'll give you an update later."
Melinda paused, struggling in her mind, but eventually swallowed what she had intended to voice out. He probably didn't need her care and sympathy. She turned off the chandelier in the bedroom, turned on the lamp beside her bed and mumbled, "If you're staying up late to deal with pressing matters, please do it in the study."
Jonas wanted to pull her out by looking at the body shape bulging under the duvet on the bed. But thinking that Melinda might be tired after being so busy with publicity these days, he resisted the urge.
These past few weeks, Jonas didn't have any accomplishments in the company, and the news soon reached Nelson, especially the drawbacks on the workers' labor strike recently.
He thought that running a company would be an easy thing as long as he was the boss.
"Your uncle called me last night. He said that you've been completely distracted from your work lately and that the company suffered unnecessary losses because of your wrong decision."
"I've been in a bad state lately."
Jonas didn't know what to say in response to Nelson's criticisms. He identified himself better than anyone else about his current condition. He wanted to change many things, but his efforts ended in vain.
When he calmed down, his mind was full of Melinda. He wanted her to feel his love but failed to find a suitable opportunity.
"In a bad state? If you can't do it, you should've told me earlier. There are so many people working in the company, and your cousin will be back soon. He must work for the company then. Is it time for you to slack off now, Jonas?"
Nelson didn't know what was going on in Jonas's mind, but he felt extreme anxiety for his grandson's future.
With a big and complicated family like the Gu family, the competition for the inheritance of the company was very intense under the table. The fact that Nelson made Jonas the boss without even thinking about the repercussions had caused many protests and grievances from Aron and Aron's son.
Fortunately, Jonas had an inherent talent for business, and he had been running the company very well. The shareholders' qualms gradually quieted down.
"Grandpa, I'll handle everything as soon as possible."
Although his grandpa had always reminded Jonas that he was not the only heir, and could be replaced at any time, he had no apprehensions. He knew that his grandpa just wanted him to have the tenacity and a sense of urgency.
Both him and Aron were equally crucial to Nelson, but Nelson had favored Jonas since he was still kid.
"I don't want to hear any promises, but I prefer more action and a positive result. If any shareholders complained to me about you again, it would be your own doing."
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