chapter 25 There is no way out!

Su Group is one of the key enterprises in Sujiang City, headquartered in the Sujiang City High-tech Development Zone, comprising a large industrial park. Like many family-owned enterprises in Long Country, Su Group faced the typical drawbacks when it reached a certain scale - issues in management, operations, and research and development lagged behind the company's growth. At this juncture, Richard, with great wisdom and decisiveness, initiated major reforms within the company, recruiting a large number of talents and entrusting specialized tasks to competent professionals. This included several executives and even members of the board of directors. Today, among the members of Su Group's board of directors, only Richard, Dave, David, Clark, and Olivia hail from the Su family. The other four are externally recruited high-level executives. At nine o'clock the next morning, Su Group convened its board meeting. By eight-fifty, all board members except Richard were already waiting in the conference room, the room enveloped in hushed anticipation. "Mr. Su, do we have a solution to the problem?" the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Su Group couldn't help but ask, his face filled with hope. Since the incident involving Su Group, Richard had already organized three board meetings, but none had resolved the issue. Hearing the CTO's inquiry, the Chief Financial Officer and another externally appointed Vice President turned their gaze towards Dave. Only Felix Song, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Su Group, remained unmoved. As Dave's right-hand man, Felix was his absolute confidant. Last night, he received a call from Dave, in which he learned the purpose of today's board meeting - that Mia would replace him as the new COO of Su Group! This news left him feeling frustrated and angry - Su Group's troubles were not due to his negligence. Why should he bear the blame? "Mr. Su and I are actively working on finding a solution," Dave replied expressionlessly, keenly sensing Felix's frustration and suppressed anger. He couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Today, he would demonstrate his influence and power within the company in this board meeting, making Richard understand how foolish it was to appoint Mia as the new chairperson of Su Group! And Felix would become Dave's pawn in the battle against Richard! At nine o'clock, Richard entered the conference room with Mia by his side. The room was instantly filled with the swish of eyes turning towards Mia. Among them, Dave, David, Olivia, and Felix regarded her with suspicion, while Clark remained as composed as ever. The other three directors, who were not part of the Su family, wore expressions of bewilderment: Who is she? There were no answers, but as they saw Mia take a seat beside Richard, their pupils subtly contracted! The seating arrangement in the conference room represented status and hierarchy! Reason told them that the unfamiliar yet striking woman before them would become a key figure in Su Group! With a sweeping gaze around the room, Richard got straight to the point, stating the objectives of today's meeting, "Today, we convene this board meeting with two purposes. First, to announce a personnel appointment. Second, to continue discussing how to address the current issues facing the company." As if to confirm their judgments, Richard continued, "Before we begin the meeting, let me introduce my granddaughter, Mia." "Hello, everyone," Mia stood up, offering a slight bow in greeting. "In light of the current situation of the company, to address the challenges we're facing, I propose that Miss Mia assume the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Vice President of the company, while Mr. Felix will continue to serve as a director and Vice President." After Mia took her seat, Richard directly announced the appointment proposal concerning Mia. Upon hearing Richard's words, except for Dave, the three non-Su family directors turned their attention to Felix. They all understood that although Richard had temporarily retained Felix's positions as director and Vice President, it was only temporary. Changing directors required convening a shareholders' meeting. Felix naturally understood this, and he looked up at Richard with a dark expression, asking, "Mr. Su, I believe that in all my years with the company, I've worked diligently and devoted a great deal of effort to its development. The current issues are not my responsibility. I don't understand why you're doing this?" Upon hearing Felix's words, the three non-Su family directors immediately turned their gaze to Richard, awaiting his response. Richard's decision to include members of the Su family on the board was understandable, but replacing Felix left them uneasy. Who could guarantee it wouldn't be their turn next? "Felix, Mr. Su is doing this because Miss Mia assures us she can resolve the company's issues—she will restore the stock price to half its peak value and address the termination of partnerships and lawsuits from our collaborators!" Without waiting for Richard to speak, Dave jumped in. The room buzzed with conversation at Dave's words. Including Felix, the four non-Su family directors were all looking at Mia with shock. As members of the board and high-level executives, they were well aware of the problems Su Group was facing. They also knew that Richard and the others had tried everything to no avail in recent times. How could Mia possibly solve these problems? David, Olivia, and Clark were also watching Mia. Having attended the family meeting last night, they were all too aware of Dave's intention with his words—to put Mia on the spot! If Mia couldn't deliver, not only would she be unable to take over as the chairperson of Su Group from Richard in the future, but she would also face strong opposition to holding important positions in the company! At that time, even if Richard wanted to push through, it would be difficult to override popular opinion. After all, major decisions about the company required approval from both the shareholders and board meetings. "Dave, you've gone a bit too far." Richard immediately saw through Dave's intentions, furrowing his brows and reprimanding him. "Felix has worked diligently for the company for many years. Being replaced suddenly is naturally emotionally stirring for him. I'm just explaining the reasons to him. Everything I just said is the truth. David, Clark, and Olivia were all present last night; they heard and saw everything." Dave, with a smirk, glanced at Mia. "Mia indeed agreed to accomplish one of those tasks." Hearing Dave's words again, Mia's brows knitted together. She knew Dave was trying to assert dominance and trap her. If she remained silent now, it would signal to everyone that she was talking nonsense last night. This would lead to her being looked down upon by other executives in the company, making it hard for her to carry out her duties and diminishing Richard's authority in the company. "Yes, I promised Mr. Su that I would accomplish one of those two tasks." Mia made a public statement. Although she knew Dave set a trap for her, she had jumped in willingly to win the bet and have Nick stay in the Su family. In fact, for her, even if there were mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, she would charge forward without hesitation! Hearing Mia's words, David and Olivia's gazes were filled with mockery. Clark, on the other hand, looked genuinely sympathetic. None of them believed Mia could accomplish those two tasks! Richard didn't believe it either. At this moment, he wanted to say something to help Mia, but the memory of Nick taking the bet for Mia last night made him feel powerless. Now, Mia had no way to retreat! Creak! Just then, the door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open, and Richard's assistant hurried in. "Don't you know we're having a board meeting? Who let you in without knocking?" Dave berated him on the spot. "Ap...apologies, Mr. Su. I have an extremely important matter to report to Mr. Su. I was so excited I forgot to knock..." Richard's assistant explained apologetically. "What could be more important than a board meeting?" Dave snapped, his face cold. "The st-st-stock price of the company has surged 150% before the market opened!" Richard's assistant blurted out, his entire body trembling with excitement.