Chapter 326:
Bailee had also endured a similar situation before, so she understood Dalares.
She had found herself backed into a corner before because she couldnât afford to offend the Warren Group.
Meanwhile, Dalares, with her youthful appearance and prominent figure, attracted attention wherever she went, which explained why she was eager to work for a female boss.
Bailee said, âI understand. Youâre looking at a salary range of three to eight thousand. Weâll begin with a three-month probation period at five thousand. Upon successful completion, the salary will increase to eight thousand, and outstanding performance could see earnings exceed ten thousand per month. If this suits you, letâs arrange a time tomorrow to finalize the contract.â
Bailee handed Dalares a business card, saying, âHereâs my card. Please contact me to confirm the meeting place for tomorrow.â
Dalares eagerly accepted the card. Such generous offers were rare for recent graduates like her.
âThank you, Miss Brooks!â Dalares nodded enthusiastically. âIâll get in touch with you soon.â
âGreat, see you soon,â Bailee waved goodbye, observing Dalares hurry back to her classmates. Several girls squealed joyously upon hearing Dalaresâ news.
Bailee couldnât help but smile at the scene. Turning around to pick up a small sign, she accidentally collided with someone around the corner.
New chapters now on .cøm âMrs. Baker,â Bailee recognized the person and felt a twinge of nervousness.
Just a few days ago, Huey had told her that he had confessed his relationship with her to Winona, and Winona had accepted it.
They had planned to meet at a convenient time, but Bailee hadnât expected to run into her like this.
Feeling awkward, Bailee held onto her sign nervously. âSorry, I wasnât paying attention. Are you okay?â
âItâs fine,â Winona responded coolly, scrutinizing her. âWhat are you doing here?â
âIâm recruitingâ¦â Bailee gestured towards the job market behind her, then glanced in the direction Winona had come from.
The job market was adjacent to the matchmaking area. Was Winona here for matchmaking?
Obviously not for herself, given Hueyâs father was well, and his relationship with Winona was strong.
So it must be for Huey?
Baileeâs eyes widened slightly as she noticed several photos of young women in her hand.
âHuey mentioned youâre quite competent now, running an educational institution. It seems youâre doing great.â Winona smiled before adding, âDonât be anxious. Letâs not allow your relationship with Huey to strain the ties between our families. I have a good rapport with your mother. Even though Huey broke up with you, it should be because of me. Donât blame Huey. Youâll still see each other frequently in the future.â
So Winona didnât approve of her relationship with Huey.
Remembering how Huey had confidently told her days ago that his mother had accepted their relationship, Bailee felt a pang of emotion, causing her cheeks to flush.
She managed to smile. âCan I ask why? When you chose Eileen previously, it was because she was capable. Is it because Iâm not as capable as she is?â
âCertainly not,â Winonaâs reply was direct. âActually, youâre quite beautiful, gentler, and well-mannered. I do like you. But letâs not forget that Eileen had a history with Huey before you. Huey chose you over her. Frankly, I have reservations about your character.â
Bailee was stunned, feeling as if she had been struck by a bolt of lightning.
Reservations about her character? She was actually being accused of seducing Huey away from her sister.
This accusation was suffocating her.
âYou had a relationship with someone your sister once dated. Itâs difficult for me not to have reservations about it. I apologize if my words hurt you, but thatâs honestly how I feel.â Winona nodded and walked away.
Bailee stood frozen, her throat tight, wanting to call out to Winona and explain that Eileen and Huey had never been together.
Besides, Huey had been the one who had pursued her.
But she couldnât bring herself to say it.
Winonaâs words had caught her completely off guard.
Why had Huey lied to her?
Just then, her phone rang. It was Huey calling.
âBailee, are you finished working? Werenât we supposed to have dinner tonight? Iâll come pick you up.â Hueyâs voice came through, along with the sound of typing.
âI just saw your mother at the matchmaking market. She was looking at photos of girls, trying to find a match for you. She also expressed disapproval of us being together, thinking I got involved with my sisterâs former boyfriend and questioning my character,â Bailee said. Every word she spoke caused her heart to ache.
Still typing, Huey attempted to comfort her, saying, âI wonât go on a date with anyone else. I swear, I had no clue my mom was there. I promise you, I havenât been on any secret dates.â
âIs that the issue?â Baileeâs voice grew louder. âThe real issue is that your mother clearly doesnât approve of us being together. Why did you tell me she agreed? Iâve already informed my mom that she did, and weâve been preparing for our families to meet! My momâs been discussing it daily, anticipating the meeting.â
The typing on Hueyâs end stopped. Huey said, âPlease donât be upset. Just tell your mom youâre busy with work and canât have that meeting right now. Iâll handle things with my mom.â
âWhat exactly are you going to handle?â Baileeâs tears began to flow. âDo you understand the gravity of your words? My mom has been preparing to meet your family based on your assurances. Now youâre saying your mom disapproves and that we canât proceed. How am I supposed to explain this to her?â
âI just didnât want to upset you,â Hueyâs tone grew more anxious. âWhy the hurry? Your mom and Eileen went abroadâ¦â
For months, if they were here, this would have been resolved by now.
Bailee, overwhelmed with anger, sat down, her hands covering her face as tears flowed.
âBailee, please listen. I promise to marry you, no matter what. Iâll talk to my mom right away.â
With that, Huey hung up abruptly.
Startled, Bailee tried calling him back, but he didnât pick up.
Huey often spoke impulsively. The only things he thought through were work and gaming.
If he confronted Winona in his current impulsive state, it would only worsen her negative impression of him.
Winona had just expressed disapproval to Bailee, and now Huey was going to confront herâ¦
Bailee tried calling Huey for a while without success and eventually gave up. She resolved to go home and discuss this with Eileen to find a solution.
At Apex Group, The weekend meant fewer people in the company, but all the executives and shareholders were present.
Lydia, using Brandonâs status as the largest shareholder, freely joined the shareholdersâ meeting, sitting beside Brandon.
Zola looked pale, and her eyes were hollow. She sat motionless in her seat.
The meeting room door opened, and Bryan entered confidently, his gaze casually sweeping over everyone present.
He glanced at Zola briefly, prompting her to quickly bow her head as if concealing something. Zola was afraid that Bryan might notice she had been humiliated earlier.
âShall we begin?â Bryan sat down, tapping his fingers on the wooden table twice, raising an eyebrow at the assembled group.
âBegin what?â Brandon sneered. âYouâve won. Apex Group has lost all its projects. Do you know how many resignation letters the HR department has received?â
Seeing Apex Groupâs decline, many employees began searching for new employment opportunities.
âOh, really?â Bryan smirked, shrugging. âYouâve lost, and still have the nerve to stick around?â
âI admit Iâm not as skilled as you,â Brandon said, raising an eyebrow. âBesides, my mind wasnât on work, so losing was bound to happen.â
Bryan remained silent for a few seconds, uninterested in arguing. âSo whatâs the holdup? Transfer your shares as per our agreement to make up for Apex Groupâs losses.â
âWhat agreement?â Brandon feigned ignorance. âI donât recall any agreement.â
âThe shareholders and Bryan signed an agreement before, with stakes on both winning and losing!â
Brandon chuckled dismissively. âI donât recall. Whereâs this alleged agreement? Show it to me.â
Raymond, who was angry because of Brandonâs attitude, went to the corner of the meeting room, unlocked the safe, and retrieved a document.
He unfolded it, revealing a document that should have contained terms and conditions but now only bore Bryanâs and Brandonâs signatures at the bottom right corner.
âOh, whatâs this?â Brandon pretended to be surprised. âWhat was written here? Itâs blank now. Can someone refresh my memory or magically make the text reappear?â
The shareholders all stood up, visibly shocked to see that the printed text on the white paper had vanished. They began whispering among themselves, their expressions filled with anger aimed at Brandon.
Some cast disappointed glances at Bryan.
âBryan, youâre still too inexperienced to challenge me,â Brandon scoffed. âApex Group is in this mess because of you. Remove her as general manager, and you can take charge. I hope you donât disappoint the shareholders and revive Apex Group.â
Did Bryan have the capability to do so?
Perhaps.
Bryanâs demeanor grew serious as he gazed at the blank document before him. After a brief pause, he chuckled softly and stood up. âApex Group is in its current situation partly due to my decisions. I will resign to accept responsibility.â
He gave Brandon a pointed look. âYou handle it from here.â
âYou canât just walk away,â Brandon said firmly. âI already transferred half of my shares to you. Youâre a shareholder now. Even if you resign as CEO, when we elect a new one, it will still be you!â
That was true. If they were to select a new CEO for Apex Group, it would likely still be Bryan.
After all, everyone had invested a lot in the company, and no one was willing to give up easily.
âReally?â Bryanâs tone remained indifferent. âWhy wasnât I informed about the transfer of your shares?â
âThe share transfer agreement is in my possession,â a commanding elderly voice declared.
Jarred opened the meeting room door, and Stella entered slowly, slamming a document on the table in front of Brandon.
She said, âThis document bears your and Bryanâs signatures, but all the printed agreement contents are missing. Therefore, this share transfer agreement is null and void. If Bryan resigns, he can cut ties with Apex Group!â
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