Revenge with My Quadruplets

Chapter 28

　　"Chick, go home and find yourself a husband. You are not welcome here," a bald, middle-aged man took the lead and said.

　　Emily thought, 'Everyone became quiet, and he was the first to speak. It means he is a person of high standing among them.' Emily sized the man up.

　　"Before you point your fingers at me, you should tell me your name. This is rude." Emily sounded tough.

　　The man's face stiffened. He said, "I'm Hans, an executive in the branch."

　　"Good. I like people with courtesy." Emily nodded. "It's my first day here. What is it that makes you feel the need to barge in altogether?"

　　Hans unconsciously looked at the other man, and Emily immediately noticed. She followed Hans' gaze toward the man.

　　Seeing that he couldn't hide anymore, the man stepped forward.

　　"Miss Hopkinson, I am Cecil. Like Hans, I'm also an executive here. I know it wasn't nice of us to barge in, but we had to. We were very anxious," Cecil spoke tactfully, and Emily could tell that he was the boss.

　　"Just call me Emily. I just started here and don't know much about the branch, so, if what you said is true, I'm all ears." Emily knew they wouldn't leave until they said what they needed to say.

　　"Emily, the branch is involved in a new business. So, the profits haven't been satisfying. We have always needed financial support from the head office," Cecil first briefed Emily on the situation.

　　Emily nodded to show that she understood and beckoned Cecil to continue.

　　"We received your appointment email today along with the announcement of the head office revoking the financial support for the branch. Without the financial support, we couldn't even pay salaries in less than two months," Cecil said anxiously. He thought, 'The announcement released by the head office shows that they are walking away from us!

　　My salary and that of many senior managers is not very high, but the annual bonus is quite satisfying. And with the Hopkinson Group, we get to sit around all day. Without the funding, we're going to lose a lot of money. We might even lose our jobs! That's what we're most worried about.'

　　Cecil's words enlightened Emily. She knew the reason why they had barged in.

　　She thought, 'Well played, Laura. You sent the announcement of the withdrawal of funding to everyone along with my appointment email. You're making it clear to everyone that I'm the reason you're canceling the money to the branch. Of course, they are here to pick on me.

　　Looks like Laura and Rose got pretty shaken up from what happened yesterday. They don't even care about the computer virus lurking in the office anymore. They even dare to mess with me. Aren't they afraid that I might destroy the data and cost them everything?

　　Luckily, I know what they're up to before things get out of hand. I need to start thinking about solutions now.

　　No wonder the branch's new business never took off. These higher-ups care nothing about making money for themselves, and they never pay attention to the branch's business at all. Once the head office drops out, no one and no project in the branch can keep the branch going. The branch depends on the head office for everything and cannot be independent at all. It makes sense that Laura let me be the director so easily.

　　Maybe downsizing will work. The branch can't make any profit as long as these people are still here. However, I need to take care of things one step at a time. For the moment, funding is my priority.'

　　"Cecil, it has been a few years since the branch was founded. Is living off the head office our only option to survive? Why bother having a branch office if so?" Emily took the wind out of their sails.

　　She got the point directly. Cecil and Hans looked at each other. It was a question they could not answer and dared not answer.

　　With the support of the head company, they did not have to work hard themselves. They were already used to living off the head office's money.

　　Who would choose hardship over a comfortable life anyway?

　　Yet they still felt a little embarrassed being exposed by Emily bluntly.

　　"Emily, you don't know much about the branch company. We want to increase revenue, but it takes time and opportunity. If we lose the head office's support, all of us, including you, will be kicked out," Hans said impatiently. He knew Emily had a point, but he was more concerned about his money.

　　"I am the daughter of the Hopkinson family. I have the right to inherit the group. Why would I come to the branch that has been losing money? Because my father Bennett has faith in it. Bennett trusts you, and I trust Bennett," Emily voiced out her thoughts. She also wanted to move them. After all, no one liked being crap.

　　"Without money from the head office, we can only last two months. I will bring projects to the branch within these two months so that the branch can make profits and continue to thrive. But I can't do any of that without your support and cooperation," Emily said earnestly. She wanted to have their trust.

　　Someone in the crowd whispered. They were wavering.

　　"If I fail to make the branch make a profit in two months, I will resign. I promise that even if that happens, you'll still get the funds from the head office," Emily told them about the worst-case scenario. She knew that if she wanted to tempt them, she had to spell out the worst-case scenario in advance since it was their bottom line.

　　Emily paused for a moment after each sentence. She was giving them time to digest her words and to bring them into her rhythm.

　　After Emily finished speaking, everyone fell silent. To their surprise, the seemingly very effeminate-looking girl was so brave and decisive. What she said was what exactly they were worried about, and it got them stuck.

　　All of them were hesitant. They looked at each other, trying to figure out others' thoughts and attitudes.

　　Cecil and Hans couldn't help but look at each other.

　　The office fell silent. Finally, Hans took a step forward.

　　"Emily, count me in. I'm willing to believe you for once." Hans stroked his bald head.

　　After Hans spoke up, the others began to do the same. They claimed that although receiving money directly from the head office made them feel great, it also made their job less fulfilling.

　　In the end, everyone was convinced by Emily except for Cecil.

　　Hans frowned and looked at Cecil. It was Cecil who incited everyone to pick on Emily this time. However, he asked Hans to be the first to step up and confront Emily, and he didn't speak up till Hans looked at him. And now, he kept silent. Hans found it fishy.

　　Hans could not help but say, "Cecil, you..."

　　"Wait," Cecil suddenly interrupted Hans. "Hans, the choice we are making matters to the survival of the branch. Emily is just a young woman."

　　Cecil then quickly glanced at Emily and continued, "I'll have to think about it."

　　Everyone looked at Cecil, and Emily fell into deep thought because of his words. She found Cecil's behavior odd.

　　Cecil lowered his head, and no one could see his expression.

　　Just as Emily was about to speak, Cecil beat her to it.