CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 189: BECCA, YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND IS HERE TO PICK YOU UP 2_2

Three more days have passed.

Early in the morning, Howard Geoffrey walked into "Skytop" and immediately sensed the employees whispering around him.

Howard stepped out of the elevator, and Lisa Cecily, who had been waiting at the elevator door, quickly followed him, urgently saying, "President, bad news..."

"Speak."

"The company’s stock has fallen," Lisa sweatily replied.

Howard slightly furrowed his eyebrows, "How much has it dropped?"

"X dollars and X cents, the situation is a bit grim. Many board members arrived early and are now waiting for you in the conference room!"

"I understand, let’s head to the conference room!"

"Yes."

Inside the conference room.

All the directors of the "Skytop" Group were present...

Due to Howard Geoffrey’s imposing presence, none of the directors dared to speak directly in such a severe situation. They all exchanged glances, hoping someone would step forward to discuss the stock matter with Howard—but no one dared to make a sound.

Howard leaned back in his chair, observing the directors who seemed eager yet too scared to voice their concerns, then glanced at Lisa Cecily.

Lisa understood and spoke, "The President is aware of the stock issue, and he’s convened this meeting to inquire if anyone has a solution."

Since Howard allowed everyone to speak, one director finally couldn’t resist saying, "Mr. Geoffrey, please allow me, old Dawn, to say something... Recently, there’s been rampant rumors in the company that you’ve lent all of ’Skytop’s’ liquid funds to the ’Oversky’ Group as a turnover. We understand you’re brothers, and helping Mr. Jones is natural, but perhaps you’ve gone a bit too far... A couple of days ago, just when salaries were due, ’Skytop’ announced an unprecedented delay in payroll. This wouldn’t be a big issue, but it coincided with an upcoming international project in Italy. During an interview with International Business President Mr. Robinson, he openly declared that ’Skytop’ was excluded from the bidding due to lack of funds... Mr. Geoffrey, these two matters alone have led to ’Skytop’s’ stock dropping precipitously—it’s now down to X dollars and X cents in just three days. I’m genuinely worried that if this continues, we directors might face the tragic prospect of having to sell off our shares!"

"Mr. Dawn is right... Mr. Geoffrey, we can’t let this situation worsen. You’re the company’s highest decision-maker, please give us guidance so we don’t continue in such anxiety!"

"Yes, Mr. Geoffrey, I believe the only solution is to reclaim the substantial funds loaned to ’Oversky’ and use them as startup capital for the Italian project bid. This would cause Mr. Robinson to retract his statement, and the company’s stock price should gradually rise..."

Another director spoke, "Mr. Geoffrey, I feel someone is deliberately targeting ’Skytop.’ The issue with the Italian project’s funds wouldn’t have affected our stock if it weren’t for someone maliciously enlarging this through the media."

Many directors continued to voice their opinions. Howard patiently listened but remained silent. However, when another director suggested retrieving the funds from Skyler Jones, Howard only replied lightly, "I won’t consider that solution."

Everyone knew that once Howard made a decision, no one could sway him, which led to murmurs of discontent. Internally, they felt injustice over Howard’s seemingly selfish decision.

After all, it was natural for Howard to help Skyler, but involving everyone’s interests was inappropriate.

The meeting ended without reaching a good solution, so Lisa announced it would continue in the afternoon.

After Howard coldly left the conference room, all "Skytop" directors remained seated, worried...

Lisa followed Howard into the office, recalling the directors’ anxious faces in the conference room, and couldn’t help but say, "President, I actually think some directors are right. If we don’t reclaim the funds given to Mr. Jones now, ’Skytop’s’ stock might face increasingly severe challenges..."

"I have my own discretion."

Knowing her boss’s wise mind would not allow this to worsen, Lisa slowly eased her worries and said, "I’ll get back to work."

Howard responded casually, "Hmm."

Lisa then withdrew.

Howard then walked over to the liquor cabinet, and Jason Wood entered from outside just as he picked up a glass.

Jason walked in with a stern face, but upon seeing only Howard in the office, he shut the door and his face broke into an excited smile, "Boss, the fish is now on the hook..."

Howard’s lips curled into a subtle smile, "We must not lower our guard. I want the situation to remain severe."

Jason nodded hastily, "I’ll continue stirring things up secretly, leading ’M’ to acquire other directors’ shares."

"Ensure everything is watertight; I don’t want ’M’ to notice anything suspicious."

"Yes." Jason was very pleased, his face filled with confidence.

Howard poured two glasses of red wine, handing one to Jason.

Jason often celebrated with his boss at such crucial moments, so he took the wine and toasted with Howard.

Christine Quinn had already brought Marilyn Quinn to T City.

At the moment, Christine and Rebecca Quentin were chatting in the room when Marilyn suddenly ran over from the living room where she was watching TV, "Mommy, Auntie, come quickly, Uncle Geoffrey is on TV."

Christine and Rebecca hadn’t reacted before being pulled by Marilyn to the TV in the living room.

Marilyn pointed at the TV, "Uncle Geoffrey is speaking now..."

Christine and Becca’s gaze naturally turned toward the TV.

On the screen, Howard was evidently holding a press conference in the "Skytop" Group’s guestroom, surrounded by countless microphones while camera flashes continuously lit up.

Howard calmly declared, "In response to recent intensified rumors, I have specifically convened this press conference to clarify... There have been rumors saying that ’Skytop’ Group can’t pay its employees and can’t bid on a new Italian construction project. These are baseless; ’Skytop’ delayed payroll due to banking issues, not an inability to pay. As for the Italian project, ’Skytop’ is determined to win the bid, so I ask media outlets not to fuel these rumors further, or ’Skytop’ will certainly pursue legal responsibility against you all..."