Chapter 199: Hidden Movement
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Cheyenne, Lucas, good morning!” Charlotte yawned and greeted both of them.
Cheyenne looked at her worriedly and asked, “Charlotte, you must have come home really late last night, right? I saw the news about everything that happened in the office yesterday. Was it troublesome to deal with?”
Charlotte smiled. “Cheyenne, don’t worry about it. Lucas has given me a rare opportunity, and I will definitely be able to handle it well! Just rest assured! Speaking of which, you two are really good at hiding things. You didn’t even tell me anything! I was so shocked when I saw Lucas at the office yesterday and found out that he’s the chairman of our company!”
Cheyenne glanced at Lucas beside her and said embarrassedly, “Charlotte, it’s not suitable for too many people to know about Lucas’s identity, so… I…”
“It’s okay, Cheyenne. You don’t need to explain. I understand everything,” Charlotte interrupted and then put her arms around Cheyenne’s neck with a smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep this a secret and won’t let others find out. Hehe!”
Seeing how bubbly and cheerful Charlotte was, showing that she was unaffected by the accusatory news, Cheyenne finally felt relieved.
Lucas smiled and said to Charlotte, “I’ve handed over all the matters at the office to you. Have you encountered any trouble?”
Charlotte originally wanted to say that she was able to handle it all. But thinking that Lucas was not only the chairman of the company but also her brother-in-law, she felt that there was no need to be scrupulous about anything.
“I basically haven’t encountered any problems, except that many of the senior staff don’t quite approve of me yet because I was promoted to deputy general manager previously, and now I’m even tasked to be the acting general manager. They’ve been rather perfunctory with the orders I give them, and it’s causing a great hindrance for me, greatly lowering my efficiency.”
Lucas said casually, “Since you are now the acting general manager, you possess all the rights of the general manager. Just relax and do what you have to. If anyone tries to abuse their seniority to make things hard for you by delaying their tasks, find a way to subdue them. If anyone goes overboard, you also have the right to fire them directly.”
“Really?” Charlotte smiled and said coyly, “I was just waiting for you to say that! In case I accidentally get into any trouble, you have to help me out, Lucas!”
Lucas smiled. “Okay, go ahead and perform as you please. You don’t have to be too worried or scrupulous. Furthermore, you should also pay attention and groom some people you think are trustworthy. For example, your best friend, Sophie. If she’s competent, you should try to train and promote her to work for you.”
After giving Charlotte some tips, he drove Cheyenne to work, Amelia to the kindergarten, and then left.
After everything that happened last night, the controversy revolving around the Stardust Corporation had spread widely, especially because of the instigation of someone and the heated debates on the internet.
——
Meanwhile, Aston Brooke rushed back to LA overnight and reported everything, including the current situation in Orange County and the latest scandal that broke out at the Stardust Corporation, to his old grandpa, Andrew.
“That means the reputation of Lucas and his Stardust Corporation have been ruined because of Oliver Harvey’s suicide. I reckon they’ll suffer heavy losses and have a hard time handling it.” Andrew poured himself a cup of premium coffee and took a sip of it leisurely.
Aston smiled gloatingly. “Yes. According to the staff of the Stardust Corporation, the person who instigated Oliver Harvey to do that is someone named Dave Lewis, who works under the Huttons. The Huttons are targeting Lucas Gray so soon. Clearly, he’s not going to get to be arrogant for long.”
Andrew smiled. “Yes. That punk still had the audacity to demand that we pledge allegiance to him. He doesn’t have the self-awareness to know that he isn’t worthy!
“How are the leaderless businesses the Hales left behind doing now?”
Aston hurriedly said, “I’ve previously contacted the managers of all the major businesses under the Hales, but they turned down our offer. Besides, they don’t seem to be leaderless either. In fact, they seem harder to deal with than before.
“According to the information I’ve found, it seems that those managers have some connection with Lucas Gray, and who knows if he’s already acquired all those businesses.”
Andrew snorted coldly. “He’s got quite a huge appetite. Isn’t he scared of biting off more than he can chew? Immediately go back to Orange County and take everything from Lucas Gray while he’s overwrought! That punk probably won’t be able to make a comeback this time. It won’t matter even if you fall out with him!”
Aston had long been jealous and resentful toward Lucas, so he agreed merrily. “Yes! Rest assured. I’ll definitely seize the opportunity to snatch the Hales’ businesses back from Lucas Gray!”
——
At this time, Lucas had already driven to a prison in the outskirts of the city.
In just a few days, the patriarch of the Hales, Bruce Hale, who used to be energetic and full of vigor, had already aged greatly. Wrinkles covered his face, and his back had become a little hunched. He seemed to be old and dying.
Currently, there was a tall, muscular, and tattooed man standing in front of Bruce.
“Old fogy, I told you to tell me where you hid all the money in your family, yet you’re still so stubborn! Do you believe that I’ll beat you to death?” The burly man raised his huge fists and swung them in front of Bruce.
With an extremely bitter expression on his face, Bruce said, “Our family has been arrested, and our properties no longer belong to us, so how could we have any money left?”
“Damn it. It seems you won’t be scared until you’re facing death. Tell me honestly!” the burly man hollered furiously and slapped Bruce on his face.
“Don’t think I don’t know. The Hales are so rich, so you must have secretly hidden money somewhere! I don’t care if you’re hiding cash, jewelry, or antiques, just hand them over! Otherwise, I’ll beat you up and kill your grandsons and children too! Anyway, I’ve killed many people, so I’m not afraid to kill a few more since I’m facing a death sentence anyway!” the middle-aged man roared.
After being slapped, Bruce cocked his head to the side as blood flowed down the corners of his mouth.
He pleaded, “We really don’t have any hidden cash! Our whole family is here now, and we don’t know when we’re going to die. Even if we have hidden money, we can’t spend it, so why should we hide it from you? Besides, you’re just like us. Once you come in, you won’t be able to leave anymore. Even if you have money, you won’t be able to spend it. So we might as well get along well, don’t you agree?”
“Get along, my ass!” As soon as the burly man heard what Bruce said, he kicked him in the face, disregarding the fact that Bruce was already an old man in his seventies.
“Ahhh!” Bruce shrieked in pain and fell to the ground. He clutched his stomach while wailing.
The burly man was furious and wanted to kick him again. But the gates of the prison opened at this moment, and a prison guard who looked rather stern barked, “Why are you making such a ruckus? Anyone who dares to get up to any nonsense will be dragged out and killed immediately!”
Everyone in the cell suddenly fell silent while the burly man stood against the wall with a fierce expression. But he didn’t dare to contradict the order or get physical.
The prison guard shifted his attention to the old man sitting on the ground and shouted coldly, “Bruce Hale, come out. Someone wants to see you!”