Reborn Aristocrat: Return of the Vicious Heiress - Chapter 1036
Chapter 1036: What Is the Conspiracy Behind the Entertainment City?
Wen Haowen was in the midst of feeling smug about the 5% of the Wen Corporation's shares that he had just received, so much that he didn't even take Wen Xinya seriously despite the fact that she was one of the shareholders.
However, Ning Shuqian flew into a rage.
When Wen Xinya showed up at the Wen Corporation office tower, Ning Shuqian had already been informed that Wen Xinya would be joining the board meeting as a shareholder. Due to the fact that she had been in several conflicts with Wen Xinya beforehand, she had her guard up against Wen Xinya. An ominous feeling overwhelmed her.
Although Wen Xinya had taken part in some of the Wen Corporation's operations, she was still not part of the internal management committee. In that case, why did she join the meeting?
Ning Shuqian could not see through her at all.
She definitely wouldn't believe that Wen Xinya would watch Wen Haowen execute the entertainment city project smoothly without making any interventions. Could Wen Xinya be taking the chance to stop the project from proceeding?
Ning Shuqian could not decide.
After giving it some thought, Ning Shuqian called that mysterious person.
"What's the matter?" asked a robotic voice which sounded monotonous and unsettling.
Ning Shuqian asked fearfully, "Do you know that Wen Xinya is going to join the Wen Corporation's board meeting today as one of the shareholders?"
Too much had happened lately and Ning Shuqian was no longer as fierce as she used to be when she spoke to that person. The only thing she could do was to abide by his instructions in order to please him.
"Yes, I received the information just now," the man answered monotonously.
Feeling a little jittery, Ning Shuqian said, "Do you know Wen Xinya's motive for joining the board meeting all of a sudden? That Wen Xinya is very vicious. I'm worried that she will take the chance to ruin the entertainment city project."
Ning Shuqian could see everything clearly. She managed to win Wen Haowen's heart and manipulate Wen Haowen again, partly because she had become more youthful-looking and beautiful, and could serve him well in bed. Another reason was also that in Wen Haowen's eyes, she was the person who knew the most about the entertainment city. She also had connections to Madam Zhang, whom he had to depend on in order for the entertainment city project to be completed successfully.
The fact that Madam Zhang was impressed by her made Wen Haowen see her in a different light.
Hence, she had to grasp the opportunity and help Wen Haowen execute the project successfully. Only then could she truly keep him devoted.
Wen Xinya's sudden decision to join the shareholders' meeting made her feel extremely uneasy.
The man did not answer.
Feeling ill at ease, Ning Shuqian said, "I have a feeling that the matter about Wen Xinya joining the board meeting is not as simple as it seems. Wen Xinya is very conniving and manipulative. As soon as she returned to the Wen Family, she managed to coax Old Mr. Wen and convince him to give her 10% of the Wen Corporation's shares within three years. She's on Old Mr. Wen's side and I'm worried that he has something to do with her decision."
Wen Xinya would not have made it this far if it weren't for the fact that Old Mr. Wen had been defending her and protecting her.
Not receiving an answer, Ning Shuqian continued carefully, "Wen Haowen may hold 20% of the Wen Corporation's shares now, and those shares may be slightly significant, but they mean nothing compared to Old Mr. Wen. Wen Haowen has once said that Old Mr. Wen doesn't approve of the entertainment city. I reckon he only approved because the shareholders had approved of it."
If it was just Wen Xinya going against Wen Haowen, Ning Shuqian wouldn't have been that bothered. Her actual fear was the person behind Wen Xinya, Old Mr. Wen. Although he had already retired, he was still as shrewd and domineering as before, so much that he was rather intimidating.
She had never once seen through Wen Xinya's cold and glassy eyes.
"You do make sense, but there's no need to get too nervous. That girl Wen Xinya may be very capable, but she still hasn't joined the official management team of the Wen Corporation. She doesn't have a foundation in the Wen Corporation and she won't be able to make a difference. Old Mr. Wen may be shrewd, but he has already retired. Wen Haowen's 20% of shares are rather significant."
The man sounded rather dauntless.
Ning Shuqian heaved a sigh of relief and said, "We've instigated Wen Haowen to propose the development of an entertainment city and coerced him into getting the 5% of shares from Old Mrs. Wen. The new department has also been set up. Do you have other plans in mind?"
Otherwise, how could he have still remained dauntless even until now? He was not at all worried about Old Mr. Wen and Wen Xinya sabotaging the plans for the entertainment city.
The man laughed sinisterly in a shrilling and intimidating voice. "I didn't expect that you'd become smarter after just a few months of training!"
He was rather pleased with Ning Shuqian, and he did not expect her to be able to manipulate Wen Haowen so soon. She was actually a very smart woman.
Seemingly having taken a pill of reassurance, Ning Shuqian asked, "What do you plan to do next?"
During this period of time, she had received training from the granny and found out more about the Wen Corporation because she had been forced to learn more about the business world.
"Hehe, you don't have to care about that. You'll find out when it's time," the man answered coldly.
Ning Shuqian dared not continue asking.
"The most important thing for you to do now is to manipulate Wen Haowen and push for the project to be completed as soon as possible," the man said in a mellower voice.
Ning Shuqian could not help but feel uneasy. She asked carefully, "Could you tell me why you're placing so much emphasis on this project? Is the entertainment city really that lucrative?"
Ning Shuqian could not understand his intentions and hence, decided to ask him about it.
He laughed peculiarly again.
However, Ning Shuqian could tell from his laughter that it was not sarcastic but derisive. She felt extremely flustered and she could acutely sense that the entertainment city project was not as simple as it seemed and that he definitely had a hidden agenda.
"Don't ask about things that you're not supposed to know. Just do what you're supposed to do," he ordered coldly and sternly, though he did not sound like he was threatening her.
Ning Shuqian shivered, not daring to utter a single word.
The beeping sounds of the ended call filled her ears and she snapped out of her trance before falling onto the bed, overwhelmed with fear, uneasiness, and anxiety. At last... she managed to get a grip on herself.
She did not have another way out. Since she had already made the decision, she had to stick to it.
Chapter 1037: The Mo Family's Character
Old Mr. Wen was having a game of chess with the butler in the Wen Family home.
The orange and charcoal gray glass chess pieces faced each other at both ends of the Chu River and Han boundary.
Old Mr. Wen focused on the chessboard while fiddling with the jade Qilin figurine in his hand, his glassy eyes full of menace.
Butler Yu, who usually held a high position in the Wen Family and was polite, rule-abiding and respectful, seemed to have suddenly become a stern and shrewd expert when playing chess with Old Mr. Wen.
Hanging his head low, Old Mr. Wen asked, "Why do you think Xinya suddenly joined the Wen Corporation's board meeting as a shareholder?"
He began to find it harder and harder to understand his granddaughter. Ever since she returned from Russia, he felt that she had become more domineering and murderous. She was no longer just confident, and he would probably be unable to tell what she was thinking unless she revealed them herself.
Butler Yu said, "Missy probably has her own reasons for doing that. We'll find out once the board meeting is over, won't we?"
Actually, he was rather curious about Wen Xinya's purpose in joining the board meeting too.
Old Mr. Wen said, "Those shareholders are smart and not to be trifled with. It's Xinya's first time joining the board meeting. I'm worried that they'll give her a hard time. That will affect her position in the Wen Corporation greatly."
Although Wen Xinya had appeared during the Ai Shang product launch, the Wen Corporation's shareholders might not give her any face. If her first meeting didn't go well, it would be difficult for her to command their respect and secure her footing in the Wen Corporation.
Besides, there was still Wen Haowen, who definitely wouldn't allow Wen Xinya to steal the limelight. His greatest worry was that Wen Haowen would use his position as CEO to make things difficult for Wen Xinya.
Wen Xinya's actions were rather risky.
Butler Yu smiled and said, "Missy has always been sensible and she acts appropriately too. Since she's joined the board meeting, she definitely knows what to do."
He had never belittled Wen Xinya before. Although she was boorish and uncouth when Old Mr. Wen picked her up from an alley in the slums three years ago, he could see the pride, menace, and confidence in her eyes. He knew that she would definitely become outstanding if she was nurtured well.
As a bystander, Butler Yu watched as the once elegant and noble Xia Ruya led herself astray while Wen Xinya gradually transformed from an uncouth and awful hooligan to a true heiress.
Xia Ruya paled in comparison to her.
Old Mr. Wen frowned without uttering a single word.
Butler Yu chuckled and said, "You've already called the shareholders whom we're closer to previously. Just leave the rest to Missy. I'm sure she can handle it."
He sounded firm and confident.
Wen Xinya was ambitious and full of vigor. Even if she was stuck in an unfavorable predicament, she wouldn't be in too bad of a state.
Old Mr. Wen looked up at him and said, "You're still as confident in her as usual."
When Old Mr. Wen first found Wen Xinya, he was extremely thrilled about it even though she grew up in a village. However, he did not expect that she would have such an awful past. He then began to hesitate because he would rather have an ordinary and mediocre granddaughter than a disgraceful one.
But Butler Yu had influenced him to bring her home.
Butler Yu remained silent while smiling.
Feeling a little emotional, Old Mr. Wen said, "I remember you said that Xinya was uncouth and disgraceful but still proud and confident. You said that she possesses the Mo Family's character and had room for nurturing and improvement."
He began to feel a little guilty for failing to be as brave as Butler Yu. Although he had heeded Butler Yu's advice and brought Wen Xinya home, he did not actually put in the effort to teach and take her in hand wholeheartedly.
He did not manage to see through Wen Xinya's appearance and take a good look at her nature. Instead, he was blinded by her poor manners and boorish exterior. He was also preoccupied with wondering if she was a suitable candidate for the Wen Family's heiress and the Wen Corporation's successor. He was stuck in a dilemma and could not choose between blood ties and the effort that he had put into teaching Xia Ruya and caring for her for more than a decade.
Fortunately, Old Mr. Mo was there to take Wen Xinya in hand. Otherwise, he dared not imagine what his only flesh and blood would become.
Hence, he was extremely grateful to Old Mr. Mo.
Butler Yu said smilingly, "It's been so many years. I'm definitely better at judging people than you are."
Affinity mattered a lot when it came to forging ties with others. He had never once felt that Xia Ruya belonged to the Mo Family, unlike Wen Xinya, whom he found to resemble Mo Yunyao. Hence, he suddenly deduced that she would definitely make outstanding achievements in the future and so, decided to persuade Old Mr. Wen to bring her home. He also did not wish to see Mo Yunyao's daughter continue to lead such a tough life.
Fortunately, Old Mr. Wen gave in easily because of the guilt he felt towards Mo Yunyao.
Old Mr. Wen exclaimed, "Yeah! It's been so many years, and you've always been better at judging people. Xinya has been a good child."
Throughout the past few years, he realized that Old Mrs. Wen had failed to live up to his expectations, though it was lucky that she did not know much other than taking care of her husband and son.
He had also pinned his hopes on his son, Wen Haowen, and even swallowed his pride to beg Mo Yunyao to marry him. Yet, he turned out to be a heartless jerk.
He had given Xia Ruya all his love and affection. Even after Wen Xinya returned to the Wen Family home, he was still rather biased towards Xia Ruya. Yet, she turned out to be conniving and vicious.
Although he had never liked Ning Shuqian, he thought that she was sensible enough to know her place. However, it turned out that she was truly greedy and wicked.
Meanwhile, Wen Xinya, the only person whom he despised back then, turned out to be completely different from what he had assumed.
Butler Yu said, "Fortunately, Missy was taught by Old Mr. Mo."
The Wen Family would only end up ruining her, and she would only reach her fullest potential in the Mo Family home.
Old Mr. Wen was not offended by Butler Yu's words, for he thought the same. Wen Xinya was thoughtful and had inherited Mo Yunyao's splendid genes and determination. The Wen Family would have ruined her since they did not treat her genuinely well.
The two of them proceeded to focus on the game of chess.
Old Mr. Wen exclaimed smilingly, "Checkmate!"
Butler Yu lamented. "I've lost."
Old Mr. Wen said smugly, "It's been so many years. I may be worse than you when it comes to judging people, but you've never defeated me at chess."
Chapter 1038: Stopping Her from Joining the Board Meeting
The reporters were much tougher to deal with than before, and they bombarded her with various questions. Not only did they mention about her final examinations again, they even brought up the rumors of her and Wen Haowen being at odds against each other, which surfaced before her coming-of-age ceremony. The media simply did not let Wen Xinya off.
Secretary Cao and the chauffeur Tao had a hard time helping her shirk off the reporters.
As soon as she entered the Wen Corporation office tower, she attracted the attention of all the employees who scanned her from head to toe, after which they deduced that she was definitely there for serious business.
Every employee of the Wen Corporation was intelligent and competent. It was no secret that the board meeting would be held today, and they could also guess the reason for her visit after thinking about the 10% shares that she owned.
All of a sudden, she caused a sudden uproar within the Wen Corporation.
Within a short period of time, word about Wen Xinya joining the board meeting spread around the office.
Everyone broke into discussion.
The women could not control themselves from focusing on Wen Xinya's outfit because of Poise Magazine.
"Did you guys see that sky blue suit that Missy is wearing today. That's purely handmade from Italy. It makes Missy look so domineering. She's truly a prominent and prestigious heiress."
"That's nothing compared to the diamond accessories on her head. Didn't you see how fine they are? They were made using the most advanced cutting technology in the world, and every diamond has 108 surfaces in total. Oh god... I've never seen such advanced technology being used on such a small diamond. How amazing."
"Her dark blue shoes may look simple without any extra accessories, but the most attractive bit about it is the broken diamonds. Not only do they match her accessories, but they also bring out the blue of her shoes. It looks like a dazzling star that's blue in color and precious."
Most people were focused on Wen Xinya joining the board meeting.
"Do you think she's really here for the board meeting?"
Some were rather curious and apprehensive. Although Wen Xinya had taken part in the Ai Shang product launch, everyone knew to a certain extent that she was rather capable and not just a pretty face. However, the structure of the board was rather complicated, and they did not think that she had what it took to intervene.
"Isn't that obvious enough? She's just a greenhorn who's trying to intervene with the board meeting just because she's the successor of the Wen Family and owns 10% of the Wen Corporation's shares. Those shareholders are not to be trifled with. Hmph! She really bites off more than she can chew." The derisive remark garnered the support of many others.
"That's not guaranteed. Didn't you see that Chairman's personal secretary, Secretary Cao is by her side? She definitely has Chairman's support and with that, the shareholders wouldn't dare to do anything to her."
"She actually scored 703 in the final examinations and shut the mouths of those people who were waiting to see her fail. I suggest you cut it out with those sarcastic remarks. This Miss Wen is not a vase. She might just snap back at you next."
Wen Xinya did not know that the employees were gossiping about her behind her back.
As soon as she entered the Wen Corporation office tower, she said with a sullen expression, "Uncle Cao, who else knows that I'm going to join the board?"
The reporters surrounded her and began pestering her as soon as she entered the office tower. Clearly, the reporters had found out long ago and were waiting for her to appear so that they could stop her from joining the meeting.
No one else except Secretary Cao knew about her plans to join the meeting, but of course, she wouldn't doubt Secretary Cao. Hence, she asked him about it openly.
Secretary Cao said, "Chairman knows about it too. He found out when I went to pick you up at the Wen Corporation office tower this morning."
Wen Xinya nodded and said, "In that case, everything makes sense now."
It was her first time joining the board meeting which was crucial for her future in the Wen Corporation. Old Mr. Wen was naturally worried about whether or not she could deal with the shareholders. Hence, he specially called the shareholders whom he was close to and requested for them to look after her.
However, the shareholders were all complicated and it was only normal for the news to be leaked.
After some thought, Wen Xinya asked softly, "Uncle Cao, how long more do we have to wait until the board meeting begins?"
The mastermind hired the reporters simply because he wanted to prevent her from attending the meeting in time. If she were to be late for her first board meeting, the shareholders would definitely have a bad impression of her.
They would think that she was tardy, rude and arrogant just because she was the Wen Corporation's successor.
Old Mr. Wen had told her about the shareholders before and hence, she knew quite a bit about time. She had also been paying attention to them in recent years and knew that Wen Haowen was undermined by the shareholders because of how incompetent he was as the CEO of the Wen Corporation. Those shareholders were only concerned about reaping benefits and earning money.
They despised Wen Haowen and obviously wouldn't give her any face, either. If she were to be late, it would be over for her in the Wen Corporation.
The mastermind was just planning to use the shareholders to deal with her.
Secretary Cao glanced at his watch before answering, "There's still five minutes and twelve seconds to go."
Five minutes and twelve seconds were enough for her to make it to the board meeting in time. Wen Xinya heaved a sigh of relief.
Secretary Cao said softly, "Missy, this is your first time joining the board meeting. You mustn't let the shareholders have a bad impression of you. I've been taking note of the time and the reporters pestered you in time. We'll be able to give those ill-intentioned people a huge surprise."
Wen Xinya smiled and said, "That's very thoughtful of you, Uncle Cao."
At this moment, they arrived in front of the elevator and Secretary Cao subconsciously walked towards the VIP elevator.
Wen Xinya said, "We'll use the normal elevator."
It was better to be wary. Since the mastermind had already thought of using the reporters to cause a delay, he was definitely bent on sabotaging her and hence, would surely have other tricks.
The elevator was a good spot for him to create an accident.
Secretary Cao immediately understood what she meant. The two of them boarded the normal elevator.
The elevator arrived on the 19th floor.
Wen Xinya strode along the marble ground in her four-inch heels, making her look stern and domineering.
Secretary Cao would lag behind her and follow closely.
Chapter 1039: Sparking a Public Outrage
There were still five minutes to go until the board meeting began.
Wen Haowen entered the conference room with his file while Secretary He followed closely behind.
The shareholders and directors were greeting each other in the conference room. However, they were not too boisterous and only shot Wen Haowen a casual glance when he entered. They then continued to talk and gossip amongst themselves, completely disregarding Wen Haowen.
Wen Haowen was overwhelmed with exasperation and the veins on his forehead began to bulge, though he did not let his emotions show. In his heart, he had already cursed them over and over again.
You bunch of old fogeys, go ahead and continue being smug. I'll let you know later that I, Wen Haowen, am no pushover.
Wen Haowen greeted the shareholders with a pretentious smile on his face.
At this moment, he turned and caught sight of Mr. Qian Jianhui, who was seated on the right. He smiled and said, "Long time no see, Mr. Qian. You're aging well."
Qian Jianhui had always been concerned with his looks and he hated it when others called him out for being old. Hence, he was obviously offended by Wen Haowen's words.
This Qian Jianhui thinks he can replace me as CEO just because he holds 10% of the Wen Corporation's shares.
Since Qian Jianhui was smart and quick-witted, he obviously understood what Wen Haowen meant. However, he continued smiling pretentiously and said, "CEO Wen, what are you talking about? I guess you're really forgetful. We've just met when you raised the proposal about the entertainment city. It hasn't been that long."
The two of them continued to exchange sarcastic remarks.
Qian Jianhui thought to himself, Wen Haowen, you despicable and incompetent scoundrel. He usually acts like a coward. Since when has he ever dared to speak to me like this? Where did he get the audacity to? Could it be that he has gained Chairman Wen's support?
At this moment, one of the shareholders asked in a high-pitched voice, "CEO Wen, all of the shareholders are present. Shall we begin the meeting?"
The harsh and hostile words sounded in the room, after which several shareholders chimed in. "It's about time. There's no point in dilly-dallying. We don't have all day to waste."
"You're already affecting our lives by holding a meeting once in a few days. Hurry and cut straight to the chase." Wen Haowen's timidness and cowardice had already infuriated several shareholders.
A ruckus broke out in the conference room.
Qian Jianhui was smiling widely from ear to ear.
Staring at the shareholders who were making such a huge din that the spacious conference room seemed just like a wet market, Wen Haowen's face grew sullen for he felt that they were not giving him any respect.
Suppressing his displeasure, Wen Haowen said, "Dear shareholders, please be patient. I just received some news about my daughter Wen Xinya joining the board meeting today as one of the shareholders. She hasn't arrived yet, so let's wait for her. After all, she holds 10% of the Wen Corporation's shares."
Wen Haowen only expressed his thoughts instead of allowing the board meeting to commence as soon as possible. He made it clear that the delay was because of Wen Xinya.
Wen Haowen had pulled a shrewd move.
Indeed, the shareholders fell silent after hearing his words.
Next...
"Miss Wen is joining the board meeting? She's just an inexperienced greenhorn. She's so young and yet, she already wants to meddle with the shareholders' decisions. How conceited and delusional. Young people should go do what they're supposed to. How could she possibly know anything about business?"
"The most important thing about business is seizing the opportunity and time. Time is money, and a slight blunder will cause the entire Wen Corporation to suffer a massive loss. She's so tardy and wishy-washy. How can she take on the position of the Wen Corporation's successor?"
"What the heck? Who does she think she is? Does she think she can make all of us wait for her just because she holds 10% of the Wen Corporation's shares? What does she mean?"
"What else can she mean? She holds 10% of the Wen Corporation's shares and she has Chairman Wen to support her. She obviously doesn't take us seriously. She wants to assert her dominance during the first board meeting that she's attending."
Everyone was flabbergasted as soon as he said those words.
Some of the agitated shareholders began slamming the table in anger.
Wen Haowen watched on coldly. He comforted. "Dear shareholders, my daughter is still young and she doesn't know the rules. I hereby apologize to all of you. Please don't hold it against her..."
Although he seemed to be standing up for Wen Xinya on the surface, he was actually harboring ill intentions.
It was Secretary He's idea to use the shareholders to deal with Wen Xinya. Since Wen Xinya was the one who wanted to join the board meeting, she only had herself to blame.
Even if Wen Xinya manages to shirk off the reporters, she will not be able to make it to the board meeting in time because Secretary He had made other arrangements.
Wen Xinya can dream on if she thinks that she can sabotage the entertainment city just because she has the Old Man to support her.
Since she wants to mess with the project as a shareholder, don't blame me for shooting her in the foot.
"Just because she's young it doesn't mean that she can be so unruly. Since she's young, she ought to learn how to respect her elders. If she doesn't even know the basic rules as a successor, she's going to become a laughing stock."
"She ought to know her place precisely because she's young. Who is she to meddle with the corporation's management?"
Everyone expressed their displeasure towards Wen Xinya.
Pretending to be stuck in a spot, Wen Haowen said awkwardly, "Ever since Xinya returned to the Wen Family, my father has been indulging her out of sympathy because she had suffered too much. Hence, she's become lawless. Dear shareholders and directors..."
Not only was he bringing up Wen Xinya's unglamorous past, he was also brazenly criticizing Wen Xinya for being rude and arrogant, and indirectly saying that Old Mr. Wen was the one who instigated Wen Xinya to join the board meeting.
Everyone flew into a rage.
That was what Wen Haowen wanted.
So long as the shareholders were displeased with Wen Xinya and Old Mr. Wen, they wouldn't be able to plot against Wen Haowen.
Wen Xinya is destined to lose to me this time.
Chapter 1040: Finally Made It
There was still a minute to go until the board meeting commenced.
The shareholders' frustration turned into anger as they began smacking the table in the conference room while raging uncontrollably. They were all discussing about Wen Xinya.
Wen Haowen's agenda was unclear. Despite the chaos going on in the conference room, he still insisted that they wait until 10 o'clock sharp.
The longer the delay, the more annoyed and displeased the shareholders would be towards Wen Xinya.
As the Wen Corporation's successor, it was only a matter of time before Wen Xinya joined the management team. Hence, he felt that he should make things difficult for her now and make the shareholders get angry at her. Hence, even if she joined the board in the future, she wouldn't be able to do anything much.
Wen Haowen tolerated their scoldings and reprimanding because he knew that it would be difficult for Wen Xinya to have a say in the Wen Corporation without the approval of the shareholders.
He had pulled a smart move.
One of the shareholders smacked the table forcefully before springing up from the chair. Glowering at Wen Haowen, he said, "I think we can forgo this board meeting."
Another few shareholders stood up and exclaimed agitatedly, "Exactly! Just tell us if it's going to commence or not. We don't have that much time to waste waiting."
Wen Haowen knew that he could not stall any more time. He frantically tried to placate them. "Dear shareholders, please take a seat. I hereby announce..."
At this moment, the door of the conference room was pushed open.
The sounds of the ruckus came to a halt as everyone fell silent.
Even Wen Haowen could not help but look at the door.
Secretary Cao entered the conference room followed by Wen Xinya. She then looked at Wen Haowen uneasily and said, "Father, I'm sorry. I was almost late for the meeting."
She stressed on the word "almost" in an accurate accent to emphasize the fact that she was not late.
Greatly taken aback, Wen Haowen began to look a little unnatural. He said sternly, "It's alright, you're not late." However, he felt indignant and decided to continue with an austere expression on his face. "But, as a junior, you shouldn't have made all your elders and the shareholders wait so long for you. Others might just think that you're putting on airs because you're the Wen Family's successor."
Secretary He clearly said that Wen Xinya wouldn't arrive so soon because he had tampered with the elevator. How did she make it in time?
Wen Haowen sounded like he was trying to sow discord.
Wen Xinya noticed the anger on the faces of the shareholders and hurriedly bowed to them. "Hello, everyone. I'm sorry to have made you guys wait."
Her sincerity made the shareholders look at each other in shock. They were all riled up and felt an urge to berate her.
At this moment, Qian Jianhui smiled benevolently and said, "Lass, there are still 30 seconds to go before the board meeting is supposed to commence. You didn't waste our time and you weren't late either. We were just early."
Qian Jianhui was extremely smart and quick-witted. When he saw Secretary Cao entering together with Wen Xinya, he knew that Wen Xinya was representing Old Mr. Wen in the board meeting. The shareholders may be authoritative, but they still ranked second compared to the chairman, Old Mr. Wen.
Although he liked watching Wen Haowen and Wen Xinya go against each other, it did not mean that he would be willing to watch the shameless Wen Haowen getting his wishes fulfilled.
Besides, he had previously communicated with Wen Xinya before and even received some brilliant medical recipes from her. Hence, he felt that he ought to give her a hand.
As expected, the other shareholders began speaking up for Wen Xinya after Qian Jianhui took the lead. "It's normal for you to be a little unconscious of time since it's your first time joining the board meeting. Fortunately, you showed up on time."
"Don't mention that. We old fogies are already old in our years. We've already lived for decades. Why would we hold it against a young lass like you? You're Old Wen's granddaughter. We're closely related and you ought to address me as 'Grandpa' too."
Everyone looked at the shareholders who spoke up for Wen Xinya, all of whom had a significant status and authority in the Wen Corporation. Despite being angry, there was nothing they could say."
Wen Xinya's eyes turned red and she thanked them gratefully. "Thank you for not holding it against me for almost being late."
Wen Xinya knew that Old Mr. Wen must have arranged for those shareholders to speak up for her. She did not have to intentionally express anything. So long as her attitude was sincere and she was well-mannered, someone would give her an out.
After all, she was not actually late and, regardless of how fussy they were, they wouldn't nitpick too much on Old Mr. Wen's account. Besides, she had yet to officially join the management of the Wen Corporation and was actually just a shareholder.
Of course, if she were to actually be late, it would be a different case.
Wen Haowen would be an idiot if he did not know what was going on.
Old Mr. Wen had clearly made arrangements beforehand.
Anger was written all over his face.
He had to suffer the harsh criticism of the shareholders for more than a decade. Yet, Wen Xinya was taken care of right after she just joined the board. It was obvious that Old Mr. Wen was biased.
Wen Xinya greeted the shareholders and put on her best behavior. She also showed her superb mannerisms, gaining the approval of many with her performance.
Wen Xinya explained the situation that she was stuck in earlier on. "I was surrounded by the reporters and had a hard time shirking them off. I then boarded the elevator to the 19th floor where someone knocked into me, causing me to almost sprain my ankle."
She sounded extremely victimized and innocent. However, Qian Jianhui knew exactly what happened, especially after thinking about Wen Haowen's attitude earlier on. As the successor of the Wen Corporation, the employees would all have to make way for her. He felt that it was more than a coincidence that she had met with those troubles.
Wen Haowen sensed the tension in the air. Feeling a little guilty, he said, "It's time for the meeting to begin."
The shareholders quietened down and Wen Xinya heaved a sigh of relief. She sat on the first seat that Wen Haowen had arranged for her to sit on. Apart from the chairman, Old Mr. Wen and the CEO, Wen Haowen, she and Qian Jianhui were the next biggest shareholders. Hence, it was understandable for this arrangement.