In shock, I looked at Lucas who was at the door. I was not surprised that he would make an appearance in Goldstein Corporation. After all, he was also a descendant of the Goldstein family. However, what he said surprised me very much. Is he here to run for the position of CEO? Has he finally decided to challenge Mark for the position?
“Lucas?” Mark glanced at Lucas as the latter walked inside. He snorted and spoke in an insulting tone, “This is a Goldstein Corporation shareholders’ meeting. Have you come here by mistake? Those who do not hold any shares are not allowed at the meeting. Since you do not hold any shares, you have no right to say that.”
“Uncle Mark, you have made a mistake.” Lucas raised his eyebrows and smiled while asking his assistant to let Whitney hand out documents to each and every shareholder present. “These are all the shares of Goldstein Corporation that I own now. Take a look, dear Sirs, especially Uncle Mark. You have to take a good look.”
“Lucas…” In a daze, I held the document and watched him coming over and sitting by my side, with a complicated expression on his face. Is he making his move against my dad? My heart sank. This was my good friend going against my Dad, and I didn’t know whose side to take. To me, Lucas was a special friend.
Lucas glanced at me with an expressionless face and then turned away without speaking to me.
Mark suddenly banged on the table and shouted, “How is this possible? How can you have so many shares? Even if you bought all the shares that were in the public’s hands some time ago, you can only get three percent. Where did the other seven percent come from?”
Lucas pursed his lips as he pointed to several shareholders sitting next to him and said, “Thanks to a few Sirs who knew that the company needed new blood in the leadership. So, they all supported me and gave me these. Here, I would like to thank all of them very much. In the future, when the company makes profits, everyone can have a share. Uncle Mark, don’t you think so? I am generous, and I won’t be as stingy as you in terms of dividends.”
Mark was taken aback. His gaze was as sharp as a sword as he looked at the few shareholders, some of whom averted their eyes. I noticed my Mom’s cold expression which was devoid of surprise and rather full of expectancy, and I felt disturbed. Could Isabelle be a part of this?
“Director White, Director Zabriskie, you both turn out to be excellent in hiding your thoughts. I had no idea this is what you want.”
Director Zabriskie cleared his throat and braced himself. “Mr. Goldstein, the position of CEO belongs to the most capable. I am only with the majority who want this. You’re advancing in age. You should settle down to enjoy a blessed retirement.”
“Retirement! Huh!” Mark laughed scornfully and spoke. “So this is what you want. No wonder there is this sudden call for a shareholders’ meeting. It’s so unexpected. Lucas, did you think that by doing this, you can get control of the corporation? You are so naïve. As long as I have not made any mistakes in my decision-making capacity, there is no way you can oust me.”
“Mom!” I tugged gently at her sleeve. I was anxious to hear her say something to me, but she whispered softly, “Just watch what I do and give your support. Anything else, we shall discuss later.”
I could only sit quietly trying to be calm although I was really anxious.
Mark slapped the table again and said in a low voice, “Since you have all waited so long to see me step down, I won’t say much. Now, let’s vote.”
Soon, everyone began to vote to determine the final decision-maker of the huge company. I found that many people voted for Dad. I thought Mom, too, would also vote for Dad. Mom suddenly spoke. “As a shareholder who owns 5% of the company’s shares, I vote for Lucas Goldstein.”
“Mom!” I was so shocked that I stood up instinctively.
“Belle!” Mark roared angrily and spoke through his gritted teeth, “Do you know what you are saying?”
Isabelle shuddered as she faced Mark’s oppressive gaze as if she had just cooked up a horrible thought, but she quickly calmed down and said slowly, word by word, “I have said very clearly that I support my nephew, Lucas. Don’t you understand?”
“You!” Mark stood up and his countenance changed while his whole composure exuded an air of extreme terror. He glared at Isabelle with bloodshot eyes, as if he was about to explode. Then he shouted word by word, “Isabelle Anderson, say that again. Say it again if you dare. Have you forgotten something? How dare you defy me?”
