Chapter 404: 404 Inexorable Trend_1
Chapter 404 Inexorable Trend_1
When the bank presidents collectively appeared at the entrance of the Radcliffe Group Chairman’s office,
the Radcliffe Clan was thoroughly frightened.
Previously, they had thought Bran Cook was merely coming to intimidate Quella Radcliffe and wouldn’t make a move so quickly.
Who would have known that just a mere ten minutes after Bran Cook had entered, all these bank presidents would personally come over.
Many people had heard the rumors circulating in Gonzalez City lately, that Bran Cook had connections in the capital and had returned to make a big impact.
Indeed, the presence of five bank presidents was an impressive display.
“What about President Cedric of Wealthy Bank?”
Graham Cook glanced around and noticed that Cedric Lake from Wealthy Bank was not present.
Logically, given the face of the Cook Family, Cedric wouldn’t fail to show up!
Moreover, when Bran Cook called Cedric yesterday, the latter had readily agreed.
But it didn’t matter. With five presidents here, they were hardly lacking just one Cedric.
“As far as I know, President Cedric offended some big shot and has now been fired. The new president of Wealthy Bank in Gonzalez City hasn’t arrived yet.”
Darius Clark, the president of Celestial Bank, spoke calmly.
“President Clark knows about this, too?”
Graham Cook showed a look of surprise, but couldn’t help feeling a bit proud inside.
It must be because Cedric changed his mind, unwilling to listen to Bran Cook, which led to his own dismissal.
But if that was true, his nephew’s influence was huge, wasn’t it?
“Exactly!”
Darius Clark nodded, “Not just me, but the other presidents also received instructions from above to meet the demands of this big shot as much as possible.”
“See! My nephew, Bran Cook’s influence is this powerful! Now, does anyone still doubt it?”
Graham Cook was overjoyed. Having a nephew with such prestige, he too basked in reflected glory.
Although Bran Cook himself was surprised – he knew he had influence, but surely not enough to get the president of Wealthy Bank fired immediately?
However, seeing the admiring looks from everyone, he could only nod and feign composure as he spoke in a hoarse voice, “I, Cook, will remember the favor you bank presidents have done for me.”
He looked up at Quella Radcliffe, “Now, I give you one last chance! Kneel down, apologize to me, and agree to be my woman, or Radcliffe Group will be shut down due to bankruptcy in three days!”
The pain in his body prevented Bran Cook from speaking loudly, but the anticipation of what was to come invigorated him.
“Quella Radcliffe, just kneel down already, we’re begging you,”
Tess Radcliffe was the first to step forward; though she claimed to be pleading, it sounded more like an order, “Kneel and apologize, then take good care of Bran Cook. That way, we’ll all have a livelihood.”
“Exactly! You can’t put so many people out of work for your own selfish interests! My mortgage is over four thousand a month—without this job, how will I pay it?”
“Hurry up and apologize! If it weren’t for you offending Bran Cook, would the Group be in this state? If the old man were here, none of this would’ve happened!”
These members of the Radcliffe Family were like parasites, doing nothing day-to-day and taking tens of thousands from the company each month.
In a small coastal city like Gonzalez City, even technical staff might not earn as much as they did.
Yet they were not grateful and felt entitled to everything instead.
“I will never sell Radcliffe Group, not now, not ever!”
Quella Radcliffe looked at Bran Cook and declared each word distinctly.
She was very determined, which was beyond Bran Cook’s expectations.
Could it really come down to a fight to the bitter end?
But bringing down Radcliffe Group in such a manner wouldn’t benefit anyone. Although it could intimidate some non-compliant groups, it wasn’t conducive to the long-term development of business alliances.
It would leave some with the impression that he bullied others by leveraging his power.
“`
“If you’re willing to kneel down and apologize, I might not force you to accompany me, and I could even tell them to give you a few more days. Whenever you’ve come to your senses, you can come to me. This promise is always valid.”
Bran Cook said from his wheelchair, looking down from above.
“Bran Cook has even loosened his terms, are you still willing to kneel and apologize?”
“Why pretend to be pure around here! You’ve got wild men outside, isn’t it good to be with Bran Cook?”
Tess Radcliffe taunted Quella Radcliffe, even spitting on the ground: “Pah! Shameless thing, you’ve truly thrown away our Radcliffe Family’s face!”
“Exactly, Quella Radcliffe, you slut, pretending to be pure when you haven’t allowed Julius Reed to touch you for three years, you must have had plenty of men secretly, being with Bran Cook is your blessing!”
This group of ungrateful wretches kept pressuring Quella Radcliffe, and some of the Radcliffe Clan men were even ready to physically remove her from the chairman’s position.
If it hadn’t been for Dempsey Davenport intervening, they really might have done it.
“Get lost! You stinking woman, after Quella Radcliffe gets out, you pack up and get lost too, we don’t need you here!”
This Radcliffe Family man rolled up his sleeves, cursing at Dempsey Davenport.
The people they couldn’t stand, Quella Radcliffe was second on the list.
Dempsey Davenport was the number one thorn in their side, the biggest irritation!
As the Chief Financial Officer, Dempsey Davenport strictly controlled the finances, completely eliminating corruption, embezzlement, and the use of false invoices for reimbursements.
Many who had gotten rich through these means found themselves unable to adapt, their standard of living dropping significantly.
Those who could usually make twenty or thirty thousand were suddenly back to a mere six or seven thousand.
Even last month, the cost of toilet paper in public restrooms was included in their salaries, along with electricity and water bills.
The restrooms were also equipped with fingerprint locks to prevent employees from spending too much time there during work hours.
They were filled with hate, but they were powerless.
Dempsey Davenport was the Chief Financial Officer personally selected by Quella Radcliffe, and also the chairman’s assistant, effectively the company’s second-in-command.
As long as Quella Radcliffe didn’t fall from power, no matter how much these people itched with hatred, it was to no avail.
Now the opportunity had come, and they were determined not to let it slip away!
“That’s right! Dempsey Davenport, you really think too highly of yourself! We’ve put up with you for a long time, and now the Radcliffe Group is about to change hands, why are you still acting so tough here?”
“I’ve been sick of her for a long time! Today she’s getting out with Quella Radcliffe!”
The crowd quickly surrounded Dempsey Davenport and Quella Radcliffe, cornering them in the middle.
“Apologize now!”
It looked like if Quella Radcliffe didn’t apologize soon, they were going to start hitting her.
“What are you doing!”
Dempsey Davenport couldn’t back down; she was prepared to take a beating today, but she absolutely wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt Quella Radcliffe.
“President Radcliffe, you can’t fight against the tide of change!”
Bran Cook coughed, his pale face suddenly gaining a hint of color.
Good spirits come with good fortune; he suddenly felt as if he might be able to stand.
But the intense pain in his body made him discard the thought.
“Oh, really? Can’t fight against the tide?”
Quella Radcliffe smiled as she placed the pen on the table, looking at the bankers before her: “I’m very sorry, our company’s situation is a bit chaotic. If you don’t mind, let’s discuss the matter here!”
She wouldn’t agree to the acquisition deal even if it killed her!
If banks were here to call in debts, then they’d have to follow proper procedures.
“Miss Radcliffe, we’d like to offer you a loan of ten billion!”
Darius Clark, the president of Celestial Bank, was the first to rush forward!