Thinking of those disobedient executives and minor shareholders in Taikoo Shipping, she coldly instructed Lin Sen to list out the personnel who could replace them—since they missed Fernand so much and refused to submit to an Easterner.
Then she would grant their wish!
Lin Sen: ...
A massive project. It was easy to imagine that he wouldn't be getting much sleep these next few days.
Even so.
The hardworking and omnipotent Assistant Lin still nodded, then seemingly casually brought up whether he should arrange to receive the ships that were about to arrive.
"No need, Su Er will arrange it."
Su Ning's tone was cheerful.
And why wouldn't it be? You get what you pay for. After the mall upgraded, the quality of the robots available for purchase took a massive leap, and she directly bought the most expensive model.
She named it following Su Yi.
Su Er.
Simple and convenient.
As for why she bought it, it came back to the same point: this was a perfectly functioning world. She had acquired the ownership of those properties, lands, and shares, but it was impossible to harvest everyone's loyalty with the click of a button. She needed someone to manage them.
And she couldn't leave everything to Lin Sen—him being too busy was one reason.
Secondly, it would give the game away.
"I just think that maybe we should communicate about the timing and such, otherwise there might be mistakes that could delay your plans."
Lin Sen's voice was deep and soft, unhurried, making Su Ning feel a bit sleepy.
She waved her hand.
"Don't worry about that."
As she spoke, she walked toward the bedroom, her voice gradually fading. "Su Er will never make a mistake." Her tone was absolute and left no room for doubt.
After all, it was a robot.
She didn't see the look of blank shock on Lin Sen's face as he stood there.
...
Time passed quickly.
The first shareholders' meeting after Fernand's death was convened. Originally, not many people paid attention to an event with a predetermined outcome, but following a few rumors, especially Mr. Faust's ostentatious remarks, many cast curious glances.
Shareholders big and small gathered together; they mostly knew each other and exchanged pleasantries.
Antonio was among them.
A tailored suit from a private tailor, a delicate and handsome mixed-race face, and the aura of a young master cultivated from years of living in luxury made him stand out exceptionally.
His attitude was also very humble, greeting people as they came and went, making it truly impossible to feel any dislike towards him.
"You've grown up."
One shareholder sighed with emotion, "Fernand would be proud of you. Keep it up, young man." He looked at Antonio meaningfully:
"Some things aren't that important to a successful man."
"Thank you."
Hearing this, Antonio showed a touched expression. "A lot has happened recently, which has indeed troubled me greatly. Without my father's guidance, I always felt lost, but now I feel much better."
"Young people are always like this."
The shareholder smiled, putting on the airs of an elder to pass on his experience:
"Breaking down over a little thing, but looking back, you'll realize it's no big deal. So what if a handsome young man is a bit romantic? It's the age to chase after love anyway. If you ask me, that Eastern lady is taking things too seriously."
Hearing these words.
Some agreed, while others disapproved. Was this really just a matter of romance?
Anyone with eyes could see.
It was nothing but a power struggle.
Those who felt he was right had another line of thought: no matter what, Su Ning was an Easterner, naturally ostracized by the civilized world. The best way for her to integrate was to marry Antonio, but unfortunately, she actually failed to understand this principle.
That was why Antonio's little tricks this time received the tacit approval of so many people.
Seeing this.
Antonio's heart completely settled. He lowered his eyes to hide his smugness and said with a smile:
"Although she showed me no mercy, as a gentleman, I cannot bring myself to hate a lady. If she is willing to apologize to me, I will forgive her."
As if.
He wished he could kill Su Ning.
"Not bad, this is the demeanor a gentleman should have."
The others praised him one after another.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open. At the same time, a seemingly cold female voice rang out. Not many people understood what she said, but Antonio's face turned pale.
The person who arrived was Su Ning.
What she said was—
"Does a gentleman with demeanor default on the money for his father's burial items?"
The translator's voice lagged half a beat behind.
Upon hearing this, the people present couldn't help but look at the recently praised young man with strange expressions. The atmosphere froze for a moment before Su Ning's voice rang out again, breaking the silence:
"But then again, it's hard to say. Customs differ from place to place. Perhaps the standard for a gentleman in Portugal is just like this, isn't that right, you... gentlemen?"
The sarcasm in her tone could be detected even if one didn't understand the words.
Once they knew the meaning—
Quite a few people flushed red.
"I will pay back the money," Antonio felt his unhealed wounds start to ache again. He gritted his teeth and said, "I just haven't had the time yet. A truly educated lady wouldn't open and close her mouth demanding debt repayment like you do."
"What did you say?"
While talking, Su Ning had already entered the room and naturally sat in the main seat. Hearing his words, she showed a look of surprise, then laughed contemptuously:
"Indeed, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower ones will go aslant. Like parents, like son. Being so self-righteous about not paying debts has really broadened my horizons."
"Shut up."
"You've gone too far." These words made Antonio clench his fists, breathing heavily back and forth. He paused for a moment, skipping over the mention of his mother, and said:
"No matter what, my father has returned to the embrace of God. And when he was alive, he also gave you a lot of help. It's one thing to criticize me, but why must you mock a dead man!"
"Because I'm stating a fact."
Su Ning didn't even bat an eyelid, waving her hand backward.
"Come, Chrissy, say hello."
A little girl, as pretty as a doll in a western-style dress, walked out. She lifted her skirt to curtsy elegantly, then looked at the stunned Antonio.
She called out coldly:
"Brother."
"Don't call me that." His hopes shattered, Antonio was on the verge of a breakdown. He turned his head and glared viciously at Su Ning. "Do you know where we are? This is a shareholders' meeting. What are you doing bringing a child here?"
"Someone, throw her out."
"I'd like to see who dares."
A light and airy sentence, yet full of deterrence—mainly coming from the cold and ferocious-looking subordinates behind her.
"Although she's young, Chrissy is also a shareholder. Why can't she come? Speaking of which, Fernand really went to great lengths. The shares can't be sold until she's of age and can only be held in proxy, which makes it quite troublesome for me."
Chrissy nodded like a little adult:
"I have three percent of the shares, all given to me by Dad."
Shares, Dad?
Looking again at Antonio's livid face, what was there left for the crowd not to understand?
"Don't just call him that."
Su Ning's lips curled up. "Fernand never acknowledged your identity. He said you were the child of a close relative he kindly adopted."
"Alright."
Chrissy changed her form of address without batting an eye. "It was Uncle who gave me the shares."
Good heavens.
Everyone present thought in unison at this moment.
Some legendary romance this was.
More like a legendary joke!
......
After that amusing little interlude,
The shareholders' meeting officially began. Jokes aside, when it came down to their own interests, a faction of shareholders and top executives took a clear stance on Antonio's side, banding together to launch an attack against Su Ning.
Though the rest did not join in,
They had no intention of speaking up for Su Ning either, choosing instead to remain silent.
To any outsider looking in,
Su Ning was completely isolated and helpless, like a lone skiff battered by a storm, on the verge of capsizing at any moment.
