Chapter 347 Stay as an Assistant
The air in the Burton Group’s large conference room was heavy and solemn as all the board members of the company were present. “President Burton has arrived.”
Justin arrived late for the meeting. “Apologies, Grandpa and everyone. Sorry for being late.” Arthur looked as black as thunder. Before he could speak, Robin’s mocking voice rang across from Justin. “You’re quite puffed up, aren’t you, Young Master Justin? To think that you could even be late for the board meeting! Do you need someone to personally pick you up for the next meeting?”
Frankie could no longer stand his words. “President Gunson, how could you—”
Just then, an elderly voice rang. “Shut up! What gives you, an assistant, the right to speak here?”
Frankie shuddered before turning to look at Arthur.
Obviously, Arthur wasn’t just expressing his displeasure at Justin’s late arrival for the meeting today. Having stepped down from his position for years, he rarely attended the board of directors’ annual meeting despite being the chairman of the company’s board of directors. Therefore, the fact that he had gone out of his way to call a board meeting this time showed that his dissatisfaction had accumulated to a certain degree. “Since everyone’s here, let’s take our seats.”
The conference room was silent once again.
Then, Arthur said, “As everyone knows, the purpose of today’s board meeting is to have everyone vote on the motion to remove Justin from his position as the Burton Group’s president on the spot.”
Someone argued, “Old Mr. Burton, we’d better be more circumspect about removing the president of the company.”
“That’s right. Ever since Young Master Justin took over the Burton Group, the company’s performance has gone up quite a few notches.”
The other board members quickly chimed in.
Justin had been running the Burton Group for years, so many of the company’s board members supported him. Unfortunately, Arthur was unshakeable in his determination this time. “His merits can’t make up for his faults. The Burton Group’s performance has visibly dropped this year. This is not because of the market, but because of the person heading the company.” Arthur darted a look at Justin. “Since there’s a problem, we have to solve it in time. The Burton Group belongs not only to us Burtons but also to all the board members present here. I can’t let the Burton Group be ruined in the hands of a single person.”
The instant he said that, the board members instantly broke into a discussion. Just then, someone asked, “But, Old Mr. Burton, if we remove Young Master Justin, who’s gonna be the president of the company?”
All of a sudden, a strange silence descended on the room. Everyone knew that Arthur only had two grandchildren. One of them was Justin, who was about to be removed right now, and the other was Tina, who had been sent abroad six years ago to be treated for mental illness. If Justin were to be removed from his position right now, who else could replace him?
Arthur’s face clouded over. “We, the Burtons, have few descendants, but it’s not that difficult to find a capable descendant from our family. However, the Burton Group’s century-old foundation is not to be squandered by someone as they please! Carrying the surname Burton doesn’t mean he can rest easy!”
Everyone was puzzled by Arthur’s words.
Arthur then continued, “I’ve decided to let Robin take over Justin’s position as the Burton Group’s president.”
Justin’s pupils instantly shrank at Arthur’s words. Having learned his ways from Jason, Robin was prone to resort to crooked ways. How could Grandpa hand the Burton Group to such a person?! “I oppose it!” he replied on the spot.
Robin scowled at once. “For what reason do you oppose it? This is Grandpa’s decision. What gives you the right to oppose it?”
Justin didn’t even bother to say a word more than necessary to Robin, though. He tried his best to dissuade Arthur, saying, “Grandpa, it’s true that I have to take responsibility for the Burton Group’s performance issues these days. I have no objection if you want to remove me as president, but Robin can’t be the company’s next president.”
Robin was one of Jason’s men. By handing the Burton Group over to Robin, the company would essentially be handed over to Jason. Now that Jason was on such close terms with those from the Jockey Club, he would bring the Burton Group down one day. By then, the Burton Group would be the next Hudson Pharmaceuticals.
Robin slapped the conference table in anger. “Whether I can be the company’s next president is up to the board of directors. What does it have to do with you? Young Master Justin, I admit that you’ve done well in managing the Burton Group previously, but now you’re being led by the nose by a woman!”
“Watch your language, President Gunson!” blurted Frankie.
Justin raised his hand to stop Frankie. Let him say it, he thought.
Robin stood up. “Perhaps you guys aren’t aware of this yet. Young Master Justin has transferred the ownership of the development site at Northlane for free in order to please a woman. That’s a 3 billion-worth project!”
“What? He transferred the ownership of the development site?”
“How could he do that?”
“That’s right! Isn’t that nonsense?”
One of the board members immediately asked, “Young Master Justin, what the hell’s the matter with this? Who did you transfer the ownership of the development site to? Is this part of your plan or… Please tell us about this.”
“That’s not part of his plan or anything! He did that just to please that ex-wife of his. Hudson Pharmaceuticals has already set about starting construction on that site!”
Hudson Pharmaceuticals? In an instant, the conference room was in an uproar.
However, Justin didn’t give a word of explanation.
Arthur’s eyes showed nothing but disappointment as he looked at Justin. Having spent most of his life enduring all kinds of hardships, how could he possibly not know that Robin wasn’t a decent person? But now, everyone in the company was critical of Justin, and he was torn to shreds in the press. If he wasn’t replaced sooner, the Burton Group would be in great peril.
It wasn’t until Arthur hemmed twice that everyone finally fell silent. Then, Arthur said, “I hereby announce that we’ll now be officially voting on the motion to remove Justin Burton from his position as president. Those who agree to the motion may raise your hands.”
Everyone in the conference room looked at each other. After whispering to each other for a while, they gradually fell silent and raised their hands one after another.
Seeing the overwhelming number of votes, Robin was incredibly smug. He had dreamed about the scene at this very moment countless times. After so many years, he was finally able to get something on Justin, so how could he possibly not take advantage of this opportunity to make an issue out of it?
Arthur ran his eyes over the crowd while concealing the hint of disappointment in his eyes. “I see that everyone has made themselves clear. The motion has been passed. From now on, Justin is no longer the Burton Group’s president. Justin, do you have any objections to this?”
Everyone’s eyes fell on Justin as they waited for him to express his stance. After a long time, Justin said, “No, I don’t.”
“Alright then. In that case, let’s vote on the next motion. Those who agree to let Robin Gunson take over as the Burton Group’s president may raise your hands.”
This time, the number of hands raised was almost the same as the previous time. As a result, it was decided that Robin would be taking over as the Burton Group’s president.
“Robin will be running the Burton Group from now on.” Arthur’s bony fingers curled slightly as he darted a quick look at Justin from the corner of his eye. Seeing how Justin remained unmoved, he felt even more disappointed. He said in a grim voice, “Justin, hand your work over to Robin and leave the Burton Group as soon as possible.”
“It’s not necessary,” Robin cut in all of a sudden. “Old Mr. Burton, it’s not necessary to make Young Master Justin sever all ties to the company. We all have witnessed his capabilities, after all, so I think he doesn’t have to leave the Burton Group. Why not let him stay in the Burton Group as vice president to assist me in my work?”
The instant Robin said that, Justin’s stony eyes turned chilly, whereas Frankie’s face turned livid.
