It was so hard to persuade the Lakes to sell their shares. Nevertheless, Joseph had made preparations for it psychologically.
Irish wanted to say something, but Joseph just stopped.
Cassie couldn't bear Ruby's attitude, so she said finally, "I'd like to say something. Now is an unusual moment. We can only get through the difficulties by cooperating with Joseph. I don't want to say anything bad to those shareholders, but actually, their decision has increased the complaints. I have been in the Runestone Group for more than one year. It is not until now that I have seen complaints from the Customer Service Department. If Joseph planned for this, he would not have invited us here. He can just let Irish give her shares to him directly."
Ruby sneered, "It's not a long time for you to be here. Now you tend to be in control of it?"
Cassie was embarrassed.
Roy was unhappy, and he just looked at Ruby, "She is my wife. She has the right to say that."
Ruby looked at Roy unhappily, "Look at you. You are deeply attached to her."
Roy looked upset, "I have had enough of you!"
"Do not argue over my proposal." Joseph disturbed their debate and just said lightly, "Maybe you can just lend your shares to me. We can sign contracts made by the Legal Department. Once the crisis is over, I will give the shares back."
That was the best way he could think of.
Hearing this, Shirley thought of it for a while and nodded, "I think it's good." The shares in her hands were once taken by Henry, so this time, she needed to take care since Roy and Ruby were her son and daughter.
Ruby sneered, "Do not believe him easily."
Kelly spoke, "I agree. William and Lilith didn't come this time, and maybe we should ask for their opinions. But the problem is...you know, Lilith now…"
Roy looked tired, so he just said directly, "I agree. It's okay for me to transfer the shares, let alone lend them temporarily. To be honest, I am not good at management. I don't want to destroy the Runestone Group."
Shirley pulled Roy's clothes as she heard that.
Roy didn't pay attention to that.
"I will transfer the shares to Joseph too. Now it's okay if you don't agree since Roy is also agreeing on it." Irish said coldly.
Joseph pulled Irish's shoulder. He felt touched.
Roy looked up to Joseph, "The deal is done. Tomorrow morning, I will let the Legal Department draft the contract. Joseph, I believe that you will get the Group out of trouble. As for others, if you believe in him, please come to sign the contract tomorrow morning."
Ruby sneered.
Shirley looked in a dilemma.
Kelly nodded, "I will go there. Please add me. I will persuade William after going back home. There will be no issues with Lilith."
Joseph sighed, "Thank you all."
As long as he took full control, then it would be no problem to improve the Group's prestige. Once they signed the contract, he would be a shareholder who held both families' shares. In other words, he would become the largest shareholder and even the director. For the outside world, changes in the board would draw their attention and bring confidence to those old clients.
Succeed or not, it depended on the battle.
It was late now. The unpleasant meeting was just finished.
Kelly was concerned about Lilith, so she just left hurriedly after saying goodbye.
Cassie and Roy planned to send Shirley and Ruby back, but Ruby just said, "You can go first. I have some words with Joseph."
Roy was helpless. He looked at Ruby and said, "Do not quarrel with him."
Ruby looked coldly at Joseph, "Do you have any time?"
Joseph didn't speak, and Irish just frowned and said, "Ruby, better have a talk tomorrow."
"What? Are you afraid of me?" Ruby sneered, "Take it easy. I have no interest in men."
Irish stared at her and prepared to say something, but Joseph just said lightly, "Wait for me in the car. Listen to me." And then he gave his key to her.
Irish didn't want to go, but for the sake of Joseph, she had to take it over and leave the office without turning around.
After Irish left, Roy said to Shirley, "Mom, let me send you back first."
Shirley nodded. As she passed Ruby, she lowered her voice and said, "If you do not want to transfer, just lend it to him. Do not make things worse."
Ruby didn't say anything.
As they left the Runestone Group, Roy asked Shirley, "Mom, your attitude is clear today."
"Please be noted that I can only agree to lend it to Joseph, not to give it to him, even if it is only 1% of your share. Aren't you clear about Kelly's attitude? She must agree with him. If you also transfer your share, you will lose control completely. Joseph will become the president later, and then it will become more dangerous."
Cassie was just listening and didn't utter any comments.
"I agree that you just lend the shares to him. Honestly, I'm afraid that he has much ambition for the Group. Ruby's words make sense to some extent, but now only he can deal with the situation. If Joseph leaves the Runestone Group, there will be more problems to be dealt with, which is unbeneficial to the entire company." Shirley continued.
Roy had no choice but to shake his head, start the car, and say, "Temporarily lending the shares never took place in the business field. If the outsiders know it, they will laugh at our groups, and they would disdain our family and say that Lakes likes to take advantage of people and desert them."
"I just fight for our own benefits. What is wrong with that?" Shirley said.
Roy also did not want to continue to argue with her, and fortunately, his mother did not continue to oppose him.
****
At the Runestone conference room, only Joseph and Ruby were left.
At this time, even staff who worked overtime also left. There were thunderstorms outside the window, and in the whole building, except for the guard on duty, only they stayed there.
The rain outside the window was even greater, and the raindrops pattered on the heavy tempered glass, but its sound was separated by it. The distant sky was lit up by lightning, and the sky, as if it would crack.
Horrible.
Ruby found a chair to sit down on. Joseph sat down opposite her. Behind him was a large rainy night, thunder and lightning intertwining and the sky flickering.