He then suddenly thought of something and picked up the phone.
"Find out who posted the video clip. Quick!"
As soon as he hung up, the general manager, Robert Holland, walked in, phonically. "Mr. Carter, terrible news. Our stock price is dropping quickly!"
Frank almost jumped up from his seat, looking distraught, "How bad?"
"6% within two minutes, and it's still going down. What should we do?" Robert Holland was concerned.
Frank was sweating with worry. If it keeps declining, it will hit the lowest point ever. This is something that's never happened to the company.
He tried to think of a solution quickly, and then in despair, he demanded, "Buy-in as many shares as possible, quick! Now!"
He understood very well the importance of a steady stock price for the company in this situation. He had to do something to stabilize the market.
Robert hurried out and soon came back as fast as he left. "Mr. Carter, it's too late. There are too many people selling the stock. It's hit the circuit limit." He almost cried.
Frank panicked, staring at his laptop screen, banging his fist on the desk. "We have to stop this from happening. Keep buying it in. We have to!" He yelled back.
There was nothing they could do about it. It was all too late. The stock price hit the lower circuit limit, and the trading was stopped.
He collapsed into his chair, exhausted, physically, and mentally, eyes fixed on the stock table. It meant that the same thing would happen again tomorrow. What could be done?
The phone rang again, and it only agitated him more. He wanted to hear from no one or see no one.
But he could only wish so. There was a knock at the door, and his pretty secretary gently pushed the door open, and meekly she announced, "Mr. Carter, it's Mr. Smith and Mr. Ford."
Frank Carter had always thought these two the most annoying members in the Board of Directors, stingy and narrow-minded. He knew they were the last people he should displease under such circumstances.
Skinny Richard Smith stepped in, followed by big Nicholas Ford. "Frank, what are you doing now?" Richard questioned directly.
They had lost 10% of their assets in one single day because of the Carter family issue. They were furious for sure.
Frank sensed an ill omen in the air. If he failed to please them and deal with the incident cautiously, there would be more trouble. He put on a positive and smiley face, greeted them with a cheerful tone, "Hey, Richard and Nicolas. How have you been? Come, take a seat..."
Nicolas waved his hand impatiently. "Seriously, Frank, what's happening? We can't just see our money gone like this!"
"It's all because of your precious son! How could he beat his own sister like that?! It's unbelievable. Frank. I'm sure you have heard of the saying 'Like father, like son'. Shouldn't you do something about it? He will be put in prison one day..."
Frank did not like what he heard at all. I, myself, never say a word against my son. Who do you think you are? How dare you interfere? He thought to himself, but remained apologetic "You are right. It's all my fault. I will give him a good talking to. I promise it will never happen again."
Frank took all the blame to protect his son.
It's his only son, the heir to his business, and he would do anything to protect him from any accusation.
Nicolas sneered, "Huh. He's a wastrel, good for nothing. Someone has to pay for our loss."
You are just thinking about protecting your son. What about the shareholders? Any qualified presidents could have done better than you. They both thought.
However, they had to agree that Frank Carter had the capability and talent in the business field. Also, the company had been run by the Carter's for decades. It was not an easy job to oust him.
Richard supported Nicolas. "Frank. You have to take full responsibility. Your family issue has ruined the company's reputation."
You two cunning assholes. When I was making money for you two, what did you say? Huh. It's just a small loss now, and you are asking me to pay for it all! Stingy bastards.
Frank hid his thoughts and replied reassuringly, "No problem. No problem. Don't you worry? I will sort it out. I'll make sure you get all your money back."
That was the guarantee the two came for. Hearing so, they felt relieved.
Before Richard left, he patted Frank on his shoulder and said with a heavy heart, "Frank. Nathalia is your own daughter. You won't even treat a stranger like that. How could you ever allow such cruelty to happen?"
Now I've become an unfair and cruel father. Huh.
"No. No. I mean. I love my daughter..."
Nicolas let out a sarcastic laugh, thinking, did you actually say you love your daughter?
"Come on. Frank. The truth speaks itself. We've all seen the video clip. What your son did was completely brutal. My wife cried when she watched it. It's horrendous."
Frank joined in "Your wife has been very good at acting. Even if she hates her step-daughter, she should at least keep doing her pretending job. It affects the reputation of our company. I'm sure you understand that." He paused with a deep sigh, then continued, "What else can I say? You and your family have totally destroyed our name."
Frank was enraged, but he managed to put on a guilty and regretful look, "I understand. I will do everything I can to save our company's reputation."
"You'd better do."
Frank's face turned stern as he watched the two leave. As soon as they were out of sight, he slammed the door shut!
Smashing and banging noises were heard. All the staff looked at each other silently. That's the sound of real anger there.
A new guy in the office secretly opened the link to watch the video clip. "I've never expected
Mrs. Carter to be someone so merciless. She always looks, well, acts, so gentle, virtuous, and caring."
Someone who had worked there for some years commented, "The perfect one looks, the more they are trying to hide. Think about it. Her daughter Evette Carter is just one year younger than Nathalia Carter. What does that mean? She'd been the mistress that Mr. Carter secretly kept till Nathalia Carter's mother died."
Virtuous. You are joking with me. That's the last word I would use to describe her. Calculating, manipulative, cunning, pretentious, that's more like it.
The new staff were shocked and grew excited. "Wow, we didn't know that. Really? Tell us more, please." Soon everyone joined in the excitement. Who would not like a bit of gossip?