"I was vice–president of VC Technologies, in charge of research and development operations. Here are the financial statements for the last three years. I think you've heard that VC's profits in this region have increased in the last few years."
The others were even more shocked when hearing this.
VC was too well–known in the whole world to ignore any information about it.
And to be the vice–president of VC Technologies at such a young age, luck was required, but it was not gonna happen without abilities.
"Wait a minute. You can't be the famous Ms. Haynes of VC Technologies, can you?".
Hazel smiled confidently and replied, "Yes, that's me."
Now, everyone was too astonished to say anything.
Even Chase was surprised.
Ms. Haynes of VC Technologies was a rising star in the business world in the last six years. It was said that Ms. Haynes and her team made VC Technologies' research and development department income grow 50% in just six years.
Who wouldn't like a real genius like that?
Hazel was a dual citizen. So no one ever expected that Ms. Haynes of VC Technologies was actually Hazel who was kicked out of the Black family.
"I believe in myself to run the Haynes Group well. By the way, my team will join the Haynes Group with me. Also, I've taken over VC's sole agency in the city. In the next few years, the Haynes family won't have to worry about the supply of materials. Moreover, we'll be working with VC on new projects together."
Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul's faces lit up with bright smiles at once. "Oh, my, this is… oh, what a surprise. Many have failed to get a sole agency agreement with VC, but Ms. Haynes got it for us. I just never dreamed that we could work with VC. Well, since… Mr. Zac Haynes has chosen a rightful successor. We have no problem with that."
The Haynes Group had been losing money for years with Chris as the Chairman. The board of directors had a lot of complaints against him already.
Unlike Chris, as soon as Hazel returned, she had turned the tables for the Haynes Group. Now that with VC on its side, the Haynes Group wouldn't have to worry about anything for at least the next few years.
So, of course, they wanted Chris to be removed as Chairman.
Chris's face went livid. He said, "Hazel, you can be the Chairwoman of the board. I don't have a problem with that. However, I still suggest that you start at the bottom. It's not a bad thing to have more experience. Or, you don't want to start at the bottom. It's fine to start as a department head or a manager…"
"But never the chairman," thought Chris to himself.
If Hazel became the Chairwoman, what about him? What about his two sons?
Chris valued his sons more in the first place. Not to mention the fact that Hazel had grown up without him around. There was no bonding between the father and daughter at all. Therefore, he would never want most of the assets to fall into Hazel's hands.
"Dad, you don't have to say anymore. I'm just following Grandpa's wishes. If I can't increase the Haynes Group's profits by more than 20% in three years while I'm in the office, I'll resign and stay out of business forever."
"Mr. Haynes, at least give your daughter a chance to give it a try. I support her anyway"
"I don't have a problem with that either."
"Hazel, you…" Chris staggered as he kept throwing glances at Chase, begging Chase silently to say something for him.
However, Chase just sat there still. He said nothing nor took any side.
The money he put on the Haynes Group was just too little for him to pay any attention to. Thus, he didn't want to waste his time and energy on this matter.
Yet he didn't mind Hazel becoming the Chairwoman. After all, this was nothing but a game to him. It would be more interesting if Hazel was the Chairman. By then, he would give her some really good lessons.
"Mr. Black, what do you think?"
Chase smiled and shrugged, "I… Well, I'm okay with that."
"You see, even Mr. Black agreed, let alone us. Mr. Haynes, you should vacate the office for Ms. Haynes as soon as possible and allow her to take over your work at hand."
Chris was completely dumbfounded when he heard that. How could Chase agree to let Hazel be the Chairwoman? Chris had expected the young man to side with him. But Chase only turned out to be his last straw.
His position as Chairman of the board was taken away.
"Good for you, Hazel, good for you. It seems that of all these years, I've raised you for nothing. You want to replace your own father? Is there any humanity left in you? Ever since you were a kid, you've been the most rebellious one. Nine years ago, you brought shame on the whole family by becoming the joke that everyone in the city knew. And now you come back to steal everything from us. You, oh, you're such a disgrace."
Chris started moral blackmailing Hazel, and he went out of control, pointing the finger at Hazel and swearing.
Whatever the cost, he needed to keep the Haynes Group for his two sons.
At the very least, if he had to hand over the Haynes Group to his daughters, he'd hand it over to Lyra instead of Hazel.
Hazel knew very well what her father was planning. It hurt her, but on the surface, she kept a poker face. She said, "Dad, I'm just getting my grandfather's inheritance. If you have any complaints, you can talk to my lawyer. Also, I don't want you to be involved in the management of the Haynes Group anymore. Money based on the annual profit will be transferred into your private account every year."
Hazel had never spent a penny of her father's money ever since she was a kid nor felt any fatherly love from him. At the age of seven, she returned to the city after her mother died.
During that time, she stayed at boarding school and rarely returned to the Haynes, even during the holidays.