Mr. Singers furrowed his eyebrows, caught off guard by the unexpected emergency meeting. It was evident that arrangements had been made without his knowledge.
"Andrea, come with me," Mr. Singers said, relieved that he wouldn't have to organize a meeting to introduce Andrea as their future chairman.
Andrea tensed up, overwhelmed by the prospect of taking over the Singers group. Despite Mr. Singers' intentions, she doubted her ability to face the board of directors and shareholders. "I'm not feeling well. Can we do this another time?" Andrea's voice quivered, her complexion drained with anxiety evident in her fidgeting.
Mr. Singers offered a reassuring smile as he gently took her hand. "This is your company now. Your employees and colleagues should be the ones feeling nervous about meeting you. Remember, a boss is not meant to fear their employees. Don't be the first."
Mr. Singers's words had a magical effect on her; her stiffened back relaxed, and her tense nerves eased. Taking her hand, Mr. Singer led her into the boardroom.
As the door swung open, the fully-occupied boardroom came into view, with the directors and shareholders seated around the large table.
Mr. Singers entered with Andrea, leaving his secretary outside the room. Instead of taking his usual place at the head of the table, he gestured graciously for Andrea to occupy the main chair.
In a mixture of shock and disbelief, the board members and shareholders nearly rose from their seats. They all knew that Mr. Singers had returned from Vegas with a fat woman, but they never expected her to be brought into the boardroom.
Their respect for Mr. Singers' work ethic has always been unwavering, and his decisions and actions have consistently garnered full support. However, a boundary was drawn when it came to allowing a stranger into their boardroom.
"Chairman Singers, while we refrain from commenting on your personal affairs, the presence of your mistress in the boardroom raises questions. What does this signify?" inquired one of the shareholders, a long-standing member with a head of white hair, known for his blunt manner of speaking.
"She is not my mistress; rather, she is my daughter, my wife, my family. She is poised to succeed me and lead the company into the future. I have full faith in her abilities, and I believe that under her guidance, the Singers Group will flourish even more," Mr. Singers explained, with a hint of reverence in his voice.
The board of directors and shareholders were taken aback by what they were hearing, wearing expressions of disbelief on their faces.
Mr. Singers had single-handedly transformed the Singers Group from a mere idea into one of the nation's leading companies. The idea that such a monumental achievement could be surpassed by someone lacking in confidence seemed like a ludicrous notion to all present.
Tensions were running high in the boardroom as the members directed their incredulous gazes towards Andrea, who sat with her head lowered throughout the discussion.
"Mr. Singers, we respect your judgment, but could you provide us with more information about her background and qualifications? We need to understand the basis for such a decision. After all, we can't appoint a janitor as our chairman simply on your say-so, can we?" inquired one shareholder in a somewhat lighter tone. Despite the attempt at levity, the atmosphere in the room was fraught with a palpable sense of unease, as if the group were collectively poised to pounce on Andrea or tear her apart.
Mr. Singers responded, his eyes fixed on Andrea with a sense of satisfaction and admiration, "She has served as an executive with the Wilson Group."
Looking at Mr. Singers' expression, one might assume she had single-handedly saved the world.
However, the board of directors and shareholders were not impressed. Despite the fact that only the most competent individuals were hired by the country's leading corporation, this did not automatically qualify someone to lead such a colossal business entity.
A shareholder with a stern expression questioned Mr. Singers, "Do you truly believe this is the right choice? How does she compare to Agatha? What credentials make her suitable to succeed you?" He cast a disdainful glance in Andrea's direction.
In a chilling tone, Mr. Singers replied, "She is Singers. For those who doubt her worthiness to succeed me, the door is open. You are free to leave, and I will not stand in your way." His words silenced the murmurs and discussions among the board of directors and shareholders.
Minutes passed by, yet no one made a move to leave the boardroom. They sat there, as still as obedient house cats.
As the silence lingered, Mr. Singers surveyed the group before declaring, "It seems we have reached a unanimous decision for her to succeed me in the future. I assure you, you will not be disappointed with today's choices."
After settling the matter, Mr. Singers realized he had not called for the meeting. "Now, may I inquire as to the reason for convening this emergency board meeting?" he asked, intrigued.
The board members exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to broach the subject after such a display of authority.
Finally, a shareholder cleared their throat and hesitantly replied, "We are still in deliberation."
Mr. Singers nodded, his focus solely on Andrea. He gently guided her to her feet and personally introduced her to the shareholders and board directors.
"Miss Andrea, I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with you," a shareholder expressed with a forced smile, masking any discontent he may have felt.
In their rational mind, who would willingly part with their shares in the highly profitable Singers Group, which consistently generates daily profits and boasts an impressive annual turnover?