My Toyboy 343
Zoe wasn’t afraid at all. She had been with Whitney for seven or eight years and understood Whitney’s temperament.
In the company, as long as one went along with Whitney’s wishes, one could go against whoever one wanted, even Jonathan.
Zoe said, “I’m so scared, Ms. Sullivan. Don’t think everyone has to fear you just because you’re the Sullivan family’s daughter. This is the Bennett Group, not your home.
“Do you still think you will be the future Mrs. Bennett? Don’t you know that Mr. Bennett is already married, and they event have the marriage certificate? And now you’re just a nobody. Do you think Mr. Bennett would even give you another glance?”
“Zoe, submit your resignation to the HR department tomorrow a cold male voice echoed from behind the crowd. Everyon turned to look towards the voice and saw Jonathan standing not far away.
Everyone was taken aback for a moment, instinctively making way. Jonathan walked over in that direction.
Zoe’s face stiffened slightly when she saw Jonathan. She said, “Mr. Bennett, I was just joking with Ms. Sullivan.”
Jonathan gave Zoe a cold look and said, “But I’m not joking with you. Leave now. Someone who’s been dismissed has no right to attend the Bennett Group’s annual gala.”
A look of urgency appeared on Zoe’s face. She was only trying to curry favor with Whitney by picking on Nina. The venue was so large that she didn’t expect Jonathan to catch her red–handed.
Zoe glanced at Whitney, but Whitney showed no intention of standing up for her.
Zoe understood that to Whitney, she was just a disposable pawn. Since Whitney remained silent, Zoe had no choice but to depend on herself to find a way out.
Zoe said, “Mr. Bennett, I believe I was right. Ms. Sullivan isn’t part of the Bennett Group, so she has no right to attend the annual gala. Her presence here is completely inappropriate. I was merely suggesting that Ms. Sullivan leave.”
Jonathan’s voice was calm, saying, “Nina owns five percent of the Bennett Group’s shares, making her one of the major shareholders. And you’re telling me she doesn’t have the right to attend our annual gala?”
Zoe was taken aback by what she heard. She wondered when Nina had become a shareholder in the Bennett Group. She looked to Whitney and asked, “Ms. Bennett is this true?”
Several other executives were also surprised. Whitney seemed in a good mood, acting as if none of this concerned her, and she wasn’t the one who caused any trouble.
Whitney said, “Mr. Bennett originally owned fifteen percent of Bennett Group shares. Two months ago, he transferred five percent to Ms. Sullivan. So Nina is indeed one of the largest shareholders now. This hasn’t been made public yet. Normally, you’re unaware.”
Upon hearing this, Zoe’s expression became unpleasant. Zoe had met Nina before; Nina used to be just an innocent and timid little heiress.
When Nina was favored by Jonathan, everyone was trying to please her. But now that Nina had lost that favor, no one was willing to give her any respect. No one expected Nina to make a comeback and become a major shareholder in the Bennett Group.
Owning 5% of the Bennett Group meant Nina was a major shareholder with voting rights on many significant decisions. It also meant she could receive hundreds of millions annually from the group’s dividends.
Understanding Nina was now with wealth, power, and influence Zoe started to feel nervous, especially since Whitney showed no intention of supporting her. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
But Zoe still wasn’t willing to give up. As she turned, she noticed Cynthia standing behind Jonathan. She quickly moved to stand beside Cynthia.
Zoe said, “Ms. Jones, you are the true lady of the Bennett Group. Can you allow someone with obvious ambitions towards Mr. Bennett to stay in the company? You might not be aware of the relationship between Nina and Mr. Bennett…”
Cynthia looked at Zoe with a naive expression and said thoughtfully, “I know, I know everything.”
Zoe knew that having Nina as an enemy meant she had to find new support. The best option, of course, was Cynthia. Zoe thought Cynthia would feel competitive. If she opposed Nina, Cynthia would step up to protect her.
But Zoe wondered, ‘But why doesn’t she show even a hint of jealousy? Isn’t Mr. Bennett’s recent heroic act of saving a damsel in distress insulting her?”
Zoe continued, “Aren’t you worried Ms. Sullivan might have inappropriate thoughts about Mr. Bennett? Mr. Bennett transferred five percent of his shares to Ms. Sullivan. Do you know what that implies?
“Her status in the company far exceeds yours. And the annual dividends are huge. Are you willing to be outdone by your husband’s ex–girlfriend?”
Cynthia smiled slightly and replied, “Sorry, I also have five percent of the Bennett Group’s shares.”
Zoe and the others were a bit surprised. Cynthia continued, “And Ms. Sullivan is not my husband’s ex–girlfriend; my husband has always thought of her as a sister. It’s no big deal for a brother to give some shares to his sister.”
With just a few words, Cynthia resolved all the conflicts right away. Everyone knew about Nina and Jonathan’s previous relationship. The rumor that Nina would be the future Mrs. Bennett had been around for many years.
As for what happened in between, no one knew. However, people speculated that the five percent shares might be Jonathan’s way of settling or compensating for that relationship.
Cynthia mentioned she also had shares, so she didn’t lose face in front of Nina. At the same time, Cynthia denied any ambiguous relationship between Nina and Jonathan and placed Nina in a sisterly role.
So, regardless of what kind of relationship Nina and Jonathan had before, she could only be Jonathan’s sister from now on
Cynthia didn’t make a scene or compromise. She managed to maintain everyone’s dignity. People around her, even some higher–ups, began to view Cynthia with newfound respect.
Seeing that her attempt to find a new backer was futile, Zoe quickly turned around and knelt beside Nina’s wheelchair.
Zoe begged, “Ms. Sullivan, I didn’t recognize your importance. I deeply apologize. Could you please forgive me this one time?”
Nina pulled her arm away from Zoe, showing extreme disgust. She replied, “You’re an opportunist. It’s best if you go back and pack your things now and leave this city. Otherwise, you won’t have a place to stay by tomorrow.”
Zoe was so frightened she collapsed onto the ground. Whitney smiled as if she had just enjoyed a wonderful show and then left. The crowd dispersed as well. The security guard dragged out Zoe.
In the center of the banquet hall, only Cynthia, Jonathan, and Nina were left.
Nina was sitting in her wheelchair. She placed her hands on her dress and looked up at Jonathan. She greeted, “Mr. Bennett, it’s been a while.”
96