Chapter 702
Hearing Mr. Stapleton Sr.’s name, Penelope had a pretty good idea of what was happening. After hanging up with Michael, she called Mr. Stapleton Sr.
“Since he wishes to resign from all positions at Zenith Group and return his shares to the Stapleton family, I will grant him his wish. Zenith Tech was his creation, but it has been losing money for years. When he was in charge, he could bear the losses. Now that he’s not, no one is interested in a losing venture. He can either watch Zenith Tech shut down or buy it out. But before buying it, he must cover the deficit it owes Zenith Group,” Mr. Stapleton Sr. said in a strictly business-like tone.
Penelope was exasperated. “Aren’t you just forcing him to liquidate all his assets?” “This is the path he chose. I didn’t force him p>
“I’ll cover the deficit for him p>
“That’s a matter between you and your husband. It’s none of my business p>
After careful consideration, Penelope decided not to act immediately. She waited until Theodore had raised the billion dollars and settled the debt. Only then did she approach him about investing in Zenith Tech.
“One billion dollars, for sixty percent of Zenith Tech’s shares p>
Theodore saw Penelope in her business suit, having formally requested a meeting at Zenith Tech, and noted her negotiating posture. A small smile played on his lips. “There’s another option p>
“What is it p>
“I sell Zenith Tech to you p>
“Huh p>
“For the price of one dollar p>
Penelope was momentarily stunned, then her professional instincts kicked in. She asked, “Is Zenith Tech some kind of money pit p>
The kind that could never be filled, no matter how much money was thrown at it?
Theodore narrowed his eyes. “You’re willing to invest without knowing anything about the company p>
“Well, I was doing it as a favor to you p>
“From now on, my favors aren’t worth anything p>
“They’re worth something to me p>
Theodore grunted. “In any case, my company isn’t accepting investments. You can either buy it or not. Your choice p>
Penelope hesitated for a long while before going to a convenience store outside to get one dollar. She returned and placed it in Theodore’s hand.
He closed his fist around it. “Transaction complete. No take-backs p>
Penelope felt a little uneasy, with a nagging feeling she’d just been had. Theodore pocketed the dollar and stood up to leave.
“Are you really done with Zenith Tech p>
Theodore glanced back at her. “It’s your company now. A piece of advice: you should probably change the name. Something like ‘Penelope Tech’ has a nice ring to it p>
“Ms. Laurier, I’ll see you around p>
With that, Theodore walked away with a carefree stride.
Penelope slowly realized she had, indeed, been played. Zenith Tech was Theodore’s creation, and he couldn’t bear to see it fail, so he spenta billion dollars to clear its debts. But he had also said he
wanted to live a different kind of life.
Taking over Zenith Tech again,
would be no different from running
Zenith Group; he’d be right back
where he started. So, he sold it to
her.
From now on, she would be the one working herself to the bone for Zenith Tech p>
Penelope felt she needed a moment
to process, but before she could
even leave the office, she was cornered. Department heads
swarmed her all talking aboRACE!
about their respective situations. Every issue was urgent, every problem needed a solution
immediately.
Forced into the company’s highest seat of power, she raised a hand, signaling for the managers to calm down.
“Everyone, since I’ve taken over the company, I promise to give it my all. While I’m not yet familiar with the business, I will get up to speed as quickly as possible. I hope you can all give me some time p>
At that, Penelope sighed.
She was well and truly trapped.