Chapter 9 Three Matters

• “Hello! Welcome to Woodhaven Group!”
• The executive secretary, Zoe Yates, rose to her feet and greeted Joshua.
• Joshua nodded, then asked, “Is Camilla in? Tell her Joshua Judd has arrived.”
• “Sure.”
• Zoe picked up the intercom and relayed the message to Camilla.
• Studying Joshua from the corner of her eye, she surreptitiously curled her lips.
• He certainly had an imposing appearance and a remarkable demeanor. That much is undeniable. But his attire is painfully ordinary, making it clear at first glance that he's not anyone significant. For someone like him to specifically ask to meet with Ms. Cooper is an utter overestimation of himself.
• She surmised that Camilla would undoubtedly turn down the request.
• However, no response came from the other end of the line.
• Beep! Beep! Beep!
• The call was abruptly ended.
• In the next moment, the door of the CEO's office a few meters away flung open without warning. A figure strode out hurriedly, making a beeline for Joshua.
• Then, she bowed respectfully.
• “Mr. Judd, welcome to the Lofbury branch office of Woodhaven Group!”
• The woman was about twenty-six or seven, stunningly beautiful.
• She was dressed in a black professional attire tailored by a renowned designer, rendering her poised and elegant yet authoritative.
• It was none other than Camilla Cooper, the CEO of the Lofbury branch office of Woodhaven Group.
• Zoe's eyes promptly widened.
• Camilla single-handedly managed the Lofbury branch office of Woodhaven Group worth hundreds of billions, a professional manager whose reputation precedes her in the entire city.
• Even when meeting with the heads of the top three first-rate families in Lofbury and even big shots from the mayor's office, she had never bowed ninety degrees in greeting.
• Who exactly is this Mr. Judd?
• “Let's talk in your office!”
• Joshua proudly strode into the CEO's office, heading straight to the back of Camilla's desk and taking a seat.
• “I'm sorry, Boss!” Camilla bowed again before adding, “Following the instructions from Mr. Sommers of the company headquarters, I have been negligent in many aspects to ensure your convenience in Lofbury and keeping your identity under wraps. I didn't go to the dock to welcome you yesterday, so I hope you can forgive me, Boss.”
• “All the arrangements were made according to my wishes in the first place, so there's no need for you to worry, Ms. Cooper.” Joshua waved a dismissive hand.
• Then, he said, “The first thing I ask of you is to continue concealing my true identity. There are two more things in which I'll need your assistance.”
• “Just say the word, Boss! I'm ready to do anything at all for you!”
• Camilla's eyes were filled with eager anticipation.
• “Does the Lofbury branch office have any business dealings with the Youngblood family in Lofbury?”
• Waving a hand, Joshua proceeded to order, “Terminate them all!”
• “Understood!” Camilla clarified, “The company is based in Lofbury, but we don't have any real dealings with the Youngblood family. It's just that the construction of the new hotel this time has something to do with renovation, and the Youngblood family participated in the tender.”
• “The tender opening is today, yes? Wait until the tender opening session and make an announcement publicly!”
• Subsequently, Joshua asked, “Thirdly, is there a deputy director in the project department named Wesley Xenos?”
• “Yes.” Camilla expounded, “He is a distant relative of the Xenos family in Lofbury. The head of the Xenos family, Damian Xenos, is in building materials. Under his advocacy, the company and the Xenos family have business dealings amounting to just under five hundred million.”
• “Fire him! As for the business dealings with the Xenos family...”
• A wicked smile tugged at the corners of Joshua's mouth.
• Meanwhile, a different scene unfolded in the office of the deputy director of the company's project department.
• “Uncle Wesley, the Xenos family has already completed the building materials project worth half a billion of Woodhaven Group. My father wanted me to inquire about the progress of the Cultural City project in the suburbs. There'll be a tender for building materials soon, yes?” Raymond asked.
• “It's set for next month. At that time, I'll strive to secure Cultural City's building materials project worth a billion for the Xenos family. He can rest assured. Ms. Cooper has immense trust in me. Her secretary, Ms. Yates, privately told me that I'll be promoted to head of the project department!” Wesley said proudly.
• “Congratulations, Uncle Wesley!”
• Raymond then handed him a card, saying, “My father said you have worked hard and would always need some funds for your activities here, Uncle Wesley. Take this five million first. If it's not enough, just say the word later.”
• “Please thank him on my behalf!” Wesley was elated.
• He turned and said to Tabitha, “Ms. Calloway, there's a large traditional medicine supermarket in the Cultural City project. The Calloway family should prepare a tender. I'll help to pull some strings when the time comes!”
• “Thank you, Mr. Xenos! My grandmother often says that we'll be family in the future and invites you over for tea whenever you're free,” Tabitha said happily.
• “We'll be family, but you're still calling me Mr. Xenos? From now on, call me Uncle Wesley like Raymond!” Wesley urged with a hearty laugh.
• “Uncle Wesley!”
• Seizing the opportunity, Tabitha promptly changed her address of the man on the spot.
• “By the way, Uncle Wesley, do you remember a man named Joshua Judd in Lofbury seven years ago?” Raymond started.
• “Of course!” Wesley raised a brow slightly and continued, “He was the founder of Skyterra Pharmaceutical Group. Wasn't it said that he's dead?”
• “He's not dead. He has come back. I heard he caused quite a scene at Ms. Youngblood's wedding yesterday, leading to a fallout between the Youngblood and Watson families on the spot. Mr. Youngblood intended to officially announce the termination of their collaboration with the Watson family. However, the latter beat them to the punch and declared a permanent non-collaboration with the Youngblood family. That left the head of the Youngblood family fuming,” Raymond revealed.
• “Really? I didn't know that. This Joshua is really not to be trifled with!” Wesley remarked, clicking his tongue.
• “Exactly! Raymond and I ran into him downstairs just now, Uncle Wesley. It seems like he's here to apply for a job at Woodhaven Group,” Tabitha said.
• “He's already down on his luck, yet still refuses to behave. If he gets into Woodhaven Group, he'll definitely stir up trouble,” Raymond commented.
• “Who does he think he is that he'll be able to get in as he wishes? The CEO of the company?” Wesley laughed.
• Waving a hand dismissively, he boasted, “That's a piece of cake! I'll give the HR Director a heads-up right away—”
• Bang!
• The office door was abruptly flung open by great force.
• The HR director stalked in with a few security guards.
• “Wesley Xenos, according to the notice issued by the CEO's office, you've been fired!”
• That bark from the HR director struck Wesley like a bolt from the blue.
• Tabitha and Raymond were both left speechless, stunned.
• “How could this be? Ms. Yates told me last week that Ms. Cooper intended to promote me. Why would I be fired?” Wesley asked in shock.
• “You know the answer to that yourself. There's no need to ask me. Hurry up. Pack your things and leave!” the HR Director commanded sternly.
• “I refuse to accept this! I devoted myself to the company, working tirelessly and without complaint. Why am I fired? I demand to speak with Ms. Cooper!” Wesley bellowed, resentful.
• “Ms. Cooper is aware that you're dissatisfied and is waiting for you to seek her out!”
• That said, the HR director vacated the path to the door. “Men, escort him to the top floor!”
• “How... dare you!”
• Gritting his teeth, Wesley stormed out the door and headed straight for the elevator.
• Raymond and Tabitha swiftly exchanged a glance before they hurriedly went after him.
• Woodhaven Group was beyond powerful. Ever since the Xenos family rode on its coattails of Woodhaven Group and supplied building materials, their projected profit margin for the first half of the year was expected to surge by sixty percent.
• All of that was thanks to Wesley's discreet support.
• If he were fired, the Xenos family would no longer be able to secure projects from Woodhaven Group.
• Besides, Tabitha dated Raymond precisely because of the connection between the Xenos family and Woodhaven Group.
• She hoped to utilize that connection to benefit the Calloway family.
• Thus, if something were to happen to Wesley, the Calloway family wouldn't get any benefit.