Chapter 464: Did You Take Me For A Fool?
“Given due concerns that Miss Lu and Missus Lu are unable to control the company, Mister Lu Minghao, youngest brother of the departed Lu shall be specially appointed as the provisional chairman of Lu Holdings until Miss Lu has the ability to take over.”
“Every movable and immovable a.s.set under the late Mister Lu’s name is to be distributed according to a fifty-fifty ratio between his partner and his daughter, but the condition for Miss Lu’s inheritance is her own entry into the board of directors by her own merits. Otherwise, her half of the inheritance shall be kept under Mister Lu Minghao’s care as well.”
“This is a draft of the late Mister Lu’s will which had been formalized. Everyone present is allowed to read.”
After reading through the will, the lawyer pa.s.sed out the doc.u.ment.
Of course, the brothers of the Lu family were not contented with that.
“Since when has Eldest Brother favored Youngest Brother? How could I not know?”
“Don’t be sour grapes, Second Brother. Aside from Eldest Brother, don’t you think I’ve contributed to the company most compared to the rest of you?”
“I don’t think Eldest Brother is that stupid. Forget appointing you as provisional chairman—there’s also Qianqian’s fifty percent share of his stocks. Even though Eldest Brother had asked that Qianqian make her way into the board through her own power, she is never going to make it with you as chairman. Doesn’t that just mean the other half of Eldest Brother’s a.s.sets is already yours?”
“I agree. I don’t believe Eldest Brother himself wrote this will.” The other brothers of the Lu family were all clamoring to protest.
“I can’t help it if none of you would believe, but this is Eldest Brother’s will.” The youngest uncle remained seated calmly on the sofa. “Whether any of you are willing, the lawyer would distribute Eldest Brother’s a.s.sets according to the will. I’m sorry, but I can’t help if Eldest Brother favors me.”
Nonetheless, Mama Lu questioned the lawyer after heading out the brothers’ debate. “What would happen if Qianqian gives up on her fifty percent of inherited a.s.sets?”
“Mister Lu Minghao would legitimately inherit her half of the a.s.sets.”
“Well, then, allow me to say this: in the good faith that this will is genuine, my half of inherited a.s.sets when with the stake I hold in the company beforehand equates to twenty-one percent stake over Lu Holdings. In contrast to Youngest Brother’s twenty-point-seven percent, I’m still the highest stakeholder of the company. Am I right in this respect?” Mama Lu added.
“That is correct.” The lawyer nodded.
“Alright. I have no protest against your claims that this is my late husband’s will, that youngest brother would temporarily a.s.sume the role of Lu Holding’s provisional chairman.”
“Sister-in-law…”
“Sister-in-law…”
“What are you…”
Mama Lu raised a hand to stop the brothers from saying more.
On the other hand, the youngest uncle smiled at her words. “It seems that you could read the situation and trust the accuracy of this will, Eldest Sister-in-law. To tell the truth, you and your daughter had never really managed the company before—what could be better than enjoying life at home?”
“Moreover, I naturally would allow Qianqian into the board when she finished her training to take over matters, and allow her to inherit Eldest Brother’s will. What? Is everyone here afraid that I would take everything for myself?”
“My father loves me. Why would he give let someone as black-hearted as you care for his a.s.sets, Youngest Uncle? Don’t you think that it’s laughable?” Lu Qianqian shot him a glance.
“The will is black-and-white, even formalized. What, are you not going to carry it out?”
“We will!” Mama Lu put in the last word.
“Very well…”
“However, after we’ve met my late husband’s lawyer, it’s time everyone here met mine.” Mama Lu made a call at that, only saying the words ‘come in’ before keeping an eye everyone else in solemn silence once more.
They did not know what she was up to, although the youngest Lu uncle was sneering in a corner. He would never believe a housewife could turn the tables against him—the will had already been read.
Nonetheless, Mama Lu’s team of lawyers came inside, casting the brothers a sweeping glance and listened as the will was read again.
When Mama Lu saw that her lawyers were ready, she said, “Since my late husband is that closed-minded that he has to let his youngest brother be provisional chairman, who would threaten and constrain my daughter’s life, I don’t have to hold back either. As such, I will pa.s.s on my majority stake of Lu Holdings to Sheng Xiao, CEO of Zhongteng.”
“Lu Holdings would therefore become a subsidiary of Zhongteng’s, and work under their banner.”
“When that happens, would you still be needed as provisional chairman with Chief Sheng’s talent?” Mama Lu sneered. “After selling my shares, I’ll just live easy with my daughter while cutting ties with Lu Holdings. It’s perfect in every way!”
Papa Lu’s youngest brother and Papa Lu’s secretary were stunned at that. “Missus Lu…”
“What? Or is there another condition attached to me inheriting my husband’s a.s.sets?”
“Well, no…”
“Then save your breath. If Youngest Uncle is so keen on becoming provisional chairman, I’ll transfer my stocks at the same time when the a.s.set distribution is to be observed, saving me the trouble. Zhongteng’s professionals would come to take over any other matters that need seeing to—surely all of you had heard of Zhongteng?”
“So, I won’t question the authenticity of the will, and Qianqian wouldn’t have to struggle for the chairman’s seat. Why bother? Everything’s settled once I sell my stake.”
After all, who else would be willing to hand out their stake in the company and lose a majority stake?
And once Lu Holdings was pa.s.sed on to Zhongteng, would the Lu family’s youngest uncle even get a whiff of anything?
He was therefore left dumbfounded at that. The thought that Mama Lu would make such a move had never crossed his mind.
“You don’t have to go so far even if you have to fight me, don’t you? Sister-in-law?”
“You know very well who had gone too far here. Save your words, and let’s do this.”
“And to tell you the truth, Zhongteng is prepared to go public with the stocks once it is given to them. Your control over Qianqian’s half of the stocks would only be diluted endlessly.
“You want to play with fake wills? Fine, I’ll play along.”
At the mention of a fake will, Papa Lu’s lawyer flinched. “Missus Lu, please do not say anything you like. This will is genuine.”
“Mister Fang, the lawyers with me are sent here by Zhongteng. Do you have the guts to pa.s.s them that will so that they could check it?
“My late husband had been most wary of his youngest brother when he was alive. With that wild ambition and coveting for Lu Holdings of his? Why would my late husband allow him to become chairman?
“Did you take me for a fool?
“Let me ask this now, Youngest Brother. Are you going to be chairman or not?” Mama Lu asked the youngest Lu brother sharply then.
The youngest Lu brother clenched his fist. He really wanted to claim his place at chairman, but he would just be reduced to a piece of decoration once Zhongteng interfered.
In the end, was there anyone unaware of Sheng Xiao’s power?
It would be best for him to not provoke such a character.
“What is there to talk about? I give up!”