Chapter 288: Chapter 288

After sending Lola to kindergarten, Conrad Sterling handed Anna Thornton a document in the car.

"What’s this?" Anna Thornton asked him.

"The company’s detailed development plan for the next five years!"

Anna Thornton was surprised, "For my family’s company?"

This development plan was produced by Conrad Sterling overnight.

You should know that President Sterling’s hands are known as the golden touch of the business world.

Back then, he developed from nothing, and now at just over twenty, he has accumulated wealth that others might need generations to achieve, establishing the Sterling Group, which even the four major families can only look up to.

Anna Thornton remembered hearing her father lament that those who cooperated with President Sterling all became rich. If the company could get his guidance, it would surely benefit immensely.

With Conrad Sterling’s precise grasp of the market and business sensitivity, a plan made personally by him can’t be measured in terms of money.

"After some dilution and consolidation over time, Thornton Family’s shareholders now have three holding twenty percent shares each. Take this plan to the board meeting, and they’ll definitely agree to let you have decision-making power!"

So Conrad Sterling did all this just to let Anna Thornton have decision-making power?

Lately, this man was always being attentive, making Anna Thornton unsure how to respond.

But since the plan is already made, there’s no reason not to take it!

President Sterling’s professionalism is indeed indisputable.

Holding the plan given by Conrad, Anna Thornton amazed everyone at the company’s board meeting, even the fourth uncle, who had always been dissatisfied with her, had to concede.

After Holly Sutton’s incident, shareholders were uncertain about the company’s future and rushed to sell shares. After reorganizing, there was now a situation of three factions, each holding twenty percent.

Anna Thornton used her last bit of money to buy an additional five percent, now holding twenty percent.

Another twenty percent is held by the team represented by Lola; Anna realized this only when Big Bear showed up at the board meeting today.

As for the other twenty percent, they didn’t show up, but Anna Thornton suspected it was Conrad Sterling.

So, it’s unquestionable that she controls the company’s decisions; after all, sixty percent of the shares support her, more than half.

Since the situation was clear, after the meeting, the fourth uncle took the initiative to approach Anna Thornton with familiarity.

"Anna, the company is in chaos now, thanks to you holding things together. Otherwise, everyone would be too distracted to work. You’re truly your father’s daughter; I always saw you as smart and willing to learn, a great business talent."

Always hearing the fourth uncle belittle her, Anna Thornton was unaccustomed to the sudden praise.

"Is that right, fourth uncle! I remember you said I hadn’t attended college and wouldn’t know how to start managing a company, far inferior to President Sutton."

"Don’t take those past words to heart. I’ve realized outsiders are ultimately outsiders and unreliable at critical moments. Anna, I was misled by Holly Sutton then; you won’t blame me, right? We’re family, after all!"

Facing this sudden familiar relationship, Anna Thornton merely smiled silently.

"You see, I’ve already corrected my mistake, haven’t I? I supported you in the vote at the board meeting earlier!"

How could they not support?

After William Sutton and Holly Sutton’s consecutive incidents, the company was panicked. Others were inept and couldn’t come up with solutions. At this time, Anna Thornton stepped up, took on the responsibility, and presented a feasible plan. Then, Big Bear representing Lola led the vote for Anna, and others naturally followed suit, as no one wanted to take on this mess.

After the board meeting, Anna Thornton prepared to return to her office.

Just at the door, the fourth uncle caught up again and forcibly handed her an invitation. Dıscover more novels at NovєlFіre.net

"Anna, lunch hosted by fourth uncle at The Royal Crest Hotel!"

"Thank you, but I have a lot of work to do."

"Work can wait, but you must come at noon! Today’s your cousin’s birthday party."

"It’s Angela, she’s always been thinking about her cousin, you."

If not mentioned by fourth uncle, Anna Thornton would have forgotten she had a cousin.

Since her father’s death, her relatives hadn’t contacted her for four years.

Fourth uncle’s family used to visit frequently, sometimes staying for ten days to half a month. Anna Thornton vaguely remembered that cousin seemed like a troublemaker.

Every visit to the Thornton Family she liked to fiddle and touch, insisted on taking Anna Thornton’s toys and pretty clothes, the kind of child most annoying.

If she truly cared about Anna Thornton, she wouldn’t hold a birthday banquet at a luxury hotel at noon, informing her only an hour earlier.

But since they are relatives after all, and they’ll encounter company affairs in the future. Plus, fourth uncle sincerely invited her repeatedly, so Anna Thornton reluctantly agreed to go.

Before attending the banquet, Anna Thornton had to ponder over what to prepare as a birthday gift.

While shopping, she received a call from Conrad Sterling.

"Anna Thornton, come have lunch with me."

"Can’t today, I’m busy at noon!"

Stating intentions directly, but refused promptly, Conrad Sterling seemed quite unhappy: "I heard you did well at the board meeting, I helped you so much and just want you to have a meal with me, isn’t that unreasonable?"

"Not unreasonable, but I really have something today. How about I find another chance to treat you later?"

"What’s your matter?"

"A relative invited for lunch."

"I remember you no longer have close relatives in Veridia, is a distant relative more important than me?"

"It’s important as it’s someone’s birthday today, can’t change the date. As for thanking you, it can wait."

Conrad Sterling knew he ranked low in Anna Thornton’s priorities; above him were Pop and Mary, and even the kid who showed up last night somehow prevailed.

Now a distant relative is more important, and President Sterling certainly had reservations.

Has his earnest effort recently gone to the dogs?

Can’t this woman see it at all?

"Give me the address!"

"Banquet address!" President Sterling’s attitude was firm, insisting Anna Thornton have lunch with him, "If you won’t come, I’ll find you!"

Anna Thornton, having purchased a gift at the mall, hurried over and didn’t arrive late.

The fourth uncle’s family waited outside the hotel to greet guests, as soon as Anna Thornton appeared, fourth aunt first took the gift from her hands.

"Anna, just come as you are, bringing a gift is unnecessary!"

Though they spoke thus, fourth aunt didn’t delay peeking into the bag to see what was inside... a full set of new fragrances from a luxury brand!

A glance exchanged between mother and daughter; this isn’t cheap.

"Anna, you haven’t seen your cousin for many years, right? Angela, chat with your cousin more; you probably have lots in common being peers."

"Dad, you may not know, but I met cousin not long ago."

"At the cinema! Cousin’s film was a hit recently; my classmates loved it. See my current hairstyle, it’s styled like her movie look."

Angela Thornton warmly took Anna’s hand, "Cousin, do you think my hairstyle resembles yours?"

"Uh..." Anna Thornton glanced at her, "Quite similar!"

It’s not just the hairstyle; even Angela’s clothes felt familiar to Anna Thornton.

Noticing Anna Thornton’s gaze on her dress, Angela spun around with her skirt, "This is an exclusive gown designed for my birthday by international designer Nick Walters, isn’t it stunning?"

Designed by Nick Walters?

Anna Thornton recalled it was the same style she wore for her birthday four years ago.

Nick Walters had long retired, and each of his designs allows only one piece ever made.

If Angela’s gown wasn’t fake, then it’s the very one Anna wore for her eighteenth birthday!

That’s possible! After her birthday, the Thornton Family faced upheaval soon after.

Anna Thornton was abruptly imprisoned by Holly Sutton and fled hastily, leaving everything behind, later undoubtedly handled by Holly Sutton.

This gown was the one she loved the most back then!

Anna Thornton couldn’t understand why Angela would choose to wear a gown she had worn previously for her own birthday?

Moreover, wouldn’t her mannerisms seem too familiar?

"Cousin, I’ve missed you!"

"...Really?" Anna Thornton had returned to Veridia for many days, this yearning seemed a bit delayed.

"I have so many things I want to ask you! Today, I finally get the chance. Is being a celebrity fun? Can you introduce me? I want to act!"

"Aren’t you still in school?"

"School isn’t as interesting as being a celebrity!"