"Please answer some of our questions, Mrs. Haynes!" the reporters begged for any answer.
With a polite smile on her face, Amara replied confidently. "Thanks for your concerns, fellows. Mr. Black and my daughter's engaged very soon . As for when and where, that's not for me to tell. And I beg you to leave some privacy for the young ones. Thank you!"
"What about her grandfather's will then? Is it true that Hazel is going to take over the Haynes Group?"
"Well… um, of course, that's not true. That's nothing but a rumor. The Haynes Group is too large to be left in an inexperienced girl's hands!"
Amara knew Hazel very well. Ever since the girl was a kid, she had been a stupid and cowardly.
Hence, Amara was sure that she was able to manipulate Hazel, and she would give up the control of the Haynes Group…
Meanwhile, Hazel and Tristan walked out of the cemetery as well.
"Hazel, are you about to take over the Haynes Group?"
"Did her grandfather make a will to inherit the position of head of the family to you?"
"Yes," Hazel answered calmly and crisply.
This one single word was like a slap on Amara's face.
"So, Ms. Haynes, is it okay to reveal the contents of the will?"
"About the will, I've delegated full power to my lawyer to handle it. There will be a press conference to announce the contents of the will! Thank you. for your concern."
Amara's mouth twitched in embarrassment as she glared at Hazel with her teeth gritted.
"This little bitch," she thought. "It's only been a couple of years, but she's not that stupid anymore."
"Hazel, don't say anything in front of the reporters! Did you consult your father about the will? Did you consult the Board of Directors? The old man's just been buried, and you're trying to take over your father's position as Chairwoman?" Amara said sarcastically, glaring at Hazel.
Hazel turned around and looked Amara straight in the eye. "I'm just following Grandpa's wishes. If you have any questions or complaints, please contact my lawyer."
With that, Hazel ignored Amara and followed Tristan to his car…
"Hazel!" Amara's face turned livid.
She couldn't believe that a few years of time could change Hazel so thoroughly. Amara was convinced that it must be Tristan behind her back. Otherwise, with Hazel's intelligence, she wouldn't dare to treat Amara like that…
Three days later.
A board meeting was being held in the Haynes tower.
Chris, Amara, Derick,Ben, and the two other directors, Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul, all attended the board meeting as agreed.
In addition to them, Chase was also seen at the board meeting, which did not happen a lot.
Chase owned 20% of the Haynes Group, but he had never been involved in the management of the business.
As a matter of fact, he bought his shares purely out of goodwill!
"Really strange! Mr. Black is here as well."
Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul were eager to fawn on Chase as if he was the man who actually controlled the Haynes Group.
Chase sat on the chair with a gloomy face, noble and aloof, showing little interest in the two men. However, even though he was just sitting there silently, the others were still afraid of him.
Soon, Hazel arrived.
With black rimmed glasses, she was wearing a black suit with a white striped shirt underneath. Her hair was also tied up.
There was light makeup on her delicate face. Together with the maroon lips, she was all businesslike and gorgeous.
A complete career lady.
"All non–essential personnel, please leave! This is a board meeting, not a family discussion!" Hazel glanced at Amara and her two stepbrothers as she asked them to leave indifferently.
Amara's mouth trembled with anger. "Whoa, aggressive, aren't you? I was almost convinced that you've already been the Chairwoman since you're acting like one. Everyone here, Hazel, is more qualified than you. We are all more capable at least than you of taking over the position of Chairwoman. The Haynes Group is too much of a big deal to be left in your hands. You think you, an immature girl, are really able to handle it?"
Derick, being a bad–tempered lad, slammed the table furiously and stood up. "Mom's right! Who are you to take the position seat from Dad? What have you done for the Haynes Group? You're just making a fuss here. Grandpa was old, and his brain wasn't functional anymore. So that doesn't count. Get out of here, or I'll kick you out myself"
Hazel's lawyer, Mr. Brian, nudged his glasses and said sternly, "Mr. Haynes, Mrs. Haynes, please mind your manners! Otherwise, my client can sue you for intimidation and libel."
"Who are you to bluff me? Can she even afford a lawyer?"
Hazel merely glanced at Derick coldly and called out to her assistant at the door..
In a moment, eight burly security men came in.
Hazel said, "All non–essential personnel, please step out for the time being!"
"I'm staying! Deal with it!"
Politely yet also forcefully, the security guards reached out, gesturing for Amara and the others to leave.
"This is my father's company. Come and get me if you dare! But I'm telling you I'm not leaving. What are you gonna do about it?"
Of course, the security staff didn't really dare to use force.
Derick was even more arrogant when he noticed that. "Hazel, who do you think you are, huh? Don't push me any further. Otherwise, I don't mind slapping you even though you're a woman."
With that, Derick actually pounced on Hazel and was going to smack her in the face.
He had always been the bully in the family and the acknowledged heir. Now that his property had been taken away, how could he not be furious?
As Derick's palm was approaching Hazel's cheek, Chase lost his temper and jumped to his feet unconsciously.
But before he could take any action, Hazel ducked, and Derick's slap missed her.
Then, Hazel caught the back of Derick's palm and gave him a sudden push, causing Derick to smash into the desk.
The next second, Derick lost his balance and fell down.
"What, what are you doing? Oh, rick! Are you all right?" Amara was almost wailing when she saw her son on the floor.
"Get them out of here."
"Yes, Ms. Haynes!" The head of security was no longer polite. Together with him, the others seized Derick and others and sent them out.
Hazel took a glance at her hands and frowned. She said, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.""
With that, Hazel walked straight out of the conference room and into the restroom.
She got in and turned on the tap. When she was about to wash her hands, the bathroom door was suddenly pushed open.
It was Chase who walked in.