However, the more Joanna behaved this way, the more worrying it was.
Liam thought venting negative emotions was necessary. How Joanna constantly repressed her emotions might make matters worse in the long run. Therefore, Liam and Clara discussed the need to find a way for Joanna to vent.
After the discussion, Clara patted her chest and reassured Liam confidently, "Fine. I understand. I'm good at that. Just leave it to me!"
Clara finally broke up with William after he was rescued. She had been suffocating anyway and could not wait to vent!
At the moment, Joanna was sitting in a conference room at Stellar Group headquarters. It was an important meeting with the company's executives.
Joanna was not nominated to hold any position in Stellar Group over the past few years. Liam had made all the major decisions as the company president. Even so, the executives knew Joanna was the soul of the company.
Stellar Group was just a small technology company in the industry. Without Joanna's effort behind the scenes, competitors in the industry would have eaten Stellar Group.
Even so, many of these executives disliked Joanna. The first on the list was Liam's third sister, Laura Blackwood.
The Blackwood family had eight children, and the eldest to the fifth were all girls. Liam was the only boy in the Blackwood family and naturally took on the responsibility of carrying on the family's legacy.
Liam had five elder sisters. His third sister Laura was the strongest and most business-minded. She had been managing the Blackwood family business together with Liam.
In the beginning, Liam requested his father for money to set up Stellar Group, saying he wanted to break into the field of communication technology. The Blackwood family business started in the gray market and revolved around it.
Liam's family laughed at him for his sudden career change. They thought he set up the company to pick up girls, and the company would collapse sooner and later.
After all, Moran Group had about seventy to eighty percent market share as the leader in the communication technology industry. How could Liam compete?
Liam's third sister Laura was the only one supportive of him. She even invested in the company and became the third largest shareholder of Stellar Group.
As Stellar grew, so did Laura's appetite. She was no longer happy to have someone outside the family with a higher authority above her.
Therefore, when Joanna spoke, Laura objected immediately.
"From what Miss Pierce is saying, a huge capital injection is required in opening new R&D and manufacturing sites. It's too risky and not in line with Stellar Group's current plans. I disagree."
Four years ago, Joanna wanted Stellar Group to build its own product development and manufacturing base. At that time, the majority of the top management, including Liam, opposed her proposal.
However, because Joanna insisted, Liam finally overcame the objection and secretly diverted a large amount of money from the Blackwood family to support her unconditionally. Unfortunately, the production and R&D center was not profitable and lost all the money.
Laura questioned Joanna with a stern expression, "The investment for a company to build its own R&D and manufacturing base is enormous. The Blackwood family has depleted much of its financial resources in supporting Stellar Group over the years. We've only been able to get some relief, and now you propose this. I can't help but wonder, Miss Pierce, are you trying to lead Stellar Group to glory or its end?"
Joanna seemed unruffled by Laura's questions. She responded calmly, "The only way for a technology company to last in the long run and avoid being a middleman dealer is to establish major centers for production as well as research and development. Meanwhile, a normal enterprise generally needs three to five years from inception to profitability…"
"Stellar Group has been established for four years. Soon, well reach the fifth year. I promise you that this year will be a good year. Everyone here will make a big fortune!"
The management unceremoniously disagreed with Joanna's ambitious words.
"You're talking big again… Miss Pierce, you've been talking big for the past four years. When will we get something real?"
"The industry is declining now. Our competitors are cutting back costs with layoffs and plant closures. Keeping costs low is the most important right now, while you… How could you increase spending to build more production and R&D centers! That's such a waste of money!"
"I heard that Moran Group will soon launch the G6 Chip phone. Our market share will decline soon. Our survival is on the line. How could we hope for any profit?!"
The executives clearly had long held a grudge against Joanna, but no one dared to voice out because of Liam. Liam was out of town for this meeting, so Laura took the lead, ready to embarrass Joanna.
"Miss Pierce, you've been far away all these years. You probably don't know much about the company's difficulties. While you're here today, please allow our CFO, Mr. Schwartz to present our true accounts…"
After saying that, Laura turned to Schwartz in the corner.
Schwartz stood up and bowed to the crowd. He said with a heavy expression, "Stellar Group has indeed grown over the years. However, the operating costs have risen significantly. The construction of the two centers costs a lot of resources. At present, our account is already in a serious deficit. Don't talk about profits. If we can't obtain new investments, even survival is difficult…"
Schwartz made a detailed data graph regarding the company's financial situation. Indeed, it looked really alarming.
Joanna furrowed her brows hard. She had no idea that Stellar Group was in a financial crisis!
Joanna had been working with Liam on Stellar Group for several years. Liam always complained about having no money and running out of resources but still presented only good results to her. As a result, Joanna could do research and planning in peace. However, in reality…
Laura grunted at Joanna's stunned expression. "Seems like my crazily-in- love brother has been reporting only the good news and not the bad. He must have made you very happy. To be frank, Stellar Group won't last much longer. Neither will the Blackwood family. If you're looking out for the group, you shouldn't give Liam more problems now. We no longer have extra funds to build this and that!"
"That's right! Miss Pierce, please! Have more consideration. We can't build any new centers anymore!"
Most of the management was conservative and agreed. Besides, the group had cash flow difficulties. The management wanted business as usual and could not afford much higher risk.
After a long silence, Joanna said sternly, "I understand the company's situation now. I'm sorry for the suffering I caused you. I'll find a way to solve the funding issues."
After the meeting ended, Joanna felt a little heavy-hearted. She was too idealistic and thought everything would be easy and smooth. She never thought that Liam had been shouldering the burden!
Joanna suddenly felt exhausted. All she wanted to do was have a drink and relax a little.
At the same time, her best friend Clara called.
"Hey, Joan. Are you free? Sob… My heart is breaking… Will you come and have a drink with me?" Clara wailed.
Joanna had been worried about Clara and wanted a chance to comfort her. Therefore, she agreed without hesitation. "Don't cry. Where are you? I'll be right over.