Chapter 5


    “Please say something, Mrs. Haynes!” the reporters begged for any answer.


    With a polite smile on her face, Ingrid replied confidently. “Thanks for your concerns, fellows. Mr.


    Everett and my daughter’s wedding will be held on time. As for when and where, that’s not for me to


    expose. And I beg you to leave some space for the young ones. Thank you!”


    “What about Raymond’s will then? Is it true that Joanna 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 toorge to be


    left in an inexperienced girl’s hands!”


    Ingrid knew Joanna very well. Ever since the girl was a kid, she had been a stupid and cowardly


    pushover.


    Hence, Ingrid was sure that she was able to manipte Joanna, and thetter would give up the


    control of the Haynes Group…


    Meanwhile, Joanna and Jaydon walked out of the cemetery as well.


    “Joanna, are you about to take over the Haynes Group?”


    “Did Raymond make a will to bequeath the position of head of the family to you?”


    “Yes,” Joanna answered calmly and crisply.


    This one single word was like a p on Ingrid’s face.


    “So, Ms. Haynes, is it okay to reveal the contents of the will?”


    4


    “About the will, I’ve delegated full power to mywyer to handle it. There will be a press conference to


    announce the contents of the will! Thank you. for your concern.”


    Ingrid’s mouth twitched in embarrassment as she red at Joanna with her teeth gritted.


    “This little bitch,” she thought. “It’s only been a couple of years, but she’s not that stupid anymore.”


    “Joann, 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 Chairman?” Ingrid said sarcastically, ring at Joanna.


    Joanna turned around and looked Ingrid straight in the eye. “I’m just following Grandpa’s wishes. If you


    have any questions orints, please contact mywyer.”


    With that, Joanna ignored Ingrid and followed Jaydon to his car…


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    “Joanna!” Ingrid’s face turned livid.


    She couldn’t believe that a few years of time could change Joanna so thoroughly. Ingrid was convinced


    that it must be Jaydon behind her back. Otherwise, with Joanna’s intelligence, she wouldn’t dare to


    treat Ingrid like that…


    Three dayster.


    A board meeting was being held in the Haynes tower.


    Shaun, Ingrid, Derick, Ryan, and the two other directors, Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul, all attended the board


    meeting as agreed.


    In addition to them, Bruce was also seen at the board meeting, which did not happen a lot.


    Bruce owned 15% 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. Everett is here as well.”


    Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul were eager to fawn on Bruce as if he was the man who actually controlled the


    Haynes Group.


    Bruce sat on the chair with a sullen 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, Joanna arrived.


    With ck rimmed sses, she was wearing a ck 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.


    Aplete careerdy.


    “All non–essential personnel, please leave! This is a board meeting, not a family discussion!” Joanna


    nced at Ingrid and her two stepbrothers as she asked them to leave indifferently.


    Ingrid’s mouth trembled with anger. “Whoa, aggressive, aren’t you? I was almost convinced that you’ve


    already been the Chairman since you’re acting like one. Everyone here, Joann, is more qualified than


    you. We are all more capable at least than you of taking over the position of Chairman. 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–temperedd, mmed the table furiously and stood up. “Mom’s right! Who are


    you to take the Chairman’s 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”


    Joanna’swyer, Mr. Brycen, nudged his sses 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 awyer?”


    Joanna merely nced at Derick coldly and called out to her assistant at the door..


    In a moment, eight burly security men came in.


    Joanna 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 Ingrid and the others to leave.


    “This is my father’spany. 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. “Joanna, who do you think you are, huh? Don’t


    push me any further. Otherwise, I don’t mind pping you even though you’re a woman.”


    With that, Derick actually pounced on Joanna 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 Joanna’s cheek, Bruce lost his temper and jumped to his feet


    unconsciously.


    But before he could take any action, Joanna ducked, and Derick’s p missed her.


    Then, Joanna caught the back of Derick’s palm and gave him a sudden push, causing Derick to smash


    into the desk.


    The next second, Derick’s lip was cut, and it was bleeding at once.


    “What, what are you doing? Oh, Rick! Are you all right?” Ingrid was almost wailing when she saw her


    son bleeding.


    “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.


    Joanna took a nce at the blood on her hands and frowned. She said, “Excuse me, I need to use the


    restroom.“”


    With that, Joanna 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 the blood stains on her hands, the


    bathroom door was suddenly pushed open.


    It was Bruce who walked in.