Chapter 8 Dilemma

Armani was honored for her self-assurance and personality, but her personal life turned out to be rather messy. Such an opposite image would only result in more insults. No one would gossip about Ben's affair with Jessie any more.

Armani hadn't expected Ben to go to such an extent to have the Xu Group. Armani's eyes turned red but she managed to hold back her tears. She was quite well aware that she had no chance of becoming the CEO of the Xu Group today. Moreover, she would not be in charge of the company's business in the future.

'Dad, am I going to lose your company like this?' Armani bit her lower lip. The tough situation she was in had become very complicated.

"Mr. Ming, who do you think would be a better choice to lead the Xu Group than Armani?" Buzz, who owned fifteen percent of Xu Group's shares, was a friend of Armani's father when he was alive. He was the first one to break the loud silence in the conference room.

Everyone suddenly stopped talking.

In general, everybody had recognized Armani as the company's future CEO because her father had always taken her to manage the company operations. She was in charge of several outstanding strategies and everyone recognized her abilities.

Even Edith recognized that if Xu Group didn't have Armani, it would have been risky. At the very least, Armani could secure her interest. Armani had to look after Edith as her stepdaughter.

And who would be the CEO if not Armani? That was the root of the problem.

Buzz asked firmly as he glared at Ben, "Is it you? Mr. Ming?"

"Do you seriously question my absolute ability, Uncle Buzz?" Ben teasingly smiled as he said.

Buzz said indifferently, "Of course, I have no worries about your skills. I'm just concerned if our Xu Group will become a part of the Ming Group once you take over as the CEO."

Others looked at Ben suspiciously after Buzz's words.

"Of course I'm well aware of my very delicate identity, and I'm not clearly suited to be the CEO of Xu Group, so I'm only here to give my thoughts."

Ben was not dumb enough to become the Xu Group's CEO. Armani showed him a cold expression.

"But... It is my duty as a shareholder in the Xu Group to find a competent CEO. And I want to recommend her."

He lifted his head and pointed at a woman with his finger. That person caught everyone's attention.

Jessie slowly stood up from her seat, her shaking fingers sticking to the belt around her waist. Given the fact that she had been prepared, she was still a little uncomfortable in front of so many people's eyes.

Armani squinted at her. Everything was obvious to her now. Ben assumed that if he became the CEO of Xu Group, he would face criticism from everyone, especially the group's main members. Jessie, on the other hand, was allowed to do so because she was a daughter of the Xu Group's original owner and held shares in the corporation.

Even if she married Ben, Jessie's ownership of XU Group would be unaffected. And those who had previously helped Armani couldn't say no to Jessie because they were sisters from the Xu family.

But Armani was well aware that Jessie lacked the confidence and skills to represent Xu Group. Jessie would only be a puppet of Ben if she took over the company. Ben had absolute power over the company.

"If no one disagrees, you will approve my proposal and assign Jessie as CEO of Xu Group." Ben relaxed as he noticed that no one else had said something.

He could finally control Xu Group this time.

"We have to choose someone who has the ability and skills to manage the company." Buzz was the one who spoke up when everyone else was quiet.

Jessie, who couldn't believe what she was hearing, asked angrily, "Uncle Buzz, do you think I'm incompetent? When I was an intern at the company, you complimented me for my performance. Did you just lie to me for my father's sake?"

"I didn't lie. You are good, but not good enough to manage such a big company like Xu Group. Armani is more experienced than you in handling Xu Group's affairs. We're all aware of her exceptional abilities."

"I'm certain that I can match her ability. Besides, she won't leave Xu Group. We're sisters. I believe my sister will help me as the vice president. Armani, you won't be mad with me for this, would you?" Jessie looked at Armani while caressing her hair.

Armani's lips had gone pale, but she maintained still.

She knew she had been manipulated now and realized that she shouldn't have been that careless before the general shareholders' meeting.

Ben had actually beaten her, but he still wished her to stay and help them. If something went wrong with Xu Group in the future, Ben could still leave the situation to her.

But she would never let Jessie harm their family's business and give its control to Ben.

This was a dilemma. It was Armani's own safety on the one hand and her father's wishes on the other.

At the moment, Ben, who knew her well, noticed her pretend calm expression. He knew she couldn't reverse the situation now.

"You're completely right," Armani glanced at Jessie after she had cooled down and said.

Jessie grinned after she heard that.

"But I don't think I'll be capable of serving as vice president for the time being," Armani added.

Jessie's mood changed.

She had thought Armani would be willing to help her look after their father's company.

After all, Ben had told her so.

"Are you mad at me for stealing your position?" Jessie said as she faked her tears.

Armani laughed and softly said, "Of course I'm not. This is our father's corporation, and we are all involved. I'm not quitting the business no matter what."