Chapter 5 Power Struggles Unveiled

“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 too large 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 manipulate Joanna, and the latter 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 slap on Ingrid’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.”

Ingrid’s mouth twitched in embarrassment as she glared 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, glaring at Joanna.

Joanna turned around and looked Ingrid straight in the eye. “I’m just following Grandpa’s wishes. If you have any questions or complaints, please contact my lawyer.”

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

“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 days later.

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 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!” Joanna glanced 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–tempered lad, slammed 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’s lawyer, Mr. Brycen, 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?”

Joanna merely glanced 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’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. “Joanna, 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 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 slap 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 glance 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.