Eleanor sat quietly in her seat. She was indeed the youngest representative here, but the shareholders had all done their private research. Her relationship with lan had thawed, and they were actively weighing the likelihood of her reclaiming her position as the boss's wife in the future.
"Dr. Sutton is a rare talent. Not only does she shine in our company's commercial projects, but she has also made outstanding contributions to the medical field on a national level. We all admire that," Mr. Brown, one of the senior shareholders, voiced out.
"You flatter me, Mr. Brown," Eleanor said, looking at the elderly man beside her with a modest and polite attitude.
Mr. Brown was one of the original shareholders of Goodwin & Co. Even during the turbulent period following Old Mr. Goodwin's passing, he had firmly supported lan as the successor. Eleanor was well aware of this.
Mr. Yardley, an older shareholder sitting nearby, chimed in with a chuckle, "lan, having Dr. Sutton as your better half-oh, wait, I mean, your top executive—is a true blessing for Goodwin & Co.!"
The phrase "better half" drew knowing smiles from the other shareholders. Their gazes darted back and forth between Eleanor and lan, and the atmosphere in the room took on a subtle shift.
lan's previously stern expression softened a fraction. "Mr. Yardley is right, it truly is a blessing for the company. So, regarding the upcoming investment in the commercial project, I trust there are no objections?"
"Of course not. This is a highly promising field that will benefit humanity. I am fully on board."
"I'm very optimistic about it as well."
"It goes to show lan's vision in leading us into the medical sector. This is a core part of our future strategy. The initial investment might be massive, but the prospects are boundless!"
"Of course, it also comes with equal risks," Shaun Wallace suddenly interjected.
"Mr. Wallace makes a fair point, but risks are inevitable in any industry," lan replied, his tone steady but carrying unquestionable authority. "We have the most experienced team of experts and market operators. If you're getting too old to handle the risk, I won't force you to stay on."
Shaun's heart skipped a beat. What did this mean? Was his nephew trying to push him out of his shares?
A jolt of panic hit Shaun, and he let out an awkward laugh. "Ian, I was just making an observation. I have no objections whatsoever!"
The exchange was crystal clear to everyone at the table. Shaun had tried to take a subtle jab at Eleanor and lan had immediately put him in his plane, not even giving him the respect usually afforded to an elder retative.
It went without saying just how important Eleanor was to him.
By the time the board meeting ended, it was already 4:30 PM.
The official celebration banquet was scheduled for that evening, and Eleanor had invited her entire team to join the festivities.
Gwenda was ecstatic when she heard the news over the phone.
Moreover, the banquet was being held in the grand ballroom of the Vesper Joy Hotel.
Eleanor and lan headed straight to the hotel. Since they had some time to kill, they sat down to review Ellington's financial report for the previous quarter.
Inside the conference room, Eleanor took the fead while lan fell into a supporting role. He leaned casually against the sofa, watching as Eleanor earnestly questioned Ellington about specific details.
She flipped through the quarterly statements in her hands, asking Ellington several crucial questions and discussing the budget allocation for the next phase.
It was obvious that Eleanor had done her homework over the past two years; she
had developed a solid grasp of business operations.
Sitting in a single-seater sofa nearby, lan maintained a relaxed posture, a wave of pride swelling in his chest.
The Eleanor of today wasn't just
be
making incredible strides in scientific research; she also had sharp unique insights into the business world. She was looking more and more like a true leader.