Under the Heiress' Facade

"...If the Chime family had utilized someone like him more often, they wouldn't have ended up where they are today."

Philip looked disdainful while sitting on the couch in the CEO's office at Chime Pharmaceutical. When Marcus turned on the TV, the news happened to be doing a live broadcast of Hera speaking at Silverleaf Hospital. Their initial misery turned worse after listening to Hera's interview. The two had just finished attending the shareholders' meeting.

Various shareholders had sternly criticized Everly for disrupting the alternative medicine market and how she ended up having all the medicinal herbs for nothing. The shareholders also warned Philip to manage his family affairs better. Philip knew that he was in the wrong. Thus, he had no choice but to admit to his mistake, even if he was the head of the Chime family. He promised to be more mindful in the future and not let family matters affect the company's share price. As for Marcus, his decision to not provide an operating room to Hera cost the company an opportunity to boost the share price. Thus, Silverleaf Hospital ended up benefitting from the situation instead.

That made the shareholders very displeased with Marcus. They even requested that he not be allowed to make decisions on his own next time.

The shareholders also suggested that Johnson return to work at Reinland Hospital. They even encouraged the company to work with Hera more often so that they could stabilize the share price.

Marcus suspected that Johnson had intentionally brought up this matter to the shareholders. He began to hold a grudge against Johnson, especially after watching how Hera intentionally praised Johnson to the reporters on TV.

"This Johnson! He usually looks rather weak-willed. Who knew he was so cunning! He even worked with Hera to improve his image!" Marcus glared at the picture of Johnson featured on the news with gritted teeth.

Johnson, who had grown up in one of the side branches of the Chime family, always seemed to make himself scarce at the family. It was to the point where the shareholders would never have noticed his presence.

Of all the times to stand out, Johnson had chosen to do so when Chime Pharmaceutical was at their lowest. He must have planned to do that so that the shareholders and Augustus would notice him. He probably wanted to return to work at Chime Corporation and fight Marcus to become the next successor.

"Why didn't you tell me about Dr. Shadow wanting the operating room?" Philip questioned slightly harshly while lighting his cigarette. He then banged the lighter on the table.

If the shareholders had not suddenly brought up the matter at the meeting, Philip wouldn't have known about it.

Marcus became more disdainful as he listened to Philip's nagging.

"You truly did not handle this well!" Philip continued.

"Look what happened to us Chimes because of her! How could I be so generous as to lend our operating, room to her? Besides, Johnson tried to meddle in our affairs by coming to Reinland Hospital and asking us to tend the operating room to her.

"Hera didn't even show up to ask us in person. Is this how you ask someone for help? Why should I have lent it to her?" Marcus retorted in dissatisfaction.

"But have you ever considered that we'd decide on the outcome of the operation if they had operated at our place?" Philip asked sternly.

Marcus' lips twitched, wanting to retort. However, he did not do so because he knew Philip was right.

Marcus suddenly felt that Hera's last

sentence to the camera was

mocking his stupidity. While he was happily thinking that he could prevent all the hospitals in Jedburgh from Jending Hera an operating room and equipment, she and

Johnson were definitely making fun.

of him.

An image of that scene made Marcus angrily clench his fists. Was Johnson even worthy enough to be making fun of him?

"Be careful next time! Don't do something so foolish!" Philip told him off.

"Alright," Marcus lowered his head while answering. He suddenly thought of something and asked, "Will we really ask Johnson to return to Reinland Hospital?"

"Just do as those old foxes say."

Philip put out his cigarette in the ashtray. "Their goal is to raise the share price of Chime

Pharmaceutical. As long as we

achieve that, we'll decide how to

make it happen.

"Also, Everly is not of use anymore. Find a suitable opportunity to get rid of her properly before we handle Johnson. As for Hera, we gotta think about how we'll make her disappear." Marcus replied, "Will do."

...

Meanwhile, Hera had gotten into Gemma's car, and there was a light floral scent in the car.

"Hera, it's truly been so long since we've met. You're all grown up," Gemma warmly said while tugging at Hera's hand affectionately.