She had, of course, initially put up a strong resistance, saying some unconvincing things to make them believe she was just a foolish, thoughtless woman, which only made them more eager to push her into a leadership position.
Just as she garnered the most votes and was on the verge of becoming the acting chairperson, the Xie family matriarch suddenly appeared at the board meeting.
“I’m not dead yet! Are you all so eager to find a new master?” the old lady swept a cold gaze over everyone at the shareholders' meeting and directly took the empty seat at the head of the table.
The entire venue fell silent instantly. Everyone respectfully stood up, and only when the Xie matriarch told them to sit did they resume their seats.
Only Sasha remained standing and approached the old lady, saying ingratiatingly, “Grandmother, why are you here? Are you feeling well?”
The old lady patted the table in front of her and said, “This old woman is still very much alive and kicking!” She seemed to be speaking to Sasha, but in reality, she was addressing all the shareholders.
The shareholders present began showering the old lady with compliments, wishing her a long life. Sasha, however, was secretly regretting her oversight. She had planned meticulously, but she had forgotten about the Xie family matriarch, and now her plan was likely to fall through.
The Xie matriarch paid no mind to their words and only asked the elder Mr. Zhou, who was presiding over the meeting, “What stage is the shareholders’ meeting at? Have the votes been cast?”
Elder Mr. Zhou quickly replied respectfully, “The voting has just begun and is still in progress. Many shareholders have not yet voted.”
The old lady said calmly, “Then continue. I want to see how you all conduct yourselves when Zhendong is not here.”
At this, the shareholders who had already written their voting slips began to secretly change their intended votes.
When all the votes were cast and counted by Elder Mr. Zhou, the Xie family matriarch had received the most votes. Sasha, though second, lagged far behind.
Elder Mr. Zhou announced that the matriarch would serve as the acting chairperson of the Xie Group, temporarily managing all its affairs.
However, some shareholders still expressed concern, pointing out that the old lady was advanced in age and questioning whether she had enough energy to manage such a large group.
The Xie matriarch let out a dry cough, silencing everyone.
“I know what you are all worried about, and I know you all have the group’s best interests at heart. How about this: I, this old woman, will indeed act as chairperson, and Ms. Yang, Xie Youfan’s biological mother, will assist me. You all know my granddaughter-in-law is still young and lacks experience. If she were to take full charge now, she might be exploited by those with ulterior motives. It’s better for me to guide her personally. What do you say?”
The shareholders who had been advocating for Sasha before the old lady’s arrival felt extremely awkward and had to be the first to step forward and agree with the matriarch’s statement.
Seeing that no one had any further objections, the old lady instructed Elder Mr. Zhou, “You may dismiss the meeting.”
After the shareholders had gradually left, the old lady called out to Sasha, asking her to stay behind for a moment.
Sasha felt extremely displeased. The opportunity she had worked so hard to secure had been ruined by this Xie family matriarch.
What did she mean by assisting? She would still be under someone else’s control and would not gain real power over the Xie Group.
However, on the surface, she still nodded respectfully to the old lady and agreed.
When everyone except the old lady, Mama Lian, Elder Mr. Zhou, and Sasha had left the large conference room, the old lady fixed Sasha with a cold stare.
Elder Mr. Zhou, feeling uncomfortable, said he should leave.
The old lady stopped him, “You don’t need to go. I want to ask you, who authorized you to call a shareholders’ meeting, and why are you electing a temporary chairperson through a shareholders’ meeting?”
“Old Madam, I didn’t want to,” Elder Mr. Zhou lamented. “Mr. Xie hasn’t been to the group, and the shareholders have been pestering me daily. Some even said Mr. Xie has passed away…”
“Nonsense!” the old lady retorted. “My son is alive and well! Who is cursing him?”
Elder Mr. Zhou said helplessly, “Old Madam, please don’t be angry. It’s all rumors, just rumors. Not only are they spreading rumors about Mr. Xie, but many people are also questioning my abilities, saying my management is problematic, and that I intend to seize the chairman’s position… I’ve been in a difficult position and had no choice but to call the shareholders’ meeting.”
“These people are simply sowing discord!” the old lady trembled with anger.
Mama Lian comforted the old lady, “My lady, please take care of yourself and do not get angry. The Xie Group is counting on you to stabilize the situation.”
Elder Mr. Zhou echoed, “Yes, yes, Old Madam, you must take care of your health.”
The Xie matriarch calmed herself and said to Elder Mr. Zhou, “Now that I am here to oversee the group, who would dare question your management abilities? We Xie family members also believe in your loyalty. You can proceed with your work with a free hand.”
“Understood.” Elder Mr. Zhou finally felt at ease.
The old lady waved him away, signaling that he could leave.
As soon as Elder Mr. Zhou left, Sasha cautiously asked, “Grandmother, what do you need me to do for the group? Just give me your instructions.”
“You?” The old lady merely glanced at her and said, “You stay in your residence and are not allowed to come to the group anymore.”
Sasha was stunned, not understanding why the old lady was so resistant to her. She said aggrievedly, “Grandmother, but you just said…”
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been doing by planting your people in the Xie Group,” the old lady said with amusement. “I have more people in the Xie Group than you do, and they are not just for show.”
“Jiejie is the heir of the Xie family, and I am also doing this for the good of the Xie family, not wanting the Xie family to have problems when Father is away,” Sasha quickly defended herself.
The old lady did not speak to her further and gave Mama Lian a meaningful look.
Mama Lian immediately understood and walked to the door, gesturing to the bodyguards standing outside.
The bodyguards outside quickly entered and surrounded Sasha.
“Why are you surrounding me?” Sasha sensed something was wrong.
The old lady then said slowly, “Zhendong told me that you have already signed the documents to give up Jiejie’s custody. You are not qualified to attend today’s shareholders’ meeting. If you hadn’t stirred up trouble, there wouldn’t have been a shareholders’ meeting. You have pushed the Xie Group, which was originally fine, into a precarious position, giving those shareholders with ulterior motives an opportunity. You claim it’s for the good of the Xie family and Jiejie, but you know your own intentions!”
“Grandmother, it’s not like that…”
“Don’t call me Grandmother anymore. I never realized you were so scheming before,” the old lady instructed the bodyguards, “Take her back to her residence, and you will guard there. She is not allowed to step out even half a step.”
A bodyguard grabbed Sasha’s arm and said, “Ms. Yang, please. If you don’t walk yourself, we can carry you out.”
Sasha felt she had underestimated this old woman. She hadn’t expected this old immortal of the Xie family to be so formidable.