Chapter 238 - 236: An Important Matter to Report

Cecilia Sterling closed the ledger and gently shook her head, clearly unwilling to accept "having difficulties" as an excuse.

"They need to figure out how to solve their own problems, not make the park bear the consequences of their difficulties. If everyone starts claiming they have problems, how are we supposed to run this place? This isn’t a charity."

Elvira Underwood nodded in understanding and tentatively suggested, "We’ve discussed this internally. We were thinking we could let the tenants who can’t afford the rent move to the small office building on the far west side. The rent there is the cheapest in the park, which could also alleviate some of these companies’ financial pressure."

"So you’re already worrying about their future?" Cecilia Sterling was exasperated. "Aren’t we trying to collect past-due rent right now? If they don’t pay what they owe, there won’t be a future between us."

"Besides, even if the rent on the west side is cheaper, it’s not *that* cheap. This is an industrial park, after all. If they’re really in trouble, they should have thought about moving their companies to the suburbs long ago, not squatting here and refusing to pay rent."

Elvira Underwood seemed to understand her point. She immediately said, "In that case, we’ll issue a final deadline. For any companies that still can’t pay up by then, we will persuade them to leave."

"Good."

Just as she finished speaking, Talbot Miller walked out, carrying a storage box. His former colleagues instinctively watched him leave, but Cecilia Sterling didn’t even spare him a glance.

’The former general manager bore undeniable responsibility for the industrial park’s current mess. Simply firing him was letting him save face.’

"Gather all the employees. We’re having a meeting," Cecilia Sterling said suddenly.

In the conference room, all on-duty employees from the property management departments were lined up. Cecilia Sterling did a quick headcount; there were about thirty to forty people.

Without beating around the bush, Cecilia Sterling spoke directly, "As you all just saw, I have fired the former President Miller. But this place can’t run without a manager. I’d also like to hear everyone’s opinion, so I want to hold an anonymous vote to elect a new manager for the property department."

Upon hearing this, a variety of expressions appeared on their faces.

Someone raised their hand and said, "Ma’am, we all have our own duties in our departments. None of us have ever been a general manager!"

Hearing this, Cecilia Sterling explained calmly, "The work in property management isn’t that complicated. Many of the veteran employees here have worked for years and know this place inside and out. If I hired a new manager to parachute in, it would take them a long time to learn about the industrial park. I actually think they wouldn’t do as good a job as a leader chosen by all of you."

"It doesn’t matter what department they’re from. What I value is individual capability. As long as you believe the person is up to the task and you’d willingly follow their lead, you can vote for them. The vote is anonymous, so there’s no need to feel any pressure."

Since the boss had spoken, no one objected. Some people already had a candidate in mind, while others were still looking around, searching for a suitable choice.

Half an hour later, the results of the anonymous vote were in.

Out of 37 voters, 33 had cast their ballots for Elvira Underwood, the head of the finance department.

"Flora, it’s a well-deserved victory. Congratulations on your promotion to General Manager of the industrial park’s property management department." Cecilia Sterling led the applause, and the others quickly joined in to cheer for her.

Elvira Underwood was completely surprised. Her expression was still dazed as she walked to the front, but she didn’t back down. "Thank you all for your trust. Since you’ve all chosen me to take on the role of General Manager, I will do my absolute best to lead everyone and maintain our park even better."

Everyone erupted into another round of enthusiastic applause.

Afterwards, Cecilia Sterling said, "Since Flora is the general manager you’ve all chosen, all departments must cooperate with her to the best of their ability and follow her orders. I won’t be coming to the park often, but I will visit at least once a month. I’m sure you all understand my management style by now. Do a good job, and I will reward you. But if a situation like the last one happens again, whoever is responsible can pack their bags and get out."

Everyone listened with serious expressions; no one thought the new boss was making empty threats.

’In truth, Cecilia currently had no further plans for this park. But even if they were just maintaining the status quo, everyone had to play by her rules.’

’So whether it was tenants or employees, they all had to fulfill their responsibilities. Otherwise, she would rather kick everyone out and let the park sit empty.’

「Meanwhile, at the Goodman Group.」

Conrad Goodman was in his office handling documents when there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and his secretary stood at the entrance, saying softly, "Chairman, Team Leader Quincy Sanders from the AI technology division says he has something important to see you about."

Conrad Goodman looked up, his brow furrowing with a serious expression. "Something important?"

’Goodman Group’s AI department had several technical teams, and Quincy Sanders was the leader of Team Three. Normally, an employee at his level didn’t have the clearance to report directly to the chairman, as there were several layers of management above him.’

’In a large corporation, employees were supposed to report all work and requests only to their immediate superior. Even skipping one level was a violation of protocol.’

’And now this Quincy Sanders had come directly to him?’

But since it was supposedly something important, Conrad Goodman nodded. "Let him in."

The secretary stepped aside, revealing Quincy Sanders behind him. Perhaps coming directly to the chairman had made him nervous; his face was tense, and his steps were hesitant as he entered the spacious, bright office and stopped in the center. "Good day, Chairman. I’m..."

"No need for introductions," Conrad Goodman cut him off, his expression cold. "What’s so important that you couldn’t report it to your superior and had to come all the way to me?"

Quincy Sanders’s throat bobbed before he spoke. "It’s like this, Chairman. I’ve heard some rumors in the industry that the Jennings Group’s AI division has acquired a cutting-edge program. After the New Year, they’ve already started using it to upgrade their old products into brand-new ones and have even opened production lines for other new products."

At this, Quincy Sanders looked up at Conrad Goodman’s confused expression and continued earnestly, "But that cutting-edge program was originally supposed to be ours, for the Goodman Group. Chairman, you initially assigned Paul Hudson, the leader of Team One, to contact their team. But from what I know, Paul Hudson never even met with anyone from their team."

"What?!" Realization dawned on Conrad Goodman. He slammed his hand on the desk in a fury and demanded, "The project team I told Paul Hudson to contact—he never met with them, which led to them going over to the Jennings Group? And they even struck a deal?"

Quincy Sanders nodded quickly. "The Jennings Group has already started upgrading their production!"