To Cassie's relief, Shirley's cooking turned out to be delicious, and Cassie's instances of vomiting decreased since Shirley took charge of the meals.
This series of events prompted Irish to realize that no one was purely good or bad in this world. People had complexities and nuances in their characters.
Recognizing this, Irish decided to make a statement to help Shirley, understanding that everyone deserved a chance and that judgments should be reserved until all aspects were considered.
Shirley was taken aback by Irish's unexpected statement, feeling a mix of surprise and gratitude. "Thank you, Irish."
At that moment, it became clear that life often unfolded in unpredictable and dramatic ways. The woman Shirley had harbored resentment towards had expressed gratitude towards her.
Irish turned her gaze towards the lawyers, indicating that it was time to focus on the legal proceedings and decisions ahead.
One of the lawyers present provided a legal perspective on the matter. He explained, "According to the relevant provisions of the National Company Law, in the case of Mr. Lake's death without a will, Mrs. Lake may have the right to inherit his equity. However, there are certain prerequisites that need to be considered. Firstly, it is necessary to ascertain whether Mrs. Lake is the sole legal heir or if there are other individuals with inheritance rights. If there are other potential heirs, Ms. Irish would need to negotiate and reach a unanimous agreement with them before she can inherit the shares. Secondly, as the owner of the Runestone Group, if Ms. Irish wishes to participate in the board as a shareholder, the appointment process would need to be carried out in accordance with the company's regulations. Therefore, Mrs. Lake, it is important to review the articles of association to determine if they impose any limitations on inheritance. If there are no such limitations, Mrs. Lake can become a direct shareholder with inheritance rights. Additionally, the issue of succession needs to be addressed. Although Mr. Lake held the position of President of the Board of Directors before his passing, it does not automatically guarantee that Mrs. Lake will assume that role. The selection of the President of the Board of Directors must adhere to the Company Law, articles of association, and the decisions of the shareholders."
"Does Cassie have the right to inherit Roy's shares?" Irish asked impatiently.
The lawyer responded, "I apologize, but Mr. Henry Lake had drafted the articles of association during his lifetime, and one provision states that there is no inheritance relationship between the couple. If we strictly adhere to the articles of association..." The lawyer cleared his throat before continuing.
Irish was shocked. "How did my father make such a rule?"
"He's defending me," said Shirley with red eyes.
Irish was confused.
But Joseph said lightly, "The article was later revised by Henry. The time of revision was when Ruby and I got married."
He understated, but Irish suddenly understood.
For her father, the man who really needed to be stood guard against was Joseph.
She suddenly felt sorrow and subconsciously clenched her hand.
He just smiled.
Yeah, so far, that was nothing.
But what about Cassie?
Shirley, frowning, expressed her refusal to accept the lawyer's statement. "So you're saying Cassie can't have a share? How are we supposed to sustain ourselves? What kind of nonsense company articles are these? Even the law is nothing more than a creation of human beings. You have been benefiting from us all this time, and now, after Roy's death, you only start thinking about how to divide his belongings. Don't push it too far!"
People looked at each other.
Kelly interjected, attempting to ease the tension in the room. "Shirley, there's no need to be angry. At this point, everyone is silent, aren't they?"
Shirley responded with a cold hum, showing her displeasure.
Cassie, realizing the escalating emotions, gently grasped Shirley's arm and pleaded, "Mom, please stop. Those things don't matter to me. I just... I wish Roy were still alive..." Cassie's eyes welled up with tears once again.
Shirley, overwhelmed with emotions, couldn't hold back her tears and began crying again.
Irish surveyed the room and declared, "As the largest shareholder of the company, I hold the authority to amend the articles of association!"
Another shareholder interjected, countering her statement, "Yes, you may be the largest shareholder, but you do not hold a management position within the company. Therefore, you do not have the right to change the articles of association."
Irish's fists clenched with frustration.
The shareholder's point was valid. Without a management position, she lacked the authority to make amendments to the articles of association unilaterally.
William's voice cut through the tension in the room as he suggested, "I propose that we hold a meeting to discuss the matter. Cassie is Roy's wife, carrying his child, and we are a collective entity. We cannot leave her in a helpless position. The most pressing issue at the moment is not the inheritance of equity, but how to handle Roy's death, which requires our immediate attention."
Other shareholders nodded.
Joseph remained silent but directed a meaningful gaze towards Irish, who understood his unspoken message. She spoke up, realizing the importance of addressing the situation directly. "We cannot keep this hidden. In today's highly interconnected world, information spreads rapidly. The truth about Roy's death, which resulted from a traffic accident, will eventually come to light, sooner or later."
"Then you mean..." William looked at Irish.
Irish, displaying a decisive demeanor, put forth her suggestion. "Instead of waiting for the news to be exposed, it would be more proactive to hold a media conference now and officially announce Roy's death. By doing so, we can uphold the integrity of the group's management and demonstrate our commitment to our shareholders. This approach allows us to take control of the narrative and handle the situation in the most proactive manner."
William, upon hearing Irish's proposal, immediately voiced his objection.
"No! I strongly object!" he exclaimed.
Everyone looked at him, including Joseph.
William maintained his composed demeanor as he expressed his opposition to the announcement of Roy's death. He turned his attention to Irish, attempting to persuade her. "Irish, you're young and inexperienced in running a company. While your idea may seem good, you must understand that shareholders are not solely motivated by benevolence. Once they become aware of any issues at the top of the Runestone Group, a large number of shares will be sold, leading to a situation that will be beyond our control."
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