Chapter 1060: Chapter 547: Extra: Can’t Rely, Only Let Go_2
"Actually, I have been quite interested in business," Alice Robinson said. "When I was young, my daddy intended to raise me as the family heir, but since men always lead our family, I never got involved in family matters. After my father passed away, the family was divided due to property disputes, and since my brother is not interested in managing the family business, I had to take on this responsibility and manage the family legacy for him."
"I never thought someone as seemingly delicate as you would have such resolve."
"I hope I can have a pleasant collaboration with General Laurence."
"But business is business. How can I trust Miss Robinson’s abilities?"
Alice quickly said, "General Laurence, you can rest assured. Although my abilities are not yet up to par, I have elders by my side who used to work with my father. They will teach me how to manage this business, and I will not let General Laurence bear any risks."
"Oh," Claud Laurence said with a careless smile, "Miss Robinson, doing business cannot be accomplished with mere words. I need a better reason, perhaps..."
A chill rose in Alice’s heart.
She understood more than anyone the nature of businessmen—effort must be exchanged for returns.
Claud Laurence had an innate talent for reading people. The moment he saw her expression, he smiled faintly, "What, are you afraid?"
Alice raised her eyes, her voice devoid of emotion, "I’m afraid, General Laurence, that what you want, I cannot give."
After saying this, Alice picked up her handbag and left coldly.
As she exited the hotel, the driver had already brought the car around.
Without turning back, Alice got into the car.
Leaning angrily against the seat, Alice’s face was pale.
The driver noticed Alice’s complexion and asked with concern, "Miss, are you alright?"
Alice took a deep breath and shook her head, resting her head against the seat back.
The driver refrained from asking more questions and started the engine.
The car slowly drove through the streets of Paris...
As Alice watched the bustling scenery retreat outside the window, her mind was a blank.
Claud Laurence...
She truly underestimated people’s nature...
What she thought to be gentility and grace turned out to be nothing but a false facade.
She was too willing to believe others. When he first introduced himself with a note, she should have known that Claud Laurence was no ordinary person...
As adults, she knew very well what Claud Laurence’s subtle hint meant...
She never expected the world to become so tainted...
No matter the effort, she couldn’t take over all the family matters overnight.
However, once you take on this responsibility, there’s no turning back,
In the study, several elders of the family sat solemnly, their eyes focused on Alice’s pale face.
"Alice, perhaps it’s best to have Chester come back... You’re just a girl, how can you manage such a large family business for the Robinsons?"
"Yes, Alice, no matter what, call Chester to come back... No matter how, he can’t just ignore the family business!"
"Sigh, Chester’s nature is like that, diving headlong into the medical field. When David was alive, he tried persuading him countless times, but he was always engrossed in medical research..."
"But now there’s no one leading the family, and Alice, being a woman, may not know how to manage family business..."
"You can’t say that, Alice has been clever and capable since childhood. Managing things wouldn’t be that difficult..."
"Yes, even if Chester comes back, his heart might not be in the family business, which would be detrimental to the family’s future development here..."
The elders, who had followed David Robinson for many years, were discussing the choice of a future leader for the Robinson family...
After the elders finished speaking, Alice finally spoke, "Uncle Harvey, Uncle Grant, Uncle Herbert... we’re very grateful for your contributions to our family over the years, and for staying to help the Robinsons after my father passed away... Indeed, as a woman, I lack the business acumen and skills. I shouldn’t have taken on this heavy burden, but you all know my brother’s situation. He is devoted to medicine and unwilling to take over the family business. I thought he might change his mind after father died, but these past two years, he hasn’t returned to the Robinsons, or cared for our business... If it hadn’t been for my uncle’s attempt to seize all the Robinsons’ assets last time, my brother wouldn’t have returned, even after all my begging... We can no longer rely on him."
Only by speaking this way could she dissuade the family’s elders from their illusions.
Chester Robinson won’t return to help the Robinsons!
The elders shook their heads after hearing Alice’s words...
Alice calmly addressed the elders, "I know that since father died, all our family’s businesses have been declining. Without your firm support, the Robinsons might not have lasted till today... But I hope you can believe in me. Although I lack exceptional business acumen, I studied economics in college. I have the determination and confidence that, with your help, I can manage all our family businesses well."
"Alright, Alice... Uncle Grant casts his vote for you. Uncle Grant believes in you."
"Thank you, Uncle Grant."
"Since Chester is unwilling to take over, the only solution is to rely on Alice... Uncle Herbert also casts his vote for you, Alice."
Alice invited the elders to stay for dinner and discussed the current structure of the Robinson family business with them.
The Robinson’s industry mainly revolves around vineyards, and many of them are currently losing money. From the elders’ perspective, the urgent need is to find a partner for the vineyards to keep them running before discussing their operations further. However, if no partner is found to invest in the Robinson vineyards, they will face closure... and the century-old business of the Robinsons will gradually shrink, eventually being swallowed by competitors.
It’s evident that Chester Robinson foresaw this serious issue facing the Robinsons long ago.
Alice had thought there was still time to find a partner, but when the elders placed all the winery’s financial statements before her, the deficit on those statements left her dumbfounded.
Currently, all the Robinson vineyards except for the Sally Vineyard are losing money, depleting the family assets by 3% daily loss...
If a partner cannot be found soon, these losses will gradually increase, eventually pushing the Robinsons towards the brink of bankruptcy...
