Chapter 152

Reaching out to pick up the chopsticks, Madeleine paused for a long moment, without uttering a sound. After a while, she finally spoke. "No... it's not good." Beckett stood up, bringing Madeleine a fresh pair of chopsticks. "Don't overthink it." Madeleine used the words "not good," not "it can't be." "Mr. Beach, don't stand against Alex. He is the CEO of Mountain Construction. The cooperation between Beach Group and Mountain Construction is not just close, but also involves big projects. The two companies mutually profit and prosper together—if one suffers, so does the other." Madeleine knew, Beckett would understand these intricacies better than she did. But she still said it. Beckett did not respond, he would weigh the pros and cons himself. The company's interests were paramount, especially considering his current situation wasn't exactly rosy either. But when comparing priorities, one needs to see which carries more weight. Even Beckett didn't expect himself to be such a sentimental person. In the past, everyone around him said he was too rational, rational to the point of coldness. But now, even he felt there was something off about him. Too off. After a bite of noodles, Madeleine changed the topic. "Regarding the matter with Chen Yecheng from the investment department, have you made any arrangements, Mr. Beach?" "While I was in Sanya these past days, there was a meeting within the company about the selection for the Vice President position." Beckett nodded, pushing the tablet towards Madeleine. "From the current voting results, Chen Yecheng is leading." Madeleine frowned, this was not favourable for the subsequent operations. "The company culture encourages wolfish aggression and competition. As Ruby's trump card, Chen Yecheng naturally has his sights set on the Vice President's position." Currently, there are four vice presidents in the company. One of them is Beckett's person, two are selected by Stanton, and if the last one becomes Ruby's man, Beckett will become very passive. Beckett has been in the company for many years, and the value and benefits he has created for the company is evident. The company should belong to him. However, Stanton is not a good father. "What do you think?" Beckett looked at Madeleine. "Is this Zhao Chengming yours?" Madeleine posed a question. Zhao Chengming was second in line, but he was far behind Liu Yecheng. "Yes." Beckett nodded. Madeleine was smart and could see the current situation within the company. "The vote difference between the two is 34. Even though the final decision lies with the CEO, if the difference is too large and too obvious, it might..." provoke controversy within the company. "Don't worry about the votes. Carl can manipulate it secretly.” Beckett reassured Madeleine that within three days, Zhao Chengming's vote count would surpass Liu Yecheng. "With an equal number of votes, all we can do is wait for him to make a mistake." Madeleine murmured, "Liu Yecheng has such a high number of votes, he must be canvassing privately. The company's off-the-record comments on him are very positive, he’s being pushed into the spotlight. They expect you to act according to his plans, seeing you’re unlikely to defy the will of the company.” Beckett agreed with a smile, "Where did you learn all these strategies from?" "About... about psychology and Sun Tzu’s art of war," Madeleine stammered, flustered. "Indeed... To rise and ruin someone within a company, to degrade their virtue until problems transpire, then seize the opportunity to strike," Beckett nodded. "But understanding how to grasp the opportunity is a true test of your abilities." Madeleine bit her lip. "Don't worry, I can do it." Fearing that Beckett didn't trust her, Madeleine spoke up again. "I really... I can do it." "In the high ranks, if you manage to get rid of this troublemaker Liu Yecheng, you'll be a hero," Beckett smiled knowingly. "Perhaps, you should think about what reward you want in advance." Letting Madeleine anticipate a reward was a testament to his unreserved trust in her. Madeleine blushed and bowed her head, slurping her noodles. "No... No need. It's what I should... should do." Beckett, for the first time, had a full bowl of noodles. It's worth noting that he's usually self-disciplined to an intimidating degree; he never eats this much carbohydrate-laden food in the middle of the night. But ever since Madeleine arrived, he noticed... she could always break all his taboos. This wasn't a bad thing; in fact, it intrigued him. He wondered how far he could go. ... Mysterious Lushan, an upscale club. Alex had drunk quite a lot of alcohol and didn't look well. "What’s wrong with Mr. George... Getting a shock?" A friend jeered with a chuckle. Alex said nothing, but raised his head to indicate everyone else to leave as Clinton arrived. The others, sensing something amiss, got up and left. "Mr. George, did you ask for me?" Clinton furrowed his brows, sitting down beside him. "I heard there is some competition within the Beach Group for the position of executive vice president?" Alex inquired casually. "You seem rather interested in our Beach Group," Clinton responded, somewhat defensive. "Heh..." Alex leaned back in the couch, looking at Clinton, "One father, yet there's such a huge gap between you and your brother. Should I call you stupid or naive?" Clinton's expression turned increasingly unpleasant. "What do you want, Mr. George?" "Mountain Construction's cooperation with the Beach Group isn't necessarily contingent on Beckett. Whomever sits in the top seat is who we'll cooperate with," Alex hinted evasively to Clinton. "You've always looked down on me, Mr. George," Clinton responded, clearly understanding Alex's intentions, not dense in the least. "Looking down on you doesn't mean you're not a good potential partner," Alex spoke calmly, lifting his wine glass, "I can help you get what you want." "Would you really be so generous, Mr. George?" Clinton looked at Alex suspiciously. What was he after? "I need a cooperative partner who obeys, not someone like Beckett who constantly competes with me," Alex lightly tapped on the glass, "Driving Madeleine away from Beckett should be simple enough for you, right?" Clinton furrowed his brows. "Mr. George, after all these years, you're still not over Madeleine?" "Madeleine is the woman I've set my eyes on; she should be mine only." Alex's possessiveness was strong. "Six years ago, you went through a lot of trouble to snatch her away from me," Clinton's fingers tightened around his glass, "With the family alliance you still have with the Merritt family, even if you don't marry Charlotte, there will be another alliance marriage for you. You can't give Madeleine the dignity she deserves." "Everything she wants, I can give her, except for a title," Alex muttered, his voice low. "My brother is the type of person who would never put a woman first. He's just using Madeleine to show off to our father and mother. There's no need to press her; Madeleine will soon become useless to Beckett," Clinton coldly sneered. In his eyes, Beckett wouldn't be interested in Madeleine for long. Madeleine would be discarded by Beckett just like trash. "I don't have the patience to wait, just like your mother," Alex reminded Clinton. "There are many ways to chase Madeleine away..." Clinton furrowed his brows, clenching his fists. He now needed Alex to help him solidify his position within the Beach Group.