Chapter 6
Curtis Hazlitt was completely stunned after the phone call was hung up.
Todd Elsey, who overheard the conversation, naturally knew Curtis Hazlitt’s intentions. After all, it was he who had given the orders.
“Your brother should call again later. Why don’t we find out what they really want?”
Juliet Hazlitt nodded and said, “Alright, let’s see what tricks they have up their sleeves.”
After a while, Curtis Hazlitt thought about how his father might beat him, so he softened his tone and called again: “Sis, I was too selfish before. Please come back. I’ll give you back the position of president.”
Todd Elsey, who was standing nearby, nodded in agreement and whispered, “You’ll only consider going back if your uncle asks you to. Otherwise, all the bullying you’ve done earlier was for nothing.”
Juliet Hazlitt thought to herself that it was indeed their fault that she had been embarrassed in the first place.
“Then have your uncle come and tell me in person. Otherwise, I won’t go back.”
Curtis Hazlitt looked utterly incredulous. “You want my father to personally go and ask her to return to the company as president?”
“Juliet Hazlitt, don’t refuse the toast and then expect to be forced to drink as punishment. Don’t go too far! If I tell you to go back, you go back.”
Juliet Hazlitt said nothing, just stared at Todd Elsey.
Todd Elsey replied seriously, “Whatever you want. If you want to come, come; if not, then forget it.”
Juliet Hazlitt looked at Curtis Hazlitt. “Yes, that’s exactly what we mean. Go back and ask him yourself.”
After saying that, Todd Elsey hung up the phone without any hesitation. Curtis Hazlitt was left standing there, completely confused.
Juliet Hazlitt wondered why the Hazlitt family had suddenly decided to let her return.
“Todd Elsey, what on earth is going on? Why would they suddenly ask me to come back? And Curtis Hazlitt seems pretty anxious too.”
Todd Elsey smiled. “Maybe they’ve gotten a conscience about it and feel like they owe you something. Ignore them. When your uncle comes around in person, you’ll know exactly what their motives are.”
Todd Elsey thought to himself, “Of course I’d go after you. How could I let a pie fall from the sky and not catch it? I’m going to make Steven Hazlitt pay for what he’s done.”
Juliet Hazlitt nodded, without thinking much about it.
Curtis Hazlitt went home and relayed Todd Elsey and Juliet Hazlitt’s demands. The Hazlitt family was furious upon hearing this.
Curtis Hazlitt said disdainfully, “How dare these two wretches act so shamelessly? Juliet Hazlitt was raised on the generosity of our Hazlitt family. She has no sense of gratitude. Why don’t we simply have someone bring her here?”
Steven Hazlitt thought for a moment. “Idiot, do you really think tying her up will help anything? She refuses to cooperate with us. If we offend the company she’s contracted with, we won’t make a single penny!”
“If I have to go in person, then I’ll go in person. It’s not like I’m asking for any discount.”
“Dad, then we’ll go with you tomorrow.”
Steven Hazlitt warned, “Be more polite in your tone tomorrow, hear me? Since Juliet Hazlitt from the recording company is coming here, we need to persuade Juliet Hazlitt to stay.”
The next day, Curtis Hazlitt and Steven Hazlitt went to Juliet Hazlitt’s house together. Each of them brought a little fruit with them.
When the doorbell rang, Todd Elsey guessed that these must be the people who had come. When Todd Elsey opened the door, he saw Steven Hazlitt.
She said calmly, “Why did Uncle come here in person?”
Juliet Hazlitt immediately came over upon hearing the voice. She was a little surprised that the old man had actually come to see her in person. But on the surface, she remained very calm.
Juliet Hazlitt tugged at Tod Elsie and said to Mr. Hazlitt, “You two, come in first. If there’s anything to discuss, we’ll talk inside.”
Curtis Hazlitt put the items aside and said, “Juliet, you can’t afford to not work even for one day. It’s a waste of your business acumen. Come back and work at our home instead.”
“I don’t know who tried every means to get Juliet out of there before. Why are they suddenly so kind now?”
He didn’t care about the insults directed at Steven Hazlitt. Compared to the opportunity of working with that piece of land, he could simply ignore them.
Steven Hazlitt tried to suppress the shame in his heart. “Juliet, we’re still a family. Our company won a big project recently. But they specifically assigned it to you. That shows how capable you are. Please come back and continue working as our president.”
Juliet Hazlitt thought to herself, “No wonder they came knocking on my door out of the blue. I knew there was no good intention behind it.”
She refused outright, “Forget it. I have no desire to have anything to do with the Hazlitt family right now. I wonder why you suddenly asked me to come back. Turns out you were waiting for me here.”
Juliet Hazlitt also found it strange why the recording company insisted on choosing her specifically.
“Please, Uncle, just this once, okay?”
Curtis Hazlitt and Steven Hazlitt were very displeased to hear Steven Hazlitt say that. Suppressing their anger, they also agreed, “Yes, Juliet, after all, we’re family.”
“Only now do you realize we’re family? What about when you tried to drive us out? How come you didn’t think of that then?” Todd Elsey’s expression was full of disdain.
I thought to myself: This time, it’s not just about making you suffer some humiliation!
Todd Elsey knew about Steven Hazlitt’s scheme: as soon as the contract was signed, he would immediately have Juliet Hazlitt removed from the picture.
He said to Steven Hazlitt:
“Uncle, if you truly want Juliet to go back to work, we need to sign a contract. The terms of the contract should be that ten percent of the shares be transferred to Juliet, and she must not be removed from her position as president.”
Juliet Hazlitt glanced at Todd Elsey and realized she hadn’t thought of all those things before. It seemed like Todd Elsey was a bit different from what the records said.
Steven Hazlittton paused and said nothing.
“You really have no shame at all. You still make so many demands. My father even came here in person.”
“Dad, that’s not fair. Why give her shares? If we give her 10% of the shares, she’ll have the same stake as we do.” Curtis Hazlitt was furious upon hearing this.
“Do you want to see it? If so, just sign here.” Todd Elsey was well-prepared, aware of the schemes Steven Hazlitt was planning.
Steven Hazlitt was furious. He had clearly investigated and found that this kid was just a middle school student who knew nothing. Yet, he turned out to be so cunning. Now, Steven truly regretted his actions.
Steven Hazlitt thought carefully about the pros and cons. If his father found out that he hadn’t signed the contract for that piece of land, things might not be as simple as just losing 10% of the shares. And even if he did sign the contract, there would still be ways to make him give up his shares.
Steven Hazlitt took a look at the contract, signed it right away, then managed to keep a calm expression as he said, “That’s fine. Juliet, remember to come to work tomorrow. Your brother and I will be heading back now.”
“I understand, Uncle. Please go ahead slowly.”
Steven Hazlitt took Curtis Hazlitt away with him.
Seeing the pale faces of those two people, Juliet Hazlitt was utterly shocked and delighted, and also surprised by Todd Elsey.
“How did you know they would come? And they prepared so thoroughly! I never expected so much. I guess I knew they would eventually fire me, but I never thought they’d actually be willing to sign a contract with me.”
“Of course I guessed it. Alright, I’ll go cook now. When Mom and Dad get home, we can eat.” Todd Elsey said with a smile.
Juliet Hazlitt looked completely confused. But since he didn’t say anything, she decided to leave it at that. She increasingly felt that Todd Elsey wasn’t the same person as the one described in the documents. Whether it was his decisive actions toward Curtis Hazlitt that day, or his careful planning today, something about him seemed unusual.
