Offer To The CEO

Friday, continued …

As Hou Yi left four bodyguards stationed themselves outside Anna's office, watching and protecting Madam Hou. They all knew that the only person to get easy access is was Madam Yao, who stuck her head in to great Anna, but otherwise left her as she was engrossed in her work. She interrupted Anna at 11am, for the Friday Morning Tea, which Anna decided she better attend.

Unlike Anna who did not think she she arrived, one of the bodyguards brought in her wheelchair for her to use while at the morning tea, so she could protect her leg. The morning tea was filled with discussions about the new workspace arrangements. While it felt strange, it was generally agreed that the collaborative approach it allowed made doing the work so much easier, and this would become better when upstairs was opened up to here over the weekend.

After the morning tea, Anna finished the remote work she had been doing for ANX finishing as her mobile alarm alerted her to it being 12.45pm and packed up. As she was leaving stooped to speak to Amanda, who said "See you at the board meeting."

"What?" came Anna's reply.

"Tan is the Hou Enterprises Board independent member. There are thirteen board members, you Hou Yi, your parents and grandparents -in-law along with six staff members, the Vice-CEO, the Heads of Finance, Legal, Planning, International Development and National Development. Tan has a meeting so cannot be present and has given his proxy and voting instructions to me. The company charter means he cannot nominate any board member as proxy, so hence I am going."

"See you at the meeting then."

Anna, then went upstairs to Hou Yi's office, and Assistant Wang immediately opened the door saying "Excuse me, CEO Hou your wife has arrived."

"Show her in."

With that one of the bodyguards wheeled Anna in on her chair, leaving her crutches, handbag and laptop on the couch. As soon as Hou Yi came over the bodyguards left and went outside, shutting the door. As they were sitting at the table having lunch, Hou Yi wheeled her over, and said "Gentleman, this is my wife Anna. Anna these gentleman are one of the local partners here on the Sunrise project in Australia, from Tang Corp."

"Is there a problem?"

"Yes."

"Yi, can you grab my laptop then please."

"CEO Hou, ther is no problem with your wife joining us, we have to discuss those legal technicalities we mentioned, and your Australian Lawyers have not provided us a response. We thought we would be having a teleconference with Mr Williams.."

That infuriated Anna, she was simply being dismissed as inconsequential "Gentleman, do you not think a woman can help you."

"Madam Hou, there are some capable women, but Mr Williams is the legal adviser on this project."

"I know he is, but …"

Hou Yi could see Anna was about to explode and interrupted "Gentleman my wife has worked for ANX Lawyers for over five years, and is still employed, on a part-time basis by them. I suspect she has the information we need."

"Apologies Madam Hou, we did not know."

"Not a problem. I have spent three hours reviewing documentation sent through. However, less enjoy lunch before getting down to business."

Twenty minutes later, lunch had been finished, and the catering staff had come in and removed all signs of their meal. As the door closed, Anna spoke. "Gentleman, I am sorry, but I need to sit on the couch with my leg out at the moment, as it is getting uncomfortable here. I know it will be inconvenient for you …"

"Madam Hou, no need to apologise, we were rude before, and spoke out of turn. We are surprised that you are even here, but can only be thankful that you have come in. We can work to accommodate you."

With that Hou Yi wheeled Anna over to the couch and settled her there before returning and gathering her laptop and the papers. Twenty minutes later, Anna had gone through the current legal matters on the Sunrise development, and all three gentleman from Tang Corp were happy.

The one that seemed to led spoke "Madam Hou, we had been expecting a long drawn out meeting to go over those matters. Thank you for keeping it short. We have other independent matters ANX deals with in Australia. We may ask Mr Williams, where necessary you deal with them here, as it is time consuming sending executives to Australia."

"Gentleman, if it can be arranged. But for a few months I am restricted due to my injuries. Email him and I will talk to him about what I can do."

"Thank You Madam Hou." With that they left.