Offer To The CEO

Tuesday, continued …

As they finished talking Anna settled into Hou Yi's arms as they headed to Hou Enterprises. Less than five minutes after their arrival in Hou Yi's office, three senior members of the Legal Department were shown in for a meeting to discuss what Hou Enterprises needed to do with respect to Lu Jinhgo.

Anna quickly realised that the senior legal staff that had come to the meeting were trying to freeze her out of the discussions. It was obvious that they were still siding with the former and interim head of the Legal Department, who had made it extremely clear how much they hated her ever since she called them out at the staff meeting the Monday after her first board meeting. To now she had let it be, as ultimately this had not been harming Hou Enterprises, but it was now getting to be an issue. Anna quietly said to herself, she just had to wait for the ideal time to say her piece.

It soon became clear for Anna that those so-called colleagues from the legal department were simply recommending that Hou Enterprises not engage in any fight with Lu Jingho and agree to whatever he proposed as his penalty. Damn it, were they idiots. Hou Enterprises needs to be put first, rather than simply looking to avoid a fight. Anna turned and she noticed that Hou Yi was not impressed, but he was looking for her to say something.

Anna snapped out "Gentleman, you are saying to prevent any negative publicity that we should agree to whatever is proposed as a resolution. Are you even thinking about Hou Enterprises, as taking that position could mean he is not dealt with for anything involving his actions against the company. That is stupidity and tells everyone that you can simply walk over Hou Enterprises. We did not get to the position that Hou Enterprises is in by being soft against people and companies that act illegally against us."

"Madam Hou, but that goes totally contrary to how business operates here."

"I am not stupid, so do not treat me as stupid. Yes, business works on a collaborative basis, but that does not mean that someone can take advantage illegally. We must stand up and say that this will not be accepted. A financial penalty with a conviction must be sort. The question only should be what is financially acceptable. The harm was not massive, I would suggest at least forty million. That is enough to be more than just pocket change, but also to prevent others from acting illegally against us."

Anna and Hou Yi looked around and realised that none of the senior members within the legal department agreed with Anna's assessment. Hou Yi said "Well gentleman, if my wife's proposal is not what you think is in our best interest, what is."

"As we said CEO Hou, our position is no conflict, we simply accept what is proposed as a settlement, as we have to look for wider implications, so we will ensure business relationships are maintained."

Anna simply shook her head and looked to Hou Yi before saying "Gentleman, you have twenty minutes to convince us that your proposal is in the best interest of Hou Enterprises."

For the next twenty minutes, they kept putting forward their arguments before Hou Yi said "Gentleman, I have heard what you have had to say. You have not convinced me that this is the best for Hou Enterprises. It leaves us open for manipulation from any business partner. But I will take it on board the point we will settle without going to a trial on the basis Lu Jingho agrees to a conviction and pays compensation for the damage done to us"

"As to the financial impact of his actions I will have the finance department calculate that plus we will add twenty percent to it as a penalty. Additionally, we would request a company director ban for five years given his actions were done while he was CEO of Lu Corporation. He should not be able to return to a position of power within any company for at least that time as it is about respect for the role."

Listening to Hou Yi, Anna realised that he was being considered. He was making a stand for Hou Enterprises, but at the same time not willing to waste company resources on seeking punishment and compensation. After the senior legal department members left Hou Yi's office, Anna drifted into the suite attached to it for a rest while Hou Yi dealt with a few urgent things, before they headed home for the night.

As they exited the elevator, Hou Yi gave her a brief kiss before saying "Home Sweet Home, my love."