Chapter 122: Chapter 122: Jude Sheridan, You’re Not That Important

When Jude Sheridan returned to Vantage, Cecilia Croft had just finished personally interviewing several employees in the HR department. They were all candidates sent over by Assistant Scott.

Cecilia Croft was merely going through the motions, putting on a show of an interview.

Just as she was leading the group back to her floor, she ran into Jude Sheridan in the elevator.

Jude Sheridan had just been rebuffed by Sebastian Hawthorne, and his expression was grim. When he saw Cecilia Croft leading a group of unfamiliar faces, his gaze darkened.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Cecilia Croft took one look at his sullen face and knew he hadn’t gotten any advantage from his meeting with Sebastian Hawthorne. She scoffed.

"Recruiting a few competent employees for myself, of course."

Jude Sheridan’s brows furrowed.

"Vantage is having cash flow problems. We should be downsizing, so why are you hiring new people?"

Cecilia Croft raised an eyebrow and replied coolly.

"If we’re making cuts, we should start with the useless freeloaders you’ve been supporting. The people I’m hiring are all outstanding. They’re nothing like the nepotism hires you’ve brought in."

Jude Sheridan’s expression froze. He glanced at the number of people in the elevator, and his face changed drastically.

"Are you trying to form a new executive office?"

Cecilia Croft glanced at him sideways. "As the company’s vice president, is there anything wrong with me having a few more assistants?"

Jude Sheridan’s gaze darkened.

The elevator happened to stop at his floor.

Cecilia Croft said softly, "Make way for President Sheridan."

The people at the front of the elevator immediately cleared a path for Jude Sheridan.

Jude Sheridan’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists. He shot Cecilia Croft a wary glance and strode out of the elevator.

With a grim expression, he brushed off his suit jacket where one of the employees had accidentally bumped into him, then turned to look at Cecilia Croft, who was still in the elevator.

Cecilia Croft gave him a smile, her eyes filled with the confidence of someone who held all the cards.

Jude Sheridan knew all too well what that look on Cecilia Croft’s face meant.

She was already plotting how to oust him from his leadership position at Vantage.

Back in his office, Jude Sheridan immediately started contacting the network he had cultivated over the years, hoping they could help resolve Vantage’s crisis.

Anyone would do, as long as he didn’t have to sell the shares to Titus Croft.

However, the very people who were usually so friendly with him over drinks and dinner all turned down Jude Sheridan’s invitations, claiming they had other engagements.

Suspicious, Jude Sheridan pressed further, asking who was hosting the dinner party. From everyone, he received the same answer.

Sebastian Hawthorne.

Jude Sheridan instantly recalled the words Sebastian Hawthorne had said as he was leaving his office.

His expression changed dramatically. He slumped into his office chair in frustration, the hand holding his phone clenching into a white-knuckled fist.

Sebastian Hawthorne was intent on acquiring Vantage’s shares at a low price, and almost no one dared to compete with him.

A company the size of Vantage could be plunged into an abyss with just a single word from Sebastian Hawthorne.

Jude Sheridan had gone to Sebastian Hawthorne seeking a partnership, but instead, he had shot himself in the foot.

Now, he was caught between a rock and a hard place. No matter which side he chose, the consequences for him would be immense.

Jude Sheridan gritted his teeth. Once he had calmed down, he realized his only option was to go upstairs and find Cecilia Croft.

Cecilia Croft had just handed the new hires over to Assistant Zimmer to get them settled. She had barely sat down in her office when Jude Sheridan arrived on her floor.

As Jude Sheridan entered her office, Big Mason followed him in, taking a protective stance in front of Cecilia Croft’s desk.

"Get out!"

Jude Sheridan was already on edge, and the sight of Big Mason gave him a target for the pent-up frustration he had nowhere else to vent.

Despite being yelled at, Big Mason showed no signs of fear. He remained standing calmly in front of Cecilia Croft’s desk, as if Jude Sheridan didn’t even exist.

Unable to suppress the fury in his eyes, Jude Sheridan flew into a rage born of humiliation and violently grabbed Big Mason by the collar.

"I need to discuss confidential company matters with your boss. Who the hell are you to listen in?"

Cecilia Croft frowned, watching the enraged Jude Sheridan with cold eyes. Her voice was low as she said,

"In Vantage’s current state, there are hardly any secrets left to speak of."

"If you want to have a meltdown, President Sheridan, take it outside. Don’t throw a temper tantrum in my office."

As she spoke, Cecilia Croft leaned back in her chair, propping her cheek on one hand with an air of casual indifference.

Jude Sheridan took a deep breath. He let go of Big Mason’s collar, pulled out the chair opposite Cecilia Croft, and sat down. His voice was cold as he spoke.

"Vantage is in real trouble this time."

Cecilia Croft raised an eyebrow.

Seeing her nonchalant expression, Jude Sheridan said angrily,

"I’ve provoked Sebastian Hawthorne!"

Only then did Cecilia Croft’s expression finally show a flicker of change. She looked at him grimly.

"What do you mean?"

Jude Sheridan ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Sebastian Hawthorne was interested in Vantage, wasn’t he? So I went to see him this afternoon to discuss an investment. The conversation didn’t go well. He’s already put the word out—anyone who buys Vantage’s shares will be making an enemy of him."

Cecilia Croft’s brow furrowed. She stared at him, her sharp gaze filled with contempt.

"I doubt you went to discuss an investment. You went to ask him to buy Vantage’s shares. You were afraid that if my father bought the shares, we would team up to strip you of your authority, so you had to find another buyer."

She had exposed his motives completely, leaving him no room for denial. Feeling a pang of guilt, Jude Sheridan couldn’t even meet her eyes.

The disgust in Cecilia Croft’s eyes intensified.

Jude Sheridan closed his eyes. Things having come to this, he had no choice but to swallow his pride.

"Cecilia, we really can’t sell the Vantage shares to Mr. Croft now. Even if he were to acquire them, we wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure from the Hawthorne Group."

Cecilia Croft gave a cold laugh. "So you want to sell Vantage’s shares to Sebastian Hawthorne instead?"

A flicker of irritation crossed Jude Sheridan’s eyes, but he could think of no other solution.

He couldn’t afford to cross Sebastian Hawthorne, and neither could the Croft family.

"Mr. Croft certainly won’t want Vantage’s shares now."

Cecilia Croft’s brow was knitted in a tight frown. Her expression was grave as she fell silent.

Seeing her reaction, Jude Sheridan assumed she was still worried about Vantage’s future and said softly,

"Cecilia, originally, I supported your plan: I’d contribute 10%, the other shareholders would pull together 5%, and you would put in 5%."

"But now the one buying Vantage shares is Sebastian Hawthorne. If I put up 10%, my stake will only be 2% more than the Hawthorne Group’s. If Sebastian Hawthorne manages to get another 3% from the other shareholders, I’ll lose all my say in the company."

"At that point, Vantage will be a lamb for the slaughter. The Hawthorne Group will definitely find a way to acquire it completely. Surely you don’t want to see the company we built together get devoured by them and vanish from the market, do you?"

’When his own position was threatened, Jude Sheridan certainly reacted quickly.’

’Too bad he doesn’t know my entire reason for returning to Vantage was to help the Hawthorne Group take it over.’

"So, I can’t put up 5% anymore either. If Hawthorne Group ends up taking all of your shares, Vantage will be doomed. The most I’ll contribute is 1%."

Jude Sheridan’s expression froze, and he stared at her, momentarily stunned.

He had originally hoped to convince Cecilia Croft to contribute 10% while he put in 5%, but he never expected she would only be willing to offer a mere 1%.

A fierce headache began to throb in Jude Sheridan’s temples. His voice was low, laced with suppressed rage.

"Cecilia, this is really not the time for petty tantrums."

Cecilia Croft looked at him, her expression hardening. "I am being completely serious. Do you really think, when Vantage’s survival is at stake, that I would be throwing a fit over you? You’re not that important, President Sheridan."