The Crown of Thorns

Chapter 3: Bankruptcy Risk!

After Victoria left Mrs. Morrison Sr.'s office, she promptly collapsed in the hallway. When she came to, her executive position had been downgraded to a regular manager's cubicle.

Meanwhile, at Morrison Tower's top floor, Jessica Morrison, the group's second-in-command, stormed into the Finance Department in her stilettos. "Emma, what's the meaning of this? My department's budget is frozen?"

Emma was reviewing quarterly reports, not bothering to look up. "Excessive spending needs to be controlled."

"Controlled?" Jessica sneered. "I'm ordering the '95 Maison vintage, only 500 bottles worldwide, $100,000 each. Do you know how many clients are waiting to taste this wine?"

"And?" Emma set down her pen. "Your entertainment expenses last month already exceeded $2 million. Company policy requires board approval for any expenditure over $100,000."

"Policy?" Jessica scoffed. "Mom approved it. What right does a CFO have to block me? Don't think you're so great just because you manage finances. If my brother hadn't married you, you'd be nothing!"

Sarah, Emma's assistant, couldn't hold back. "Ms. Morrison, please mind your words. Emma is the Group CFO, not your personal accountant. Besides, $100,000 for a bottle of wine? You think Morrison Group is your ATM?"

"Silence!" Thompson barked. "How dare an assistant speak to a director like that?"

Just then, Emma stood up. "Mr. Thompson, this isn't about seniority. Company policy is policy, no exceptions." She turned to Jessica, "Want that wine? Show me a reasonable budget proposal with ROI calculations. Otherwise, not a penny gets approved."

"You!" Jessica's face went white with anger. "Just wait, I'm going to Mom!"

"Please do." Emma smiled. "While you're at it, explain to the board why one department's entertainment budget exceeds our R&D investment."

Jessica stormed out. Thompson hesitated before sighing: "Mrs. Morrison, aren't you making trouble for yourself? If everyone could compromise..."

"Compromise?" Emma laughed coldly. "Group profits dropped 30% last year because too many people just want to spend. The company needs reform, and someone has to be the bad guy. Thompson, you've been with Morrison for decades, you should understand some rules aren't about personal relationships."

Sarah looked at Emma sympathetically. Since she started tightening financial controls, she'd made more and more enemies. But Emma was right—someone had to stand up to protect this business empire's foundation.

"Let them hate," Emma gazed at the Manhattan skyline. "I'm not going to be their pushover anymore."

"What did Mrs. Morrison Sr. say?" Emma closed her laptop with a cold smile.

Thompson stood awkwardly in the middle of her office. "She said... said you're doing a good job, keep it up."

"Keep it up?" Emma walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. "The group's cash flow is nearly bottomed out, every department over budget, Jessica's entertainment expenses alone exceed R&D investment. And now Mrs. Morrison Sr. tells me to keep it up?"

"Ma'am, you know each department has their difficulties..."

"Difficulties?" Emma turned around. "Let me give you the exact numbers: Jessica's department spends $2 million monthly, Chris's department $1.5 million, and even that playboy spending $800,000 monthly on pocket money. Company revenue is $30 million annually, and these expenses alone take up more than half. Thompson, you've been with Morrison for decades—how long do you think the company can last like this?"

Thompson wiped sweat from his forehead. "But ma'am, you're the Group CFO, and the Jiang Group heiress, if you just..."

"Stop right there," Emma snapped. "You think I'm still that fool who'll use my family money to subsidize the company? Tell Mrs. Morrison Sr.—either cut department budgets or prepare for bankruptcy. Don't expect another cent from me."

"This..."

"Also, have my assistant Sarah prepare a detailed financial report. I'm emailing Frank. As CEO, he's too busy dating Victoria—it's time he knows the company's real situation."

Thompson wanted to speak but just sighed and left. Emma returned to her desk and began writing:

"Dear Frank:

As CEO, you should know our current financial situation. I've tried my best to keep things running, but without immediate action, Morrison Group faces bankruptcy within six months.

Time to make your choice: either fulfill your CEO responsibilities properly, or watch your father's business empire crumble.

Awaiting your response,

Emma"

After sending the email, Emma turned to the Manhattan skyline. This time, she wouldn't be anyone's puppet.

"Gentlemen, this is a historic acquisition." Frank Morrison stood in the Ritz-Carlton's conference room, facing a group of investment bankers and private equity representatives. Just as he was about to sign the acquisition agreement, his assistant rushed in: "Mr. CEO, your email."

"Can it wait?"

"It's from your wife, sir. She says if you don't read it now, she'll forward it to the board and Wall Street Journal."

The conference room fell silent. Frank opened the email, barely containing his anger.

"Dear Frank:

As a competent husband and CEO, do you think a company with $3 million monthly revenue can support $8 million in executive expenses? Since you're busy with acquisitions, you must not be short on money. So please, be a man and solve the company's financial crisis yourself.

Your faithful wife,

Emma"

The email was CC'd to all attendees.

The Goldman Sachs representative coughed. "Mr. Morrison, perhaps we should reassess the acquisition price..."

Three days later, in Morrison Tower's top floor reception room. Mrs. Morrison Sr. called a family meeting. Emma arrived on time but found Jessica already seated beside her mother-in-law.

"Finally here," Jessica smirked. "Busy writing love letters to my brother?"

Emma sat down gracefully. "Better than someone who only knows how to spend money."

"You!" Jessica jumped up. "Mom, did you hear what she said?"

Mrs. Morrison Sr. set down her teacup. "Emma, you shouldn't air family disputes publicly."

"Disputes?" Emma smiled. "I'm just reminding certain people that the company isn't their personal ATM. Jessica, I heard you lost $2 million in Las Vegas last month?"

"That's my right!" Jessica screamed. "What would an outsider like you know?"

"Enough." Mrs. Morrison Sr. interrupted. "Emma, as CFO, you should find solutions, not broadcast problems."

Emma stood up. "Solutions? Fine. Starting tomorrow, all department budgets cut by 80%, including your vacation fund, Mom. Unless Frank can find new revenue streams."

"You dare!" Jessica trembled with rage.

Emma turned to leave. "Not only do I dare, I'm calling in the audit committee to investigate years of accounts. It's time everyone sees who's been bleeding this company dry."

Watching Emma's departing figure, Mrs. Morrison Sr. felt uneasy for the first time. This daughter-in-law had changed—no longer the compliant wife she used to be.

In the Morrison Group boardroom, the quarterly management meeting was underway. Emma sat at one end of the long table, observing the executives. Mrs. Morrison Sr. occupied the head seat, with her favorite daughter-in-law Jessica beside her.

Charles Morrison, the family's least regarded son, lounged in his leather chair playing with his phone. Everyone thought he was just a playboy wastrel. Only Emma noticed his occasional sharp glances at others.

"Regarding the new budget proposal," Jessica said haughtily, "I think Marketing's budget is far too low. Look at our competitors' marketing spend..."

"You mean the nightclub and casino budget is too low?" Charles suddenly spoke up. "Sis, the Vegas manager wants to know when you're paying your gambling debts?"

"You!" Jessica went pale. "A good-for-nothing who only knows how to party, what right do you have to criticize me?"

Charles sneered. "At least I understand ROI. By the way, heard Silicon Valley VCs are interested in my tech startup. Valuation's hit $2 billion."

The boardroom fell silent. No one knew this "wastrel" had such massive tech sector investments.

"Enough!" Mrs. Morrison Sr. rapped the table. "Emma, as CFO, your thoughts?"

Emma set down the reports. "Based on last quarter's data, Marketing has the lowest return on investment in the company. I suggest redirecting funds to R&D and new business development."

"You're targeting me!" Jessica stood up. "Mom, look at her..."

"I'm just stating facts," Emma said calmly. "Of course, if Jessica thinks her team can do better, why not let Charles evaluate your department's performance? He seems to have quite a talent for business insight."

Jessica stood speechless, like someone had grabbed her throat. Her proudest position as Marketing Director, now to be judged by her "useless brother"?

"You all..." Mrs. Morrison Sr. started to speak, but Charles was already standing.

"I agree with my sister-in-law," he smiled. "In fact, I've already had McKinsey do an initial assessment. The report is quite interesting—shall we review it?"

Jessica fled the boardroom. Mrs. Morrison Sr. realized for the first time that her favored daughter-in-law might really just be a spendthrift ornament, while her ignored youngest son was the true business genius.

Emma watched it all, a slight smile playing on her lips. Sometimes the best counterattack isn't direct confrontation, but letting opponents expose their own weaknesses.

"Michelle Lane is here," Sarah walked into Emma's office. "She's interviewing with HR right now."

Emma looked away from the baby monitor where she'd been watching her son's nap. "Mrs. Morrison Sr.'s niece?" She smiled lightly. "That was quick."