Elias Patel just nodded slightly, his gaze neither humble nor arrogant as he looked at Hope Williams, "As I should."
"Since President Thompson enjoys tea tasting, go prepare some more fine tea leaves as a small gift."
"Rest assured, I have already prepared them."
Hope Williams nodded.
"Additionally, here is the layoff list." Elias Patel handed the document to Hope Williams, "Take a look, and if there’s no issue, the HR department will proceed according to this list."
Hope Williams took the document and started to look through it, "Did you compile this?"
"Not entirely, it was compiled in cooperation with the HR department. Ansen can’t afford to keep so many employees under the current circumstances. Although most of the people on this list are veterans who have worked at Ansen for a long time, according to our investigation, these individuals are of no use to Ansen."
Hope Williams agreed with what Elias Patel was expecting, "Proceed as planned then."
Hope Williams handed the document back to Elias Patel, observing the woman before him, she was indeed someone who handled affairs decisively and efficiently.
In just one day, not only had she familiarized herself with Ansen’s operations but also came up with a layoff list, showcasing her work efficiency.
"President Williams, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go get busy."
After Elias Patel left, Hope Williams also started dealing with her own tasks. She was so engrossed that she continued until nearly six o’clock.
Hope Williams rubbed the back of her neck and twisted her head, preparing to go home when she picked up her phone and realized there were many messages.
Hope Williams began to look through them as she walked out.
Among them was a video sent by Nolan, showing Luna Williams unwilling to leave the hospital, then being forcibly ejected by the people Hope Williams had arranged to watch the hospital.
The scene was undoubtedly very embarrassing.
Hope Williams called Nolan; she had instructed him to keep an eye on the hospital during the day.
Nolan answered quickly, "Madam."
Hope Williams entered the elevator, "Have they returned to A-city?"
Nolan replied promptly, "I personally saw them board the plane before I returned. By now, they should have arrived."
Hope Williams finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Mhm, thank you for your hard work."
"Madam, you are too kind."
After ending the call, Hope Williams reached the ground floor where her driver was already waiting at the entrance with the car.
Hope Williams got into the car, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and took a moment to relax.
There had been too many issues lately, one after the other, truly wearing her out, but thankfully they were all resolved smoothly.
Hope Williams let out a sigh of relief, and just as she was thinking this, her phone rang again. She didn’t even want to open her eyes.
She answered the call and put the phone to her ear, and Jade Bell’s voice came through, "Little Hope."
"Grandma?" Hope Williams opened her eyes, "What’s the matter?"
"Little Hope, I really couldn’t stop worrying about you all, so I’ve come to Emperor Capital."
This ’you all’ naturally included Luna Williams.
Hope Williams’s eyes narrowed a bit in frustration, "Grandma, where are you now? I’ll come pick you up, but Luna and the others have already returned to A-city."
"They’ve gone back to A-city?" Jade Bell’s voice sounded a bit surprised.
"Mhm, if you don’t believe it, you can call and ask, but where are you now? I’ll come and pick you up."
Since it was already late, and Jade Bell had arrived in Emperor Capital, Hope Williams naturally couldn’t just leave her there.
"No need, no need, I can’t trouble you. I’ll stay at a hotel tonight. It’s late, and you’re pregnant, so don’t come out, be careful not to catch a cold."
"It’s okay, I’m still out, just about to head home. I can’t rest easy with you being out there alone, please tell me your location."
Hearing Hope Williams’ insistence, Jade Bell did not refuse, "I’m still at the airport."
"Okay, I’ll come to pick you up. Wait for me, I’ll be there soon."
"Don’t rush, be careful on the road."
Hope Williams hung up the phone, rubbed her temples, and then instructed the driver, "To the airport."
Fifteen minutes later, Hope Williams arrived at the airport. Jade Bell had only brought along a servant who usually looked after her. Seeing them, Hope Williams immediately asked the driver to drive over.
Upon seeing Hope Williams, Jade Bell quickly grabbed her hand, anxiously saying, "Little Hope, I just called back home to ask, and they said they haven’t returned. I also called the hospital where Luna usually gets treatment, and they haven’t gone there either."
Hope Williams furrowed her brows, "How could that be?"
Hope Williams looked at her watch; it was nearly half-past six now. They took the two o’clock flight back.
From Emperor Capital to A-city was only a two or three-hour trip; by all accounts, they should have arrived by now.
"Little Hope, do you think they might have had an accident?" Jade Bell tightened her grip on Hope Williams’ hand, looking at her anxiously.
Hope Williams’s eyes darkened; she wasn’t worried about them having an accident, rather, she was concerned that they might not have returned at all.
As she was thinking this, Maverick Williams’s calls came in urgently.
Hope Williams’s frown deepened. She answered the call and immediately heard Maverick Williams’s roaring voice, "Hope Williams, where did Luna go?"
"Have you lost your mind? Your granddaughter, and you’re asking me?"
"Luna is missing! Where did you take her?"
Hope Williams’s face grew increasingly serious, "Luna Williams is missing?"
"Stop playing dumb, was it you who kidnapped Luna?" Maverick Williams’s voice almost lost its sanity as he questioned Hope Williams.
Hope Williams found it laughable, "Kidnap? Do you think everyone likes playing your kidnapping games?"
"Who else could it be?"
"Why not consider the possibility that she ran away herself? Don’t forget, your beloved granddaughter was fixated on my bone marrow and refused to leave to the point of death."