The Female CEO's Personal Bodyguard

52: Chapter 52 You smiled, it looks good_1 52: Chapter 52 You smiled, it looks good_1 Carson Flores returned home and noticed that the light was still on in the study.

This woman really works hard, what time is it already, and she’s still busy?

After living together for a week, Carson Flores found that Shirley Miller did not deliberately avoid him.

If she had nothing to do, she would read in the bedroom or binge-watch shows until it was time to sleep.

If she was in the study, it was certain that she was dealing with company matters.

After taking a shower and drying his hair, Carson Flores looked at the time.

It was already past eleven and Shirley Miller had yet to return to the bedroom.

That busy?

Carson Flores hesitated for a moment, then headed towards the study.

After all, they shared a room, and even though their marital relationship was fake, a simple concern for each other was basic courtesy, right?

The study door was ajar, not closed; Carson Flores knocked on the door and then pushed it open.

Shirley Miller, dressed in pajamas, was typing on the keyboard.

When she saw Carson Flores enter, she stopped typing and her gaze fell calmly on his face.

“Anything wrong?”

Carson Flores leaned against the door, smiling, “No, I just saw you working so late and wanted to check in.

Is it something about the company?”

Care?

A ripple of emotion surfaced in Shirley Miller’s heart.

Could this guy actually care about people?

Perhaps because of the awkward encounter during the day, instead of responding coldly with “None of your business,” Shirley Miller replied, “Yes, there’s a shareholder meeting tomorrow, and I need to prepare some things.”

With puzzlement, Carson Flores asked, “Aren’t you the boss of the company?

Shouldn’t you have your subordinates prepare things for you?”

Shirley Miller patiently explained, “The company is currently facing a growth bottleneck.

In business competition, like rowing against the current, you either advance or fall behind.

To continue growing, we must expand into new profit areas, so I plan to acquire a pharmaceutical company and break into the pharmaceutical industry.

However, many shareholders lack a sense of crisis.

They think the status quo is fine and are unwilling to risk expanding into new business.”

Carson Flores immediately understood, “So at the shareholder meeting tomorrow, you need to convince them?”

Shirley Miller’s brows knitted slightly, “Right, the Miller Family only holds a 25% stake.

If we can’t get the support of 51% of the shareholders, the proposal won’t pass.”

Carson Flores asked, “What’s the Baker Family’s stance?”

Shirley Miller, having no one to share her daily frustrations, always keeping worries from her grandfather, found in Carson Flores a listener and took the opportunity to vent a little, “He is opposed.

Many shareholders support Martin Baker, not me.

Tomorrow will likely be tough.”

Carson Flores chuckled, “The Miller Family only holds a 25% stake, just one quarter.

Why should you work so hard and take on the responsibility for the entire company’s growth?

Is it fair to load all that on one woman’s shoulders while those men just let things rot?

If it comes to that, why not let it rot together?

If push comes to shove, you could sell your shares and withdraw, start afresh with your own business, unencumbered, develop it however you want.

Wouldn’t that be good?”

Shirley Miller glared at Carson Flores, “You make it sound so easy.”

Carson Flores laughed, “Isn’t it that simple?

You’re like a frail girl dragging a few brutes with each step.

Others give tenfold effort for tenfold results, whereas you give tenfold effort for threefold results, struggling to move forward.

And to make matters worse, those brutes clutching at your feet even want to snatch more than their share.

What’s the point?”

Shirley Miller’s long-held frustrations were punctured by Carson Flores’ blunt words, stirring two parts emotion in her heart, along with a deep-seated sense of grievance she had never expressed.

Yeah, a bunch of you guys, not only don’t you help, but you also drag me down.

The minute there’s a bit of advantage, you rush in to snatch it away.

Is it easy for me?

Suddenly Shirley Miller felt that Carson Flores wasn’t as bad as she had thought.

At least, this man understood reason, kept promises, and saw things clearly, most importantly, he could understand the sorrow in her heart.

Shirley Miller’s tone softened subtly, “This company was founded by my father and is his life’s work.

Now that it’s in my hands, how can I bear to give it away?

Besides, the company is tied to other family matters.

I have no choice; I can’t give up.”

“I see, that explains it.”

Carson Flores nodded in realization and then smiled, “If you can’t just hand it over, then find a way to buy back the other shares.

I’m not talking about all of them, but at least enough to gain control.

Things won’t be as difficult then.”

Shirley Miller laughed at Carson Flores’ suggestion, “You say it like it’s so simple.

The company is doing well, there’s a good dividend each year, who’d be foolish enough to sell their shares?

They want to buy my shares as much as I want to buy theirs.”

Shirley Miller ran a hand through the hair that had fallen in front of her forehead, her tone helpless, “Moreover, even if someone is willing to sell their shares, I can’t afford it.

To purchase a 26% stake, I’d need billions, which I don’t have.”

Carson Flores smiled, “As long as you have a goal, there will always be more solutions than difficulties.”

Shirley Miller gave Carson Flores a soft smile, “Thanks for your comfort.

I feel much better now.”

Carson Flores’ eyes widened in surprise.

Shirley Miller asked curiously, “What’s with that expression?”

Carson Flores grinned, “You just smiled.

That’s the first time you’ve smiled at me.”

Shirley Miller’s cheeks flushed with a sudden warmth, and she rebuked somewhat annoyed, “Go to sleep and don’t disturb my work.”

Carson Flores chuckled, “Alright, I’m going.

But hey, Mary, try to smile more when you can.

There’s no need to keep a stern face at home, no need to maintain the CEO’s authority.

You look really nice when you smile!”

With that, Carson Flores made his exit, leaving Shirley Miller with a blushing face.

Shirley Miller bit her lip, touched her burning cheeks, and her mood mixed with annoyance but also with slight joy.

I know whether I look good or not; do I need you to tell me?

This guy, hmph!