Chapter: 259

“Visit the legal department. Any further delays on the contracts, and they will face the consequences," he directed.

Brody hesitated, seemingly holding back further comments.

Jonathan halted, fixing Brody with a penetrating gaze as he leaned back in his chair. "Speak your mind."

“Um. I was just wondering, did Maddie really resign?"

“Check her resignation letter with HR," Jonathan answered.

"Mr. Bates, that's not what I meant! I was wondering... Will Maddie return after some time? I've heard a speculation that she's just trying to draw your attention, hoping you'll ask her to come back. No one in the legal department feels confident enough to fill her shoes permanently."

Jonathan tapped his finger lightly on the desk, his lips thinning.

"If no one is willing to step up in place of Maddie, we might as well replace the entire legal department."

"What?" Brody was stunned, believing he had misheard.

"Go and tell them if they delay again, I'll disband the legal department and hire a law firm," Jonathan said.

There were plenty of lawyers available, after all.

Could Bates Group really be hampered by one person?

Brody paused, absorbing the shock, then nodded before exiting the office.

He understood now; Jonathan was dead serious. Now, the chances of Maddie returning were almost nonexistent.

Despite years of working alongside Jonathan, Brody was still surprised by this decision. Ultimately, Maddie's resignation was a dramatic gesture over Bethany's involvement, aimed at demonstrating her significance to Jonathan and Bates Group. But she had miscalculated.

Maddie had intended her resignation as a warning to Jonathan but hadn't anticipated such a decisive cut, leaving her with no path back.

Brody sighed, a mix of fear and realization washing over him.

He realized how foolish he was not to notice how deep Jonathan's feelings for Bethany before. He had mistakenly thought it was just kindness.

As he looked back, the signs were obvious.

Brody felt lucky that he had always been kind to Bethany; he couldn't have possibly upset the president's love.

As he delivered the president's message to the legal department, the reaction mirrored his own initial surprise.

“Mr. Bates is considering shutting down the entire legal department? Brody, you're sure you heard that correctly?" someone asked.

The decision carried significant weight.

Each of the subsidiaries had its own legal team, never before engaging law firms. Was this upheaval all for Bethany?