Chapter 6
JORDAN
I stand at the window in my office and refuse to pace as a jumbled mess of thoughts swirls in my mind. Last night was more than I expected. When Ethan and Marcus requested that I tag along to the bar, I wasn’t keen on the idea. For starters, I just got back from Italy, and the last thing I want to do is socialize. I have several appointments lined up, dinner meetings, and the search for my childhood best friend is also on the schedule.
Ethan has promised to provide me with information, but I still have to play my part.
Footsteps echo outside the door and then a rap before I notice the handle twisting.
“Good morning, Mr. Remington.”
I whip my head around to face her. It’s Madison, my PA here. “Is it time already?”
“Yes, Sir. Everyone is seated in the conference room.” She hands me a file and an iPad. “There, I’ve compiled the names of all the board members, their shares, and the contact information since you just got a new phone.”
I thumb through the lighted screen. True to her words, the list is quite detailed. With this, I don’t have to ask questions or sweat too hard. This may be my company, but I’ve been preoccupied with other things. I have branches scattered all over the world, and I channelled my complete focus into bringing them up the chart in the industry in the different countries.
Somehow, I neglected this one. Contrarily, I thought I had the best hands and couldn’t bother much except go over the monthly reports and approve cheque and projects.
That was until I got wind of the situation here, coupled with the unrelenting thoughts of returning to where it all began.
Home.
Madison is about to leave when the door snaps open and a man walks in. His face registers surprise, and then it morphs into a small grin.
“Hello, Mr. Remington.”
From the expression on Madison’s face, I figured he’s no way near her good book.
“You’re the Head of Account?” I ask because I’ve been expecting him.
“Yes, Sir. I have all the documents ready, and the slides are –”
“This isn’t about documents and slides, young man. From the information I’ve gathered, the documents do not match what’s been captured through the years. The auditors have gone through everything over and again, and nothing makes sense. Nothing at all!”
“Sir-”
“Save it!” I bark, not in the mood to be patronized by a young man who is clueless when it comes to the amount of effort needed to pursue a goal day after day.
“I gave you just one task, just one, and what did you do? You trample all over my legacy, ruining me to the ground? The figures in the chart are subpar! Did you see it? Do you watch the news, read the damn papers? God, I don’t know in heaven’s name you think you can defend your actions!”
“I’m not trying to defend my actions, Mr. Remington. Things went out of hand, and I
I shoot Madison a sharp look, and without a word, she ushers him out of the office. When she returns, I’m ready to go to the conference room.
“Do you need anything else, coffee, tea, scotch?”
“Nothing. Maybe a pinch of scotch after the meeting.” I say, my muscles are still knotted with fury.
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Chapter 6
When I got the report from the auditors, I thought it was a minor thing, something I could dash in, fix within a few days, and hop on the plane back to Italy. However, I was shocked to find out it wasn’t minor at all. Dropping from making over a million sales in one month to barely five hundred.
I pass through the showroom, frowning when I see how empty the shelves are. This year’s target is to invent more technology for kids. Tablets, video games, toys, and whatever jumps on the table. We can’t achieve anything if we are stuck at the bottom of the chart. No one is going to trust a company with a lacklustre clientele. We’ve been top–rated for the past 21 years, and dropping to the bottom is a choice we won’t be saddled with. This is my life. My legacy.
Madison’s heels are clicking on the tiles as she struggles to keep up with my long strides. I want to tell her to slow down, but I doubt she’ll take my word. The girl may be 25, but she’s got the will of a forty–year–old woman. She works like her life depends on it, and for the umpteenth time, I wonder why others can’t be like her.
“You don’t have to come in with me, Madison. I’ll handle this just fine on my own.”
“How about the names, Sir. I can help you-”
Chairman of the board is Adams Wellington. There’s Vick, Pete, Vande,”
We’re outside the double doors now. I can hear voices inside, laughter too. I place my hand on the handle, then turn to the young woman behind me.
“See, I can handle this just fine. Go on and work on those documents. I need the list to be ready by tomorrow so we can start sending out emails.”
“Alright, Sir.”
I finally turn the handle and step into the room. The room suddenly goes silent. I walk straight to the vacant chair beside the gray–haired man I assume to be the chairman and lower myself into it.
“Uh, this is strange. I actually heard voices when I was outside the door, and now it’s gone dead silence? What’s happening?” I ask the older man in a stage whisper.
He releases a hushed chuckle, his gaze assessing me slowly before drifting past me. “70% of these men have not seen you before, maybe on Skype, but this, it’s new. When you left, the company was just a few years old, two, maybe? Well, we’re all wondering if you’re here to stay this time, or are you just making a pit stop?”
I let my gaze linger on everyone’s face for a second.
“I’m yet to decide if I’m here to stay or not. That’s the least of my concerns. I just want things to go back to normal, and this company appearing at the top of the chart again is what I’m talking about.”
“We want that too, Mr. Remington. However, we’re just curious, and you can’t blame us for feeling this way.” A man in a white suit says,
“Right. You can’t run a company like this from Italy.” Another one interjects, motioning in the air with his hand. “You have to be here to supervise and create the magic you used when you first started.”
This isn’t what I expected.
“I employed the best hands, or so I thought. Everything has been running smoothly until this year. My absence wasn’t for selfish reasons. It was for the good of this company. A perfect way to spread our seeds and foster partnerships and growth, that’s all. And you all can see from the report that we’ve. been doing remarkably well.“/
“That’s true, but the report from here, the headquarters is subpar. I doubt anything can be done about it.”
I swirl my head around so fast that I almost split a nerve. The last comment is from Adam. What the hell is going on?
“That’s what you think?”
Adam shrugs. “It’s crystal.” He spins his head to face the others, “I’m always glued to the TV, and the news is heartbreaking.”
So you think it’s the end of the road?“) go further to ask.
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Chapter 6
Isn’t it? Do you have some kind of magical power up your sleeves, Mr. Remington?”
His questions irk me to no end. I wasn’t prepared to be faced with men who have such low confidence in the company they are supposed to steer towards success. I try to keep my expression from betraying my emotions, but I can’t keep the rage and disappointment from my tone. Maybe this would have been better on Skype!
“I built this company with just a toy that was barely worth a hundred. It was my first invention before my late wife and I decided to give Tech Company a try. It was her dream, I was just being supportive, but then, along the line, I fell in love with creating magic as much as she did, and I haven’t stopped since then.”
I pause a bit to gather my thoughts. “I’ve reflected on the situation, and I think it is best I go ahead to fix this. It’s evident that trusting the credibility of this company has waned among all of you.”
“When you put it that way, you shove us in the black book, and that’s not okay.” Adam, again.
Maybe the first thing I need to do is appeal that they vote him out.
“Do you know what else is not okay? Huh?! The fact that you think this company can’t be redeemed is ridiculous. This is my life! I’d give anything to fix it, and for God’s sake, if no one believes in us anymore, I’d suggest they leave. Save yourself the stress because it’s going to be a long, long journey.”
Adam frowns.” Are you – is this some kind of joke?”
I snort. “That’s a rhetorical question, yes? I have nothing more to say. I came in here, ready to share my ideas, but you all decided to make a mountain out of nothing. I’m done here, and if you decide to stay, then act like it!”
My gaze skims past their faces, and then I stand up and walk out of the room without a backward glance. To hell with them. All of them!
