CHAPTER THIRTEEN: A new CEO

NARRATIVE
It was a solemn morning in the Grey's family manor for some reasons.
Jamie Grey had yestereve, announced to his family members about his relationship with the lady at the canal. The twins had discovered to their consternation, that their father truly had another child aside them.
Harriet was petrified as she couldn't understand how it all happened. She was even more uneasy as Jamie wasn't asking her any questions as to how or why she told him years ago that his child had died. Although burning with rage and dread within her, she tried to keep her cool.
She knew Jamie was watching her now so she must ensure he finds no reason to suspect her and put her behind bars or take her away from her kids.
They were everything to her. The reason why she was still alive and breathing fine.
Imogen wasn't comfortable with the idea of having another family member, especially one from a different mother. As she felt she would have to compete for her father's love and attention with this person, who obviously already have his heart.
Ashton sat indifferently on his chair, while he carefully calculated his next actions. He wasn't bothered about this person in as much as she doesn't pose a threat over his position in the company.
They have just been told by Jamie Grey before he stepped out the mansion, that she was moving in their home today and would be living as a family member with the rest of them.
While Imogen was coming up with a million and one ways to make the lady's life miserable, so she would leave, Ashton stood up and walked upstairs to his room to get ready for work.
He earned his father's trust specifically because he knew how to reason well.
SCARLETT
'Sugarplum do you think I can send an application in now?' Sky asked. I raised my gaze from my phone to her. She was sitting at the room chair, her laptop on the table, typing away while chewing a gum noisily. She was still on her pajamas and her wavy brown hair was held up in a lose ponytail.
'I don't think that's necessary for now, but you can. Either ways you're getting the job.' I smiled at her.
'Still feels like a dream,' she grinned. 'Remember when I told you I wanted to tour JP's Enterprise on the day we arrived here?' She asked.
'Of course, I do.' I said, taking a momentarily pause while biting from my cookie. 'And I was really clueless about the company or even the family members but now I happened to come from there. All these still feels a little surreal but I know with time, you and I would adjust to this new life and reality.'
'I agree,' she smiled.
I would be moving into the family's manor today. Skylar would join me after I've settled in the house a little. She'll be traveling with Mom to Australia to see her family first, get all her papers ready for her relocation to the UK before she'll return.
Yeah, there was a change of plans yesterday when I returned from seeing my father. Mom suggested it would be best if we do things this way and she was right. Skylar still needs to hear from her family if she was gonna relocate to another country.
She already insisted on applying for a job in the company under the marketing department. I knew she was getting the job even without any assistance from me because Sky's a brainiac. Even though she tends to be 99.9% naturally playful, she got every qualifications needed to be given the position of HR if necessary.
I can't wait to see Harriet's expression when she sees me.
NARRATIVE
The cars pulled up in the parking lot of JP's Enterprise. Several bodyguards stepped out the cars and escorted Ashton Grey into the company's building.
Immediately he walked in, they took the private elevator to the top floor where his office was located.
'Mr Grey, you're late today.' His PA, Esmeralda said as she showed up beside him, collecting his briefcase as they walked by the floor's hallway. 'The chairman is already at the conference room with the directors and board members.' She announced.
Ashton nodded silently, not in the mood for petty conversations.
The moment he walked through the glass doors of the large conference room, all eyes turned on him. He bowed a greeting before settling in his chair, while his PA stood behind him with several files and her iPad in hand.
'We may proceed with today's meeting as the general manager is already here.' The general secretary, Gordon Paul, announced.
'What do we have on the agenda for today's meeting?' Jamie Grey asked, sitting at the front of the conference table as his hands adjusted his necktie. He exuded a calming aura this morning which wasn't like him, most of them had never seen him smile before.
'Mmhh mhhh,' a bald haired man in his fifties cleared his throat and passed a file to the chairman's secretary. He is the Director of the Creative services department of the company.
Many of them were not expecting the chairman to show up for the meeting even though they'd summoned him to.
With the former CEO, Tristan Milan in office, it was rare for the chairman to show up for meetings except it was necessary. Well, Tristan Milan exploited the company's finance so as such, the chairman made a decision to remove him from office. Since the CEO was removed from office, the position had been vacant and Ashton who had been running the company successfully under his father's surveillance though, had his eyes on the seat. It was only right for him to be the next CEO as none of the other employees are half as competent as he is. Also, he's the only son of the chairman so if not him who else?
Finley passed the files to the chairman who scanned through them expressionlessly.
Not getting any reaction from the chairman, the directors began speaking up one after the other.
'Sir chairman, It's been weeks since the last CEO was removed and yet there's still no replacement for him. We the board of directors are of the opinion that someone takes the position immediately.'
'Yes. The shareholders are beginning to ask questions are we can't continue stalling them for long.' Another said.
'Ashton Grey has proven himself capable over time now. Why don't we let him take the position of CEO? after all he's someone who's familiar with the business and also he's Sir Chairman's son.' Another director suggested.
Ashton who heard this was beside himself with joy. He knew the people speaking up for him are mostly doing that because of his mother's influence on them.
However, he maintained an indifferent expression as he stole glances as his father.
Jamie Grey looked up from the files and cast his eyes over the board of directors and highly placed company staffs sitting round the conference table. He knew they made sense in what they suggested but he however wasn't ready to make any decision regarding that now.
'I understand what you have all said.' He began. Ashton was now having a faint hope within him as his ears stood attentively to grasp everything the chairman said. 'However, due to some reasons I wouldn't be making a decision on that yet. There are still some pressing issues at hand and remember, tomorrow is the death anniversary of the cofounder of this company _my late wife Paige Grey. So any decisions concerning the appointment of a new CEO, would be made after that and other necessities are cleared.' Jamie's decision made Ashton's heart sank. The directors weren't satisfied with the chairman's decision but they all cleared their throat and shut up.
'Any more pressing issues to tackle today?' Jamie asked and Finley whispered in his ear. 'Oh right, about the project XR we are aiming to work on with the Song and Kwan Group, any update on their decision?' He asked. Ashton cleared his throat while cursing mentally.
His stupid sister had failed to secure even an appointment with the Chairman of the Song and Kwan Company, yet she wasn't at the meeting today. This was one of the reasons their dad never recognize her importance in the company, as she's never successfully clinched a project before. All she did was spend money around unnecessary with her stupid friends while throwing her weight around as their father's only daughter. She could have at least tried to meet with the general manager of the company or even the CEO if she couldn't secure an appointment with their chairman.
'Ashton?'
Ashton looked up to find all eyes on him, his father's gaze piercing deep into him.
'I'm sorry but we've not been able to have an appointment with them yet. We're still working on it.' He said lowly.
Jamie Grey nodded slowly and said.
'I hope to receive a positive feedback soon, Ashton.'
'Yes, Father.' Ashton bowed. There's a possibility he might have to handle the job himself instead of waiting on his silly sister whose purpose of agreeing to try and secure a contract with the Song and Kwan Group was because she wanted to meet their young chairman herself.
'Alright then. If there are no more pressing issues to handle today, then I think this meeting is over.' Jamie Grey said, as Finley picked up his files from the conference table.
'Excuse me Sir chairman,' Everyone looked at the person and it was Isabel Bryant, wife of Minister Jordan Bryant.
'Yes?' Jamie Grey said, feeling a little uncomfortable seeing she have something to say.
'I have a question if you don't mind.' She smirked. Jamie Grey nodded that she continued. 'Uhmm there's been a lot of rumors going about the city that you have another daughter. Other than this being a family matter, it also have an effect on the company because of your position as the chairman.'
'So?' Jamie said. He already knew where she was headed with her question.
'In my humble opinion, I honestly think you owe the board of directors and the major shareholders, an explanation concerning this. Is it true you have another daughter? Is the rumored lady at the canal your child?' She asked and everyone began to murmur to the other over the possibility of what she said and she smirked. To her, she had put Jamie Grey on a tight spot like she wanted and it'll be difficult for him to scale through this one.
But much to her dismay, Jamie Grey smiled. A very broad smile that came as a shock to everyone present as they all had their jaws hanging down. Ninety nine percent of the people present had never seen the chairman smile before. But he did just now, were they supposed to be happy or to be edgy??
'Isabel Bryant, your question would be answered in a few days. This meeting is over.' Jamie Grey announced and stood up from his chair, exiting the conference room with Finley right behind him, leaving the group in dilemma.

Book Comment (139)

  • avatar
    Ferlich Mae S. Arcallana

    It’s a nice story

    31/08/2022

      0
  • avatar
    Mimisu

    the best story highly recommended ❤️❤️

    26/05/2022

      4
  • avatar
    may_oh

    very interesting story! highly recommended 🤍

    17/05/2022

      1
  • View All

Related Chapters

Latest Chapters