NARRATIVE
"There's every possibility Chairman Grey is likely to make his new daughter the next CEO and we can't sit back and watch him do that." Reece Douglas, the fifty two year old director of the creatives service department of JP's Enterprise said and the others nodded in agreement.
It's a little over 7pm when Harriet sat down in the company of four directors and three shareholders of JP's Enterprise that were on her side. They were at a private room in the famous Gordon's restaurant and were plotting their next steps over dinner. The family restaurant which was located at the heart of the city, belonged to none other than Gordon Paul, the general Secretary of JP's Enterprise.
"I agree," Said Gordon. "We have to come up with a means with which we can make Mrs Grey's son the CEO. After all, he's the most eligible person for that post."
"Why don't we invite Ashton in, during the next meeting? He's a smart fellow, I'm sure he'll know what to do." Madame Rhoda a minor shareholder of the company said and her statement made the rest all look at Harriet who sat at the head of the table, sipping wine while she listened to their conversations without contributing.
They knew they had to seek her opinion first as she was the boss of their secret union and she holds them in places they can never escape from.
After a brief silence, Harriet finally dropped her wine glass and said.
"My son doesn't have to be involved in our meetings. All you have to do is your part without having him know or suspect anything. As for the plan, I'll be communicating the next steps to you soon but till then, you all have to be careful. I won't spare anyone who betrays this union for any reason. I believe that is understood?" She ran her eyes over the group and they all nodded obediently, like the puppets they were.
______
An hour later, Harriet sat in the back seat of her car and her new subordinate, Otto, delivered his findings to her.
"She was at the company all day Ma'am. Your son and her, seem to get along pretty well."
"How do you mean?" Harriet asked with a slight frown. She didn't expect Ashton, whom she's working hard to make CEO to be that weakhearted as to easily get along with his stepsister, Scarlett, who definitely was a threat to him attaining that position.
Otto bowed slightly from his position at the front seat, while he respectfully explain his findings to the woman who saved his life over a decade ago.
FLASHBACK
~Earlier at the headquarters of JP's Enterprise~
He adjusted his nerd glasses and his counterfeit office ID carefully, tucked his hands into his pockets and began to stride confidently along the hallway where the general office was located. He didn't know her office so his plan was to snoop around or ask anyone he comes across for direction to her office, under the pretense of being a new employee of course.
He was dressed in a casual office wear and when he sees an employee walking by, he tries to maintain a normal poise and would feign a smile at them and continue his walk.
He was going to ask an approaching young lady, dressed in a corporate outfit and holding some files in her hand for some information but just then, he saw the young Master Grey and his famous beautiful sister, Scarlett Grey having a jolly conversation as they walked side by side, down the hallway.
______
"Is that all you could gather on her activities today?" Harriet asked, her forehead creasing slightly in a frown.
"Yes Ma'am. I'm sorry, I'll pay more attention to her now that I've found her office." Otto apologized.
"Her office? Where's that?...I mean, what's her post?" Harriet was clueless as to what position Jamie Grey had assigned to his daughter.
"From what I found out today, she recently assumed the post of an acting CEO for the time being. But because it was a decision made discreetly by the Chairman, only few top employees know of this development. Her office is at the top floor, the one reserved for the CEO."
"What?! How could this happen?! Why didn't you say this on time?! Damn!" She queried as she immediately reached for her purse beside her and hurriedly retrieved her phone.
*Begin work on the shares we talked about!*
She hurriedly typed on her phone and sent it to someone.
"Why did Ashton not mention such a thing to me?! Isn't he aware that he's becoming friends with the enemy?! Even Imogen who doesn't know much about business matters seem to be smarter!" Harriet was disappointed at the outcome of things.
It's only been two days since Jamie's first child started work at the company, yet he dares to make her an acting CEO. While her children who'd been with him since their birth, only have such low positions in the company.
Harriet wouldn't sit still and watch this happen!
Well, she'll see how he succeeds with such dreams when Ashton is more eligible and experienced than his so-called Legitimate daughter, who's merely a rookie. She was certain, the shareholders and directors wouldn't agree to this.
SCARLETT'S POV
"I'm telling you Mom, it's so broad and yet so deep. There's always something new to learn about. It's only the second day and I'm so stressed. I really don't know if I'm fit for this now." I said over the phone to my mother, well...foster mother.
It's closely 8pm and my driver was driving me back home from the company.
It's been a really long and stressful day for me. I don't know how soon I'll adapt to this new life.
"Ashton and I are getting along pretty well, he escorted me and introduced me to many other employees today too. He also told me about the project the company is planning to work on with the Song and Kwan Group. I only wish Imogen could be as cool as he is. But again, she's her mother's daughter after all."
"Just ignore her, she's only being childish. Her mother is more of a vixen than she is. Be careful though, Imogen might become a problem in the future too."
"Yes, Mom. I understand."
"In as much as I like that you and Ashton are getting along pretty good, you mustn't let your guard down. Be his loving innocent elder sister but don't forget he's the son of the woman who killed your Mom. He could be under her influence at any moment. Scarlett, never let your guard down you hear me?!"
"Yes, Mom. I won't."
"That's my baby. Have a lovely night rest honey, we'll talk soon."
"Thank you Mom. I love you."
"I love you too my baby. Muaaahh!" She blew kisses over the phone, making me giggle.
The moment I dropped the call, I notice the car driving through the gates of my family's manor.
_____
Imogen stood at the rooftop terrace of the Greys' manor, looking down at her stepsister's car and that of her bodyguards, driving in the vast parking space of the compound.
"I can't wait to see the new Scarlett Heidi Grey, in some hours." She smirked.