A Husband's Fortune

CHAPTER 3

"I'm very happy that you honored my request, my friend. It's been a long time with you on this hurdle of the business world,” a man in his 50s said, towering over the other who sat on the rotating chair opposite him.

“I have no issues with you, so there is absolutely no reason for me not to see you. But I must say that I'm only concerned that you sounded really desperate,” he said, handing over a glass of whiskey to him.

“Oh, it is not something to lose sleep over. I just wanted us to see for old times’ sake and to make a request in conclusion.”

The man sitting exuded power; his tall frame and handsome build would make one wonder what he looked like when he was younger. He was in his 50s but he didn't look like it especially for a man who had three sons already managing their respective businesses.

He had ocean eyes with little waves of gray hairs on his forehead. His lips were red and appeared to be begging for kisses. He looked exactly like an older version of Thomas Shelby.

“Your call seemed very urgent. Ordinarily, I do not see people today but based on who you are and what you represent to me, I had to cancel all engagements. I had to make sure I heard you out. I hope it's for the better?” He buried himself on the sofa which had a soft feel and embroidery around its hand and neck areas.

“It's for the benefit of both of us, you know nothing goes for nothing.”

“You know you taught me that, if you didn't, I would have thought something goes for nothing,” Mr Greenwood confessed.

“Of course, if I didn't tell you, the system would have done so, plus you can't be that dumb for such a long time,” they both threw guffaws.

And while they talked, Mr Greenwood's secretary knocked.

“Come in," he said, stopping what he was doing and staring at the door.

“Sir, your son wants to speak with you for a few minutes.” He informed him with half of his body inside and the other half outside.

“Which one of them?” he queried.

“Your third son,” he answered.

“Oh! dismiss him, I'm sure he has nothing important to say,” he smirked, waving off the secretary with the stick of cigarette making its way back into his mouth.

“All right, sir,” he responded, leaving and jamming the door afterwards.

Turning to his friend, Mr Ford, he asked “and what brings you here, my dear friend?”

Mr Ford quickly brought out a large piece of paper with bar charts and pictographs on them. Pointing to different areas of the large A3 paper, he said to him, “I need a meger and you're the only one who comes to mind.”

“What are these? Can you interpret and break it down for me in a layman's language?”

This is the representation of my company's performance, done by my audit department. It is shameful and extremely poor. If I do not do anything about it, I risk going out of existence and I would hate for that to happen.”

“And that's in return for what?” he asked, tapping the end of the cigarette so the ash could drop into the ashtray.

“You will hold major stakes in our company and get at least 4/10 of the company's ownership.”

“I could easily do that with money if I wanted, even without a merger. I think what you have in return for me is too poor.

“What do you suggest?” Mr Ford asked, rubbing his both palms together.

“My conditions are that we take major stakes in the company while your first daughter marries my third son to solidify this business arrangement and to take our names and the union to the pinnacles of the business world," he said, handing his guest a file to sign upon study.

Mr. Ford took the file, opened it, read the first few sentences and tossed it back on the table angrily.

“You are surely a Shylock. You are out for blood. How can you make such a bogus request? We haven't even made any effort at finding out if our children like each other,” he wailed in disappointment at such a ridiculous request.

“Does that matter when the money is there to show them to love each other?” he asked, picking up the file. He lowered his glasses to look at him without it as though the glasses’ lens were not working.

“It matters to me, because I know my daughter won't agree to this arrangement. Besides these are two adults who should be allowed to choose who they want. Why are you bringing them into this? And to think that you have these papers prepared makes me wonder what substance you're made of.”

“Are you in or out?” he queried, with such an emotionless face.

Mr Greenwood was a very calm, stern man who did not associate emotions with his businesses and dealings no matter the familiarity.

“So you don't mind us sacrificing our children at the altar of successful businesses?”

At the question, he turned around and stared out of his skyscraper office enjoying the view when he heard Mr Ford blurt out.

“I won't be doing this,” he slammed, picking up his little laptop bag and making his way out of his office.

“Ford, not even a handshake for old times’ sake?”

He smirked, “you should have thought about that before your request,” he quickly poured the remaining liquor from his glass into his mouth.

“You will come back, I'm certain about that,” he hadn't finished the sentence when Mr Ford slammed the door angrily.

He mouthed, “now, I wait.”

The door was thrown open with Mr Ford standing by it, “if I change my mind, I'll let you know.”

“You always will. Just be sure to give me a response very soon,” he replied with a smirk.

“I would get back to you when I have successfully talked my daughter into marrying your son.”

“I'll really want a reply soon because I will be leaving the country in a few days time and don't know exactly when I'll be back. The wedding and signing of papers won't take place without me, you know. And don't forget your business badly needs a nudge.”

“ l need to speak with my daughter.” With this, he closed the door.