The billionaire's double twins

Chapter 13

What are you doing?" Candice stole a quick glance at her sister as she finalise her presentation, she's finally putting her plans into action, she smiled, what a nice Christmas gift it will be, in less than a week all will be ready.

Janice grinned, "waiting for you to finish you work, so we can talk."

"Oh, do you have something to tell me?" she sent the presentation to Shelby's mail.

"Yeah but you've been so busy recently, it reminded me of when we just had the kids."

Candice looked at her then pulled her chair closer, "What is it?"

"You can continue your work, we will talk when you are through."

"I think I deserve a break, besides, I want to talk to you too."

"Really, what is it about?"

"You first, it will take us up to 10 hours if I go first."

"Oh is it about work."

"Yeah, I want to show you my plan."

"Okay, I learnt you've been buying prides share."

Candice rolled her eyes "that Ryan and his stupid poke nosing friends."

"Why?"

"Because it's s good company."

"Candice, everyone knows they are loosing it."

"Yeah, all the more reason for me to buy."

"Candice."

"Wait, listen, I'm sure your brain is already going through some terrible calculation but it isn't like that, I bought the company because I didn't want it to fade into nothing."

"And why will you want that, we both know you hate the prides so why would you want to save their business.""

She scoot closer and held her sisters hand, "Do you remember when we were small and we used to sneak into their fundraising event?"

"Huh." Janice raised a brow.

"Do you remember how we felt when we check the board for the amount gathered, how we used to wait for the bucket to get full, heaven knows we prayed for it."

"That's such a long time, you were barely ten.

"Eight, I was eight."

"And you still remember?"

"Everything, I don't remember much about my childhood but I always remember the feeling I got from that fundraising, it was just an event but it was a life changing one for me, the way I felt as their story get published, the way I felt when the check is handed to them, when I see them eating, you know I used to take my meals and clean bed for granted, but when I sat with those kids, I feel grateful, I felt important, I felt like I belong."

Janice smiled and squeeze her hand, "But the pride don't do that anymore, not since the death of their grandfather, 14 years ago."

"True, that's why I bought the shares, I'm going to renew the legacy and give it to my kids."

"Candice... That's... that's such a huge dream."

"I know." she grinned.

"Then why did you learn hospitality, why did you want to be an air hostess, the leadership training, the hospitality..."

Her grinned widen, "because I can't cook."

"Huh?"

"I tried a lot in highschool but I just tend to make a mess of the kitchen, I remember you once threatened to cut of my arm if I touch anything in the kitchen."

Janice chuckled, "True."

"Well I read it somewhere that an air hostess gives you comfort in the air while an hotelier gives you comfort away from home, that's why I spent the last two years learning all I could about hospitality."

"Wow and here I was wondering why you never used your degree."

"It's will be useful."

Janice grinned "but it won't be easy."

"Easy is a luxury... Beside you taught me never to take the easy way out. After all who made me sit through my final exams while being pregnant?"

"True but king and his mother will not just seat and watch you take their business."

"I already did."

"And where did you get the money to, we've been short of fund before this year, I know you did a lot of part-time job while in college..."

"That's a secret, if I tell you now, you will scolded me."

"And I won't scold you if I discovered later?"

"You will."

"So why not now and let get the scolding over with."

"No, I'll like to enjoy the peace."

"Candice?"

She smiled and went to her desk where she picked an envelope, "here." she handed the envelope to her sister, "go through this proposal, I want to check some emails."

"What is it?" she asked as she opened the envelope.

"You'll see." Candice returned to desk and continued working.

After a couple of hours, Janice heaved, she had gone through the proposal twice, "this is huge."

Candice grinned, "I know, it wasn't that big when I thought about it until I started putting it into action and it just keep getting bigger."

"But.. I... Might not be..."

"Don't." Candice moved to her, "don't, before you put yourself down I want you to know this was a plan I was able to put together with you in mind."

"But to invite a celebrity chef."

"I know of one who owes me a favour and I'm not trying to go international of take business away from your boyfriend, I'm just trying to hold a teaching class for the less fortunate, my targeted costumer are the poor which sadly...are increasing in this town."

"Well it's a great phenomenon but..."

"You don't like it?"

"I do, very much."

"Then?"

"I'll like to think about it."

"Think about what?, you are still in charge of the decorations and everything else, Shelby is confectionery, and you aren't making it, there's no physical labor, a few teaching, a lot supervisor, it basically what you are doing just under a company name

"Okay but..."

"I know what you are going to say, if it doesn't work, if this... if that but that's too much uncertainty, I won't live my life based on such fears, it too uncertain for me to plan my life bases on it, besides, now that the kids are in school, it means more responsibility and more time, so you need to increase your income except you intend to start depending on Ryan for their feeding and education."

"Candice!"

"Wait, you really have nothing to lose, it doesn't work, you simply return to where you were."

"Candice calm down, I've thought about the future, I can always get a job."

"Then you will miss out of their growing years like I did."

"It isn't that bad."

"Maybe but this time it will be worse."

Janice raised her brow.

"Yes, the children they are growing and getting smarter, sooner or later they will realise your absence and might resent it, I'll always try my best but we both know you are more affectionate."

"Okay but..."

"No but, the timetable is simply, come friday I'm opening fire."

"Friday."

"Yeah."

"Come on Christmas is on Tuesday."

"I know, this is my holiday packages for them, come new year, I want the changes effective."

"But."

"Don't think." she moved back the bed cover, "slide in."

"I won't..."

"Don't think, just sleep."

Janice grinned, then lay down then she say up suddenly

"Tomorrow is Friday."

Candice grinned, "Yeah baby."

"Candice...I..."

"Go to bed." Candice put back the cover then slide in next to her.

*****

"Hey."

"Hey." Janice grinned at Ryan.

"I didn't expect you to be here." he planted a light kiss on her lips.

"I didn't know I'll be here."

"Is that Kyle?" Ryan saw his friends who was search for Candice.

"Yeah, he's probably searching for candice, she hasn't given him any chance recently."

"She's been busy."

"So did you talk to her." they began to walking arm in arm.

"I did and it was difficult, it's extremely challenging to change Candice mind when she has made her decision, she's made her decision and she kind of... now... has my support."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, you should listen to her too, she isn't doing this for revenge, you only think that because you haven't be chance with seeing her reasonable side, since she must irrational towards your family but she's very serious about this."

"And how did she get the money?"

"She didn't actually tell me," she grinned "but I know for certain I'll be mad when I discovered, so, I'll wait till new year, then launch my class."

"And who do we have here?" king clapped his hands as he approached his younger brother, "isn't it the golden boy of the prides family?"

Janice suck her teeth then turned to leave but Ryan held her arm.

"Don't be rude, King." Sylvia, Ryan mother cut in, "he's here as a member of this family, so do not cause a commotion, this aren't the type of thing you want in the morning paper."

Janice rolled her eyes and tried to shrugged Ryan off but he wasn't having any of it.

"And who could this beautiful lady be?" king started encircling them in a bid to see her face but Janice kept her face hidden behind her hair, "your girlfriend?"

"Oops, she's shy, I thought you like them bold and daring."

"Shut your trap, king." Sylvia moved closer and hugged her son before pecking him lightly.

"I'm fine, mum."

"I heard a new investors is coming in from one of the shareholders, you wouldn't happened to know anything about that, would you?"

'Actually, I'm in the dark, just like you."

"Hmm!" she heaved then looked at Janice, "won't you introduce your lady to me?"

"Janice I'm sure you've met my mum." he pulled her closer and "mum I'm sure she isn't a stranger to you too."

"Janice...jani Janice who, I'm mostly families with family names, pardon me dear." she reach out for Janice who flinched.

She pulled hair behind her ear then looked at Sylvia, "hello Mrs pride."

"oh!, call me Sylvia, I'm certain we will get along fine."

Janice gasped, "wow, you really are incorrigible." she shrugged off Ryan's arm and walked away.

"What was that?" Sylvia asked.

"That what I should ask you, don't you remember her?"

"She does look familiar now that her face isn't covered but honestly..." She shrugged, "I can't remember."

"Isn't she the Gale's girl."

"Janice..."

"Janice, isn't her name something sweet... Candy."

"No, she isn't."

"Ah ah!" he winked, "someone is sure enjoying some old fling."

"Don't." Ryan shook his head, "don't do that." he turned and walked away.

"Mum, she's..."

"I know, I wonder where they met again."

"Does it matter?"

"Let's go, the meeting is about to start."

Sylvia and her son walked in just as everyone began to fill the boardroom

Candice walked in last and closed them in upon her entrance, she went straight to the end of the table and took her stand there since Sylvia was currently occupying the head of the table.

"My name is Candice Gale and I will be preceding this meeting." she made eye contact with everyone and suck in breath when her eyes met with king's, she looked away sharply at Janice who smiled at her, she smiled back then proceed, "I see there are lots of faces here that do not belong here, but first I'll begin with the purpose of our meeting, I'll like to you to know this is not just a shareholder meeting in case you haven't noticed, we have every executive present and we even have the union present with us but before that, I think it's better if we deal with our most pressing agenda, which is the dismissal of the current CEO of prides enterprises."

"What?" the crowd exclaimed and began to murmur next to each other.

"How outrageous." Sylvia stood, "on what right do you demand my son's dismissal?"

She smiled as she looked at her, "as a fellow shareholders, I don't really like loosing money, you see." she c**k her head, "but, I'll leave the dismissal to the shareholders, they can decide what to do as for what ground..." she nodded to Shelby who began to share some file, "you can check the file in front of you."

Sylvia looked at the papers then squint her face.

"Diid you forget your contact, I wouldn't mind reading it for you."

"What!, how insolent, you uncultured bitch."

"How graceful but then it's already decided."

"Says who?" King stood and made his way towards her.

"The shareholders did." she shivered.

"My family happened to be the largest shareholder or you don't think we will vote against each other, do you?"

Candice smiled, "your brother own more or less 25% but that's all there is, isn't it?"

"What?" Ryan stood, "what do you mean?"

"You might not know but your brother remaining 10 share is currently tied in an IOU at a gambling den which I doubt he can ever recover and your mother sold her remaining 5% to me which makes me the majority by 75%."

"What?"

"That's right.' she turned to the board, "I own 75% with Ryan holding the 15%, the remaining prides are shareless." She walked to the head of the table and used her index to gently push Sylvia by the arm.

She staggered two step backwards and Candice took her seat at the head of the table.

"I guess that is settled, so we will appoint a new CEO and chairwoman although, I think this chair belongs to me." she patted the arm and smiled then stood as for the CEO, "I recommend Ryan pride for that position, if anyone intend to contest for the position, you may signify and then the board of directors will vote on that." She paused as she waited for any reaction but every be was wary and on their guard,

"Well since no one is interested, I'll ask Mr Pride..." she chuckled, "there are lots of Mr Pride here so let stick to a first name bases" she turned to Ryan, "Ryan, will you accept it?"

Ryan stood, "well I'm currently holding a vital position at ..."

"We are aware of that and in that light, you may take the position for the next three months, then if at the end of the period you still think you are incapable of taking the post, we will hold another meeting, infact, you might have discovered someone capable and introduce to us." she sat down, "I have trust in you Ryan, the question is... do you?"

Silence loomed over the room as no one expected this move from Candice.

Ryan looked at his mother who nodded and King who looked away then agreed, "okay, I'll try it for the next three months."

"Great." Candice stood and clapped, "we have our CEO then, now to the next agenda..."

"There's more?" Sylvia exclaimed.

"Why weren't we informed?" King asked.

"The same reason why you aren't seated." she press a button on the table, sending for security, "although I'm certain you got the email, I wonder how you are still not aware but as of this moment, you no longer have the right to be here, so I advise you to remove yourselves before the security get here."

"You insolent bastard, I knew no good could come out of the devil abode of yours." she picked her bag and stormed off just as the security arrived.

"The next on our agenda..." Candice paused as silence loomed over the room as everyone realised the Change in power, she looked at Shelby who stood then shared the files with her.

"The files in front of you contain the misconduct of the board of directors and it's evidence."

"What?" everyone started mumbling as some director began to check for their names.

"In my plan to push the business forward, downsizing is a big part of it and I'm starting with the director, I think the file is more than enough reason for some of you to spend the next ten years in prison..."

"What?"

"So just because you are the chairwoman, not even the CEO, you think you have the power to launch a plan without informing the board of directors." King spoke angrily.

"Yeah." a director stood to join King.

"This isn't done, there are properly proceedure for doing stuff like this, infact the board should have been informed in advance."

"Yes, we should..."

"This meeting should be nullify."

Candice slammed her file on the table and stood, "as much as I'll love to throw you out, I'll let you listen to this, then I dare anyone to walk away." she picked another file, "the last clause in each employee agreement state that in case of any scrupulous activity, such as embezzlement, the employee is liable to be charge to court and also repay the stolen money, if necessary from his personal account or a loan may be taken in his name to clear up if it's still not enough."

"What?" everyone murmured Nd began to check the files again

"You see my favourite has always been your grandfather." she grinned, "I just love that man."

A director headed for the door immediately but was stopped by the security.

"It's of no use, if you check the file, you will notice each amount embezzled by each director, I already took the liberty to send my private security with the assistance of the police to secure all the property and any valuable, in your name and if that is not enough, you might find yourself in dept and jail is still not removed from the option."

The room stilled as if time had stopped.

She smiled, "I love it when you guys listen." she grinned, "as for those whose property were seized, there will be a christmas auction, this Sunday and if it's not enough..." she heaved, "you may have to sell your organs."

"What?"

She laughed, "I'm joking but the auction is quite real, I have a team appraising the items currently but if it's still not enough, I'm certain we will work something out, now..." she nodded to the security, "if you are kind enough to excuse us, we still have the future of pride to discuss."

King and about 15 of the director hurried out to salvage what they can, Candice nodded to Victory who stood and followed them.

"Wow." she stood, "I never knew this room was this large." she smiled and nodded to Shelby who passed around the last of the files with her, there where only ten people left in the room and only five director, "this is my plan for the future of pride enterprises."

They spent an hour going through the plan then the next three hour modifying it. Making changes to it, suggestion where brought up and after a long intended deliberation, new position where handed to the director and with the permission of the union, all employees who were also involved in the embezzlement and other misconduct where fired by 3pm. Candice address all the well behaved and hard working employees and promise them a brighter future and all the plan will be put into action by new year and they were dismissed for the holidays