Episode 5:An unexpected Ultimatum
627 Words
The applause in the boardroom gradually faded.
Ethan Carter sat in the chairman's seat, the same seat his grandfather had occupied for decades. The polished oak table reflected the faces of the directors, all waiting for their new leader to speak.
He looked around the room.
"I didn't return to rule through fear," Ethan said calmly. "I returned to honor my grandfather's legacy. Anyone willing to work honestly for Carter Global has nothing to fear."
Several directors exchanged relieved glances.
They had expected a ruthless billionaire.
Instead, they found a calm young man with quiet confidence.
Director Helen Morris stood.
"Chairman Carter, on behalf of the board, welcome home."
The others applauded once more.
Ethan nodded.
"Thank you."
Raymond placed a thick folder on the table.
"Young Master... these require your immediate attention."
Inside were reports from every division of Carter Global.
Profits.
Investments.
International projects.
Pending lawsuits.
And then one document caught Ethan's eye.
Harrison Group – Outstanding Debt
He frowned.
"The Harrison Group?"
Raymond nodded.
"They borrowed $50 million from Carter Global two years ago to finance a luxury real estate project."
Ethan slowly turned the page.
"The loan matures tomorrow."
Another director cleared his throat.
"Chairman... the Harrison Group has failed to make the required payments."
"If the debt isn't settled tomorrow, Carter Global has the legal right to seize their assets."
The room became quiet.
Everyone knew Ethan's connection to the Harrison family.
"Would you like us to extend the deadline?" Director Morris asked carefully.
Ethan remained silent for a long moment.
Images from the birthday banquet flashed through his mind.
Margaret throwing away his gift.
Daniel laughing.
The guests mocking him.
Olivia lowering her head instead of defending him.
Finally, he closed the file.
"No."
The directors looked at him.
"We will follow the contract."
"If they pay, the matter ends."
"If they don't..."
He looked out the floor-to-ceiling window.
"...the law will take its course."
No one argued.
---
Across the city...
The Harrison family gathered in Richard Harrison's private study.
The atmosphere was tense.
Margaret paced nervously.
"This is all your fault!" she shouted at Daniel.
"You kept provoking Ethan!"
Daniel slammed his fist on the table.
"How was I supposed to know he was a billionaire?"
Richard sighed heavily.
"Enough."
He looked toward Olivia.
"Have you spoken to Ethan?"
She slowly shook her head.
"He hasn't answered my calls."
Her phone showed twelve unanswered calls.
Not one reply.
Richard closed his eyes.
"We made a terrible mistake."
Just then, the family lawyer rushed into the room.
His face was pale.
"Chairman Harrison..."
Richard looked up.
"What happened?"
The lawyer swallowed hard.
"Carter Global has officially notified us."
He handed over a document.
Richard read the first page.
His hands began to tremble.
"The loan..."
Margaret's voice shook.
"What about it?"
"The payment is due tomorrow."
"If we fail to pay..."
He looked up slowly.
"...they'll take everything."
The room erupted.
"What?"
"That's impossible!"
"We don't have that kind of money!"
Daniel grabbed the document.
"$50 million?"
"How can we repay that overnight?"
Silence filled the study.
For the first time, the Harrison family understood the true meaning of power.
The man they had treated like a servant now held their future in his hands.
Olivia stared at the floor, tears filling her eyes.
"I have to see Ethan."
Richard nodded.
"You must."
"Whether he forgives us or not..."
He took a deep breath.
"...our family's future depends on him."
That evening...
Ethan stood alone in his grandfather's office, looking over the city lights.
There was a soft knock at the door.
Raymond entered.
"Chairman..."
"A visitor is here."
Ethan turned.
"Who?"
Raymond hesitated.
"It's your wife."
Ethan's expression remained unreadable.
"She says..."
"...she won't leave until she sees you."
- Writer
