Chapter 12
1156 Words
Scot:
I clenched my jaw as I go through the folder in front of me, scanning the quarterly reports
“This is really pathetic” i mumbled tossing the report onto the table
Rowan, our chief financial officer, stiffened “Sir, we rooted our projections on the market trends—”
“Those are excuses,” I snapped. “I want accuracy, any mistakes and we could lose millions, I'm not working with market trends here, do you understand Rowan? Or do I need to find someone else who does and is ready to get things right?”
His face was crestfallen. “I understand , Mr Scot”
I turned to Shelly my executive assistant immediately, i didn't give Rowan the time to fully process what was going on, Shelly's been with me for three years, and she knew me better than the rest of my staff, but even she looked unsure today
“Shelly, I asked for the competitive landscape analysis before this meeting. Where is it?
She wavered, her fingers tightening around her tablet “i sent it three hours ago, it should be on your inbox sir
I leaned forward “ Then why the hell isn’t it printed in front of me?”
Her breath hitched but she only nodded while staring back at me. I should have let it go, she was only trying to do her job, but my temper was spiraling.
“Shelly,” I said sharply, making her freeze. “I don't have the time to dig through emails and you know that, if you can't foretell what I need before I ask for it, then you’re not as competent as I thought..
She flinched. I saw it––how she pressed her lips tightly together as if to hold back a response physically
Guilt stirred up in my chest, i could feel it but i crushed it immediately
“You're all dismissed, except Rowan”.
The rest of them scrambled out, Shelly walked out lastly her head bowed
Rowan remained,i fixed him with a hard stare
“I don't have time to babysit you Rowan, you were the best hence the reason why i hired you, but then now i have to double-check every analysis myself?, what the heck are you being paid for?”
“I'll go through and over the numbers again sir” he swallowed hard
“That's not all, you'll have a revised report of the analysis on my desk by the end of today, if i find any error even as little as a wrong number, your chair would be empty and the framed pictures of your cats on your desks would be all gone all of them, are we clear?”
His jaw tensed, but he nodded “Crystal, sir”
“Good, now get out”
As soon as he left, i let out a sharp exhale, my temples throbbed, my head pounded from the weight all of my own anger
There was a knock and then the door was wide open the next minute.
Only one person would dare.
Rachel.
My personal assistant, who was more like a friend.
Her gaze was steady as she closes the door behind her
“You made Shelly cry” her voice was even
“She should be used to my temper by now” I scoffed
Her mouth set in a firm line “That's not an excuse ”
I leaned in my chair, looking away “I'm not in the mood for this Rachel”
“Well too bad” she shot back immediately, “Do you even realize how much hurt you're doing by lashing out on everyone?, the board has noticed, they're not happy.”
“The board?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Yep, and they're meeting right now…and in what case? Yours.”
My stomach twisted. “What does that even mean?”
“It means they're bothered at your behaviour and tantrums”
A sharp knock interrupted us
The door opened and Anthony Reed, the chairman of the board stepped in majestically.
“The board has come to a decision Mr Greyson
He said his expression indifferent “Join us in the conference room
I paused as i stare back at him
Now
The air was thick with disapproval as I stepped into the conference room, the gazes of the eleven board members shot back at me.
I sat at the head of the long conference table…
I looked from across where I sat to the long conference table, I was impatient as I tapped my fingers subconsciously against the wood. o could feel their glances all over me, the way they asserted their eyes and shifted uncomfortably in their seats should have given me satisfaction, but instead it fueled the fire already burning in me
The morning had already been well, and it was barely even noon.
I was furious
Not at them, completely
At my father
With all he's done and put me through. the old man still had the temerity to humiliate me in the presence of dome shareholders earlier today, he was slicing through my ego with the patronizing tone he always used
You may be CEO but respect isn't inherited. It's earned, you dont command it, your attitude is unacceptable
And if i hadn’t spent years of my life working hard to earn my place, as if i hadn't worked twice as hard to pro s that i wasn't just his son, but a leader and responsible man
I could still feel that moment adesh as it clung to me like a second skin, and now i had nowhere to direct my anger, I'm in a room full of people who get to decide my fate in this company, i dare not vent here
Thomas cleared his throat
“Your act leadership in this company has been called into question , employees including senior executives have raised concerns about your behavior today
I stayed quiet, my eyes fixed on the snow white table
“We understand personal issues can affect work, but
"This company doesn’t just rely on numbers," he continued. "It relies on leadership, respect, and stability. We understand personal matters can affect work, but taking out frustrations on employees is intolerable.
“As of now, he went on “you're on probation, if complaints continue,the board would have to reconsider your position “
I clenched my fists tightly, the thought of being reprimanded like a child was so humiliating, but one thing's for sure, if i lost control now i might lose everything—-including my company
Swallowing my pride was the only option here
I noddedI “Understood “
The meeting was adjourned , but those words of warning still lingered in my mind, now i had a choice
Change or lose my company
For the first time i wasn't sure what my choice would be
- Writer
