A CEO'S OBSESSION

7

The sound of different shoes clicking on the polished floor filled the air as Frank and Ian, flanked by several guards, made their way into the company. Their footsteps created a rhythmic beat as they moved with stern faces towards the conference room where Eden and a few executives of Williams Inc. were waiting.

Anna stood by the hallway when she saw them walk in. All the staff members bowed their head in greeting when the group walked past.

Anna couldn't catch the face of the CEO because he was wearing dark shades. Instead, she leaned towards her colleague.

She leaned in and whispered to the older woman, who was dressed in a cleaner's uniform, her eyes fixed on the man leading the group as she asked, "Who's that? Is he the CEO?"

The woman nodded and whispered back. "That's him. The ruthless CEO of Williams group."

Anna's eyes squinted in surprise. That man is the CEO? But...but he's so young? When Julie told her to stay away from the CEO, she had thought that the CEO was probably an aged man. She didn't expect him to be so young.

When Frank entered the conference room, he was met with Eden's smug smile. The same smile Frank disliked to see. The same smile that always grated on his nerves. Eden sat in one of the chairs near the head of the table. Frank walked to the head of the table and sat down. Ian stood nearby at alert.

"Good morning, Frank." Eden said with that same smile on his face.

Frank went straight to business with a formal and detached tone. "Why are you here?" He asked, his face set in a serious expression.

Eden's smug smile widened. "We should discuss the release of your new product, don't you think?" He asked.

Frank's expression remained impassive with his tone, firm. "I don't see why you are interested in my company's affairs. I'm surprised." He stated.

"Interested?" Eden's tone became amazed. "Oh no, Frank, I am not interested in your company's affairs but your new product, it's..... an unfortunate timing, don't you think?"

Frank's face set in a frown. He knew where Eden was driving at. "Williams group is no competition with your company."

Eden shook his head. "I don't think so."

"I don't know what you are insinuating, Eden. But let me make one thing clear: Williams Inc. would not be swayed by your tactics. We'll continue to innovate and lead the market, regardless of your attempts."

Eden leaned forward, the smug smile disappearing from his face and his voice taking on a more menacing tone. "You think you're above the game, Frank? Do you think you can just waltz in and steal the spotlight? I'll show you what it means to cross me. You've just declared war, Frank. And I'm not going to hold back."

Frank's gaze locked onto Eden's, a cold glint dancing his eyes. "I'm not afraid of you, Eden. Bring it on."

Eden stared at Frank for a while in cold disdain. Frank didn't break eye contact either. He stared at Eden with equal energy. After a while, Eden broke eye contact and stood up from his seat. "I'll make you pay, Frank." He threatened.

Frank stood up from his seat and said. "I'll be waiting."

Anna watched from a corner in the hallway as a few men dressed in black suits emerged from the conference room with their faces set in discontentment and anger. She wondered what was going on. Her body shivered from the tensed atmosphere.

"That's Eden, the CEO of Eden's group of companies. He's been trying to take down Williams Inc. for years, and it seems like things just escalated. They're rivals." One of her colleagues whispered to her when she saw Anna's gaze fixed on the men.

She watched them make their way out of the company before asking. "Why are they rivals?"

Her colleague hesitated before responding in a whisper, "It's complicated. Let's just say they have different business styles, and Eden doesn't take kindly to Williams Inc. being more successful."

Anna didn't show any expression. Instead, her mind raced with questions. She watched as Frank, the CEO of Williams Inc., emerged from the conference room with his escorts, his face still set in a serious expression. Their eyes met briefly, and she immediately looked away.

"Let's get back to work," her colleague said, nodding towards the cleaning cart. "We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

Anna nodded as she fell into step with her colleague, her eyes fixed on some point ahead without another glance in Frank's direction. For some reason, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she had met with the CEO. He looked slightly familiar to someone she had seen upfront, even if his face was slightly blurred from the distance. But she couldn't place where she had seen him.

Frank's face set in a deep frown as he made his way out of the conference room. He knew Eden didn't give empty threats, but he would be ready. When he stepped out, his gaze landed on two cleaners who seemed to whisper about something he didn't want to know. With a fluid step, he made his way towards the elevator with Ian behind him.

But before he could get to the elevator, his feet suddenly lost traction on the wet floor, and he slipped, landing hard on the ground with a loud thud and his hands scraping against the surface. Ian and the guards rushed to his side, trying to help him up, but Frank was already scrambling to his feet, his suit rumpled, and his pride bruised with a displeased frown on his face.

Ian had concern on his face as he helped Frank. The guards couldn't dare touch him. They just stood around him, worried. "Sir, are you okay?" Ian asked, his expression panicked.

Frank expression turned to one of annoyance as he yelled. "Where are the cleaners?!" His gaze swept round the hallway and narrowed on the puddle of water on the floor.