Benjamin spread his hands on the smooth surface of the sprucewood. "So what's it going to be?" he asked the board members. The president of the board shifted in his seat. "And what happens to us?" he asked. "What's the ownership take?" asked another board member.Amber stepped in here. "Mr Bologna, it's a complete buyout. Naturally, that means all your shares as well" she said, referring to the man with authority. "Completely cutting us off, eh?" asked President Bologna."There is an opportunity for you to buy back," explained Amber. President Bologna scoffed. "Pretty slick Amber. You want to keep the shares and then get new money from us as investors, is that it?" Amber remained silent and clasped her hands. "Of course, it's not like I'm being vague about any of this in the first place," she said finally."What's the name of the parent company?" asked President Bologna. "Ivy Corp" replied Benjamin. "You would be the first to become our shareholders. And with promising rates to

"So you blackmailed them?" asked Amber. Benjamin turned back. "Yeah, what's the problem?" he asked. Amber stepped closer to him. He knew she was trying to make a serious point, but the smell of her hair was intoxicating. A cool summer scent washed over Benjamin. "Are you really asking that? Since when did we turn to criminals, Boss?" "Relax. We're nothing of the sort." Replied Benjamin. "I don't think so. Not if several blackmails have anything to say about it." "Damn it you're the one that stressed we get this place, Amber!" "Not through illicit means, of course. What happens if one of them decides to get vindictive? That could totally screw us!""I promise that's not going to happen" "How could you possibly promise that?" Benjamin smiled. "You forget. I do have a few strings in high places" Amber cooled off a little bit. That was right. Benjamin must have had a pull somewhere in this side of the world to be where he is today. She scoffed. "I'm just worried," she said. Be

"Sir, what just happened? He barely touched those materials" said one of them. "Yeah. Does that man really know what he's doing?" said another."If you know what's good for you, you'll shut the hell up and keep watching." said the middle-aged engineer."But, Sir-" "I can't quite explain it myself, but ever since Mr Kirkland got directly close the the QA department, none of our rockets have ever had a misfire. I'll admit it. Every part of our last launch that went perfectly was inspected by Mr Kirkland!" "Impossible!" "If you don't believe me, just keep watching". "Is that all?" asked Kirkland. "Uh- Yes, Sir. Thank you very much," they replied in Unison. "Alright," said Kirkland."Well - There is one more thing, Sir" It was one of the younger engineers. His confusion on Mr Kirkland's abilities had clouded his sense of judgement. He wanted to further test him. The Older engineer tried to put a stop to it. "You fool, what are you doing-" he whispered."What? The missile guidance s

It was a Wednesday, approximately one week after Benjamin had obtained the Obsidian Towers. He arrived at work by 09:00 in the morning, parking his Mclaren outside, jingling his keys, and walking past Cara the Caretaker. She opened the bulletproof and SWAT-proof doors, allowing him into the ground floor, and taking him up the elevator to the 11th floor. The floors were still as empty as ever. Amber had said something about subletting them to other startups but she had been swamped lately with the takeover of MedHill. Apparently, we needed to hire some high-class lawyers to take care of the mounting litigation too, and it was part of what she would present to me today, remembered Benjamin. The shareholders had all sent their deposits, and their company account was swimming in an excess of 100 million dollars too. So the new board members for IVY CORP were already being formed. Benjamin hoped being a CEO wouldn't be too complicated; because all these rich whales would now be looking

A picture of what seemed to be a rocket site was on the screen. The Major Headline below: "CEO OF MOONSHOT INDUSTRIES COLLAPSED" Amber held her hands close to her mouth.Benjamin studied the TV gratuitously. “Collapsed?” he started. “From what?”“I don’t know. I tried reaching his office throughout the day, but there’s been no response from any of his team.” Said Amber, very concerned.“Was it an underlying health issue, or not?”“I have no idea, Benjamin!” cried Amber. Benjamin rose from his desk, reaching for one of the new jean jackets that Giordano had shipped out to him, wore it one carelessly, and began walking briskly.“Let’s go.” He said.“Where?” asked Amber following after him.“To MoonShot Industries, where else?”“But he’s not going to be there anymore. He’s probably at some hospital.”“Well then, we have to get there and ask.” Amber’s eyes illuminated at his brute-force approach.“You feel so strongly about it” she noted.“Of course, I’m upset about it, Amber! Kirkland is