Extraordinary Jackson Ryder

10: How Dare You Question Me?

Jackson watched the secretary carry out the last boxes belonging to Emerald.

He was finally here, in his father's company, and he didn't even know how to feel about it.

Happy that he was finally taking his place? Or sad that he had missed out on a lot for so long?

Jackson relaxed back on his swivel chair, picking up a page from the report Kenneth had mailed to him.

It was the annual report detailing the income, expenses and financial position of Wil-Ryder Enterprises.

Arriving here for the first time, he had to do a financial audit, to make sure he was starting on the right foot.

Jackson was totally immersed in his work when a knock sounded on his door.

It was his new secretary, Carmen. "Sir, I forgot to inform you earlier. There is a board meeting holding in the next 20 minutes, and since you just arrived, Mr Xander wants you to introduce yourself to the board of directors."

Jackson could sense the motive behind Xander's suggestion. For him to face the board members and answer how he got the job.

"I'll be out in 15." Jackson nodded.

20 mins later, he was seated in a conference hall with 10 board members and 5 executives including him.

"Welcome to our 2nd board meeting this month. Before we continue from the last agenda, we'll like to introduce a new member among us." Xander was the one clearly in charge.

Jackson stood up and bowed. "I'm Jackson Ryder, the new General Manager."

They turned their surprised glances on him.

"When did you employ a new General Manager?"

"He didn't." Jackson retrieved his letter of employment signed by Kenneth, passing it around the table.

"Really?" A middle-aged man, Mr Sanders glanced at him with a frown.

"And what's going to happen to the previous General Manager? You can't just come here and snatch her position just because you have connections with Mr Kenneth!" A blonde man spoke harshly.

"She will be re-instated and compensated appropriately." Jackson replied calmly and took his seat.

He didn't miss the glare from the man and even Xander.

"Moving on to today's agenda." Xander cleared his throat.

"We are here to discuss the recent proposal for an increase in price of our products. I brought up the proposal during the last meeting, giving you all the chance to think it through. Kindly let me know your thoughts on it."

For the next 30 mins, Jackson took in everyone's expression and contribution.

Most of the board members were against the proposal, but Xander kept countering their claims with a wave of his hand.

Xander was a very rigid person, not receptive to other people's opinions. He was adamant in favor of the proposal, not caring about what other board members thought.

"As it is, cost of production keeps increasing year in year out. We absolutely cannot remain fixated on the price we have been charging last year!" Xander tapped the table impatiently.

"If we do that, we will be on the losing end, cause there will be less money to keep funding production and the quality of our textiles will go down! And once that happens, your yearly dividends will reduce, and your salaries will be cut to minimize losses!"

With his forced choice of words, everyone had to concur.

"I'll be reviewing the contract today, and our lawyers will come over, go through and finalize everything tomorrow morning, we must-"

"Mr Xander, you're making this proposal with the end-product consumers in mind!" Jackson suddenly butted in.

Everywhere went silent.

"Before you make it official, how about exploring other options? Like maximising resources, reducing wastage, sourcing raw materials from other farmers where it could be cheaper?"

"Increasing the prices of products might not sit well with the customers and will surely drive them to our competitors!"

The room was silent as the impact of Jackson's words sank in.

"We've been trying to explain to Mr Vice President, but he's refusing to understand." Sanders and the others shook their head.

"We have to carefully go through the pros and cons of this proposal. Avoiding mistake is very important as crisis management will be very expensive!"

Xander gritted his teeth as several men started re-echoing his suggestion.

"Is there a reason why Mr Xander wants this proposal to be approved as soon as possible?" Jackson asked again.

"This proposal is meant to position us against the incoming inflation, you freak!" Xander lashed out at him. "When did you get here that you're starting to question my decisions?"

Jackson frowned. "This is a company, not your personal household where your say must stand! If your proposal isn't worthwhile, it can be rejected by the board!"

"You!" Xander got up, shaking his fists at him. "You have no right!"

"Mr Xander." Sanders called out. "You don't want to turn this meeting to a tug of war, please restrain yourself. Being the VP doesn't mean you can stop others from expressing their opinions!"

Xander hissed angrily. "At this point, I doubt we'll be getting anywhere with this proposal. It will be adjourned to the next meeting while we wait for Mr Ryder to present us with the options he think will work."

They moved to other minor topics, but Xander didn't let off the daggers he was glaring at Jackson.

Immediately the meeting ended, he went up to confront Jackson. "I've warned you to stay in your lane, but you want to keep daring me?"

"Daring you?" Jackson smirked. "I only gave my opinion which the rest of the board members supported, Mr VP. Is that what you're bothered about?"

"Don't over step your boundary, else you'll have only yourself to blame at the end!" Xander gritted and left.

Immediately he did, 2 men walked up to Jackson, glancing condescendingly at him. "So you're the creep that got Emerald's position by cheating?" It was the blonde man that spoke up earlier, Nicholas.

"Not cheating per say. Referral from my uncle." Jackson replied calmly. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"We don't have time to waste on such a creep, Nick." His friend, Asher snickered.

"I'll warn you never to cross my path, else you want to have the hell of a ride in this company!" Nick said and left.

Jackson picked his things and was finally able to leave the hall uninterrupted.

His stay at this company going to be interesting!

.

Soon, it was closing hours. Jackson picked his suitcase, heading towards the parking lot.

He bumped into Isaac again, this time he was with Nicholas.

"Not the good-for-nothing idiot again?" Isaac sneered, standing in Jackson's way. "What job were you hired for? A cleaner? A messenger?"

He faced Nicholas. "This is the useless man pursuing your future step-mother and threatening us not to get married!"

Nicholas stared at Jackson with a slack jaw, believing the lies. "I didn't know you fancy old women!"

Jackson didn't have time for either of them, "Get out of my way, you old fool. Before I do something you regret!"

"Don't speak to my father that way!" Nicholas jumped forward, pushing him back.

"Why do people love getting on my nerves? Do you want me to beat you to coma?" Jackson gritted.

"Try it if you can!" Nick laughed, pushing Jackson roughly again.

"Caution your son, you don't him to end up in a hospital tonight!" Jackson warned Isaac.

Isaac's face crumpled. "Step back, Nicholas!"

Jackson was finally able to step through and get to his car.

He arrived back at his base to meet another drama unfolding.

"Where is that good-for-nothing, Jackson! How dare he lock me up in this place with a group of thugs? You can all be sentenced to 20 years in prison for kidnapping!" the Wilson matriarch, Anna was already awake and kicking a fuss.

"Maam, if you don't stop yelling, we'll be forced to use a sedative on you!" Slade gritted, signaling the men to hold her down.

Anna pushed them off and escaped to the sitting room right when Jackson stepped in.

"You bastard!" She lurched at him, but the men quickly reatrained her.

"What's going on here?" Jackson turned his fierce glare on Slade.

"We were holding back because we didn't want to to hurt her, Boss." Slade hurried out an explanation.

"I never asked you to hold back, did I? Even a disrespectful adult can be taught a lesson!"

The ferocious glare on Jackson's face sent a shiver down the old woman's spine. "You can't!" she stammered.

The men grabbed her tightly, but she dared not kick any ruckus.

"Take her to the consulting room!" Jackson ordered and left.

"Jackson. Are you going to let me go?" the matriarch asked fearfully. "I'm sorry for all what I did back then, please don't hurt me!"

They dragged her off and a few moments later, Jackson arrived and sat opposite her.

"So you were pretending to be poor all along? You are the real Ghost Doctor Jack?" Anna couldn't believe her eyes or ears. "You own this mansion? Are you going to let me go after all this?"

Jackson wasn't in the mood to answer her questions.

He simply retrieved the photo he found in her study, placing it on the table. "Do you have an idea who this man is?"

"It's Paul Ryder of course, my son Luka's friend and your father."

"I'm glad you still remember. Do you know what happened to my father?" Jackson gritted.

"I. Huh?" Anna stammered fearfully. "I think he died in a fire accident."

"And, Luka? He's not dead, right?"

Anna faltered for a second. "Luka died in that same fire accident!"