Chapter 12: Edge of Authority

"Never! I would never accept it!" Clinton was still enraged, "Fatima, you better watch what you say."

Rowland, the former menial worker, received an official appointment as the project manager from his father. His heart thumped with humiliation and rage. 

Amaya stood beside him, witnessing the color drain from his face, but she too was unable to get over her shock. How was this even possible? How could Rowland, of all people, be granted such power?

Amaya interrupted the silence. "Make a call to your parents. There must be a mistake." Although she spoke steadily, there was a hint of urgency in her tone. 

She did not have to tell Clinton twice. He grabbed his phone right away and dialed his father's number, hoping he would pick up. 

However, the phone rang, but his father was not answering at the time.

He immediately dialed his father's second number, holding out hope that he would answer. Rather, the well-known tone of Khalid, his father's personal helper, responded. Clinton’s stomach dropped. This was not what he was looking for.

"Khalid," Clinton stammered, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Where is my father? I really must talk to him now. There is a situation at the meeting, a lowlife named Rowland is attempting to take control of everything, and I—"

Khalid would not let him finish. "Your father is not available, Clinton," he said calmly, which exacerbated Clinton's frustration. "However, I am aware of the situation. Indeed, the project manager is Mr. Rowland. He was given this responsibility by your father, and he is qualified to lead the meeting.”

Clinton's world appeared to spin after hearing Khalid's remarks. Clinton had never imagined that Rowland, that lowlife, would be in a position like this. He made an effort to remain calm, but the humiliation was too much. 

He was the Vice President, the heir to the Fence Empire, and now he is being told that someone like Rowland is in charge. He glared across the room at Rowland, who was sitting calmly, totally detached from the chaos inside of Clinton, his hands balled into fists.

"He can not just take over," Clinton said through gritted teeth, recognizing that arguing with Khalid was pointless. "My father owns this company!"

Khalid gave a chilly, decisive response. "Clinton, your father designated Rowland as the project manager. If that is not acceptable to you, you should speak with Mr. Fence directly when he is free. Until then, I recommend that you adhere to his decision.”

Clinton snapped off the call, his angry face contorted. He looked over at Amaya, who was waiting with open eyes. "What did they say?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

He was unable to look at her. "Khalid affirmed it," muttered Clinton angrily. "The man in charge is Rowland. My father...appointed him."

Amaya's eyes widened with shock. She remained speechless for a moment. "But why, exactly? I do not understand this at all! You have to take action now!"

"That is not possible!" Clinton yelled, more aloud than he meant to. Without delay, he lowered his voice and cast a quick glance at the other people in the room. "There is nothing I can do. Rowland holds complete authority."

Amaya's frustration mounted as she attempted to make sense of the circumstances. "Now what? Will we just sit here and let him humiliate us?"

Rowland, who had been silently watching the two, got up from his chair and walked over to the podium before Clinton could reply. 

With slow, deliberate movements, he adjusted the microphone. All eyes turned to him, and the room fell silent again. Amaya and Clinton, along with the staff and investors, all eagerly awaited his next words. 

However, Rowland turned to face the guards stationed at the entrance rather than begin his presentation. 

"Please remove Mr. Clinton and Ms. Amaya from this meeting," he said, his voice calm but commanding. 

Clinton's shocked eyes grew larger. "What?" he sputtered, struggling to form the words. "You cannot—"

"You heard me," Rowland calmly cut in. "This meeting is crucial, and I will not put up with any more interruptions. You now have the opportunity to depart in peace. Now I suggest you take it."

Amaya's mouth fell open in disbelief. She turned to Clinton, expecting him to retaliate, but his expression told her everything she needed to know. The fact that Rowland held all the power in this scenario paralyzed Clinton. After hearing what Khalid had said, he was unable to defend himself.

"Will you just stand by and let him do this?" Amaya growled, venom in her voice. 

Clinton remained silent. He had the impression that his own helplessness was suffocating him. It was incomprehensible to be ejected by Rowland, of all people. He looked over at the guards, who were coming their way already.

"Clinton," Amaya said urgently, grasping his arm. "We can not simply leave! Do something!”

Clinton was about to speak again when Khalid entered the room through the open doors. People noticed him right away, and Amaya breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, someone with authority could put Rowland in his place.

To her dismay, though, Khalid did not even look her in the eye. Rather, he approached Rowland directly and with a sense of purpose. 

"Ah, Khalid," Clinton began, hoping to regain some control of the situation. "I am glad you are here. You see this—"

Khalid raised a hand to interrupt. "I am not here for you, Clinton," he remarked angrily.

Khalid turned to face Rowland and held up his hand, causing Amaya's smile to falter. "Mr. Rowland, I came to make sure everything was going as smoothly as possible," he said with respect. “You appear to have handled the matter skillfully.”

Clinton's expression paled as Khalid's remarks pierced the atmosphere. Blinking in shock, he felt a chilling wave of shock sweep over him. He had anticipated that Khalid would support him, remove Rowland, and reestablish his dominance. Khalid had, however, recently sided with Rowland.

"Handled the situation effectively?" Clinton repeated, his voice cracked. "Are you kidding me, Khalid? You are actually going to let him—" 

He pointed at Rowland, unable to say his name without erupting in anger. "—throw me and Amaya out of this meeting? My family owns this company!"

Khalid did not seem to change his expression. "Your dad has made his decision, Clinton. Mr. Rowland has authority over this project, which includes keeping things in order. If Mr. Rowland believes it is necessary to remove distractions, that is his right!”