The Vicious Son-in-law

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT 

The next day, Warren made his way to Sterling Heights.The drive to the company was short. Beside him was Xavier, who was giving him the important details of the company, ranging from the list of stakeholders and board of directors to notable business partners down to chief of staff. 

In no time, they had gotten to Sterling Heights. Stepping out of the car, Warren looked up the magnificent twenty story building that housed Sterling Heights.

As soon as he stepped into the building, heads were turning and people began to whisper among themselves. The receptionist looked like she had seen a ghost. She kept staring before Xavier cleared his throat.

“Go… Goo… Good morning sir. Nice to see you again,” the receptionist, Sheila said, still reeling from the shock of Warren’s arrival.

“Good morning…” Warren paused, trying to remember her name.

 “Sheila,” he said smiling after he finally remembered her name. 

Once they got into the elevator, all eyes were on him. People who wanted to enter the elevator always had a shocked expression before greeting him and since his office was on the twentieth floor, he was able to see so many reactions which all amused him. 

“Mr. Warren is back?”

“When did he return?”

“I heard he absconded with some of his father’s wealth that's why Sterling Heights is slowly declining.”

“I heard a big shot company hired him in Manhattan.”

“Mr. Warren is back? I thought he was sick.”

“When did Mr. Warren return? I heard he died.”

These were just a few of the whispers and rumours he heard and they all amused him.

Finally getting to their stop, Xavier leads the way, taking Warren to his office, his father’s former office. Finally settled, he and Xavier get to work. The audit Warren had asked for earlier had just arrived and right on time also. They began looking at the company's transactions and activities in the last one and a half years since Sam took over. And they found some loopholes and possible shady deals. They needed to contact the stakeholders and board of directors for an impromptu meeting. The meeting was set for 8am the next morning.

Going through the list of board of directors, Warren sees that Lily is among them. He chuckles at the sight. Once everyone has been contacted, he proceeds to evaluate each head of department and assess their work in the past year. By the time he was done, he had realised that just a few of them really knew what they were doing. He made a mental note to deal with that after the meeting the next day. 

It was already late so he decided to call it a day. Xavier called the driver and in about five minutes, the car was downstairs. Just then, Sam barged into the office.

“You, leave. Now!” he orders Xavier.

Xavier looks at Warren for confirmation and Warren nods. Xavier then scurries out of the office but keeps a safe distance in case anything happens.

“Ah, I knew you'd be here sooner or later. Although, I was expecting it to be way sooner than this,” Warren said with a smug smile.

“How dare you! How dare you come into my company and turn everything around like it's yours? Who gave you the right?” Sam said, his face red with anger.

Warren just chuckled.

“Your father didn't tell you? I thought he did. I've been in Brooklyn for almost a week now, even visited the house. I met Lily by the way. Shame no one told you. I honestly thought they would have. Well, if you must know, your father is the one that called me here. He said you were leading the company to bankruptcy and he needed to take action fast before that happens. Where were you by the way?”

“None of your fucking business,”

“Is it really? You went to Dubai on the company’s budget so it's every part of my business,”

“It was a business trip,” Sam said, anger evident in his voice.

“Oh, am I annoying you dear brother?”

“You have no right to come to my company and start calling shots, you hear me? Whatever stunt you want to pull, I’m ready for it,” Sam said, slamming his hands on the black marble table before storming off.

Warren just chuckles and shakes his head. 

He motions for Xavier to follow him and they both head downstairs where the car is waiting for them.

★★★★★★★★

The next morning, the atmosphere at Sterling Heights was tense. It was the first time in a really long while a board meeting was called on short notice. The heads of the department were going to lay their contributions from the past year to the board. This put everyone in a frenzy mode. The unexpected evaluation the previous day already put everyone on edge.

The stakeholders had started filling up the boardroom as well as some of the board of directors.

Warren was in his office preparing for the meeting when Xavier notified him that it was time for the meeting.

The chattering stopped as soon as Warren entered the board room. The boardroom A conference table that could accommodate 24 people. At one end, the stakeholders were seated with the largest investor sitting at the head on that side. The board of directors were seated on the right and the financial analysts on the left. 

Warren made his way to the head of the table and took his seat. Briefly scanning the table, he sees that Lily and Sam weren't present. He decides to start regardless of their absence.

“Ladies and gentlemen, firstly, I apologize for calling a meeting on very short notice but the matter at hand requires swift action, hence the decision. Now, as we all know for the past one and a half years, Sterling Heights has been declining. Although subtle at first, it's beginning to seem rapid and the sooner we act on it, the better for us all. I’m sure in the letters sent to you, my identity was disclosed but for those who still have questions and to put an end to people's curiosity, I’d like to make a proper introduction,” Warren said scanning the room.

There were no questions or interruptions so he continued.

“My name is Warren Easton, The first son of Richard Easton. My father, seeing the state of the company in the leadership of my step brother, Samson Easton, called me for swift intervention and swift intervention I shall do.”

He could see nods of approval from the investors so he continued.

“It’s no news that my father is critically ill and it is our duty to live up to his legacy and even surpass it. Enough with the long talk now. Upon my arrival, I had the head of each department evaluate their contribution to the company in the past year and I discovered that there was little to no contribution in the past year compared to our previous years. In the coming minutes, each head of department will table their evaluation before the board. That will happen while we wait for My step brother and the CFO,” Warren said and there was no disapproval. 

The meeting was already forty five minutes in before Lily and Sam Waltzed in.

“Apologies for our lateness, everyone. Our car broke down on the way here,” Lily said in a high pitched voice.

“You're late. The meeting has far long started. You should take a seat,” Warren said, not bothering to hide his irritation.

Lily was embarrassed and quietly went to take her seat. Sam sat across from her.

“Okay, now that everyone is finally here, we can finally move on to our Major concern,” Warren said. 

The projector, set up by Xavier was turned on and Warren stood up.

“As you can see, this is the audit for the past year, and although we had major projects which were meant to make about forty percent profit, we incurred a ten percent loss. Later in the year, our stocks began to plummet downwards. In addition to this, we surpassing the annual budget which never happened until Mr. Sam took ove–”

“Nonsense! What are you trying to say? That I’m incompetent? You clearly said we're suffering a loss so surpassing the budget is expected,” Sam said, interrupting Warren.

Warren smiled stiffly. Trust Sam to always act so defensive after messing up.

“We started incurring losses when you took over. That says much,” Warren said looking at Sam. His eyes daring Sam to oppose.

Sam was about to talk when Lily spoke up.

“We can discuss this amicably without having to push blames. I’m sure we can all come up with a solution to save the company from incurring more losses. Warren, I’d be more than delighted to use my expertise to help you.” 

“About that, the last time I checked, you had no degree in business not to talk of Finance. So how on earth did you become the Chief Financial officer?” Warren asked, looking her dead in the eye.

The whole committee had their eyes on her.

Lost for words, she bowed her head, ashamed to look anyone in the eye.

“Mrs. Easton, do tell us. Is Mr. Warren telling the truth?” One of the investors asked.

This action prompted other investors to ask the same question. 

Sam, in a bid to defend his mother, spoke up. 

“My mother has an online business degree and under the tutorship of my father, she learnt a lot, hence my decision to make her my CFO.”

“Oh really, from which school of business? I must have missed that. You know what? Let's focus on the state of the company right now but from Now on, Lily ceases to be the CFO. She has done nothing to prove her expertise,” Warren said.

Same made to object but Warren beat him to it.

“Not a word,” Warren said, glaring at Sam.

“So what do we do about the decline the company is facing?” one of the Financial analysts said and the others murmured in agreement.

“We’ve spent so much time here already so I’ll be brief. What I suggest is that we use the Dollar-cost Average approach combined with the short selling approach. That way, we’ll be able to sell off our losses and gain favourable profit in the long run. If we invest in this approach for at least six months, the turn up will be massive I can assure you.”

It was a technique Master Williams taught him.

“That's a dangerous thing to do. If it doesn't work, we will incur a greater loss,” Sam said.

“Do you have a better idea?” Warren asks.

“As a matter of fact, yes. I suggest we just sell off our losses alone and focus on our profits then try to double our profits,” Sam said with confidence. 

“That’s a terrible idea. The market isn't a favorable place for that kind of approach,” Warren countered.

“All I need is six months, if my approach doesn work, I’ll step down,” Warren continued.

“Deal taken,” Sam said almost immediately as if he was awaiting the opportunity.

“Alright then. I guess this meeting has come to an end,” Warren said and made move to shake hands with the investors.

“Just as he was about to exit the boardroom, Sam stopped him.

“You are going to regret what you did today.”

Warren just smirked and left with Xavier tailing closely behind.