CEO
2301 Words
CHAPTER 54: CEO
“I’m sorry, Ma’am.” The receptionist shook her head. “I can’t let you in without a meeting with Mr. Duke.” She added.
Mrs. Roswell is easily provoke.
“What?” She may appears calm, but she was already boiling with anger. “ Didn’t you have any idea who we are?”
Mrs. Roswell didn’t came her just so her visit could be rejected. She wanted to see Eliot, and talk to him about his marriage to her daughter. Lauren promised, and in spite of his disapproval, she knew that it was Mrs. Lauren Duke who have the last word for decision.
One and for all. But she’s getting fed up. After waiting for hours, she was now being told that Eliot wouldn’t meet her.
How dare he?! Mrs. Roswell was furious. How dare he act so high, treating her like a dirt?!
“I’m sorry, but that was our protocol.” The woman apologized.
“Protocol, huh?” She sounded mad. “Perhaps, you wouldn’t mind if I walk right there in his office—”
“Ma’am, don’t make me call the security.”
“You won’t, because I will.” With that said, Mrs. Roswell trotted. She began heading towards the elevator as the woman radioed the guard.
“We have a problem, come here quick. NOW.”
Before they could reach her, the elevator shut down.
“Ha! Serve your face right!” She crossed her arms. “Now I am going to see my son-in-law by hook or by crook.”
This marriage should work. This would have them more power, more authority not to let anybody mocked them just like what Amanda did.
Mrs. Roswell needs it, and she needed Eliot for Grace.
TING.
When she reached his floor, she did not hesitated to go for the door. It didn’t make her header to find where might be his office. Eliot owns this floor. Unlike the ground floor that was heavily guarded by securities.
Her heels made a soft clicking sound on the marble floor. The windows are made of thick glass that allowed Mrs. Roswell to see the captivating view of the city. There are furniture, and a few of them she’s no stranger off.
But this isn’t what she came here for. This billions were all nothing, when she convinced Eliot to marry Grace.
“Just you wait and see.” She was already dreaming of money, a lot of, where she could laid her back.
Who would have thought in spite of their fortune, Mrs. Roswell will still asks for more?
The moment she opened the door, she smiled.
“Didn’t I told them not to disturb me?” It was a baritone voice coming from the swivel chair, which back is turned against her.
“I know, but I am not here to make trouble.” Mrs. Roswell invited herself to an empty chair in front of his desk. “In fact, I was here to continue the proposal that your mother agreed upon.”
“Proposal? I did not agree on any proposal.”
“You will.” Mrs. Roswell sounded so sure. “….soon.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It could be unless you don’t wanted me to tell your mother that you are certain to defy her words, Eliot.” If she needed to scare him, she will at all cost.
But for unknown reason, the man laughs.
“Eliot, huh?”
Slowly, the swivel chair turn around. But when Mrs. Roswell saw the owner of the voice, she felt stunned.
It was a man, who reminds her of Lauren. A male version of her, but he looks crueler.
“I see that you are surprised.” He chuckled coldly.
She is.
“W—who are you?”
“Who am I?” He looked straight on her eyes. “I am the new CEO, Conrad Alexander Duke, Mrs. Roswell.”
Earlier that day.
“Why did you bring me here?” Conrad is not happy, his face is grave, showing how displease he is.
How can he not be? He was force to wear a corporate attire he never worn before, his hair was combed, slicked back to copy how the alta-society often maintain their appearance, but he knew that he would never be one, although their blood runs inside him. Son of a wealthiest tycoon, and a renown mother in the business.
He should be proud. That’s what Lauren said. However, Conrad do not have any time to be proud of after everything that happened to him.
“I told you that I am going to make a man out of you, Conrad.” Lauren wear her black chopard sunglasses as they exited the car. “And I knew someday, you’ll be grateful for what I am doing.”
Guards stood behind them as they walked. Each employees gave way, although confused, because Mrs. Duke never showed up on the place more often, except for now.
“What are we going to do?” One woman asked, her name is Jane, she is the one assigned for the reception.
“Just let them through.” Her HR manager told her.
“But our CEO wouldn’t like it, Sir.”
“I know, but I am also aware that you wouldn’t like facing her wrath and lose your job at the same time, Jane.”
The woman hangs her head low.
What he said is true, it’s better than that, because Mrs. Duke surely wouldn’t spare them. She’s cruel, heartless to the core.
“Where is the CEO?” Mr. Chen demanded at the rest of the board.
They were inside of the conference hall, and Eliot was supposed to be with them. He is the one who sets the meeting, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Don’t tell me that pulling some strings to change our schedule would be a waste of time then?” He added, his words drip with both annoyance and sarcasms.
Bickering filled the hall. The room is quickly bombarded by questions of where Eliot could have gone to.
“You don’t need to look for him anymore.” As the door opened, Mrs. Duke announced her arrival.
All the eyes are fixated on her.
“What is if all about, Mrs. Duke?” Mr. Chen was quick on his feet to fret.
“I am here to make a deal, Mr. Chen.” She chuckled.
Everyone was anticipating the ordeal.
“Deal?” Mr. Guanzalo raised his eyebrows, CEO of one of the most renown shipping lines across the country.
“Yes, but not only me.” Lauren step aside, and that’s when they saw Conrad, who stl look a little lost, irritated by the sight. “I am here to introduce the new CEO of this company, Conrad Alexander Duke, my son—”
“Have you gone crazy?” Mr. De Luna stood up, the disapproval on his face was far itched. “You cannot just walked right here and announced that you wanted to take Eliot’s position, Lauren!”
“I am well aware of that, Aaron.” Lauren did not back down. She looks everyone on their eyes. “That’s we are having a vote, unless you wanted to pulled your investment here. As far as I know, this company is the one that was holding you into pieces.”
“This is madness! Eliot wouldn’t like it, if he finds out—”
“If he was alive, yes.” Lauren raised her eyebrows. “I have received a report earlier this morning, my son had been involved to an accident on the way to the hospital. That’s why I am preparing for the worst.”
“Is he dead?” Mr. De Luna’s face are full of worries.
“I am hoping.” She lied through her teeth.
Oh how much Lauren wished he is dead.
Conrad looked at his mother. He felt sick on his stomach. Those men… did she hire them to kill Eliot?
“It’s unfortunate.” Me. De Luna lowered his head, he seems bothered by something.
His eye cast worry, and a few know why. Eliot has been good to them, and they treated him like a son, even Mr. Chen before he was blinded by greed.
“It is, but we are businessmen.” Lauren speak loud to convinced the rest. “If Eliot is in a critical condition, then as a mother, it is my duty to make sure that his company wouldn’t crumble.”
Lies. Conrad knew she was lying. A deceitful woman she is would do anything to take whatever she wanted.
“Then, what option are you giving us, Lauren?” Mr. De Luna sits down, but his gaze is never leaving her direction. “Because you give us none—”
“Not if you vote.” She smiled, that smile Conrad knew she was plotting something. “Choose wisely, or lose everything.”
Force and power, that’s how Conrad rose in position.
“This can’t be.” Mrs. Roswell was in utter disbelief. “If you are the newly elected CEO, then what about her promise..? I take up her words, your mother promise me a marriage.”
“Then, so be it, but I am telling you that I won’t marry no one.”
Nobody can force him. But he wouldn’t d it, Eliot’s seat felt comfortable. Everyone is afraid of him, in fear as they voted save their name and company than to keep their loyalty to his brother.
But hell, he doesn’t care anyway. When he came back, Eliot wouldn’t anything.
“This can’t be happening.” Mrs. Roswell felt lightheaded.
She juts couldn’t believe it.
At that exact moment, the door was pushed open.
Lauren walked past, and stood on front of her.
“You still couldn’t believe it, Soleil?” Lauren chuckled. “Oh, I get it, but don’t you worry, our deal is still on. You have my word, remember?”
“I have, but what about this?” Mrs. Duke cannot let this happen. If Conrad remain in position, then having Grace to marry Eliot gen by force would mean nothing.
He had no billions anymore just like she wish. He just have his name. A Duke, but that wasn’t enough for her.
“I am just doing what’s the best, besides you are the one who promise for Eliot to marry your daughter, not me.” Lauren walked closer and stood, an inch apart is what separating the pair. “But it seems like you are opposed by that idea now. What changes, Soleil?”
“Nothing.” Mrs. Roswell back down.
As much as she didn’t wanted Lauren to have her on the neck, she couldn’t let her know her next move. Soleil Roswell must not be a threat to her, or Lauren wouldn’t let her leave this place at ease. She knew what Duke’s are capable of.
“Then, it wouldn’t be a problem.” Lauren announced. “Eliot is still going to marry Grace—”
“You just said earlier that he had been involved to an accident, but why do you act so certain now?” Conrad is suspicious.
“Because I know a lot of things that you didn’t know of, son.” Lauren chuckled, but they could hear the warning on her tone. “And that goes for you too, Soleil. Don’t do something stupid or I’ll be force to bend my will to coerce you…too.”
“Hey, can we asked for the bill?” Raquel asked to the nurse that was assigned on the station. “Mary, it is?” She read the nametag pinned on her uniform.
Mary lifted her head.
“I’m sorry, but it is only Doctor Gonzales, who can tell you when to leave, Miss.” Mary was hopeful that she could understand their predicament “If you wanted to go home that badly, then you can ask a waiver from him.”
“But he told us that Eliot is fine already.” She tried to convinced her. “So, what’s the problem with that?”
“If anything happens to the patient, it would be our losses, we can’t let that happen, Miss.” Mary shook her head.
Raquel let out a loud breathe, “Fine, I’ll ask for a waiver.”
Disappointed, she walked back to the room where she left Eliot.
It was her irritated face that welcomed him the moment that she opened the door.
“Is there a problem?” He asked, worried.
“They wouldn’t let us go unless we ask for a waiver.” She was already stress.
“Then, let’s go ask for it. That would be easy.” Eliot suggested.
“I highly doubt that.” Raquel was frowning.
“And why is that?”
“Because I have a feeling that Jerome would refuse to give us a waiver.” She said aloud her thoughts, but more carefully as she whispered. “Earlier, I felt like….they do not wanted us to leave, Eliot.”
It might have been her mind playing tricks on her, but while heading to the nurse station, Raquel could feel all eyes fixated on her. Watching her as she walked, and observing her like a hawk.
She didn’t know why. She have no idea, but her gust were telling her something that she was hoping she have gotten wrong.
“What’s the matter? What do you mean by that?”
When she meet his eyes, Eliot could see fear in them..
“For now reason? I felt like we’re not safe here…on this place anymore.”
- Writer
