Chapter 128

128 The Stakeholders Meeting

At exactly 1:40 PM, Leon strolled into the presidential hotel conference room where Maxwell was already seated. Maxwell was discussing with someone when Leon came in and walked toward him.

“Is that Rex’s boy? Splendid!” The man talking to Maxwell looked up at Leon beaming from cheek to cheek. “Absolutely splendid! You’re a true chip off the old block. Rex must be so proud to have raised a fine gentleman like you.”

“Thanks for all the compliments! It’s also nice to meet you,” Leon returned the courtesy with a brief side grin and his face returned to being expressionless.

“Do you still recognize me, Leon? The last time I visited Carlpole, you were just five years old. You use to call me uncle Wall.”

“Not really, it’s been such a long time!” Leon took a seat beside Maxwell while carefully scanning his environment.

“Yes, you’re are right, it has been such a long time. Anyways, I am Mr. Wallace and it’s my pleasure to finally meet you.” Wallace extended his hand which Leon shook.

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Wallace,” Leon said curtly and returned his attention to scrutinizing his environment.

Ever since he stepped into the conference room, Leon had already counted about eight faces that didn’t hide their displeasure at his presence. One of these eight faces even gave him a condescending look and this riled his spirit. Nevertheless, he decided to hold his peace until after Maxwell’s announcement. Then, he would show everyone who is boss.

Three minutes before the meeting commenced, every stakeholder and partner of the Treshvire empire was assembled and comfortably seated. Aside from the stakeholders and middle-aged female secretary; who had been working for the Treshvire empire for almost twenty-five years, no one was allowed into the room. All distinctively dressed security personnel of different stakeholders were made to wait outside the conference room.

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The total number of stakeholders seated in the conference room was nineteen. Nine on either side of the large oval table, and one at one end of the table. The other end of the table which happens to be the chairman’s seat was vacant due to Rex’s absences.

At exactly the scheduled time, the meeting kicked off with an opening speech taken by Maxwell on behalf of Rex.

In the short speech, read by Maxwell, Rex welcomed everyone to their twenty-third annual meeting. He commended everyone’s input toward the growth and stability of the empire. He stated some pending issues which needed to be addressed urgently. Finally, he stated his intentions to vacate the chairmanship position in order to give room for a new chairman.

“We would select and vote in the new chairman towards the end of the meeting,” Maxwell announced in a deep tone and took his seat.

At Maxwell’s last statement, the room was engulfed with mixed muffled voices. Some loyal factions of the stakeholders were aggrieved at Rex’s decision. They knew that Rex was a great leader and it would be difficult for anyone to perfectly fit into his shoes.

While other faction of stakeholders who had been secretly praying for a day like this, could not contain their excitement. They were thrilled by the opportunity to vote for a new chairman of their choice. This new chairman they had been secretly canvassing for was no other person but the dreaded dictator and business mogul; Mr. Rodriguez Sacramento.

Mr. Rodriguez had secretly been accumulating votes with huge bribes for the past ten years. He knew a day like this would come, hence he started preparing early.

For years, Mr. Rodriguez had been strategic in his dealings with Rex. He knew Rex was a fiercer opponent to contend with, hence he was cautious in all his dealing in order not to be tagged an enemy.

This was because all of Rex’s enemies were silently eliminated with no proof or link to him. Hence, everyone was careful of what they said or how they acted in his presence.

Maxwell gave Leon a furtive smirk while the whole commotion was ongoing. He was thrilled to finally see all the traitors and silent backstabbers of Rex show their true color in his absence. He counted all eight of them and smiled evilly to himself.

“I have been longing for a good old bloodbath,” Maxwell mused incoherently. I can’t wait for the battle to commence.”

When decorum was finally restored to the meeting, every pending issue of the empire was addressed and candid opinions were noted.

Toward the tail end of the meeting, Maxwell informed all those interested in the chairmanship position to state their intentions. He also made it known to everyone that he had no intention of becoming the next chairman.

This provoked another murmur as most of Rex’s loyal friends and stakeholders have always thought that Maxwell would take over from Rex.

While the murmuring was ongoing, three people raised their hands, declaring their motives to be the next chairman.

Amongst these three individuals was Mr. Rodriguez as expected. He gave a demeaning and deadly stare to the other two interested stakeholders but this did not shake them off.

“Can all those interested in the chairmanship position rise to their feet for better recognition?” Maxwell said in a deep tone.

All three rose to their feet and there was silence as everyone suspiciously glared at one another.

Maxwell smirked devilishly at the tense atmosphere before dropping the bomb on the table.

“By the way, forgive me for not earlier introducing a new stakeholder in our midst.” Maxwell’s eyes brightened up as he spoke. “I was waiting patiently for this time to do the introduction. Please, let’s welcome Mr. Leon Treshvire, the first and only son of Rex Treshvire.”

A round of applause erupted as Leon stood up, wearing a devilishly charming smile and waving to everyone.

Leon was about to take his seat when Maxwell urged him to remain standing.

“As I was saying, Leon Treshvire is the candidate Rex and I have chosen to take over the chairmanship position. Hence I will encourage everyone to choose wisely.”

“What the hell!” Rodriguez’s eyes burned with unquenchable fire. He glared at everyone seated at the table and focused his attention on Maxwell. “I think this is an expensive joke! Nevertheless, I will agree with Maxwell on this one. Everyone had better choose wisely.” His voice conveyed a hint of threat.

The other two stakeholders, who had earlier made public their intention to become the next chairman quickly withdrew their intentions and cast their votes for Leon.

Hence the battle for the chairmanship position was drawn between Leon Treshvire and Rodriguez Sacramento.