Chapter 183 - The New CEO

Harold weighed the pros and cons of going against Lu Fang. He underestimated him. He thought, he probably knew about their plans, setting him up with his daughter. 'But how? How did he know about Darwin?'

After careful consideration, he decided to end it right then and there. He sent the balance payment of 400 Million Dollars. He replied with an email addressing Lu Fang in the unknown account saying he was mistaken to disturb their relationship with his wife and promised to never interfere once more.

Patricia was heartbroken after being told that his father would no longer support her pursuit of Lu Fang.  She cried for days and did not speak to her parents all throughout her stay in the hospital. 

After Patricia's discharge, they decided to take a vacation before returning to the US so to forget all that has happened so far.

"Andrea, we are not able to proceed with the next step as they are going away," Darwin reported. 

"Where are they headed?" asked Andrea. She was currently in bed, her feet being massaged by Lu Fang when Darwin called. 

"They are going to the Maldives. As I recall, this is their favorite vacation destination." 

Andrea was silent for nearly a second, curious about the possibility, then told him she would call back in thirty minutes.

"Babe, I think I know where Patricia might have seen you, " she said while suggesting for the man to grab her laptop. 

Andrea searched for Harold's name on each of her island's reservation system and true enough; she found their names as one of their regulars. A smirk appeared on her face.  

Although the couple was horrified by the probability that the Smiths have stalked them since their visit to the Maldives, Harold's decision to return to the Indian Ocean opened an opportunity for the couple to bring him down once and for all. 

She called back Darwin and suggested for him to fly to the US, "It's time for you to start buying shares. Use the last video we gave against Harold and insist to buy the shares at a lower cost. I can assure you, by the end of this month, you'll be the new CEO of Intramed Wise."

After their conversation with Darwin, she called her most trusted General Manager at Nalankan Maldives to execute her plans. Very timely as well, Arti will be flying into the resorts. Arti can help finalize the paperwork. 

'Everything is falling into place,' Andrea thought to herself and went to bed peacefully that night. 

A month passed, the Smith's were back in the US. Harold was contacted by his assistant informing him of an urgent board meeting, saying a change in management was required.

"Huh! You can try to oust me if you can. I and my new business partner will keep your mouths shut," Harold murmured thinking about the board members.

When he arrived, he went straight to the meeting room where everyone was waiting for him. He stood behind the President's chair and asked," What is this about? Change in management? May I remind you, I am still the biggest shareholder of this company. Only I can be the President."

"Harold, be we heard you sold 10% of your shares-" 

"Yes, to a new confederation that will open up branches in China and Korea. He will join us via conference call shortly."

"Harold, that only means you have 20% left of the company shares-" 

"My new business partner will support me as if I still had the full 30% shares."

"Harold!" Mr. Johnson, one of the board members, spoke with conviction in his tone. "We have had enough of you! You have been out of the country for too long, forgetting your responsibility as the CEO of this company. Your Vice President has done most of the work for you!"

Harold sensed the tension in the room and looked into everyone's eyes, they all silently want him out. 

"No!" He yelled. "This company is mine! I started this with my very own hands, I will not let you take it away from me - "

"You should have thought about that before you had me killed!"

Harold turned to the door and could not believe his eyes. "It can't be… No, It can't be…", he told himself. His heart raced seeing the man who just interrupted him.

Darwin came walking inside the meeting room and announced, "I am now the biggest shareholder of this company. I have bought 11% shares in total from some of you and let us not forget the 10% share that I previously owned, which is currently being managed by Harold."

"I vote for Darwin to be our new CEO!" asserted Mr. Johnson. 

"I too!"

"I agree!"

A few other board members gave their votes making Harold's blood boil. 

"Wait… Wait!" Harold shouted at everyone. He turned to Darwin and said, "Darwin, whatever our misunderstanding is, let us leave the company out of this. We can talk about this later - "

"You tried to have me killed, Harold. There is no forgiving after that!"

Harold's face turned red out of anger and blurted out, "How dare you accused me. You have no proof!"

"The proof will come once your arrest warrant has been served. You just have to wait," said Darwin as he walked towards his direction, ready to take his seat. 

"I am innocent until proven guilty! Besides, my new business partner will be supporting me - "

Harold's cry was suspended by a call that came in. Seeing his phone light up, he excitedly connected it to the projector for everyone to see. 

"Everyone, please give me a chance. I assure you with the new collaboration I have formed, we can make Intramed Wise go global, starting the expansion in the Asian Market. My new business partner is the owner of three island resorts in the Maldives and holds a strong connection to the largest company in China and in Korea…" 

Harold was doing a marvelous job establishing the profile of his new associate when finally, he heard a woman speak in the video call, "Good Morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Andrea Li now, Andrea Lu, your new partner."

Harold froze and paled within seconds seeing Andrea on the monitor. 

"Mr. Smith, thank you for such a comprehensive introduction. It's an honor to be part of this company and hope that it will grow to greater heights under new management… by Darwin Clark."

Silence filled the room, the board members were surprised to hear the woman show support to Darwin. They all thought she was supposed to reinforce Harold, but as it turns out, she was behind Darwin all along.