Bitter Sweet and Strange

Chapter 33

Third Person

Salubong ang kilay ni Albert McCarter habang nakatingin sa bagong dating na si Director Hans Reagan. Maaga kasi siya nitong binisita sa kanyang opisina, at dahil sa pagkatalong naranasan nitong nakaraan ay mainit pa ang dugo nito sa lahat.

"What brought you here?" The disgust in his voice is too evident.

"I am here as the Legal Director of VS. My appointment with you is not personal." Umupo na si Director Hans at binuksan ang dala niyang case.

"If this is all about the Voting Session, you can evaporate already."

Inayos ni Director Hans ang kanyang eyeglasses bago napangisi nang makahulugan. Inilapag niya sa mesa ni Albert ang mga dokumentong dala niya.

"The shareholders request for your removal as the director. The ground is loss of trust. At current, almost ninety percent of needed votes are already on the rolling."

"What?" Binasa ni Albert ang folder. "They can't do this to me! I'm the major shareholder now."

"Voltaire is the major shareholder now after buying an accumulated 5% shares. Therefore, the Outsiders can oust you now, since they are responsible for the election and removal of the Directors."

"Voltaire. Voltaire. Voltaire!" Nilamukos niya ang mga papeles. "It's too obvious that the Villasuarezs are the ones behind this! They're attacking me now! And they thought that I can easily be swayed by their cheap tricks? Go on, let them have their ways. I'm fully ready to take them head on. I can step down as a director if that's what they want, but the fact that I still hold ample amount of shares can not be taken for granted."

"I'm afraid that it's not only the removal of your position that you should be focusing right now."

"What do you intend to mean?"

May inilapag na namang folder si Director Hans sa table ni Albert.

"The Xiu and Chan Holding is claiming that you forged their representative's signature to complete your qualified votes for Voting Session. If you will be found guilty, you will face another trouble."

"W-what?"

Namutla si Albert. Alam niya kasing ginawa niya 'yun. Pero may permiso siya noon sa Xiu and Chan Holding dahil hindi nakadalo ang representative nila sa meeting nila. Kaya bakit ngayon ay parang na-sabotahe siya?

"You are also facing a case on bribery. And Buendavid IV, is suing you for conspiracy and unethical inside jobs. Sad to say, but that kid has enough proofs that can testify his claim."

"This is all bullshit!" Napatayo na si Albert at hinampas ang mesa.

"Don't worry, Albert, all the procedures will commence legally. You will be given your rights as a defendant. I, together with my team, will be the ones in charge of the legal proceedings. We will start tommorow."

"You can't do this to me! I am Albert McCarter!"

"I am just doing my job as the Legal Director."

"Shut up, Hans! You're also behind these!"

"Think what you want, but I am only doing the task bestowed upon me."

Tumayo na si Director Hans at tinignan si Albert nang may pagsisimpatya.

"We've known each other for many years already, so let me tell you an important thing at least. If ever you will be found guilty of those charges, fifty percent of your shares will be lost. Those shares will be automatically shared by the Executives and Directors accordingly. That's worth billions, Albert."