Dealing With Solevan

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

DEALING WITH SOLEVAN

COPYRIGHT 2018 © JOESLINE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Standing behind Fall and Emily, I held my eyes on the numbers that was jumping before it stopped. The lift door opened as I was welcomed by the ever-familiar sight. I held my fist, clenched nervously while we walked out of the lift.

This will be the first time I am meeting the mysterious Board of Directors that stood behind the scene. They are the ones that pressured Jayden entering the marriage contract with me, and also the reason he would work day and night to ensure the company progressed. During the ride here, Fall had highlighted to me that Roy would be participating in this meeting as well. What kind of questions would he threw at me? A pearl of cold sweat slide down my forehead as I trembled a little.

The path from the lift lobby towards the conference room was a long corridor, passing by rows of work stations. Almost every employee in the Solevan Holdings had their eyes on me. A candidate that came out of nowhere is submitting herself to the vote for the Acting CEO of the company. With everyone still kept in the dark of Jayden's return, they would see me as a potential replacement of Jayden.

As we finally reached the huge oak-wood door, Emily leaned closer. She whispered under her breath, "Are you ready?"

I inhaled a deep breath. My throat constricted as I struggled to gave a nod. She took my que and held open the door. Eyes gazed in as I set myself noticing the nine directors that were in the conference room. They had sat down with a few files placed in front of them. I would presume those were the materials used to refer me for the evaluation. I could feel the pressure on instance. It was as if I had put myself in a room with nine people interviewing me. I gulped, suppressing my nervousness as I did a slight bow as a gesture of my greeting.

Just then, a man from behind laughed. I searched the source of the laughter before I paused my eyes on him. Roy. I clenched my jaws.

"I thought who was it, didn't realize it was our drama queen, Miss Swift." He gave a devilish grin, "You wouldn't mind me calling you Miss Swift, will you?"

I cleared my throat, "Whatever you deem comfortable"

Roy shook his head as he walked over to settle down as well, "Oh no, Miss Swift, there is a need of clarity when it comes to such serious meeting"

It was obvious. He was trying to put me down. Roy would have known of the possible reason I would use to step in as Acting CEO. So, he would definitely discredit me for the obvious.

I smirked, "Of course, there is a need. Everything should be handled that way. I believe that's how Jayden would want for the company too"

After throwing that sentence, I walked to my designated seat. It was situated beside Roy, as a symbol of us being in the same position vying for the Acting CEO title. As for the directors, they were settled on both sides of the long table.

Emily walked to the podium and started the formal introduction, "Good afternoon all. Today's meeting is an official introduction of Miss Swift. She will be a nominee for the position of the Acting CEO of the Solevan Holdings. Please provide your input. Thank you"

Without any hesitation, Roy raised his hand, "I object."

I turned to him, "And... may I know of the reason for your objection?"

Roy smiled, "Miss Swift, maybe you can start by telling us the reason for you to be a nominee for the position as the Acting CEO of the Solevan Holdings?"

I replied, "As everyone know, I was a wife to Jayden and soon-to-be as well- "

He butted in, not allowing me to finish. "But you are now not Mrs. Solevan. Miss Swift, in other words, your current marital status does not qualify you being a nominee for the position of the Acting CEO."

I clenched my fist. As expected, Jayden had seen this coming. My anger was fuming inside as I struggled to keep a smiling face, "I am sorry, Mr Bennett. If you don't mind, would you allow me to finish my explanation?"

Jayden's uncle whom was sitting beside with the rest of the directors spoke, "Miss Swift, please go on"

I did a nod and continued, "As you all know about the history of me and Jayden, you will also know that I had been the closest person to him than anyone else. So, I would be aware of how he had run the company as well."

My eyes turned to the blank screen that was standing beside the podium. I gestured to the screen as I clicked to start the presentation that I had prepared. The PowerPoint slides illustrated the various plans that the company had been working on. Out of those, I had specifically highlighted on the few major projects to show my understanding towards the directive of the company.

I walked past all the directors as I added, "Jayden's vision was to see the company grow into a major brand locally and globally as well. But beside having all these magnificent plans that were in progress, what do you think was the key factor for such vision to become a reality?"

Roy folded his arms, "Miss Swift, maybe the best person to answer your question is yourselves."

Jayden is a genius. He even predicted how Roy would response towards the question. I confidently replied, "Jayden always said before that a successful man doesn't look for answers but to continue searching for more questions to answer. And this will be one of the questions that I am looking forward to answer as an Acting CEO of this company."

I stopped my glance at Roy for one second before returning to the directors, "For his belief is my belief, so I will see his company as my company. Hence, I hope I will be able to convince each and every one of you to vote for me to be the Acting CEO of the Solevan Holding until Jayden returns."

I smiled and did a slight bow again, "I have finished my words. Thank you for your time."

Emily then walked back to podium, "Now, can we have a raise of hands for those that approves Annie Swift to be a nominee of the position as the Acting CEO of the Solevan Holdings?"

Jayden's uncle and the Don brothers as expected had raised their hands. My eyes watched the directors that were neutral. They looked at each other before one of them voiced out, "We have no comments with Miss Swift being one of the nominees for the voting happening next week."

I felt the heavy rock that had dropped off from my shoulder. Meeting has ended. The directors had taken their leave. I followed Emily and Fall shortly to leave the room as well. Roy was standing at the door, waiting for me. 

He did a sarcastic applause, "Miss Swift, I must say it was a fantastic performance that you had just now, so relatively similar to the drama you had in your personal life. But you should know it's not enough to run a big corporation like Solevan Holdings." 

And he walked off.