*** Eli's POV
Leaving Kenzie back in the cafe, I glanced back through the huge front window to see her waving with a huge smile, as she was supportive of me. She even took the time to get me prepared for this meeting, which I was grateful for, but at the same time surprised.
When I agreed that I would help her get the position, I didn't expect her to start immediately getting her influence in the company, I was hoping that we can split the burden, where she attends some of the meetings, while I work hard to win Father's favor. Yet it's only been two days since I agreed to this deal, and she sending me to meetings, to the lion's den.
I know she wasn't trying to scare me with this huge burden, but I couldn't help but worry about what exactly is going through her head.
Waving back to her, I stepped into the car letting the driver take me back to our estate, where I would have to sit through a dreadful meeting, with the Chairmen and my father.
Although I trust Kenzie's planning, I wasn't sure how to feel about having her lead me into the lion's den and try to inherit the company. The position for the CEO isn't an easy one, every choice that the person in the seat makes, influences everyone beneath them. And seeing how I wasn't confident or as creative as my father or sister, I don't think even with her help, I would be able to sit in that chair.
But sadly, my dear sister was focused on something else, something more dangerous. Although the CEO position was already a heavy burden -becoming the inheritor of the Mafia was worse. I couldn't image my sister taking the position and being able to sleep at night, as I've seen Father drink till he passed out because of the job.
It wasn't a normal profession for a fifteen-year-old, but at the same time, it was scary to think that it was a profession for her. She can pull off that she is a strong independent woman, and have plenty of people bow before, because of that dominating aura, that people can't help but defer to.
That's exactly what happened to me.
Not only did she have that aura, but she could also easily get a deal. Be it in the underworld or the business world.
She's powerful.
And I'm choosing to stand on her side because she can handle both jobs with ease. And unlike my father who falters when something goes wrong, she stays calm in the midst of it and works on a solution.
Arriving at the estate, Father greeted me with a smile on his face, and he scanned my outfit with his dark green eyes, taking in every detail. When he nodded his head, reaching out to pat my shoulder, he said, "I see that you dressed appropriately, must have had a good friend to help out." He chuckled and I didn't laugh with him, I just brushed off his hand.
"Yes, she is great at preparing for these events." I returned and he looked puzzled as he was trying to figure who I was referring to, and when he widened his eyes as the realization hit, he suddenly glanced around the estate looking for my sister.
"She's not coming is she?" He asked and I shook my head, crossing my arms, waiting for our guests to arrive. And we waited for about half an hour before four cars pulled into the driveway, letting out four important people, who looked shocked by my presence.
Soon followed afterward, ten other people showed up and were greeted afterward.
Greeting each of them men, especially Lenardo Edwards, who other than my father had the highest shares and was one of the people who had mixed feeling about Kenzie since the incident, and I had to win his favor since it was Kenzie's idea.
When I reached to shake hands with the old man, he just narrowed his droopy brown eyes, noticing something but didn't comment. When I glanced back at my father, he just nodded his head, before leading the way to the house where we would sit in the sun area, and discuss some things regarding the business and probably about heirs as well.
"Good evening gentlemen, my youngest son is here with us, but don't be shy to speak in front of him, he's also working in the company and understands what is happening this evening." My father announced pulled up a presentation with a bunch of numbers and a potential new product line, that I instantly recognized as Kenzie's work.
Clenching a fistful of my slacks, I was disgusted that my father is taking her idea and going to use it as his own, 'Don't get too worked up, he still hasn't said anything, and Mackenzie has already thought about this as well.' I chided to myself, and the youngest shareholder in his mid-twenties glanced at me and noticed that I wasn't pleased.
"Do you have any input on this presentation, Mr. Eli?" He asked aloud, and suddenly I had about fifteen sets of eyes on me including my father's, who was pleading with his expression that I shouldn't put up a fit.
Shaking my head in response majority of the men let out a sigh, either understanding or disappointed that I wasn't helping my father.
However, when I glanced at Mr. Edwards, he held my gaze for a second before looking back at the presentation, nodding to my father to continue.
"As we've noticed, we haven't launched a new product line for about three years." He started and all of us leaned forward in our seats interested, but then Edwards spoke.
"We have launched other product lines, but not our own." He corrected and my father nodded, not bothered by the correction. "Say that this is what we plan to do for the next couple of years, where did you suddenly get that detailed product line? Since the last time that we met, you didn't even have any intention to start another line, much less get more investors." He bluntly asked and my father let out a sigh, glancing in my direction.
"I've noticed that our rivals are starting a new product line and are ahead of us in the making. Although I know that he is sudden, I recently thought about starting another product line." My father shamelessly took Kenzie's plans and I rolled my eyes, picking up the glass of water.
"Before we can introduce another product line, we need more investors." Another man put in input, and the old man nodded his head, switching to the next slide that had a list of potential investors.
"For the next month, we will be focusing on getting investors for this project, and work to straighten out what happened in the past two weeks." He announced and the chairmen nodded their heads, but then Edwards had to speak.
"Is there are a reason why Miss Mackenzie didn't attend?" He asked, and everyone in the room took in an uneasy breath, despite knowing that Edwards was usually blunt.
"She was busy with other affairs, and she doesn't have the right to enter into the chairmen conferences." My father bit back, and Edwards chuckled a bit before glancing at me.
"Technically, all the children of the chairman are allowed to enter these conferences because one of them will inherit the position and will have to be accustomed to us, don't you think Alex?" Edwards referred to my father by first name basis, and my father was stunned. "Although you have a major say in who inherits the position, the chairmen also have a say." He continued and I almost wanted to hug the old man, but this wasn't the time or place.
*** Alex's POV
Never have I been humiliated before, or at least not in front of the chairmen -who were wide-eyed about what was happening. Although Edwards was usually blunt about what he talks about -he didn't like speaking in riddles- he always listened to what I had to say, but now, he was using the fact that both the chairmen as a whole and I have to choose the heir together.
And based on how he worded his sentences, he showed favor for Kenzie who wasn't even attending. I had thought since she caused trouble for the business two weeks ago, that she wouldn't be in their favor, but ever since the meeting started, and Eli had a disappointed look in his eyes as he looked at the plans, Edwards has been picking at me.
I wasn't used to this treatment, and the fact that he was interested in Kenzie who I was trying to keep away from the position, was irritating.
And I had a feeling that Eli didn't come for in interest, it seemed he was working with Mackenzie, who was ready to start her war for the position. But, I don't know why she didn't attend this evening, other than planning for either the CEO position or the Mafia trip that was happening in a couple of days.
"You are right, Chairmen Edwards." I gritted through my teeth, and he smirked seeing me lose my composer.
And sadly I couldn't help but compare Eli to Mackenzie, as she was quick about reading the room and was about to convince the people in it. if she was standing in this position there would be no hesitation as she is talking about her product line that I shamelessly called my own, and Eli knew from the start.
And at the same time, I also compared him to Jacob King, who was the same a Mackenize, one word, could solve it all. His calm composer scared me daily, just like when I stumbled across him in the Underworld, there were times that I thought he was going to end me, but he just crushed me then left me in pain.
For my youngest son, Eli, it would take him a long time to get to that level, but at the same time I couldn't see him in that position since he wasn't that interested in inheriting the position, rather he was working for Mackenize.
With those two on the same side, it would make it impossible to make sure my company doesn't land in her hands since my other two sons show no interest.