One month later.
Over the past hours, days and weeks, things had been quiet and quite peaceful. No meetings at the Holland Corporations or any public scandal. But everybody knew it won't be like that for long.
After Kieran recovered from his injuries, Amanda posted on the shareholders website that the general meeting would be held in a few weeks.
The internet buzzed in anticipation about the new faces that would be taking the seats of the previous shareholders who refused to work with Kieran Holland.
That day… is today.
The creamy limo pulled over before the red carpet and a chauffeur helped with the door. Kieran stepped out in a shiny black suit that had a clock design on it – cameras clicked. Amanda came out next to him and also his new personal reporter… Jaxon Austin.
Kieran had forgotten the plan he made the day they went to Miss Ana's restaurant to help his friends, which was around two months ago. Because Mr Stamp's incidence occurred right after that day…
'May his soul rest in peace,' Kieran thought, remembering him as he walked across the red carpet.
Thus, after everything settled, he executed the plan. Jaxon and Zyn signed a contract agreement with him to work as his personal reporter and fashion designers… with a salary of a hundred thousand dollars. Kieran raised the money to that amount so as to make Zyn agree – he wasn't planning to let her go yet.
The door automatically opened, and they proceeded in, where a set of ladies lined up and bowed. Everyone had been talking about it, and were still doing so… That CEO Holland had lost his energetic and lively self since a month ago. Kieran heard the rumour too and knew they weren't lieing, because, somehow, he felt like he caused Mr Stamp's death.
He felt guilty.
Just as they had got to the midst of the bowing ladies, a sudden noise arose from outside. The reporters were making it, for sure. Everyone, including Kieran, looked through the glass walls at the outside.
"Who's that?" Jaxon asked, looking at Kieran, who stepped closer to the glass wall.
He raised his brows in curiosity too. Because, he already had an idea who that person might be. The new majority shareholder.
And it was. He saw an old, yet elegant woman step out from the black Rolls Royce ahead. She was in the normal suit, but it was as though there was something else to the dress that everyone was just going crazy over it.
Kieran could tell – it was because she was almost as popular and wealthy as he was.
Mrs Jackson.
Kieran then turned and said to Jaxon, "It's Mrs Jackson. Let's move on."
Jaxon jogged closer to him and asked, "That woman who worked with your dad for fifty years?"
"Yes," Kieran replied.
Jaxon straightened his back and sighed. "I don't know why. But I just feel she's coming for your throat on purpose. Because, she stopped working with your dad, then now that you're the CEO, she suddenly bought all available shares…"
"… Shares that now exceed Alan Martinez's own," Kieran added, nodding. "Maybe she thinks I'm less as capable as that man, so somehow wants to get something here. Either ways, the empire is growing while I'm here. That's most important."
Jaxon nodded. "Yes. That's right."
Two ladies pushed open the conference room's door in a moment, and Kieran, Jaxon and Amanda stepped in. Jaxon was the only reporter allowed in this time, and he went ahead to set up his tripod camera. He gave Kieran thumbs up when he was done, who smiled back.
All new shareholders who got the shares for free were present, including Mrs Stamps. One could tell sadness from her face, being in her divorced husband's seat… But business is business.
Soon, the old woman stepped inside too. Mrs Jackson.
The atmosphere inside changed immediately, some of the shareholders standing from their seats to greet her with handshakes, alongside bright smiles. Kieran couldn't tell why.
Actually, some of them here also started the company with his father, so they must know the woman pretty well. But this time, it seemed as though they respected her even more than the CEO.
'What a sight today,' Kieran thought, then shifted his glance away from the woman.
Even Alan Martinez welcomed her, though he didn't stand from his seat.
When the old woman reached her own chair, which was next to Kieran's, she said to him with a smile, "… You look so good, Mr Holland. May I have a seat?"
"Yeah, please do. We're running out of time already," was all he replied with.
The woman held a heavy stare at him before she did so, then smiled, like someone in pity for another one. What was she on about?
Even Amanda noticed it, but just turned to proceed with the briefing. She snapped her fingers, and the wall lit up with information.
Meanwhile, outside the building were two men around the crowd, who stared here and there as though secretly looking for something. And yes, they were.
One, in an ashy thick pullover, mumbled to the other, pulling down his cap to cover his face,
"We mustn't be figured out. Or else, it would get known that the police is secretly investigating a trillionaire."
The other one chuckled, pocketing his hands, "Well… does being a trillionaire mean we can't hold him accountable for his crime?"
"Come on, we have no evidence to prove that. And that's why we're here today," the other officer mumbled back. He made way for someone to pass by and continued, "You're right in a sense…
we can't be rash in investigating because he's that influential. Good thing the public doesn't know yet so we're safe if, at the end, it's wrong he ordered the assassination."
The second guy grunted, "I hope it's him, though. Would be nice proving to people again that there's blood behind wealth."
"Don't be a jealous SOB."
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A/N: Please vote with golden tickets and power stones! Thanks for reading!