Denise called the accountant, the general manager and her personal assistant into the conference room to next day when she went to work. She had not gone through the accounts of the company ever since she took over the company and now she was regretting not doing that. Her father trusted all these workers and all these while they were stealing from his company.
She looked very serious as she sat on her chair. She was wearing a blue striped long sleeve shirt with wine coloured trousers. She wore black high heeled shoes and had her head in a pony tail. She looked beautiful especially with the mild make up on her face. But, the look on her face made her look deadly as well. When everyone was seated, she went straight to the point.
"Good morning, everyone. I don't waste time on this so I will go straight to the point. I have realised something is going on in this company and honestly, I am not happy about it. Last week, I asked for the accountant to hand me all the accounts from the last five years till date. Even though it took forever before it got to me, I realised a lot of things did not add up. So, I want to find out, was my father wrong in trusting all of you?" she began, with a straight face.
The accountant, Lucas, shifted in his chair. He was sweating profusely even with the cold temperature in the room. He looked like he would pass out any moment.
Jim, the general manger spoke first. "Miss Wilson, your father has always trusted us because he knew what we were capable of. He never doubted our work that is why most of us have been able to work in this company for so long. So, I am surprised to even hear about this."
"Yes, my father trusted you. But it seems some of us here have decided to turn that against me. Mr Lucas, can you please explain to me why all the numbers do not add up?" Denise turned to the accountant, who suddenly felt Denise's heavy gaze on him.
"Erm, Miss, you see... "
"Miss Wilson. Sorry to interrupt but can I see the file you are talking about? I will really like to see it for myself."
"Stella, can you please give the general manager a copy of the accounts file?" she asked her personal assistant who was seated next to her on her right, as the others sat on her left.
"Yes, ma'am." The personal assistant, Stella, stood up and gave the general manager the copy.
Jim took the file and wore his glasses. Then, he began to look through it once again.
"I can't believe this. How?"
"How? I thought as the general manager you are supposed to know about this. So I am surprised about your reaction," Denise said with a frown.
"Miss, I swear. I know nothing about this. He did not even show this to me. I did not know you had asked him for the file," Jim tried to defend himself.
"Really? Am I to suppose that my general manager is incompetent? Is that the impression you are giving me?" Denise raised her eye brow, making the general manager shiver in her sight.
Denise has always been nice to her employees. She had never shown this side of her until now. Seeing this look on her face was even making older men like Jim and Lucas cower in fear. She wanted to felt someone was not telling her the truth and she was determined to find out who was trying to steal from her.
"No, ma'am. That is not it. I am sorry if that is the impression I gave..." he quickly responded but Denise cut him off.
"Enough! Now, mr Lucas, are you going to tell me what I want to hear or should I call the police? Maybe they would be able to do a better job than I am doing right now, " Denise threatened.
"Please, don't call the police. I will tell you whatever you want to know. The thing is, it's been a while since you asked for the accounts and when you finally did, I panicked, that is why I made such mistakes. I am very sorry," Mr Lucas finally said after he had regained from whatever shock he was in.
"And why is that? Why did you panic?"
The accountant was quiet again. Denise's patience was running out. She felt angry and banged her hand on the table making everyone at the table jump up a bit.
"Speak! Before I get even more furious," Denise ordered.
The accountant suddenly began to cry. He was shedding tears like a baby. "I am sorry, Miss. I am so sorry. It was the work of the devil. I never meant to steal from the company. It's just that I needed the money. I am very sorry."
Everyone at the table were surprised, including Denise but she had a composed look on her face.
"So, you did steal from me? I am very disappointed in you Mr Lucas. How could you? My father trusted you so much and gave you this position for many years. I can't believe you will even dare to steal from me. You know what, you are fired. I need your table cleared and make sure you give everything that belongs to the company back to me. I do not want to see your face here ever again."
"Please, Miss. I am sorry. Don't fire me. I beg you. This company is my life. Please, don't fire me, I beg you," Lucas begged.
"You should have thought of that before stealing from me. You should be happy I did not hand you over to the police. Now, leave," she ordered.
Lucas went on his knees and started begging Denise to give him another chance but she did not want to listen to him. She was done listening. Right now, all she wanted was for the man to leave her company. She stood up and her personal assistant stood as well, with the file in her hand.
"Make sure he leaves this place, Jim. I don't want to see him here again," she said and left the room.