A few hours later, with the conference room being filled with only one-thirds of the people before, Kyle gave a huge smile that showed off his dimple.
The few women who were there were captivated for a while, the fear from before dissipating. The men were also slightly stunned, finding that the image of the Devil's Incarnate could turn into an Angel in a blink of an eye to be mind-boggling.
"Well, now that we have the tumour removed," Kyle said, "We welcome Ms. Rowena as the new CEO."
Collective gasps were heard in the entire room, the loudest being from Rowena herself. She stood up, eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets as she said, "Sir! I - I"
Kyle put up a finger, shook it, and motioned her to sit down.
"As of this morning, Smith Industries has acquired 60% of the shares," Kyle said, glossing over the fact that this was done simply by the removal of the 'tumour' and utilising a clause of the collaboration contract, "Which gives us - me, that is - the right to choose the next CEO."
Sam nodded to the interns there who then placed a file in front of each person left in the conference room.
"These are the new posts and positions of everyone here," Kyle said, "All of you have shown tremendous loyalty and have been with the company for years. I am sure everyone is also agreeable to Ms. Rowena being the CEO."
He glared at them briefly, saying, "Especially since she's the only one who not only saw what was going on but had the integrity to actually report it. Not easy, considering the stakes at hand."
Those that had a bit of grievance looked down, having the conscience to feel a bit guilty at that.
"So, Rowena, congratulations," Kyle said, "You will see the team I have assembled for you to support you in this new transition. Your secretary and personal assistant are on trial for the moment, and you'll have these two to help you in the first year."
At that, two people that had been quiet behind Kyle this entire time stepped up.
Kyle stood up, smoothened his shirt down, and said before walking out, "My job here is done."
Sam watched him go with an eye roll and a sigh. Turning to the dumbfounded people in the room, the frozen Rowena, and the two silent men beside him, Sam began detailing the things that were to be done.
As Kyle walked out, he headed towards the elevator and headed to the carpark. As the elevator was just about to reach the underground carpark area, the camera inside flickered and blacked out.
Security didn't really pay it any heed as only the CEO had been inside. They started fiddling with the controls for a bit and when the camera came back on, they noted that the elevator was empty and was heading back up. No one really bothered about it and continued monitoring the other cameras.
A lone figure, dressed entirely in black and wearing a full-face black helmet on a motorbike was briefly captured by the security camera as it swiftly left the car park.
The next morning, the news was full of two major events that occurred the day before.
The huge change in organisational structure of Company XYZ and the destruction of one of the largest drug dens in the city.
✿ Author posts on WN and neovel ✿
On the way back to Country Tz, Kyle leaned back on the first-class cabin chair with his eyes closed.
He still hated flying.
He had a private plane but using it just for this one trip felt like a waste so he endured the uncomfortableness of the whole experience.
Granted, the unique smell in an airplane cabin wasn't as severe and the airplane food in first class wasn't as tasteless (or tasted like it was part-box), Kyle still couldn't enjoy it.
At least, he wasn't suffering as badly as he used to.
The air stewardesses that were in charge of First Class were really happy. They were all natives of Country Tz, so when they had found out that Kyle Smith was going to be a passenger, they were ecstatic.
Right now, they could admire and look at the man himself, in the flesh, at close range. They were professional enough not to disturb him and their hearts went to him to see how his face seemed to be a little bit pale.
On his tray, there was a cup full of 7-up and a preserved sour plum inside it.
This little quirk of the CEO was well known amongst the airline industry as something he had to have whenever he flew. Something about it helped him with his air sickness. Since the information became public, every major airline would have this prepared whenever Kyle flew on commercial flights.
Sam, who was working in the same First Class Cabin but was a seat away, didn't bother Kyle. He had his earphones on as his fingers flew across the keyboard.
"Sam," Kyle called out, "Give it a rest, will ya?"
Sam's fingers stopped and he pursed his lips as he turned to look at Kyle, "Unlike someone who chose to go personally to a certain country that is hundreds of miles away on such short notice, leaving behind a ton of work to be done by the one who had no choice but to follow and keep up…"
"I pay you enough to do it," Kyle said with a smirk, his eyes still closed, "And you're efficient enough to do it with your eyes closed. So give it a rest."
With a gentler voice, Kyle said, "You need it as much as I do."
Sam sighed loudly and closed his laptop and kept it in his bag. Taking off his glasses, he gave his tired yes a rub and leaned back.
"There, happy?" he asked with a slight sourness to his voice.
Kyle laughed a bit, "Well, seems like age has mellowed you a bit. If this was before, you'd ignore me and continue clacking away."
"Mellowness has nothing to do with it, and you know very well why that is so," Sam muttered.
The smirk on Kyle's face didn't diminish.
If Sam went back tired, Betty would nag at Sam and complain to Sayuri - who in turn, would 'punish' him for working Sam too hard. And when Kyle was punished, he'd dump an insane amount of work on Sam in retaliation.
After all, Sayuri's punishment was cruel indeed.
[A/N: It wouldn't be a punishment now, would it?! - Sorry, couldn't help saying that]
Using her seduction art to the fullest, she would bring him to the edge countless times until Kyle felt like he was reaching the breaking point. She knew the exact moment when to give him the release before he snapped.
He was like a puppet on a string. Though it was fun once in a while, Kyle certainly wasn't in the mood for it this time. Being away from his wife for a week was more than enough for him to just want to go at it like 'Fast and Furious' rather than a prolonged 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.
"Wife slave," Sam shot at him before he closed his eyes and proceeded to sleep.
"Right back at you," Kyle retorted, glad for the silence that descended the cabin.
Kyle waited until he heard Sam's steady breathing and finally relaxed.
Sam tended to push himself too hard sometimes and so, Kyle would need to make sure he took a break once in a while.
This time's mission took rather long but it was satisfying. Kyle wondered when he would be able to bring Alex along for these little trips. Using the company as an excuse to go abroad and then deal with some troublesome matters for Big Bro Nic.
After his 'debut' two years ago, Cinder's reputation was slowly growing amongst the Underworld. However, he was still just a small fish in a huge pond that had a very strong cover but sooner or later, he would need to swim out on his own.
Kyle frowned a bit as he looked out the window.
Cinder's skills were growing but the problem was, the handle on his emotions wasn't getting any better. It wasn't getting worse - which was a good thing - but he still tended to break out once in a while.
Sayuri kept telling him that Alex was still a child and it was only normal that one his age would be able to deal with the emotions within him. In fact, taking everything into consideration, Alex was doing very well.
Kyle flexed his hands and sighed.
As much as he wanted to agree with her, he couldn't relax. He knew, from first-hand experience, just how debilitating the Smith Anger could be when it erupted. He was extremely fortunate to have been a matured adult at the time, so he could control it well.
But Alex …
Kyle clenched his fist.
He had to be strict on him, and push him because he knew the dangerous consequence otherwise.
The curse of the Smith Anger was strong in Alex and Kyle would do anything to protect him.
Having Alex get out of control was Kyle's greatest fear.