T&K Company
As Malik's car drove in, his assistant rushed towards him as he stepped out not waiting for him to be settled.
"Mr Hampton, the meeting has started ten minutes ago which means we are..." Before he could complete his statement, a glare from Malik shut him up.
*
"You're late." A Man in his mid sixties said as Malik entered into the boardroom.
Instead of apologizing, he rolled his eyes and sat down placing legs which he crossed on the table.
"Rude peacock, I don't know why we were waiting for him to come." Someone in the boardroom muttered.
"Since Mr Hampton has arrived let us commence this meeting." The man said and a lanky guy dressed in a black suit stood up.
The lanky guy walked briskly towards the large screened TV with an ipad in his hand.
When he got there, he typed something on the iPad which made the large screen switch on displaying some images.
"This is the new project for the year, it is a new product that would benefit both the poor and the rich" the lanky guy says pointing at the images displayed on the large screen.
"It will be like a new version to old one with different functions and a little of the old."
"How are we sure it is a profitable product?" One of the shareholders inquired.
"This product is the most trending product but ours will be different because of its version."
"Hmmm" someone else said from the back.
"We can earn times three or four of the amount used as the possibility of the demand maybe high so as the supply." He continued.
"Why should we include the commoners, why can't we make it basically or only for the wealthy?"
"We cannot do that because the commoners are the majority while the rich are the minority."
"So? Can't we hike the price up for the rich to cover up?" A man in red suit gave his opinion.
"The old version of this product was commonly used by the commoners which gave us the impression that when a new version of it is launched, there will be lot of sales."
"Ohhh" another one mouthed
"But their quality would be different from that of the wealthy ones."
"Good" they were whispering in affirmation across the room.
"What is the total budget for this project?"
"100 million dollars."
"What's the possibility profit?"
"250 million dollars." The lanky guy replied and the boardroom became silent in which the shareholders were glancing at each other.
"The project should go on since there's a possibility for the product to be the first selling market in the country and world." the first lady amist them said earning a glance and a raised brows.
"Meaning, I'm rooting for it." She said while others also agreed with her except Malik who has been silent since he had sat.
"Malik, what do you say?" The old man who had questioned him for coming late inquired.
He did so while others gaze were pinned on him hopefully because what he says will be the final say.
"I'm not interested." He said which causes murmurings in the boardroom.
"But it...."
"I can't waste my money on some worthless project. I will rather you donate the money to the orphanage."
"You are all here seated and talking about the last product which was almost banned by the government for the harm it caused." He continued.
"Yeah, it was mostly used by the commoners because they had no choice, right? And you are doing it again"
"Instead of producing another version of havoc, why don't you check the product to know what went wrong."
"No, you are all concerned about the profit that would be gotten from it."
"Until you have a rethink and are ready to put out a good product out there, I will not think of investing on it." He said and dropped his legs
"I think am done here, so if you will excuse me, I have something very important to do." And with that he stood up and walk out of the boardroom leaving them speechless.
.
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*
Ann was on her way to the kitchen when she sighted Richard coming from afar, so she stopped and adjusted her dress.
To be more beautiful, she also added a little touch of make up to her face, and when she was done, she smiled walking towards him.
"Hi" she said smiling sheepishly tucking her hair at the back of her ear.
"Hi." Richard responded with a muddled look which make her blush.
"I....." She was about to speak when Richard spotted Massy who was going to her room after getting some air at the balcony.
"Excuse me" he said and excused himself going towards Massy which make her burn with anger.
"That bitch" she cursed glaring daggers at Massy who was still walking.
"Massy" he called and hastened his steps.
"Hi" Richard said with a smile
"Hi."Massy responded staring at him blankly.
"I have not been seeing you around, I guess you weren't around" he said.
"Yeah." She said flatly and was about to scream when Richard gripped her wrist making her wince.
"Are you alright?" He inquired fretfully, she nodded.
His eyes went to where he gripped her only to see a swollen bruise.
Immediately, he remembered the day he saw her making tea in the middle of the night.
He remembered that that day he had gripped her hand to prevent her from leaving only for her to groan in pain.
A deep frown settled on his face "what happened to you?" He inquired with his gaze pinned on her bruised wrist.
"It's nothing." She muttered rolling down the sleeve of the top that has rolled up when she jerked her hand from his hold.
She had worn the long sleeves top to conceal her bruises and scars from people to avoid questions.
Richard scoffed at her reply as his frown deepened. He knew it was not an easy thing for her to open to him that way.
"I need go" she muttered under her breath but to his hearing.
As she tried to run away, Richard dragged her back to get her treated.
Ann who has been watching them from afar gritted her teeth and clenched her fist as he dragged Massy away
"Wait, just who does she think she is?" She growled.
She who has been working in the Hampton's mansion for years has never caught his attentions.
Who is she now to steal his attention within a few months of her stay there?
.
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*
Massy bit her lips trying to stop herself from screaming in pain as Richard added ointment and rubbed her hands.
When he was done, he stared up at her, "stop hurting the innocent lip" Richard joked.
"Thanks." Massy muttered but he wasn't leaving her wrist still.
Massy stared at him, and then he did, they both stared at each other unable to tear their eyes away.
Unconsciously, Richard eyes went to her wet lips and gulped.
He was pushing his head forward when she looked away and jerked her hand from him and stood up.
"Got to go." She muttered.
"Yeah." he said scratching the back of his neck, embarrassed.
"Thanks." She appreciated and walked out.
"Such a jerk." Richard scolded himself immediately she walked out.