Chapter 5: Whispers in the Boardroom
The mahogany table in the executive conference room gleamed under the harsh fluorescent lights. Ayo, clad in a suit that still felt foreign on his lean frame, sat at the head, an air of quiet defiance masking the knot of unease in his stomach. Across from him sat a dozen faces – the board of directors of Awolowo Enterprises. Their expressions ranged from guarded curiosity to thinly veiled skepticism.
"Mr. Awolowo," began a man with a neatly trimmed goatee, his voice dripping with condescension, "we appreciate your enthusiasm. However, running a multinational corporation requires a certain level of experience."
Ayo fought back the urge to fidget. He may have been a teenager from the streets yesterday, but he wasn't about to be intimidated by a bunch of overpaid suits.
"Experience can be acquired," he countered, his voice steady. "What I lack in experience, I make up for in dedication and a desire to understand my father's legacy."
A murmur rippled around the table. A woman with sharp eyes and a severe bun leaned forward. "Your father, Mr. Awolowo, was a brilliant but complex man. There are aspects of his business dealings that may not be… palatable to someone of your… background."
Ayo narrowed his eyes. "Enlighten me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The woman exchanged an uneasy glance with the goateed man. They seemed to be having a silent conversation, their expressions a mixture of apprehension and something akin to fear.
Finally, a man with a nervous twitch cleared his throat. "There have been… rumors," he stammered. "Whispers of… unethical practices in certain… business ventures."
Ayo felt a surge of anger course through him. Unethical practices? What exactly did that mean? "What kind of unethical practices?" he demanded, his voice laced with steel.
A tense silence descended upon the room. The board members shifted uncomfortably in their plush chairs, avoiding his gaze.
"We can't discuss these matters in a public forum, Mr. Awolowo," the goateed man finally said, his voice tight. "Perhaps a private meeting would be more appropriate."
Ayo considered this for a moment. He didn't trust these people, but he needed answers. "Fine," he conceded. "A private meeting. But let me be clear – I will not be bullied or placated. I will get to the bottom of this, no matter what it takes."
The board members seemed relieved, albeit apprehensive. Ayo knew he had just taken his first step down a dangerous path. The secrets his father held seemed to run deep, and the people who knew them were determined to keep them buried. But Ayo was no longer the scared boy from the orphanage. He was Ayo Awolowo, and he wouldn't rest until he unraveled the truth, no matter how much it threatened to shake the foundation of his newfound fortune.