Chapter Eight: John.
The room was immediately quiet when they saw me. At first,Clara was speechless because it was difficult for her to accept the fact that I entered into their midst with some body guards.
Her father's best friend, Mr. Clementsaw me and folded his hands around his chest in shock.
"What are you doing here?"He asked.
"I was told you were waiting for me,"I said,not minding his question.
"A-aah. Are you the one we were waiting for?.Like,we are here to see the new president of the empire"He informed.
His face was full of terrible shock. He doesn't want to believe that I'm the empire's president. He just wishes to hear that I'm an errand boy of one executive or so.
I tried to talk, but was silenced by Clara's interference.
"Young man,get out of our sight please. We are not here to see a show boy or an errand boy".
"Alright ma. I will be leaving"I anticipated.
Ten minutes later,my general Secretary, Lady Vera,came in and pleaded with me again,that Clara and Mr.Clement are now ready to see me.
As usual,I went to them.
"Why did you sign a bill to sideline us?. Like,you are trying to stop the easy flow of automobile gadgets from reaching us?. Why? You know we have invested so much in this empire,and you know that we can take up legal cases against the empire right?" Mr. Clement spoke angrily.
"Calm down sir,I understand your plight...…
"Shut up,you understand what? Clara fumes.
"How can you just come,and do this to us?Even though you are the president,of which I'm not interested to know,you have no right to sideline us. I see that you want us to take up legal charges against your empire?"She said.
"Can you let me speak?"I asked.
I have them at the feet of my hands,but I just wanted to waste their time,and frustrate them because the earlier I start attacking my enemies,the better for me and my business. It's not just all about me,but primarily about the happiness of millions of people all over the world; since many people's success is tied to the success and growth of the empire and with this, I'm not ready to undermine the people's interest just because of some stupid and corrupt dudes.
"Hold on,let him talk"Mr.Clement appealed to the boiling Clara.
"Well,it's just the decision of the management,to stop doing business for now with some clients"I said.
"But you are the one who pioneered this new policy,"Clara said.
"Why?"She asked. She felt like blowing me on the head,but I don't think it would ever be possible because my body guards face alone scared them.
"The both of you have been doing business with my empire for a long time now,with fake documents. Who gave the both of you those documents,and how did you get them?"
Their chests bump with blood pressure,upon hearing my reasons. They slightly looked at themselves in shock,and hurriedly took their eyes from each other.
"You came to blackmail us?"Clara asked with an honest face, but I wasn't ready to answer her.
"What's the meaning of all this 'John'"? Mr. Clement asked also. They kept their faces,to portray righteous people.
"Please sir,refer to me as 'Mr.John'. If you call me without attaching respect,I will bring up this case to the court, and the both of you will be dealt with. Meanwhile,you must stop coming to this empire again,until you have been cleared by the management" I instructed, while they stood in shock looking at me.
They knew the kind of problems they would face if they try to take the matter to court.
"We shall be back" They said to me,as they hurried out of the empire.
That evening, when I returned from work,I surprised all my maids and servants,including the ones that have spent several years in the mansion, with a payoff check. I don't want them to work for me again because my security affairs are now becoming a top priority for the continuation of the empire.
They were happy with the sum of money I gave them,but not many of them were happy leaving the mansion. They have really built their lives around my father's mansion for many years now,but due to the many ugly contest I would be having very soon,which have in fact brought the rise of insecurity and untimely death to my family,I have no option,but to do it.
I sacked all of them,and employed new ones,including security personnel in and around the mansion.
The next day,I signed another document through my new manager Mrs.Lawrence,to probe all workers both past and present,including herself.
The bill signing empowered us to use security agents and the law court,to make arrests where necessary and secondly,it makes me stand as an eagle before all those working for me because I would be checking into their affairs whether privately or publicly,as long as I'm not against their human rights.
Apart from this,I also approved a second bill for the increment of the workers salaries and wages,since they have been paid below expectations for many years.
However,this new development of increasing workers salaries and wages,would commence in two months from now,so that we could prepare for it.
Meanwhile,after work was over for the day,I was driving, when I saw two newspaper labels carrying my face on their front pages. I thought it was some kind of good stuff that was selling about me,not knowing that the contents were dehumanizing,and laying accusations agay me.
I didn't bother to get angry because I know that I'm in a serious war with some secret dudes who were responsible for it. I just read some comments,and smiled.