'The Fall of the Kingpin' became the headline in every Pantheon Valley billionaire news outlet, media platform, and bulletin. The fall of the great Wilson Monroe and his multi-billion-dollar company was unprecedented and had never been seen before; it was termed the Black Swan of the century.
Another unrelated news story flooded the Pantheon Valley media headlines was: Maverick Corporation's hundred-billion-dollar open contract to a construction company.
Every construction-based corporation went on their toes, eager to make a move, pulling every string in thier guitar case to secure this contract. The Lockwood Family was one of them.
Lady Charlotte Lockwood knew that collaborating with a company as big as Maverick's would open many doors for the entire family, increase Lockwood's societal ranking, and elevate their family status.
She called for an urgent family meeting at the Lockwood Mansion and sent out compulsory invitations to every available member of the Lockwood family, to brainstorm how they could secure the Maverick's multi-billion-dollar contract.
That night, at the Lockwood Family Mansion, Alexander attended with Seraphina. After all, the old lady invited everybody, didn't she?
Immediately upon seeing Alexander, Daniel's spite grew. "Alexander, how dare you show your face here after Grandma warned you never to see you again," he snarled.
"Leave him alone, Dan. Grandmother requested every single member of the family, didn't she?" Seraphina defended Alexander.
Daniel burst into heavy laughter. He laughed so hard he began to stagger and gasp for breath.
"Don't tell me you both think of this wretched live-in son-in-law you call a husband as a member of the Lockwood family," he said in jest.
Seraphina was rendered mute. Yes, he was a member of the family, but could he really be regarded as one when he had made no significant contribution to the Lockwood family?
"What a shame."
"No, what's truly a shame is how your billion-dollar education failed to teach you about family structure." Alexander chimed in.
"You son of a bit—"
"Actually, on second thought, I'm sure it did. Only, you were too daft to understand."
"You bastard! What are you trying to say? That I am dumb?"
"Not necessarily, but if the shoe fits—"
"Why don't you turn around, I will show you where my shoe fits?" Dan in a fit of rage.
"What's with all the ruckus?" Lady Lockwood asked as she walked onto the stage and sat in front of everyone.
The originally bustling hall fell into pin-drop silence at the mere sight of her. The level of respect and fear she commanded in the Lockwood Family was absolute, and no one dared to challenge it.
"Alright, as most of you already know, Maverick Company has a construction project worth a hundred billion dollars on the line. And We need a representative to go and discuss our proposal application for the contract partnership. Who is willing to be our representative?" she asked.
There were murmurs all over, but nobody offered. Getting a contract of this magnitude was impossible. The competition was going to be fierce, and knowing Lady Lockwood, it was better not to attempt it than to attempt and fail. Failure and disgrace were the two things she couldn't stand.
"Nobody!?" she echoed. "You spineless swans. Whoever can successfully negotiate and secure us the contract will be named the project manager," she added to sweeten the appeal.
Suddenly, all hands flew into the air.
"Grandma, let me do this."
"I will go."
"My lady, I'm willing as well."
They were all still worried about Lady Charlotte's wrath stemming from failure, but the prospect of becoming the project manager and the benefits it would bring, especially for a project of this magnitude, eliminated their fears.
Upon seeing how enthusiastic they were, Lady Lockwood nodded her head in praise and smiled. She pointed at Daniel and said, "Daniel, you will go tomorrow and give it a try."
Daniel let out a wide grin and nodded excitedly. "Yes, Ma'am, I will make you proud."
"This is going to be a walk in the park since I have a loose acquaintance with the CEO of Maverick Corporation. It's not much, but it's more than what any other competitors could boast about," Daniel thought to himself.
"From today, there will be a scheduled meeting every day, updating ourselves on the steps taken until we secure this contract completely."
"Yes, Ma'am," everyone echoed in unison."
Alexander grew tired of it all and left much earlier than everyone else. To him, it was all pointless; they were nothing but ignorant ducks desperately trying to convince themselves and those around them that they held power and were in charge. But he knew how untrue that was.
Early the next morning, Alexander tidied the house and prepared breakfast for his wife and stepmother before heading to Maverick Company on foot.
Maverick Corporation was situated in the bustling central business district of Pantheon Valley. By the time Alexander arrived, he was half-covered in dust. A row of luxurious cars parked at the company's entrance.
Alexander, standing at the entrance gate, catching his breath and rearranging his composure, suddenly a car drove towards him, narrowly missing him as he moved away.
"You imbecile! Are you blind or something?" The man stepped out of the car.
"Are we just going to ignore the fact that you nearly killed me?" Alexander retorted.
"Trust me, I would be doing the world a favor. You don't deserve to breathe the same air as the rest of us. If oxygen wasn't free and cost as little as a cent, I am certain you'd be long dead, as you'd still be unable to afford it," the man spat.
Alexander let out a bright smirk. If only he knew who Alexander truly was, maybe he would have been more careful with his words.
Alexander walked past him without saying a word, further infuriating him. He stretched his hand to hit Alexander from behind, but Alexander's reflexes were fast enough to see him coming. Alexander grabbed his arm and was about to twist it into an amoeba shape when a security guard arrived.
"What's going on here?" the security man said.
"Thank goodness, someone of good authority. Please, this man has been a nuisance on your property and has been stalking me," He explained.
"I'm so sorry, Sir. Why don't you go inside and allow me to handle the situation here?" the security man suggested.
"You'd better, or else I'd be calling the administration," he said as he stormed inside.
Turning back to Alexander, the security guard said, "I'm sorry, you seem like a good person, but I am afraid I cannot let you into the building."
"And why is that?" Alexander asked.
"Because that man is Gavin Grant?" the security guard replied.
"And?"
"The security guard let out a sigh of relief. The fact that Alexander had no idea who Gavin Grant was meant he made the right choice on who to side with.
"Gavin Grant is in great relations with the company, and my job description includes protecting him and his interests," the security guard explained.
"I see. And what if I told you I was way more important to the company than that riffraff?" Alexander challenged.
The security man took a long look at Alexander, from the sole of his cheap shoes to faded clothes up to his crownless head.
"I'd say you are bluffing," the security guard said.
"And what if I said I could prove it?" Alexander countered.
"If you could, you would have already done that instead of engaging in this conversation," the guard replied.
Alexander was impressed. The guard wasn't just watchful; he was also able to remain composed without unnecessarily escalating things.
"You are really smart. What are you stuck at guard duty for?" Alexander asked.
"Thank you, but no amount of flattery or sarcastic insults would allow you inside, so I advise you to get on your merry way already," he replied rigidly.
Alexander smiled, picked up his phone, and made a call.
"It's Alexander. I am at the company gate and have been refused entry. Come and pick me up," Alexander said over the phone with confidence and authority in his voice.
The security guard couldn't help but wonder, just who did this man call?
Thankfully, he didn't have to wonder for long, for in a moment, Grace Pemberton, the assistant CEO of the Maverick Corporation, came running towards them.
"Master, I'm so sorry for this," Grace apologized, addressing Alexander.
The guard couldn't believe his ears. Did the most respected person in the whole of the Maverick Corporation just refer to this seemingly ordinary man as "master"?
Alexander looked over to him and winked. "I told you."
"It's all good. Just make sure to give this man a promotion, and lose the whole 'master' thing. It brings back bad memories," Alexander ordered to Grace.
"Okay, Sir. Right this way, Sir," the Grace replied.
"See you later, pal," Alexander waved to the guard whose jaw had dropped to the ground.
Alexander went to his office. It was a bit too spacious for his taste, but it wasn't like he was going to be here for long anyway.
"Gavin Grant, what's his relation to the Maverick?" He asked.
"Gavin Grant is the present head of the Grant Family and head of their company, a retail company. They buy our products in extremely large quantities. But frankly, they are deep in debt, and the only reason why we still partner with them is due to their long line of partnership with us," his assistant replied.
"I see. How much debt?" Alexander inquired.
"Gavin Grant personally owes us three hundred billion dollars and has been overdue for over four years. I believe he is here today to ask for another extension."
"That much, huh? What's the collateral?"
"The Entire Grant Cooperation, Sir."
"Good. Deny his application, claim his company for ourselves, and sell it off in bits. It's of no value to us. And as for Gavin Grant, tell Geoffrey to dig up dirt on him. Trust me, there should be plenty. I want him rotting in prison for the rest of his life."
"Consider it done," his assistant replied.
"Thank you"
"Sir, in regards to the infrastructure project, quite several companies have offered their applications."
"I see, any promising applications yet" he asked.
"The most promising one yet is of Mr. Daniel Lockwood from Lockwood Construction and Real Estate. He is currently in the premises and has requested an audience with you," the assistant answered.
"Tell him to get lost," Alexander ordered.
"Yes, Sir."