CHAPTER 69

 Finally, Gary has regained his position as the CEO. His grandfather's legacy had come to stay and not die.

Whoever was bent on killing the legacy, then he would definitely lead to the grave. 

With confidence he sat on the chair which was just at the head of the table while he watched the ex board members leave one after the other.

The expression on the face of some showed how sorry they were, while some others had no expression of remorse at all on their faces. However none of this meant anything to Gary anymore.

All he wanted was what he got.

He leaned on his chin till they were all out of the conference room.

The moment they left, and clearly out of Gary's sight. Each of the board members began to murmur amongst themselves. 

They were yet to believe the table had turned. it still seemed as though it were a dream to them.

Neither were they still able to comprehend how he was able to do that all behind them.

Mr Johnson on the other hand huffed in anger. He wasn't going to take defeat, he was going to get back at Gary he said to himself.

On the other hand, another man who was also in the same camp with Johnson, a man named Mark, slammed his fist on the table and declared that he would get revenge on Gary.

"You can't just take this lying down. Imagine that riff raff and his tactics, throwing us all out of the company as though we are nothing."

"Not even a  severance package. He sent us out as though we were nothing at all, and we've done nothing in the company either." he said and then paused.

Then he said, "We need to show him who is the boss. I don't know about you all, but the fact that he actually sent us away shows how much he disrespects us and we need to avenge this."

The others nodded in agreement. They all felt like they had been betrayed, and they vowed to make Gary pay for what he had done.

Meanwhile, Winfield remained on his feet alongside the few directors who were left. 

Those whom Gary had screened out and realised they were on his side. 

All were summed up to a total of four alongside Winfield.

Each of them were also surprised by Gary's return to power. They had thought Gary was guilty, since that was how the chairman of the board had displayed him to be.

While they were still at this thought trying to comprehend all that had taken place in a twinkle of an eye, Gary suddenly voiced out.

"Winfield." His voice was dominating enough to command respect without demanding it.

Immediately, Winifield was standing right beside him with boy hands crossed to the back ready to carry out the next order.

But just then, Gary's words had shocked him. "Talk to security, ensure that those old crooks and jackals are no longer within this building. Also ensure that they do not step a foot into this building anymore. Except you have a death wish though or you found another job."

Winfield gulped, but then he had reservations he had more he wanted to say. Hence, instead of leaving he hesitated.

"Anything lingering on your mind which you would love to share?"

With the open question, he quickly utilised the opportunity and said. "Boss, these people have been with the company for years. They worked with your grandfather right from the beginning till the moment he retired. Hence, I doubt if it's right to lay them off just like that." Winfield said although fear laced in those voice.

He had thought he was going to argue, but instead, Gary's expression became domineering. And then he added with venom laced in his tone, which sent cold chills down his spine. 

"I don't care how long they've been here. They're not part of my vision for this company. Now, make it happen."

Winfield nodded and quickly left, he knew better than to argue. He immediately did as he was told, went out of the office informing the security men to make sure none of the board members returned.

However, Gary knew that it was time to get new board directors. 

On another hand, he thought to himself that he would have laid Winfield off too if not for the fact that he seemed innocent in the case. 

At Winfield's departure, he addressed the rest of the board with a few words, then he proceeded to his office to settle other things.

Gary settled into his new role, making changes and restructuring the company to fit his vision. He knew that he had enemies, but he was confident in his ability to stay one step ahead of them.

The moment he retracted to his office he went towards the huge glassy wall.  

Looking out the window of his office, he thought about the future of the company and the new board members he would need to bring in. Also, it crossed his mind that he actually needed to be careful unlike the initial times.

However, after certain minutes passed with him reflecting on his life and achievements, he decided to take a seat.

Just leaning into his seat, he suddenly saw his phone slightly chim. The brief buzz indicated that it was a message.

Before he handled anything else he decided to unlock the phone after which a message popped up. It was an unknown number, a more reason why it attracted him, raising his inquisitiveness.

However, when he opened it, he could only smile at the bluff. The message simply read; "You'll regret this, Gary," Mark said. "You'll pay for what you've done." 

Immediately, he could tell that it was actually one of the board members he just laid off, who did that. At first, he suspected it to be Mr Johnson.

On a normal note, he could have responded to the message telling the sender his mind. But considering his status and personality, he wasn't a man of many words, neither was he a man of words but action. 

He instead just chuckled. He knew that he had made enemies, but he was not afraid. He had regained his position and no one was ever going to stand in his way, just as his grandfather always said: in the business world, be ready to get enemies.

Brushing this off with a smile and ready to dive into his work, his phone rang.

A flash to the screen, he noticed it was a call from Steve.

"Steve, tell me. How far with the case?" he said after he leaves back into his black leather chair with his gaze firmly fixed.

"Boss, it's progressing."

"I hope you tell the accurate Steve? This isn't the first of your reports to get my hopes up. Neither is it the second."

"This is different young master. It's totally a plus on our part."

"Then start spilling." Gary ordered immediately, which Steve had to obey immediately.

"Somebody called me on the phone and said they had information about the missing necklace."

Gary's ears perked up at the mention of the necklace. He had been trying to track it down for weeks with no luck. "What did they say?" he asked, his agitation and interest evident in his voice.

"The report from the young man was, he saw a graphic on a website advertising the necklace for sale," Steve replied.

"A website? What if the necklace were a different one? I mean there could be several types in the entire world."

"Not at all young master, as long as it was owned by Mr Carter. There shouldn't be a duplicate of it. He always had his things made for himself alone. All others would be fake, but his will be the real one."

Gary never knew that part of his grandfather. Therefore, his eyes widened in surprise. "Then,  we need to investigate this further. Can you get in touch with this person and find out more?"

Steve nodded. "Shall we go ahead with the investigation, sir?"

"Absolutely Steve. I should be teaching you, your job."

Gary replied firmly. "I want to get to the bottom of this."

"Yes, Young master."

Steve wasted no time in reaching out to the person who had contacted him, and soon the investigation was underway. They were led to a dingy part of the state where the graphics were displayed. Steve was able to track down the person who had pasted them up, and he turned out to be the owner of a jewellery store.

When Steve showed the man a picture of the necklace, the store owner said that it was one of their most precious gems. Steve questioned him on how he got it, and the man said that somebody had brought it to his store and sold it since he was in dire need of money.

Instantly, Steve looked at the jewellery store owner with a serious expression. "I need to know who bought that necklace," he said.

The store owner was taken aback. "I'm sorry, I can't just give out my customer's information to anyone who asks," he said.

"I don't think you have a choice in this. You should be able to do this."

"It's not possible. You could pick any other jewellery in my store sir. I've got even limited editions available," he turned around ready to lead Steve to every rack that contained jewellery so he could pick.

Just then Steve said. "It's important that you do this. My young master, the Carters consortium, needs that necklace back. If you don't want to invite their wrath, I suggest you do the needful."

The store owner's eyes widened in fear as he heard the name "Carters." He knew that the Carters were one of the most powerful families in the country.

Their wealth was incomparable at that point in time. Several families who were also wealthy have tried to match up to them but then nothing was coming forth. On the other hand, some others have also wanted to form alliances with them so as to build up their family status.

It was all about the Carters. But one thing appreciated was the fact that the Carters family had a foundation of humility. No one knew anything more about them other than the fact that they were wealthy.

They were distinct from other families who bragged about having little they had.

Steve was sure that the store man was going to ask about proof, he had already made that available. It was an identity card where the Cater's name was inscribed.

"Here, check this!" A glance at it, he gulped immediately and said.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry I never knew it was for the Carters. I'll see what I can do," he said, scrambling to his computer. He quickly brought up the records of his sales and started tracing the buyer of the necklace.

As they delved deeper into the records, Steve noticed that the store owner suddenly stopped scrolling and leaned in closer to the screen.

"What is it?" Steve asked, sensing that something was wrong.

The store owner looked up at him, confusion etched on his face. "According to these records, the necklace was bought several months ago."

All that didn't concern Steve. What he was concerned about was results and not stories. "I need the buyer, not the date it was purchased and I want to see you acting fast on it as quickly as possible."

"Yes, Mr Steve. I'm doing that as you can see, just trying to gather information."

He went silent after that, digging into more of the computer records. Thereafter he saw what caught his interest and then he said then showed it to Steve.

"Here you go Mr Steve." However, a glance at the screen showed how different he felt when he saw the name of the man who purchased it.

Not just surprised but he fell into.more confusion to the extent that he was pushed to ask. "Are you sure this person purchased the necklace from you?"