Grass to Grace: Second Chance Wealth

Chapter 5: I’LL CUT TO THE CHASE

“Okay,” Alex replied, understanding old man Cole’s concerns. It was his first time visiting the company, and he knew the importance of making a good first impression. They arrived at a luxurious mall and quickly made their way to the clothing section.

A male worker approached them with a welcoming smile. “Welcome to the King’s Mall. What can I assist you with today?”

“We’re shopping for business attire—suits, shoes, and accessories for him,” old man Cole said, gesturing toward Alex.

“Great! Do you have a specific brand in mind, or would you like some recommendations?” the worker asked.

“Feel free to recommend,” Alex said, eager to see what the mall had to offer.

“Let me take your measurements first,” the worker said, moving with professional efficiency. Within a minute, he was done. “Please follow me.”

He led them to a section filled with exquisite business suits. Rows of tailored garments in shades of charcoal, navy, and black lined the racks, each exuding sophistication and luxury.

“I recommend our Italian wool suits,” the worker suggested, gesturing toward a rack. “They’re renowned for their quality and timeless elegance.”

Alex browsed through the selection, scrutinizing each suit with a discerning eye. Some caught his attention, while others fell short of his expectations. He shook his head at a pinstripe suit that seemed too bright for his taste.

Noticing Alex’s hesitation, old man Cole intervened. “Perhaps something more understated would be suitable,” he suggested, directing Alex toward a classic navy suit with subtle pinstripes. “This one exudes confidence without being too flashy.”

Alex nodded in agreement, relieved to have found a suit that matched his preferences. He tried it on, and to his delight, it fit him perfectly.

Next, they moved on to shoes. The worker led them to a section showcasing handmade leather shoes, each pair crafted by renowned designers.

“These black leather shoes are a classic choice,” the worker said, presenting a pair in rich mahogany leather.

Alex slipped them on but grimaced as they felt uncomfortably tight around his toes. “I’m afraid these aren’t quite the right fit,” he admitted, wincing as he removed the shoes.

Undeterred, the worker fetched a slightly larger size. Alex tried them on and found them much more comfortable.

Finally, they turned their attention to accessories, specifically a watch to complete the ensemble. The worker led them to a display case filled with an array of exquisite timepieces.

“This Swiss-made watch is a masterpiece,” the worker said, carefully lifting a platinum timepiece from its velvet-lined case.

Alex examined the watch, admiring its intricate detailing, but felt it was too flashy for his taste. “Perhaps something simpler would suit me better,” he suggested, pointing to a classic stainless steel watch with a minimal design.

With his new attire, Alex’s demeanor transformed; he now exuded an air of nobility. After purchasing some everyday clothing, they left the mall, the total cost leaving a dent in their wallets.

They drove to the sublime enterprise. As they stepped out of the car, a large group of professionally dressed individuals greeted them. It appeared they had been waiting under the sun for some time.

“Greetings, young master Alex! Greetings, Mr. Cole!” they called out as Alex and old man Cole approached.

“What did you do?” Alex asked, turning to old man Cole.

“I just made a few calls, that’s all,” old man Cole replied with a smile.

“We should head inside now,” Alex said, striding toward the entrance. Despite being labeled one of the weaker Wilson companies, it boasted a wealth of over a billion dollars, focusing on international five- to six-star hotels.

Upon entering his office, Alex noted how immaculate it was—so clean that a speck of dust couldn’t be found. Only the manager followed him inside; the rest returned to their duties. Unbeknownst to Alex, he had become the object of admiration for many young women in the company.

“Good afternoon, young master,” the manager greeted with a respectful bow, visibly shaking but attempting to maintain professionalism.

“Good morning. What is your name and position in the company?” Alex asked.

“My name is Matthew, and I am the manager,” he replied, trying to mask his nervousness.

“Okay, what information do you have for me?” Alex asked, adopting a friendlier tone to ease Matthew’s anxiety.

“Here are the company’s past records over the years,” Matthew said, handing Alex a stack of files.

As Alex scanned the documents, a frown settled on his face. The more he read, the deeper his frown became. “Our business statistics are dropping every year. If this continues, we’ll be kicked out of the charts,” he said, dropping the files onto the desk.

Matthew shuddered. “I’m sorry, sir. We’ve been doing our best, but we’ve faced numerous competitors and challenges over the past three years.”

“That’s not enough. We need to up our game. Who are our competitors?” Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Kings Hotel, Oriental Hotel, and others,” Matthew replied.

“Provide me with their information and status,” Alex instructed.

“Okay, sir. I’ll get back to you soon,” Matthew said, quickly turning to leave.

“Before you go, assemble the board for a meeting,” Alex added.

“Yes, sir,” Matthew replied as he exited the office.

Thirty minutes later…

Sitting in the CEO chair, Alex surveyed the group of assembled board members with sharp eyes. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” he greeted.

“Good afternoon, CEO Alex,” they responded in unison.

“I’ll cut to the chase. I reviewed the company’s statistics, and I’m disappointed. For the past three years, we’ve been declining,” Alex stated, pausing for effect.

The hearts of the board members skipped a beat. “Is the young master dissatisfied with our ranking? Will he fire us?” they thought, fear evident in their eyes.

“We’re sorry, sir,” they said in unison, bowing their heads.

“Sorry won’t change anything,” Alex replied, his tone firm.

The board members exchanged nervous glances, acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. It was clear Alex was not there to maintain the status quo. “Matthew,” he called out, addressing the manager. “Give us an overview of our competitors’ strategies and market positions.”

Matthew stepped forward with a tablet in hand, projecting graphs and charts onto the screen behind him. “Kings Hotel has been aggressively expanding their luxury suite offerings, targeting high-net-worth individuals,” he began, pointing at the data. “Oriental Hotel, on the other hand, has invested heavily in sustainable practices, appealing to environmentally conscious travelers.”

Alex listened intently, absorbing every detail. “What about our strengths?” he asked, looking at the board members expectantly.

A middle-aged woman in a sleek business suit spoke up. “We have a strong brand presence in international markets, particularly in Europe and Asia. Our customer service ratings remain high, and our loyalty programs are well-received.”

Alex nodded thoughtfully. “Good. Now we need to leverage these strengths and innovate where we’re falling short. The hotel is known for its outdated designs. Let’s offer a contract to designers to revamp our image,” he instructed Matthew.

“Matthew, I want a detailed proposal on how we can revamp our marketing strategies to appeal to younger demographics and enhance our digital presence. I want it on my desk by tomorrow morning,” Alex added.

Matthew nodded, taking notes feverishly on his tablet. “Additionally,” Alex continued, “I want each department head to come up with three actionable goals by the end of this week.”

“Yes, sir,” they replied, visibly relieved that Alex wasn’t blaming anyone for the current state of affairs.

“And lastly, I need your support and cooperation,” Alex said as he stood up and left the meeting room.

“Mr. Cole, we can go now,” Alex said as old man Cole stood and followed him back to the car.

“I’m impressed by your management. I’m sure Mr. Wilson would be satisfied if he hears about this,” old man Cole remarked with a smile.

“I’m not doing it for that old man,” Alex replied, gazing out of the car window.

“I know you’re still mad at him. But can you please forgive him? He regrets his mistakes and wants you back,” old man Cole said with a sigh.

“Want me back? Don’t make me laugh. He’s only doing this because of Liam’s misfortune. If Liam were still okay, he wouldn’t even waste his time searching for me in the first place. Am I wrong?” Alex asked, hurt evident in his expression.

Old man Cole wore a guilty smile, knowing Alex was right and that he had no excuse for Mr. Wilson.

“I’m taking the company for two reasons: first, it’s my right, and second, to make him suffer,” Alex said with a sharp gaze.

“Please reconsider. You still love him; you just don’t want to admit it,” old man Cole urged.

“Love him? I despise him with everything I have. He’s the cause of my suffering for over eighteen years,” Alex replied, anger flashing in his eyes.

“I know, and I’m sorry about that,” old man Cole said softly.

“Let’s end this conversation here,” Alex said firmly.

“Yes, young master,” old man Cole replied.

“It’s Alex,” he corrected.

“Okay, Alex,” old man Cole said.

They drove to the mansion. As Alex entered, he spotted Mr. Wilson sitting in a wheelchair in the living room.

“You’re home,” Mr. Wilson said with a smile as he noticed Alex’s presence.

Alex didn’t respond; he simply continued walking to his room.

“Are you not going to even greet me?” Mr. Wilson asked, frowning.

Alex stopped and looked back at him. “What do you want?” he asked coldly.

“I want to make it up to you,” Mr. Wilson said earnestly.

“There’s no need for that,” Alex replied, turning away.

“You didn’t even ask why I’m back home,” Mr. Wilson said, stopping him in his tracks again. “I’ll be announcing that you are the heir at dinner tonight. Don’t be late,” Mr. Wilson stated.

Alex walked to his room and slammed the door behind him. “No, he doesn’t deserve to smile. I’ve suffered and thought about what I did wrong all these years. He must also suffer,” Alex thought, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

“Master, you came back so soon,” old man Cole said gently.

“I came to monitor his progress, and the scent of the hospital is nauseating,” Mr. Wilson replied.

“But master, don’t you think announcing that would put him in danger?” old man Cole asked with a concerned look.