Richard Paige: They Chose the Wrong Enemy

007: Invisible Hand

In the morning, Daniel Thornton pushed open the boardroom doors.

His face was tense.

"Mr. Hart!" Her secretary held up a tablet. "We've just received an urgent notice."

Daniel’s heart skipped. “What now?"

She took a slow breath. "Westbridge Energy has requested an immediate meeting with Vance Global."

One of the directors stood so quickly that his chair almost scraped across the floor.

"Westbridge? OMG!"

Daniel snatched the tablet, his eyes darting across the screen. "This must be a mistake."

The secretary shook her head.

"They confirmed it themselves. They said Chairman Morgan Vance personally invited them."

Daniel clenched his fists.

"No. I'm not losing another partner." He looked around the room. "Prepare the car."

"I'm going there!"

At the same time, Morgan Vance welcomed three distinguished business leaders into a private dining suite. No reporters or cameras, only quiet conversation. He stood as they entered.

"Gentlemen. Thank you for accepting my invitation."

One of the CEOs smiled.

"The honor is ours, Chairman."

After lunch was served, Morgan got straight to the point. "I'll ask only one question."

The three men listened carefully.

"If your own company faced uncertain days, would you choose promises or stability?"

None answered immediately. Morgan didn't rush them; he simply placed three folders on the table.

Inside each one was a carefully prepared business proposal with no exaggerated promises or impossible profits, only facts, clear plans, and long-term security.

One of the CEO’s slowly closed his folder and smiled.

"I've attended many negotiations. This is the first one where I wasn't pressured."

Morgan replied calmly, “Vance Global isn't like the others.”

The CEOs nodded with firm breath like Morgan spoke to his guts.

A moment later, the first CEO reached for his pen and signed. The second looked at the agreement once more, then appended his signature as well.

Finally, the third CEO smiled.

"I believe we've found our future." He signed the final document.

Morgan stood, maintaining his confident aura.

"Welcome."

The four men shook hands.

***

Several minutes later, the elevator doors opened. Daniel hurried into the executive floor, while his assistant struggled to keep up.

"Sir… They may already be finished."

Daniel didn't answer. He walked quickly toward the private conference lounge. Just as he reached the entrance, the doors opened.

The three CEOs stepped outside, each wearing a satisfied smile. One of them laughed warmly.

"Chairman Vance. We're looking forward to working together."

Morgan walked beside them.

"The feeling is mutual."

Only then did Morgan notice Daniel standing nearby. He offered a polite nod.

"Mr. Thornton."

Daniel forced a smile and lied, "Chairman. I wasn't aware you had guests."

Morgan answered evenly.

"Our meeting has just concluded."

One CEO turned to Daniel.

"We appreciate everything Sterling Horizon Group has done over the years. But we've decided it's time for a new direction."

Daniel's heart sank, but he fought so hard to feign a smile. "I... understand."

Morgan extended his hand.

"I hope our paths cross again, Mr. Thornton."

Daniel shook it, for only a second… Their eyes met.

Morgan's gaze remained calm, impossible to read. Daniel walked away and couldn't explain why; every meeting with Chairman Morgan left him feeling smaller than before.

That afternoon...

Kimberly returned home from school. She hurried upstairs; the chess puzzle still rested safely inside her notebook.

She smiled. "I finally have time."

She placed the puzzle on her desk after studying it again for several minutes.

She noticed something unusual: written in tiny letters beneath the puzzle, almost hidden against the edge of the paper, were a few simple words.

[The strongest player protects what matters most]

Kimberly stared at the sentence and whispered,

"Daddy..."

Her father had said those exact words countless times while teaching her chess.

She gently folded the paper carefully, almost lovingly. Then placed it inside the small wooden box where she kept her happiest memories.

"I'll keep your lesson safe."

***

Morgan's assistant entered.

"Chairman. The Sterling Horizon Group board has called an emergency meeting."

Morgan gave a slight nod. "The pressure is a lot for them to handle."

The assistant smiled.

"What shall we do next?"

Morgan’s expression remained calm.

"We wait a little longer. People reveal their true character when they believe they're running out of time."

Simultaneously, Daniel entered Sterling Horizon Group's headquarters. Every board member was already waiting.

No one had an iota of a smile on their face. The heavy boardroom doors slowly closed behind him, as every director stared at Daniel Thornton.

The silence lasted only a few seconds. Then…

An elderly director placed a report on the table. "Our share price has dropped again."

Another director added, "More than three strategic partners are gone."

A third director spoke.

"Our investors are asking whether this company still has a future."

Daniel took a deep breath.

"We're facing temporary difficulties. We'll recover."

One director shook his head. "That isn't a recovery plan." Another leaned forward. "Chairman Morgan has taken three of our biggest partners in less than two weeks."

"What exactly are we doing about it?"

Daniel's jaw tightened. "I'm working on it."

The elderly director calmly replied, "Working and succeeding… are not always the same."

The room became painfully quiet.

Victoria finally stood.

"Enough! Blaming each other won't solve this." She looked around the room. "We need solutions."

The directors reluctantly nodded, but the confidence that had once filled the room was gone.

Meanwhile, at Vance Global Headquarters. Morgan entered another executive meeting.

His senior managers stood as he walked in.

One executive smiled. "Chairman. Our recent partnerships have attracted national attention. The media is calling you New York's most respected business leader."

Morgan calmly nodded.

"What about our employee program?"

Another executive answered.

"The scholarships have already been approved. The medical insurance expansion begins next month. The family support fund is ready."

Morgan nodded again with much satisfaction. "Love that."

An executive looked confused. "Chairman… None of this increases our profits immediately."

Morgan smiled faintly. "Not every investment is measured in dollars." He looked around the room.

"When people trust you, they build the future with you."

Several executives nodded and exchanged respectful glances as their whisper

“No wonder so many companies wanted to work with Morgan Vance.”

***

Four hours later, televisions across New York carried the same news.

"Vance Global announces Major Employee Welfare Initiative."

Workers gathered around screens as restaurant owners watched. Taxi drivers listened on the radio.

Office employees applauded.

"That's a real leader. I wish my company treated us like that."

"Chairman Morgan actually cares."

Inside Sterling Group, several employees quietly watched the same report during their break.

One sighed.

"I've heard amazing things about him."

Another nodded.

"My cousin works at Vance Global. He says the Chairman knows the names of people on his floor."

A third employee smiled.

"Imagine working for someone like that."

None of them noticed Daniel walking past the break room.

He heard every word and kept walking, but each sentence felt heavier than the last.

Late that night. Victoria sat alone in her office. Morgan's television interview replayed on her laptop.

The interviewer smiled.

"Chairman Vance. What do you believe is the greatest strength of a successful company?"

Morgan answered without hesitation. "The people. If you protect the people, they'll protect the company."

Victoria froze.

She whispered and mumbled,

"...Richard?"

Years ago, Richard had said almost the same thing after helping one of the company's junior employees.

Victoria quickly closed the laptop.

"No… It can't be." She rubbed her forehead.

"I'm just tired."

Yet the uneasy feeling refused to disappear.

***

Morgan arrived at the Godfather's estate. The old man was already waiting.

"You've become quite popular."

Morgan smiled. "Popularity fades, but character remains."

The Godfather nodded. "Your enemies are finally afraid."

Morgan answered with a quiet smile.

"They're afraid of the downsides. They still don't know who's behind it."

The old man laughed heartily.

"Excellent."

Moments later, Morgan's phone buzzed. His assistant spoke.

"Chairman. The Sterling Group board has scheduled a shareholders' meeting."

Morgan stayed silent for a moment.

"They're preparing to defend themselves."

He finally responded. "That means they're standing exactly where I want them…”