Rise Of The Trillionaire: Robert Jackson

CHAPTER EIGHT

The boardroom fell silent. Every eye fixed on Robert. The air was so heavy with friction that one could slice it.

His voice was so, calm and measured. “There are terms before we negotiate about the money. Non-negotiable conditions."

Uncle Phillip bent over, his hairy body dripping. “Robert, we already decided you would be the president. We signed the papers"

"I'm not finished." Robert spoke in a voice that was like a knife-cut.

Uncle Phillip closed his mouth in a tight fit. His fingers held on to the armrests of his chair.

Robert pressed on, and stared individually at the board members. "I want full control. My decisions are not voted at the board. Not asking of my actions any committees. No interference whatsoever. Either I run Zenco the way I do it or I walk out that door with my money. Right now."

The grumbling broke out into complete arguments. Voices raised. Fists pounded on the table. Papers scattered.

Gerald Hutchins rose, and flushed himself with rage. Veins bulged in his neck. "That's preposterous! You can not have usurped authority. It is not a dictatorship, it is a business. We have shareholders!"

Robert reached out to his phone, feigning to read a message. His fingers swiped over the screen in a casual manner. "Then fix your own mess. I hear it is a good time of the year to go bankrupt. Very fashionable."

“You proud little…" Gerald began, and made a step.

"Sit down, Gerald." Uncle Phillip snarled, rising on his heels.

Gerald sat, but his look could have melted steel. His knuckles went white as his hands penetrated the armrests of his chair.

Thomas Wei, another member of the board, came to his voice. He turned his glasses up and down. "Robert, be reasonable. We need checks and balances. It's standard procedure."

"You need money." Robert said and did not look up out of his phone. "I have money. You don't. Simple math."

The face of Thomas twisted in frustration. His jaw clenched. "This is extortion. Pure extortion."

Robert laughed. A cold, harsh sound. "This is business. You taught me that, remember? Five years ago when you voted to kick me out? You did not then put checks and balances on me.”

Silence again. Heavy and uncomfortable. Some of the board members turned heads away and could not look directly at him.

Robert was rising, with slow buttoning of his jacket. "I'm a busy man. Do we have a deal or not? There are other possibilities in my life ahead.”

Uncle Phillip frenziedly glanced about the table. Each board member was pleaded by his eyes. One by one, they nodded. Reluctant. Defeated. Angry. But they nodded.

"We have a deal." Well, Uncle Phillip, that is all, said his voice little higher than a whisper.

Robert turned and made his way to the door, with clicking feet. "Good. Get the office of the president transferred to my name by end of day. I will wire the money after the paperwork has been completed. Not before. I would like to have it all legal and binding.”

"Robert, wait." Urgently following him was Uncle Phillip. “You do not want to see the office? Meet the staff? Again get acquainted with operations?”

Robert swung about, and his hand on the handle of the door. "Tomorrow. I must have some other business today. Important business."

He left them sitting there. He could visualize them swearing his name as soon as the door was closed. Making plans on how to sabotage him. Scheming behind his back.

Robert descended the elevator, taking out his phone. He swiped through his contacts and came across the needed number.

The phone rang twice. "Leonardo Vegas speaking."

"Leo, it's Robert Jackson."

"Robert! I heard about your oil fields. Congratulations, my friend. You are the gossip in the industry. Everyone's talking about you."

"Thanks. I need a favor. A big one."

"Name it. Anything for you. You know that."

Robert smiled as the numbers of the elevator dropped. “I want you to withdraw your offer to Maxime Rodrigo. He declares to be a Blue Razer shareholder. Make him a liar publicly. Expose him."

On the other end Leonardo laughed. A deep, genuine laugh. "Consider it done. Maxime is a thorn in my side all right. My lawyers will be getting in touch with him today. And we will turn him out to be a swindler. This will be fun."

"Perfect. I owe you one, Leo."

"You owe me nothing. Simply hit oil and we both will be pleased. Perhaps we will make business in the future.”

Robert hung up and went out into the lobby. This time the receptionist smiled at him. Genuine respect in her eyes. She went so far as to rise as he went by.

That's when he saw her.

Loretta Lynn.

She was in front of the receptionist desk arguing on something. She was wearing a tight red dress which fit every curve. Full nudity of her model being. Designer heels. Expensive jewelry.

She hadn't seen him yet. Too much too busy to lament the poor receptionist. Her voice was high and imperious.

Robert slipped near, his new shoes falling noiselessly on the carpet. "Having trouble, Loretta?"

She turned around with face contorted in annoyance. Then she saw him. Really saw him. She no longer exuded anger but appeared confused.

She had a moment of recognition and then there was disbelief.

"You? What are you doing here?" And she inquired, in a repelling manner.

Robert waved his hands about the lobby. "I work here."

Loretta laughed. An unpleasant, contemptuous voice which reverberated in the lobby. "Right. You are the new janitor, eh? I guess? Lastly modernized as a delivery of pizza? Moving up in the world?"

The receptionist attempted to break in, and she was shy. “Ma, I am telling you, your interview is tomorrow, not today.”

Loretta gave her no mind at all, her eyes upon Robert. “Sincerely, what the devil are you about here? Was it on account of Roxanne that you went to ask her to give you money?”

Robert invaded her with his coming. “I might put the same question to you.”  Loretta replied "I have an interview. In the case of the brand ambassador job. It is not your business and it is not the business of the pizza boy.”

Robert nodded slowly with a smile on his lips. "Ah, yes. The model position. I heard about that. Big contract."

Loretta put her hands across her face and looked proud. "Of course you did. Everybody is aware that Zenco is contracting me. I am the largest model of the country. The best they could get."

"Second biggest." Robert corrected casually.

Her eyes flashed with anger. "Excuse me?"

"You're the second biggest. Sarah Chen is bigger. Better portfolio too. More international appeal."

Loretta's face flushed red. Her eyes were tight fists. "How dare you"

"How dare I what? Speak the truth? Last night you did that pretty well. Calling me a pizza boy. I smell like old pizza. Making everyone laugh at me."