The Underestimated Genius

Chapter 5

The receptionist immediately rushed towards Arjun and fell on knees beside him. “I am so sorry sir. I am so sorry for mistaking you for someone else,” she pleaded desperately as she made to hold Arjun's legs.

“Don’t touch him with your filthy hands you stupid wench!” Vinod immediately pushed her aside as she sprawled on the floor, as a gasp erupted from the crowd. She immediately stood up and knelt down, while bowing her head, now making it a point not to move too close to Arjun.

“I am begging you, Mr Vee.” She jammed her two palms together, pleading, tears filled her eyes. “I was shortsighted.”

“Or you just chose to be unreasonably proud.” Arjun cut in as he looked down at her pitifully.

“I don’t have time for this,” Arjun sighed and looked away from her as he placed his gaze on Vinod.

“Fire her and make sure she doesn’t get a job in any company in the country,” Arjun said and walked away as the receptionist's eyes widened.

“No…No…” She made to rush after Arjun but some guards rushed in and held her back.

“Take that bitch out of this company this moment!” Vinod's voice resounded as he ran after Arjun to catch up with him.

“I am truly sorry about that, Mr Maratha,” Rohan must have told him Arjun’s wish not to be revealed to the world yet as a Maratha. That was why he has referred to him as Mr Vee out there.

“Is this how you all train your employees?” Arjun asked as he walked into the familiar elevator he usually took back then whenever he visited his father. That was long when his mother was alive. When they were a sweet happy family.

“No sir I….” Arjun turned to give him a stern glare with his arms folded. “So many things will change in this company. Before then, I need to see Rohan,” he said as the elevator dinged open on the last floor as they both stepped out to the presidential suite which is only reserved for Rohan. But now obviously his. This whole building was.

“This way, Mr Maratha,” Vinod said nervously, as he gestured with his hand.

“I know my way around quite well,” Arjun snapped at him as he walked straight to the largest room in the building which was Rohan’s.

“Enjoying your last few days as Chairman?” Arjun walked into the room without knocking as Rohan immediately stood up at the sight of Arjun as if he wasn’t expecting him.

“Ah…” Rohan chuckled nervously as he quickly moved away from the spot he stood initially and came to stand in front of Arjun.

“I didn't expect you to come….”

“I don’t need to tell anyone before coming to my own company,” Arjun ignored and walked past him, as he took his place on the chair Rohan occupied. He crossed his legs and he gave Rohan a condescending look.

“You have been doing a bad job, Rohan. You couldn’t keep the company running and you employ saucy people to work for this esteemed company?” Arjun questioned as if he was interrogating him.

“I….” Rohan stuttered, not sure why Arjun was suddenly bringing the subject up. He saw Vinod giving him a suggestive stare of what he might be talking about.

“There’s no need to exchange looks. That is the least of my business right now. Besides, I gave her the punishment that is well suited for her and….”

Arjun uncrossed his legs and perched on the huge mahogany table where computers and files were placed, his elbows resting on it with his jaw cradled in the back of his intertwined fingers. “Some other jerks vying for Maratha Industries,” he completed.

“Do you mean someone is trying to ruin Maratha Industries?” Rohan asked with a surprised look as Arjun rolled his eyes.

“How did you even run a company all these while….” He muttered to himself while looking somewhere else, as if trying to hide his displeasure at Rohan. The truth was that he was trying to tolerate seeing him around. He just needed him around until his revenge was complete. He needed him as a dummy chairman.

“Maratha Robotics to be specific,” Arjun said and rested back on the chair. “I examined Nexumcore last night and found out that it was tampered with. The plan was to cause Nexumcore malfunctioning, which would lead to Maratha Robotics' downfall, and inadvertently lead to Maratha Industries stocks falling. And boom! He acquires it,” he completed with a cheeky smile. “A well-laid plan,” he nodded as if impressed.

“How did you know all of that?” Rohan asked, genuinely confused and again, he earned another irritated look from Arjun.

“Are you dumb or pretending to be dumb? Which one is it?” Arjun asked as Rohan cleared his throat and bowed his head, completely embarrassed.

“Isn’t it obvious? Why the hell would they target Nexumcore? If anyone targets that AI, then it is targeting Maratha Industries,” he explained with a pissed tone this time as Rohan nodded, trying hard not to get Arjun on the edge again.

“It’s good that you’re back, Arjun…”

“Mr. Maratha,” Arjun cut him short with a dry look. “Don’t forget that. You are my employee, Rohan. Don’t get me irritated,” he said as Rohan bit his lips and forced a smile. “Sure, Mr. Maratha. As you wish,” he replied.

“Good,” Arjun nodded with a smile. “Where are the documents for the transition of power?” He raised a brow at the both of them as Vinod immediately rushed to place a file in front of Arjun.

Arjun's face was filled with sarcasm as he picked up the Manila file and browsed through it. His lips curved in a smile as he placed his pen on the file and signed.

“Now that everything is finalized….” He raised his head to meet Rohan’s gaze. “Let's catch some rats,” he beamed as if it was supposed to be an adventure.

“Rats?” Rohan asked.

“Those that want Maratha Industries,” Arjun clarified. “I have an interesting way to deal with them, you see,” Arjun chuckled to himself.

“So now, here is the plan. The news that Maratha Industries is at the verge of ruin and is out for sale,” Arjun started as both Vinod and Rohan stared closely at him.

“Normally, rich and powerful people would vie for its acquisition. But the truth is that, even though news like that gets out, not everyone would believe Maratha Industries could go down like that,” Arjun paused and watched their expressions. “Not everyone would believe the great Maratha Industries is in trouble. Only those who had planted the seed of its downfall would come forth.”

“Oh…you mean the person who caused the glitch in Nexumcore would come forth to acquire Maratha Industries?” Vinod asked.

“Must you repeat what I said if you had understood?” Arjun snapped as Vinod immediately kept quiet.

“I will start working on Nexumcore to fix its glitch. While we set the trap for our predator,” Arjun turned to look at Rohan. “Do your best in playing the dummy chairman, Rohan,” he stood up and walked out of the room.

What Arjun had said about someone vying for Maratha Industries turned out to be true when Akash, a business mogul who owned chains of restaurants, sent a business proposal to Rohan, which he sent to Arjun, informing him of his interest in acquiring Maratha Industries. The same Akash who turned out to be his ex-wife’s new boyfriend.