None of them dared to speak, and I glared at each of them before I continued. “We can turn this around. We just need to diversify our markets and reach out to new suppliers. We close down a few departments that are not needed, so we can increase our profit margins and stop bleeding so much money.”
“Y–you want us to start sacking people?” Mr. Jones asked in shock. “Reynard Tech has never fired an employee before, except under serious circumstances. We pride ourselves on our relationship with our employees. This isn’t just a company, Marcus. It’s a family. These men and women have families that depend on them. And you want to cut them off just like that?”
“It’s the only way,” I argued. “Cost–cutting is an ugly thing to do, but we have no other choice. We have to sacrifice the few to save the many.”
He stood up then, and the fire in his eyes was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. I was suddenly reminded of how terrified I used to be of him, especially during the days when my father would force Ethan and me to sit in on the board meetings and listen to everyone. Mr. Jones was the most terrifying man in the room after my father, and as he glared pointedly at me, I suddenly felt small and insignificant.
“I’ve been with this company for over forty years, Marcus, he said. “Right from the very beginning, when your father started designing computer chips in his garage. I’ve seen the highs and lows of this industry, but never have I ever imagined that I would see a Reynard talking about sacking an employee. You’re a disgrace to your family name.”
His words were like a slap to the face. I wanted to punch him, and make him eat his own words. I wanted to make him beg for mercy, for daring to stand there and belittle me in front of everyone. But I held my tongue and stared
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silently at him, choosing to keep my anger in check.
“Your mother was right,” he said. “You’re not fit to run this company.
“And who else is going to do it?” I asked sarcastically. “You?”
“Even a dog would do a better job than you, Marcus,” he spat. “We all wanted your brother to take over, and I’m sure that if he was the one in that chair right now, then things wouldn’t be this bad.”
of my seat, anger and hatred coursing through my veins.
Isprang
ang out of t
“Get you things and get the fuck out of this building, Owen, 1 spat. “And if I ever see you here again, I’ll have you
arrested.”
“Spoken like a true gentleman,” he laughed, grabbing his phone. “I will not be hanging around to watch you sink this company into the ground. You should expect my resignation soon.”
He made his way to the door, and I gripped the edge of the table tightly to keep my emotions in check. But then he paused and turned around to face us all, and in a quiet voice he said, “If the rest of you have any sense, you will do everything you can to bring Ethan back to the table. Michael always wanted him to take over before he died, not this fraud who only knows how to take money out of the company.”
“GET OUT!” I yelled, hurling the nearest object I could find and hurling it straight at him. It was a tablet, and it barely missed his face. I was brimming with hatred as he stared blankly at me, then shook his head and walked out without another word.
“All of you should get out!” I snapped. “Now!”
They didn’t wait for another second before they fled the room, and I was let alone with my dark thoughts and my heart filled with rage. That fucking bastard had just undermined me in front of everyone, and I was going to make him pay. No one talked to me like that and got away with it. Not even an old man like him, who had just lost my
respect.
I knew he was just trying to get under my skin, but there was still a part of me that wondered if he was actually telling the truth. Did my mother actually say that I wasn’t fit to take over the company? It was no secret that she had gone to him first, but he refused. I always knew I was just the second option to her, but I vowed to do everything I could to outshine Ethan and prove that I was just as capable of running the company as he was.
And yet, they’d all been secretly wishing that Ethan would take my place. I’d spent so many years trying to prove to them that I was capable of running this company, and yet all my efforts were wasted, unappreciated and unrecognised.
Filthy animals.
I could just step down and watch them crumble right before my eyes. It was obvious that things were going to get worse, so I could get out now while it was still enough to save face. I could absolve myself of any blame once the company tanked, and some might even say that I should have stayed and helped to turn things around. I could be an unfortunate hero, driven out by lunatics who thought they could do better than me.
But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t admit defeat; not now, not ever. If I stepped down, it would prove everyone right, and they would finally be able to say that Ethan was better than me. How could I let that happen?
There was no right option. I could either stay on board and gamble with the possibility that things could turn around, or I could step aside, admit defeat and allow the rumours that I was the incapable twint to grow even further. No matter what I chose, I would till be a loser. And I couldn’t get out of this situation without sacrificing something.
I made my way to the window and stared down at the traffic below, forcing myself to stay calm. This wasn’t the
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end of the world. 1 was going to be a father, and in the grand scheme of things, that was all that really mattered. So what if Reynard Tech was sinking? 1 couldn’t care less. Even If the company tanked, I still had enough savings to live a comfortable life, and raise my child up to live a comfortable life as well. I would never need money again. So who cared if it falled?
I made up my mind then. I wasn’t going to step down. No
tter what they said, no matter how hard they would
try, there was no way in hell that I would step aside and allow anyone to take my spot.
Especially not Ethan.
Tough decisions had to be made, and that meant I had to let go of some departments. It would be brutal, but it would save the company a lot of money and keep us afloat for the time being. I would figure out a plan to rescue us from the brink of financial collapse. And no matter what anyone said, I would fix this and prove them all wrong.
As long as I breathe, Ethan will never have this seat.
