17 Visit

Looking like a cornered animal, Bert stood up with a stagger while his eyes shifted erratically around the room as if looking for something.

"This is not my fault!" He yelled, his usual arrogance was completely abandoned.

The furious gazes of the shareholders were completely trained on him. Most of these people only cared for one thing and that was their profits. Today, they received news that there was embezzlement and money would even be needed to repair the machines and the facilities because of it. It was a loss that they won't be able to tolerate even more than me.

"I'll be seeing you in court for embezzlement and I don't care how you'll do it but return every coin that you stole from this company," I ordered, my voice a tad higher to grab everyone's attention. This drama had already gone on for far too long.

"Go ahead. I'll tell the media. Let's see who will be more disadvantaged," Bert challenged confidently, his attitude having already shifted to dragging everyone down.

Companies rarely take action when it comes to embezzlement issues as their reputation might take a hit if they do so. It would be alright if it's just bad news but the company stocks could go down if it blew up. Bert threatening with the media was effective however I had already predicted how low he could get so I had prepared countermeasures already.

I gave a small laugh in derision, "You think this threat would work on me? The moment this meeting began, we already had a press release regarding the embezzlement inside the company. Who is disadvantaged now?"

In a panic after hearing my words, most of them took out their phones to check for the effect of the press release, especially the shareholders. Some even looked angry already. However, I noticed Lucy was just seated there as if she was just watching a drama unfold while Harry already looked bored.

The expressions of the others looked perplexed after finding out that there was minimal movement in the market even though the company was in a big issue.

The articles that we released were designed to paint the company's active tackling of the embezzlement problem in a positive light. By releasing the news ourselves before it even spreads out, we can mitigate the negative effect that it might cause. Of course, there would still be bad press no matter what so this time, I'd have to thank Quinn for this. She exerted her influence in the flow of the news so well that there's hardly any bad articles about it.

Bert started throwing words again, "You can't do this to me. I've been with your father for so long when this company was founded. How could you?! You ungrateful bitch!"

What an ugly sight.

I've had enough of this. I threw a scathing glance at him which made him shut up immediately.

I stood up slowly amidst the silence that ensued and dropped another bomb at them with a frigid smile, "Inspection for everyone and all the data is being conducted to all the departments while we are in a meeting. Anyone who is caught of being involved with the embezzlement will immediately be subjected to firing and legal means without exception. Meeting adjourned."

I didn't stay to watch the cacophony of noise that erupted after I finished speaking. I have far more pressing things to do. This is when the cleanup truly begins.

After exiting the conference room, we walked alone in the empty corridor towards the direction of the elevators to go up back to my office. I gestured for Heather to come closer.

"Have someone follow Bert Anderson in case we might discover his collaborator. He probably only got chump change from all that stolen money. Also, don't forget to get me the personnel list. I'm going to personally assign the people who will replace the ones who will be fired," I told Heather all my instructions before I forgot about them.

"I will," Heather nodded.

We turned left and saw someone coming our way. A middle-aged man in a form fitting business suit approached steadily before coming to a stop in front of us.

"Miranda, " he greeted with a polite smile, faint lines showing on his face, before asking, "Is the meeting over?"

"Yes, I'd just ended it just a few minutes ago. Did you have important business that you couldn't cancel?" I probed casually.

Executives weren't supposed to be at the board meeting but since this was a special case, they were all called to take part and be informed. Robert Hall was the Chief Operations Officer of the company and he should have been there. It made me curious as to what reason could he have to miss it. He was responsible and diligent with his job usually. We're not that close but he never caused me any problems so he was one of the rare few I appreciate in the company.

"I went to visit the factory for the production of Regal's fabrics personally. I'd thought I would be able to arrive on time but there were some delays," he explained in an apologetic tone.

"I see. There were important announcements earlier so make sure to catch up with the others," I nodded.

"Alright. I'll go first then." He passed us after saying goodbye, presumably going to the conference room.

I stretched my neck from side to side to relieve the ache from reviewing the personnel list then glanced at my watch. It was already half past 3 pm and I should get going now. I took the list with me along with my bag and coat.

"See you tomorrow, Heather," I said while passing by her desk to head for the elevator.

I went to the entrance and waited for Ethan to arrive after sending him a message to meet me. After a few minutes, he arrived and I got in the car immediately.

I took out my phone and showed him an address, "Can you go to Peace Gardens?"

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly after a few minutes.

I was surprised by his question so I looked in his direction but found him concentrated on the road. I felt odd hearing those words. I can't seem to remember the last time someone asked me that question. Who would've thought that it would come from someone I barely know.

"I will be," I replied, my voice equally quiet.

He didn't speak after so it was silent inside the car. Strangely enough, it wasn't awkward at all.

Our destination wasn't far from the company so we reached quite fast. Once we reached the gate, I asked him to stop and I got out of the car.

"I'll be staying here for quite a while so you don't have to wait for me. I'll just take a cab later on." I told him then went inside without waiting for his reply.

I traversed the road while looking at a wide expanse of space on both sides. It was quiet since it was a workday and it wasn't one of those special days where people flock to visit. I looked around and found the tombstone that I was looking for. The spot was near to the entrance so it was easy to just walk to reach it.

I swiped the leaves that littered around it to tidy the place and then took out the lighter in my bag to light the candle inside it's covered container. I lightly caressed the name 'Michael North' engraved on the marble before sitting down beside it.

"The geezers in the company are getting even more daring these days, Dad," I whined like a child, the way I always do with him.

Just like that, I started telling him about what I've been up to these days, ranting about anything I could think of. I was getting tired sitting so I just plopped on my back without care. With all the talking, I'd just noticed that it was already dark and I'm already seeing the stars that were twinkling without care when I looked up.

"I'm a bit tired, Dad," I sighed out loud, my voice heavier than I intended.

I really should be getting home but I couldn't summon the energy to get up. Suddenly, something blocked my view of the sky and I heard someone speak in a low tone that I didn't fail to recognize before I could even react.

"Aren't you cold lying there?"