Loyalty Tested

As Victor walked out of the hospital, a Rolls Royce cruised to a halt before him. Onlookers wondered which bigshot's car it was. Victor pulled up his hood and approached the vehicle. He peered in to see Clive in the driver's seat. The forty-year-old billionaire was a butler-cum-chauffeur now.

Victor slipped into the car, and Clive drove off.

"What is the urgency?" he asked the billionaire, who looked strangely in character as a chauffeur.

"Sir, I have concluded another task you assigned via text. You asked me to survey your grandfather's finances and assets. What I have accumulated is as follows. First, someone has been draining your grandfather's accounts while he was bedridden."

Victor raised an eyebrow. The prime suspect in this nuisance could be none other than his evil aunt. He'd deal with her later since Edgar's account barely had a hundred thousand dollars. "What else?"

"Unfortunately, Damone Industries, chaired by Edgar Damone, is about to declare bankruptcy."

Victor scratched his chin. "Bankruptcy, huh?"

He had been overseeing the company since his grandfather was admitted. Edgar gave him power of attorney for all financial and administrative decisions. When Victor casually inquired from top officials of Damone Industries about the business status, they told him they were bleeding clients and the company's financial crisis was irrecoverable.

Therefore, Victor had expected it to be bankrupt soon. But he hadn't actually looked at the account books because he was occupied in tending to Edgar's health.

"Clive…. In your expert opinion, would you say the company's ruin was inevitable?"

Clive thought for a moment and shook his head. "Not exactly, sir. While the financial trouble was real, the company could have easily recovered with consolidation and refinance."

"Then why has it been driven to bankruptcy?"

"I have looked into this. I discovered through insider information that a few key people in the top management have been trading over clients to a competitor company, leading to huge losses in profit."

"Oh? By competitor, do you mean Shannon Inc.?"

"Exactly." Clive was impressed by how his new master knew everything about business even though he was not involved in the industry. Indeed, a man like him was likely to surprise and shock at every step.

Victor furrowed his brow. He had been too trusting with the company's managers. Since they were old employees initially hired by Edgar, he never looked into their performance, credentials, or activities. It turned out there were a few snakes in the grass.

"That brings me to the current situation," Clive continued. "Someone tipped the administrators of Damone Industries that Edgar Damone, the Chairman, is about to succumb to an incurable heart ailment."

Victor figured out the rest. Investors would have panicked and withdrawn their money, and employees would be ready to resign and abandon the factories. It was a sabotage setup, perfectly executed, while Victor's attention was occupied elsewhere.

"The company's key employees have already signed secret contracts with your rival company, Shannon Inc…" the billionaire continued. "They are a day away from joining lush, higher salary jobs with your competitor. The traitors are waiting for you at the office today, perhaps to resign officially. I feel they intend to disgrace you in the process."

Victor nodded. Some of the older employees had massive egos and were uncomfortable working under a young man like him. "I assume you have taken some corrective steps already?"

Clive smiled. "It seems you have figured me out already, sir. It's true. To begin with, I secretly infused fifty million dollars into your company as an angel investor. The news will not reflect until later today."

"Not bad. How did you deal with Shannon Inc.?"

"I have taken over the Shannon Inc. Board of Directors already. Its ownership has been transferred to you."

"Good," Victor said, impressed. Clive had been instrumental, even though he was a three-star member. When the billionaire arrived to serve him, part of Victor decided to replace the man with a higher star member later.

However, Clive had proved himself handy with quick and effective decisions. After all, the forty-year-old billionaire had become the wealthiest man in Springfield within ten years through sheer hard work, which would build character and competence. Moreover, the New World Order did not recruit any amateurs.

Victor was thus inclined to keep him as a butler for longer. But the man still needed to learn a few tricks.

"That's not enough," he told Clive. "Purchase the entire industrial block in which Shannon and Damone companies are registered."

Clive raised both eyebrows. "Seaboard Industrial Block, you mean, sir? Hmm. I will immediately carry out your wish," he said, texting an order to his subordinate. "That is a brilliant idea. We will have access to all suppliers, traders, and shippers."

Victor nodded. "Don't communicate this news to anybody yet. First, drop me off at the office."

"Affirmative, sir."

***

The head office of Damone Industries was located in the Seaboard Industrial Block. The latter block was among seven industrial blocks in Springfield. However, it was ranked lowest because of a poor turnover. Not only was business slow, but competition among the companies was toxic, leading to underhanded practices which damaged each others' profits.

As Victor walked into the premises of Damone Industries, he saw seven men outside, smoking cigarettes even though it was banned by company policy. Two of them, who looked middle-aged, stepped forward. Victor recognized them as Alec, the Head of Sales, and Seagal, the Head of Marketing Division. They were the two most significant employees of the company.

"Here's my resignation letter, Mr. Damone," Alec said with a smirk. He knew that his exit would land a crushing blow to the company. "Oh, wait. I should call you… Victor."

Victor ignored his taunt and accepted the letter. He signed it without any argument. While his indifference was noticed, five others also stepped forward, and he signed all the resignations.

They were surprised that Victor did not even ask for any cause or try to convince them to stay. Alec figured perhaps the young man was inexperienced and did not understand the impact of what was happening. "I hope you realize what this means, Victor. Your company is dead after we leave."

"Yeah," Seagal chimed in. "You can board up the doors and windows, or homeless people will live there." The group sniggered on hearing the joke. It implied that the Damones would be homeless soon.

Victor eyed Alec and Seagal. They had been working since the company's foundation and yet did not shy away from betrayal in such a delicate situation. "Alec, while your resignation is accepted and you are no longer an employee, I want to ask you something.

"Weren't you a jobless, homeless man without a family twenty years back? When Edgar saw you in a dire situation, not only did he rescue you, but he also saw your potential. He gave you a job and loaned you money to rent a home? Because of him, now you own a house and lead a luxurious life. Is this how you intend to pay him back?"

Alec scoffed. "Oh, really? I didn't take my salary for free, Victor. I've worked hard to contribute to this company's growth. But business is business. I will join Shannon Inc., which has offered three times the salary and company shares. That's a deal I would be foolish to miss."

Victor raised an eyebrow. "Worked hard, huh? Is leaking our clients to Shannon Inc. your definition of working hard?"

Alec's face flushed, and he exchanged glances with Seagal. "I don't know how you came to know that. But you can't prove it."

Victor nodded without expression. He had all the answers he needed. "I see."

"That right there!" Seagal spat. "Your cold attitude always pisses me off! Do you think you are better than us? You are a loser like your grandfather and will be out on the streets in weeks! And we'll be flush with money! Let's see who's better than whom then!"

Victor turned to the last employee who had not turned in his resignation yet. He was a twenty-two-year-old who had joined as an intern last year. However, due to his inherent talent and hard work, he rose to become a manager.

"Alan… What about you? Won't you resign as well?"

Alan exhaled and spoke up. "Sir, even though I graduated from a third-grade university, I was hired by the company. Besides, Edgar Damone helped my family get a proper house. I cannot forget these favors. Earlier, I was going to resign under peer pressure. But even if Shannon offers me five times the salary, I will not betray the Damones!"

Victor nodded. "Good. You will be working as the new CEO of Damone Enterprises and will have ten percent of the company share.."

Alan gasped while the resigning employees laughed at his words.

"Handing out sea shells, are you, Victor?" Alex said, snickering. "It doesn't matter what your offer is. Be it the CEO or the Chairman position or a hundred percent of company shares. It means nothing. Damone Industries will sink in twenty-four hours. Why make Alan captain of a sinking ship?"

"You can leave," Victor said coldly.

The traitors left, mumbling insults at him.

"He's lost his mind due to bankruptcy."

"Alan, leave now, or you'll be drawn into his poverty."

"I will throw pennies down from the Shannon Inc. building when this guy comes begging."

Victor walked into his office and asked Alan to file all resignations while making mental notes of all their names.