chapter 13. What is the meaning of this news?

Wilson Miller returned to his penthouse under the cover of his security guards. at the entrance to his house, it was filled with reporters and he had no choice but to step down from his car.

"I will hold a press conference to clarify every rumour going around. The date and venue of the press conference will be communicated to you all. Don't just write based on hearsay", he had no choice but to plunge his head down into the problem. Whoever is seeking to destroy him has done a good job right now. He will not go down easily, never. He had come a long way here so he will not give up.

The guards paved the way for him but the reporters became insatiable and aggressive. The reporters swarmed around him forming a barricade around him.

Wilson Miller sensed a conspiracy but before he could control the situation, one of his men had already smashed the reporter's equipment. This is very bad.

The reporters yelled and demanded justice on behalf of the wounded journalist. Before he could say anything, the entire scene was broadcasted on live channels.

He tried to call people for help but they declined. How could they go against Clayton's group of industries just for one man?

Wilson was frustrated by the turn of events, how could this have happened under his belt and this seemed a set-up.

" Book a flight for me, I'm going back to New York", he rubbed his glabella and frowned.

" I'm sorry sir, all flight movement to and fro public and private airways have been suspended".

"What?" His lips quivered terribly.

"You won't be able to travel until further notice".

He hung up abruptly and smashed the phone on the wall. His assistant stood by the side and watch him growl in anger.

Just then he received a message notification. He logged onto one of the news forums and a baring heading greeted his sight.

" FORMER CEO OF DORIS GROUP OF COMPANIES, WILSON MILLER FEELS INDIGNANT ABOUT THE SUDDEN CHANGE IN HIS POSITION AND HE VENTS HIS ANGER ON A POOR JOURNALIST".

His assistant had no idea how to handle such a hot potato of news. The viewers rose at an alarming rate and the comments were so disgusting.

Wilson Miller notices the pained expression on his assistant's face. He demanded to know if there is something he had no idea about?

His assistant trembled while handing over the phone to him. The latter read and his countenance fell.

Back in New York City.....

"Mom.....", Sandra rushed downstairs with her phone in hand. She searched for the mother.

" What's the problem? Can you stop yelling and behave like a young lady for once?"

"Mom, our rooftop has caught fire", she placed her phone before her and the latest news popped up.

WILSON MILLER IS MO LONGER THE PRESIDENT OF DORIS GROUP OF COMPANIES.

" What is the meaning of this news?"

"Exactly what you think"

"No, no, this can't be real", she was scared.

" Dad has called you so many times but you refused to pick up", she waved her mother's phone before her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to take it along when I went shopping in the afternoon".

"Can you be more serious here?"

"How did this happen?"

"Call your husband and ask him about it", Sandra slammed the door behind her and left the house.

How did all these events happen? Who did they offend? She had already forgotten about how to deal with Sandra. Sandra had more or less learned the reins of the company's management. She sighed and she could only think about seeking help from the Jones.

Back in Dubai...

Lucas was racing against time in his project, his biogas production would hit the world like never before. He had been slogging himself out in the laboratory all night and day. Lucas also paid special attention to Violet's affairs. He had just grasped her and she wants to slip away? The information he received the next day was that Violet wanted to resign and return to her mansion. He only held himself back a step away from buying that mansion.

He was consulted first and he would never agree to it, not in this lifetime. Lucas took out his anger further on Wilson Miller, his guess was right. If the bird's feathers are taken off then the bird will not be able to fly.

Sandra's excesses have to be curbed. Who did she think ruled the world, Lucas Arnold Jones rules the world.

His subordinate whispered some words into his ears and his countenance changed. The other scientist with him felt a drop in temperature all of a sudden. Their boss's expression looked awful. Lucas left the laboratory and went back to his apartment.

" What happened", he questioned the subordinate while facing the window. His most trusted aide lowered his head and couldn't look at him.

"Boss, the Italian Mafia group we had a contention with the last time waylaid our goods and stole them on its way to Russia".

"What about my men?"

"All, except Anderson. Bodies have been found at the scene"

"Who is the mole here?"

"Boss we are yet to find out".

"Darn! Keep an eye on his whereabouts. I want him back and alive".

"Yes, boss".

The already angry Lucas waved him off and went into the bathroom to take a shower. He was so frustrated. Although he had so much money, the money from the goods was to help this biogas project.

It clicked on his mind that he is yet to call Violet.

He picked up his phone and checked the time, it must be night over there and he wouldn't like to disturb her.

He sent her a message and waited as if he was expecting a reply. A thought crossed his mind, a sensual smile graced his lips and laid him down to rest.

Back in New York City...

Doris' group of companies experienced a shuffle in power. The staffs and management were all excited about the appearance of the new shareholder. They were now sure of their salaries and other monthly benefits. Doris group of companies had been a shell all along and only depended on the staff to promote itself. Their stock market shares had long dropped but they still maintained a facade of a multinational company acclaimed for their long-standing reputation and trustworthy services.

The directors and staff gathered in the conference room and the video call was projected on the screen for all to see.

A tired and emotionally drained man appeared on the screen some minutes later. Some of the staff let out an involuntary gasp, he looked ten years older than before.

"I have issues to settle in Mexico hence I will not be able to come back as planned. Whatever rumour you might have heard remains a rumour until it is clarified which will be as soon as possible. Do not commit these rumours to mind, just go about your duties like before and everything will be settled".

Some of the staff have gotten information that he is no longer the CEO of the conglomerate but why is he addressing them as if he is still wielding power? Can't he be shameless for once?

The directors and managers' attitudes toward him were no longer civil or filled with courtesy.

Wilson Miller perceived the conspiracy in the air and quietly ended the video call. He has been laying low for the past few days and he was beginning to get tired of it.

"Make arrangements for me, I want to go to a low-profile pub".

The assistant was about to protest but he held up his hands to shut him up.

"I will keep a low profile. I can't keep staying indoors and let my enemies win".

"Their eyes are on us even the reporters are not left out".

He grabbed the car keys from him and dashed out. The bodyguards were about to follow him but he declined.

He drove out in the most inconspicuous of all his cars.

Sandra woke up, peered into her bedside mirror and sighed. Her dark eye circles were ugly and she screamed internally. She had not rested the previous day as she had to meet up with the people her dad directed her to. she returned home late in the night only to confirm that the mother was going on a shopping spree. Who does that at such a time?

She took a shower and used heavy makeup. Her face looked a bit lively but she looked far from the attractive lady she is used to. The lady in the mirror looked like she had aged five years older than before.

Darn! She was so frustrated that she picked a huge shade that covered half of her face.

She had to go to school because her final year exams will start in two weeks. Thankfully, the news of their family's near-bankruptcy had not spread far and wide. only people in the business world and a few in their social circle heard about it.

Whoever wanted them to go down had done a good job.

On getting to the school, she noticed that the usual cheering session at the school entrance didn't hold. No student was found at the entrance, everywhere was quiet. All the students found in the hallways were rushing to the assembly hall. What is happening? Who is stealing her limelight?

On getting to the hall, the familiar yet the most irritating voice she detested rang out beautifully in the serene atmosphere.

"So we are ready to welcome the participants for the competition and this is an encouragement to all ambitious and young world-class chefs out there. So MERLIN'S RESTAURANT is here to make your dreams come true".

A thunderous ovation followed the speech just as it ended. The gorgeous beauty made her way back to her seat. Her subtle curves were neither prominent nor hidden. She looked like a dazzling flower in summer. Her dark, long flowing hair was given a tinge of purple at the tips and the waves came cascading like a waterfall on her back.

The icy eyes pierced Violet's face and she instinctively looked in a certain direction. Kevin was captivated by this beautiful being such that he jerked back to reality when Sandra slapped his shoulders.

Her vixen nature can never be hidden, Sandra clenched her fists.

The principal addressed the students once more before Violet came up again to give answers to some questions. The boys blushed and the girls had diverse emotions of jealousy and envy. She was way too beautiful and outstanding. As the head of the planning department of Merlin's restaurant, she came up with this idea to help ambitious future chefs pursue their dreams.

Her idea was welcomed by the board of directors of Merlin's restaurant.

For the boss lady's sake, the management has intended to expand their range of services and possibly change the name of the restaurant to a more classy one befitting the status of one of Clayton's group subsidiaries.

Her pure yet bewitching smile sent the young teenagers into throes of youthful passion.

Kevin's eyes followed her every move.

"I'm one of you guys so feel free to contact my mail address for any questions concerning the competition. It will be posted on the school forum. So have a nice day and remain studious".

The boys cheered and the girls clapped. Violet never knew that she was on her way to stardom and she had attracted white a lot of fans for herself.

She stepped down the podium, the other directors respectfully followed behind her as they walked out of the hall. Sandra had already made herself comfortable at a corner just to wait for Violet.

The directors were congratulating her brilliant speech and ideas. They would never know that their big boss aided this whirlwind project and that he had suspended the biogas project just to help her come up with a perfect plan.

"Hello Miss Oliver", a booming male voice sounded nervous. Her fan-like eyelashes fluttered as she looked at the sunny boy in front of her. She would never compare him to a certain sexy and hormones-filled person in Dubai.