The entire meeting room resembled a black and white oil painting. The snow-white walls contrasted against the black suits crowding within it and the grey tiles laid on the floor. The angular shape of the meeting table accentuated the company’s clinical style.
Larry pulled up a chair and sat steadily in his seat. Everyone else around him opened the folders in their hands with pens, ready to get down to work.
“I believe all of you have seen the latest news about Norton Corporation. The Alpire Group has again mounted attacks against our company right under our noses. Together with the earlier incidents, our accumulated losses have grown to a massive amount.”
Larry cleared his throat. “I have previously declared not to let history repeat itself. Hence, in the face of what happened today, I would like to apologize to everyone.”
“Wait, Mr. Norton.” A white-haired shareholder sitting beside Larry suddenly asked, “Even if we didn’t manage to stop their attacks, don’t you owe us an explanation about how much you know about Alpire Group?”
Not shirking from his responsibilities, Larry was forthcoming. “Indeed, I have not met the chairman of Alpire Group before. But based on my knowledge, their objective is to take over Norton Corporation. However, I have met with their head of finance. Although he wasn’t willing to divulge the secrets behind the takeover, he did tell me that Alpire Group intends to acquire Norton Corporation in its entirety. Also, this man is our only source for more information.”
“In that case, why don’t you bring him over so that we can all talk to him?” the old shareholder pressed on.
Larry could only brace himself and continue, “When I found out about what happened this morning, he was the first person I thought of. Of course, I tried calling him but he didn’t answer and his whereabouts are currently unknown.”
The old shareholder sneered. His laugh was filled with mockery toward Larry. “Since you don’t know where he is, why did you even mention him? Are you trying to shirk your responsibility and hide the truth from us?”
Another middle-aged shareholder added, “That’s right. Now that you’re unable to contact your source, how do we know you’re telling the truth or if he exists?”
Instead of focusing on the crux of the matter which was Alpire Group’s intention of taking over Norton Corporation, they kept harping on the veracity of Larry’s contact. Larry was dumbfounded by their reaction. Given what had happened, he had lost all credibility before the shareholders.
Larry straightened his posture in an attempt to seem more authoritative. “As Norton Corporation’s shareholders, you should focus on the problem at hand and not doubt the truth of my words. There’s no reason for me to fabricate a person just to deceive you.”
Pressured by Larry’s commanding presence, the meeting room fell silent.
“With regards to this unexpected incident, it was indeed caused by my oversight. From now on, I will try my best…”
“Mr. Norton!” suddenly, the old shareholder interrupted Larry again.
“We can’t allow the company to continue the way it is. All the shareholders here have invested their life savings into it. Hence, shouldn’t you be giving us a deadline?” the old shareholder threatened with a dissatisfied gaze.
His brazen words suddenly caused tension to fill the room. If Larry failed to solve the problem by the stipulated deadline, he would then be removed from his position.
“That’s right. If you can’t do it, let someone else take over.”
One by one, the shareholders had insidious looks on their faces. Letting out their devilish grins, they were all showing their true colors.
Larry cleared his throat to signal everyone in the meeting room to quiet down. “Alright. Give me three months. After three months, I will provide all of you a satisfactory answer.”
