New Life : A Second Chance

Patrick gave a nod, and they opened the door.

Despite his initial anger, Philip smiled happily upon seeing the three who walked in.

Ixora, the representative for health company Aegle Co. Xuelin, the CEO of Xuelin Co (yes, Xing Han\'s ex-fiancee) and Vince from Cosa Nostra, Country I.

He had used the name of Aegle Company to actually persuade those shareholders from selling some of their shares and sometimes put in Xuelin\'s company as additional bait.

The two local companies – one having gone international, and one on the verge (or has the potential to) go international – were extremely enticing and persuasive collaborations.

Who did not know about the work Aegle company did? It had even been referred to as the \'Florence Nightingale\' of companies. It was the saviour and its reputation was impeccable.

Initially, the three organisations had been reluctant to collaborate but when he turned on the charm and gave them very tempting offers, they accepted.

In return, they would vote according to whatever Philip wanted them to. A small price to pay for what he was offering them.

Just how did he manage to land such a good deal?

Naturally, it was because Philip was that capable.

At least, that is what he told the board members. It was also what he believed.

He deliberately did not inform them about Cosa Nostra, though.

If he had, none of them would have been willing to sell their shares. After all, who didn\'t know the real business of Cosa Nostra? On the surface, they were respectable and ran a legitimate business but in reality, they were the top mafia organisation of Country I.

There were five big mafia families, and the leader of that family was Cosa Nostra.

They were also the biggest collaborator and their condition was simple.

To be the biggest weapons distributor in Country Tz. The Smith Industries were to help them in this, on the sly.

A little price to pay to take over and bring Smith Industries to greater heights.

Philip looked at the three representatives smugly. He walked over to them, extending his hand out and shook the hands of each person before leading them personally to their seats.

Patrick and Kyle watched this silently, letting Philip have his fun.

Philip\'s face was as proud as a peacock, his chest was puffed out like some rooster strutting forward and his gaze was looking at them as if everyone was beneath him.

He was showing off, saying silently, \'See, See! I brought these important people in! Me!\'

The board members who had sold off their shares, paled.

In truth, they were not completely bad.

Indeed, their mistake was in selling their shares without going through Patrick first. However, even then, their intentions were pure and for the company. The shares that they sold were not much, so they didn\'t think that they were doing anything wrong. To be more accurate, they felt their actions were justified.

It was for the good of the company, after all.

Unfortunately, they were too short-sighted.

First, while it was true that individually, the selling of their shares would not cause (that much) of a problem - collectively, the effect was drastic. Not a single one of them considered the fact that they were not the only ones that Philip approached.

Secondly, they were also too blind to realise the reason behind the rule that they are to sell openly, and approach the CEO. It was to avoid the situation that they were facing right now. If everything had to go through the CEO, would he not be able to see and determine what was happening?

Thirdly, why did they believe Philip that there was only one (and maybe two) companies that wanted to collaborate?

Cosa Nostra?!

Just what had they done?!

With the three new members, including the four that had been with Philip from the start, it was obvious that any votes would go towards Philip\'s favour.

Even if the other board members saw what was happening and voted against Philip, they would not make a difference.

The blood drained from their faces as they watched the three sit down, give Philip a smile and looked coldly at Patrick and Kyle.

Philip sat back down gleefully and declared, "Shall we take a vote now, then?"

"Those in favour of ousting Kyle as the next CEO, raise your hands," Philip said, taking over the entire process.

Patrick didn\'t say a word, leaning back in his chair to watch the show.

Contrary to what Philip expected, only four hands shot up.

He slammed his hands on the table, standing up, "What is the meaning of this?!"

"What?" Kyle asked, tilting his head, "Isn\'t it quite clear?"

"One-two-three-four-five," Kyle counted, "Making about 20% of the controlling vote shares. I\'m still the Heir."

Then, suddenly, Kyle\'s playful demeanor changed.

"Those in favour of these five board members to be stripped of their controlling shares and have it absorbed back into the company, raise your hands," Kyle said.

Everyone - save for those five, of course - raised their hands.

"Done," Kyle said, "Motion is passed. Take note and transfer all their shares back to the company. We will distribute them amongst the new collaborators and include new members."

"You can\'t do this!" screeched Philip.

"I can, and I did," Kyle said, "Unlike you, I did everything above board and it is according to the rules."

"It\'s useless," Philip stated, and jerked his head to his assistant, "I have an iron-clad contract with the three collaborators. If they vote against me, their shares become mine and thus, their votes are invalid."

Philip\'s PA handed Patrick and Kyle a copy of the contract.

Kyle\'s gaze never left Philip and for some reason, Philip started feeling fear.