บท 120: Vance - 12.2
I pushed open the door to the meeting room, stepping inside with deliberate confidence. The room was filled with men who believed they were on the verge of losing everything. A row of stern faces with heavy glares locked onto me like a firing squad. Each pair of eyes dissected me, searching for any sign of weakness, any excuse to tear me apart.
I took my place at the head of the long, polished table. The surface gleamed under the overhead lights, reflecting the serious faces of the board members. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the rustle of papers as they prepared to challenge me.
"Gentlemen," I began, keeping my voice steady and measured. "I want to start by addressing our current financial stability. Despite recent events, the numbers show—"
"Numbers?" One of the board members cut in sharply, his voice laced with skepticism. "Numbers are just that—numbers. They don't mean a damned thing while our clientele seeks other retainers."
I met his gaze, unflinching. "Mister..."
"Lawson. I am the chairman." He replied.
"Mister Lawson, client retention is a top priority. We've implemented new strategies—"
"Strategies?" He interrupted again, leaning forward in his seat. "You think strategies will keep our fleeting clients happy? We've lost three major accounts in the last quarter alone. What's your plan for fixing that, Vance?"
I tightened my grip on the edge of the table, feeling the challenge in his words. This was an attack, plain and simple, and I needed to defend my position without appearing defensive.
"We've brought in fresh talent," I countered, keeping my tone calm but assertive. "Young, innovative minds who can bring new ideas to the table and re-engage our clients. Emelia Walters, for example—she's already—"
"Fresh talent?" The suit scoffed. "We don't need kids even younger than you. We need experience. People with the know-how and the reputation to attach a lifesaver to us."
"With all due respect," I said, my voice hardening, "experience is valuable. Reputation as well, but so is innovation. We need to adapt, or we will go the way of the telegraph."
His eyes narrowed, and I could see the gears turning in his head as he prepared his next line of attack. "And what about the restructuring plans? Lafayette is ambitious, a businessman through and through. But do you honestly think you can balance his whims with maintaining the integrity my money built?"
I straightened, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. "I believe we can strike a balance. Fresh blood keeps the wheels turning. Keeps us competitive. Lafayette wants to turn us into Space City 2.0, but that would be the last thing Michael would want. Michael would want us to take care of our own. Michael would want us to keep his family here—Clara, Anthony, Henry—and he would want us to grow it."
"Interesting you bring up Michael's family, Vance," he began, his tone dripping with condescension. "Especially considering that you're the very man who campaigned for Lafayette to accept their resignations."
I blinked, caught off guard by his words.
"Resignations?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes. "The board terminated their partnerships?"
"No, Vance, resignations. They left of their own accord, leaving us to rot within."
I felt a cold chill run down my spine. "I was told they were terminated for failing to stabilize the firm in Michael's absence."
Lawson's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "And who exactly told you that?"
I hesitated, the truth slowly dawning on me. "It was... Lafayette. He said it was necessary to stabilize the firm, to ensure our survival in this new market."
"So, Lafayette played us all," Lawson said, the bitterness in his voice evident.
"He positioned me as the fall guy," I said, my voice tight with controlled fury. "While he pulled the strings behind the scenes, feeding us all different versions of the story."
Another board member, an older man with graying hair and a deep scowl, spoke up. "We were too quick to believe what he was selling us because it aligned with our fears."
For a moment, no one spoke, each of us grappling with the fact that we had been played so easily.
Finally, I broke the silence, my voice firm. "We need to fix this. If we're going to move forward, we have to bring back the people who were pushed out. They are the ones who built this firm, who know its values, and who can help us regain the trust we've lost."
Lawson looked at me, his eyes calculating. "You think they'll come back after everything that's happened? After being forced out and replaced?"
"I don't know, but we have to try."
The other board members exchanged glances, the uncertainty clear on their faces. But I could see the cracks in their resolve, the beginnings of agreement forming as they considered the alternatives.
"And what about Lafayette?" Lawson asked, his voice low. "He is the CEO."
"We need a vote of no confidence." I said sharply.
Lawson's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the directness of my statement. The room, which had begun to settle, suddenly buzzed with renewed tension. The words hung in the air like a challenge, daring anyone to oppose the idea.
"A vote of no confidence?" another board member echoed, his tone uncertain.
"Yes," I affirmed, my voice steady. "Lafayette has manipulated us, deceived us, and in doing so, he's jeopardized everything this firm stands for. We need to take action before he causes any more damage."
Lawson leaned forward, his gaze intense. "You realize what you're suggesting, Vance? This isn't just about rehiring the partners. A vote of no confidence would remove him from power. It would be an all-out coup."
"Is coup against a coup really a coup?" I replied.
Everyone around the table exchanged uneasy glances.
"You'd better be right about this, Vance," Lawson said quietly. "If we're going to war, we need to win."
"We will," I assured him. "We don't have a choice."
The board members exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement, others still uncertain. Lawson's expression remained unreadable, but I could sense his gears turning, weighing the risks and rewards.
"Lafayette is gonna burn us for this," one of the board members murmured, his voice tinged with fear.
"Only if we fail," I replied.
I added, "For Michael."
Lawson confirmed, "For Michael."
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