chapter 15

"It's either the president shows his face or steps down. He must do either of the two!" Reginald's voice boomed through the conference room, his frustration and anger palpable. As the second-largest shareholder of Azel Organization after the president, he had the clout to challenge the president's anonymity.

The directors who had aligned themselves with Reginald quickly stood up in support, their voices rising in a chorus of demands. "He should show his face! If he can't reveal himself, he can step down!"

Dominic watched the outburst with a mixture of exhaustion and resignation. He had grown tired of these emergency meetings, which seemed to have become a weekly occurrence. The shareholders' demands for the president to reveal himself had become a tired refrain, and he was fed up with trying to placate them.

"Directors…" he called, attempting to start a conversation, even if he didn't have a solution to offer just yet.

Reginald's piercing stare silenced Dominic, leaving no room for further discussion. "What's hard about revealing himself if he doesn't have a hidden motive?" 

His statement sparked a chorus of agreement from the other directors.

"Or maybe he's hiding so it'd be easy for him to betray us," he suggested, fueling the speculation and the he room erupted into a cacophony of voices, each adding their own opinions and doubts.

"Yes!"

"That must be his motive!"

"Betrayed?" Dominic repeated, his tone laced with amazement and questioning. "You can see all he's been doing. He has achieved a lot in less than a month. Sales rise up every day, everyone's profit shares increase, everything and transactions are done without delay."

Reginald was unmoved, his response swift and dismissive. "So? What does that mean? Does that change anything?" He attacked. "That's his duty. It's either he shows his face within 24 hours or steps down."

The door swung open, and Rosie stepped into the room, her presence commanding attention. "Step down?!" Her voice exclaimed as all eyes turned to behold her. She stood poised, one foot inside the room and the other still outside, exuding an air of authority and elegance.

"Good day, everyone," she greeted, her voice smooth as silk, as she began to move toward the table. Her floor-length gown flowed behind her, and her silver sandals made a soft clicking sound on the floor. 

Dominic's face relaxed into a relieved smile. "Finally."

The directors' eyes scanned her from head to toe, their faces furrowed in confusion as they watched her approach. She paused in front of Reginald, curtsied her head slightly, and then glided past him to take her seat at the head of the table.

As she settled into the plush leather chair, Reginald turned to face her, his expression questioning. "Who are you?"

Rosie's gaze met his, her eyes authoritative and piercing. She crossed her legs, her gaze lingering on Reginald's face before she began to introduce herself. "My name is Wright Rosie," she said, her voice steady and confident. 

"A weak-to-strong woman who ascended to a great position to prove her worth," her eyes locked onto Reginald's, and for a moment, they seemed to bore into his very soul. "I am a single mother, ready to face obstacles." 

Reginald's snicker was a mixture of amusement and disbelief. He had a good idea who she was, but wasn't ready to accept it just yet. "Are you–" he started to ask, but Rosie nodded curtly, confirming his suspicions.

"Yes, I am. I am the president of Azel Organization."

Reginald shook his head in opposition. "How's this–" he began to protest, but Rosie cut him off, her tone polite but firm. 

"For smooth corporations, accord me the respect I deserve."

Reginald's eyes widened slightly. "What if I don't?" He asked, his tone laced with defiance. 

Rosie's smile was peaceful, but her gaze was unyielding. "I'll force you…" she replied, her voice cool. "And you'll end up in a situation where you won't have an option other than to respect me. You must obey me, and I will make you do it."

Reginald was taken aback by Rosie's boldness. He hadn't expected a woman to be so assertive and confident. His expression turned determined, and he sneered at her. "It's not possible! I won't watch a woman take over…" 

His face reddened as he spat out the words"A woman can't rule over me."

Rosie's lips curled into a light chuckle. "That's a misuse of words," she said, her voice even. "You've already watched me take over; I've even ruled for over a month, though it was in secret. So, all that's left for you is to watch me rule in public."

Reginald's eyes bulged. "How can a woman rule over a hundred competent men?" He protested. His voice dropped to a growl. "Who does that?"

Rosie mimicked his tone, "Nelson did. He is no more, but no one will stop you from questioning him. Go ask him if you can." 

Reginald's eyes widened. "How's that possible? He is dead!"

Rosie's expression was a mask of innocence. "How's it not possible? He is dead, but you can visit him. Heaven is for humans. Please let me know when you're willing to go. I have a letter I'd love you to deliver for him." 

Reginald's eyes narrowed, his finger jabbing at her. "You... are you wishing me death?"

"How am I wishing you death?" Rosie said, her tone questioning, her face a picture of innocence. "Did you see a gun or knife with me? Don't accuse me.  All did was give a way to find the truth."

Reginald joggled his head, wrapping his hands around his waist as he slightly shifted his gaze from her, raising his chin. "Okay," he uttered, panting. "I'm against you. I oppose you being the president of this organization."

Rosie raised an eyebrow. "Does your opinion matter?"

Reginald's hand loosened from his waist and he stared at her, shocked. "Hun!"

Rosie nodded, her voice firm. "Yes, you heard me right. I am the late Nelson's granddaughter. What does your opposition have to do with me? It can't affect me in any way, can it?"

Reginald's eyes widened in shock. "You're Nelson's granddaughter?" He repeated, his forehead furrowed. He leaned forward, his voice incredulous. "Since when did you become a member of the Wright family that I didn't know you or ever hear about you?"

Rosie's gaze met his, her expression unwavering. "It's been a while," she responded, her voice measured. "You weren't informed because you didn't need to know about it. Your relationship with my family is just about business..."

Her tone turned slightly cold. "You had a little access to our family's information when Nelson was alive, and now that he's no more, your access is blocked. From now on, if you attempt to dig deep..."

Her voice trailed off, and she chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down Reginald's spine; but he wouldn't relent. He never did, especially not for a woman.

His jaw clenched, his fist tightening as he pointed a finger at Rosie's face. "I can still stand against you." He growled.

Rosie nodded calmly, her expression unruffled. "Yes, you can," she agreed, her hands stretching out to the sides, her left shoulder slightly elevated. "So?"

Copp er's eyes narrowed, his voice venomous. "What do you think will happen if I go against you?" He spat, but Rosie burst into a peal of mocking laughter.

Reginald's eyes widened in surprise, his face reddening with anger. Rosie's laughter was like a slap in the face, and he stared at her, shocked that she could find humor in such a situation.

When she finally stopped laughing, her eyes sparkled with amusement as she threw a question back at him. "Will you still oppose me if your chances are slim?"

"Yes, I will. I don't give up easily." Reginald declared, his jaw set in determination.

Rosie nodded, a hint of admiration on her face. "Good for you."

Dominic's eyes met Reginald's, and he intervened before things escalated further. "It's better you give up easily this time around." He suggested, his tone measured.

Reginald's brow furrowed. "Why?"

Dominic's expression was solemn. "For your sake," he pointed out. "If you refuse to give in until it's late, we will use the hard way, and you will not like it."

Reginald's face scrunched up in confusion. "Uhn?" He grunted, unsure what Dominic meant. His eyes darted between Dominic and Rosie, sensing that there was more to their words than met the eye.

Dominic's eyebrows shot up, his gaze piercing as he stared at Reginald. "We'll deter you." He warned, his voice firm.

Reginald's face reddened, his teeth grinding together as he pointed a shaking hand at Dominic. "You-" he snarled, his anger boiling over.

"How dare you!" He spat, his aggression directed at Dominic. But before he could unleash his full fury, Rosie's voice intervened, drawing his attention back to her.

"Since you don't want me to take over, do you have anyone in mind?"

Reginald's anger still simmered, but he managed to compose himself enough to respond. "Yes, there are other qualified people." He said, his voice gruff.

"Like who, please?" Rosie asked, her eyes locked onto Reginald's.

Reginald hesitated, his gaze darting around the room as if searching for an answer. Finally, he pointed to Dominic. "Dominic. He can do it. He is competent."

Dominic instantly shook his head as if he had been anticipating his response. "Not interested."

Rosie's gaze returned to Reginald, her expression expectant. "Dominic has no interest. Do you have anyone else in mind? A qualified person with a high percentage?"

Reginald's chest puffed out slightly as he declared, "Me."

"You?!" Rosie's voice rose. 

"Yes. Me. I'm qualified to be in that position, and I have the right to it more than anyone here." Reginald declared, his confidence unwavering.

Rosie nodded. "Yes, you do," she agreed. She sighed and slowly lifted her arm, raising a finger. "Unfortunately for you, you lack a fatal thing. Just one major thing."

"What's that?"

"Bond," Rosie's response was simple, so she elaborated, "you aren't a member of the Wright family."

Reginald's eyebrows lifted. "Is that a criterion?"

Rosie nodded. "Yes, it is…" she said, her tone calm, betraying the anger growing in her mind to keep her cool. "It's the first and most crucial criterion."

Her words dripped with a sense of finality. "How can you be the organization chairman if you don't know the basic rules?" She asked. "You're over fifty, aren't you?"

"I-" Reginald began to defend himself, but Rosie cut him off, her tone dismissive. "This organization belongs to my family. You are just a shareholder, so please know your place," she said, her words dripping with a sense of ownership.

Reginald joggled his head, but his attempt to assert himself was met with a subtle correction since she already knew what point he wanted to make.

"A major shareholder; if that will add a little value," she added, her tone belittling. Her gaze locked onto Reginald's, and her expression remained unyielding. "But remember… You only have a chance if a family isn't an opponent."

Reginald slammed his fist on the table. He knew the truth behind her words, but his desire for power and control drove him to resist. "You are not qualified. You lack experience."

Rosie's eyes fluttered closed and then opened. She took a deep breath in and out, composing herself. "You aren't ready to give in. Let's have this conversation in the next meeting,"

With a calm, authoritative air, she stood up. "End of today's meeting," she announced, a cute smile playing on her lips. As she turned to leave, she paused in front of Reginald, her smile lingering as she locked eyes with him for a few seconds.

The silence was palpable, and then she continued walking without a word, leaving Reginald to ponder the unspoken challenge.