Chapter 6

WHEN HERO ARRIVED AT the Florin headquarters, the company's glass tower rose over the city's skyline, its reflective exterior catching the morning sun. Employees in business attire hurried through the lobby, greeting Hero with respectful nods as he strode toward the private elevators.

His secretary was already waiting outside the executive elevator. The moment she saw him, relief flashed across her face, quickly replaced by worry.

“Sir, the board is ready.” His secretary whispered apologetically. “They’ve been waiting for almost ten minutes.”

Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Hero at mariing ipinikit ang mga mata. 

He lifted a hand, silently stopping his secretary from saying anything more. “I can handle it, don’t worry.” He said calmly, to ease her mind. 

“And by the way, please escort Ms. Vivian to my office. Make sure she’s comfortable. I'll be there as soon as the meeting ends.” He added as he glanced at Vivian who’s silently following them from behind.

Hero stepped out of the executive elevator and headed straight for the conference room. The moment he pushed the glass doors open, every conversation inside came to an abrupt halt.

All eyes turned toward him.

No one spoke. The room suddenly fell silent. 

He politely and slightly bowed his head. “I apologize for the delay.”

Hero walked toward the single chair positioned at the head of the table, the CEO's seat. It stood alone, positioned at the head of the conference table, directly across from a large interactive display mounted on the wall where presentations and financial reports were usually projected.

On either side of the table sat the board members, each occupying identical leather chairs arranged with deliberate symmetry. The executives, directors, and major shareholders were seated according to rank, forming two orderly rows that naturally directed every pair of eyes toward the head of the table.

The moment Hero settled into the CEO's seat, everyone's attention remained fixed on him. “Shall we start then?” 

The Corporate Secretary stood from her seat and adjusted the folder in her hands.

"Good morning, everyone. As discussed in our previous correspondence, today's meeting will cover the second-quarter financial performance, updates on our domestic operations, the pending partnership agreements, and the proposed expansion into the Southeast Asian market.”

"Ms. Castillo, please present the financial report."

VIVIAN WAS escorted by Hero’s secretary to his office. Nagulat siya kasi ang akala niya ay maliit na firm lang ang mina-manage ng lalaki, isang malaki at kilalang kompanya pala. 

Namangha siya habang nililibot ang mga mata sa kabuuan ng opisina ng lalaki. Simple lang ito, walang masyadong desinyo pero halatang mamahalin ang bawat gamit. 

She heard the secretary clear her throat, making her turn around and smiled at her. 

“I’m fine being alone here, don’t worry.” She said when she noticed she’s waiting for something. 

She can see the hesitation on the secretary’s face. 

“I won’t touch anything here, I promise.” She added.

“It’s not that, Miss, but Mr. Florin instructed me to make sure you’re comfortable.” Sagot naman nito.

Vivian smiled. She knew there’s something going on in Hero's company, and the secretary in front of him should be present or at least do something on Hero’s behalf. 

“You can go, I know you have some more important matters to do than being here with me.” She gently said. “I’m comfortable being alone here, don’t worry.”

Kitang-kita niya ang pagdadalawang-isip ng sekretarya kaya binigyan niya ito ng munting ngiti. “I’ll hold responsible if Mr. Florin scolds you about this.” 

With that, the secretary politely bowed and bid goodbye. Nagmamadali itong lumabas habang paulit-ulit na nagpapasalamat.

When the door clicked shut, silence settled over the spacious office. 

Vivian let out a small breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Slowly, she wandered around the room, her fingertips clasped behind her back to stop herself from instinctively reaching for anything. Floor to ceiling windows overlooked the bustling city below, bathing the office in warm morning light.

Her gaze drifted toward the table. Even the desk lacked unnecessary ornaments. Every folder was arranged with almost obsessive precision, each labeled neatly according to urgency. She smiled.

There wasn't a single family photograph on the shelves. No expensive liquor collection. No trophies proudly displayed. No unnecessary luxury.

The walls were lined with annual reports, business journals, medical publications, and logistics references. Even the books looked frequently opened rather than purchased for appearance.

He really worked hard. Ganito pala ang trabaho ng isang boss. Aniya sa kanyang isipan. There's a lot of paperwork to do already first thing in the morning. Come to think of it, her lolo might not have got time to enjoy his life. 

A fountain pen rested neatly beside a stack of documents awaiting signatures. She stared at it longer than necessary. Did Lolo also spend every morning signing papers like these?

Napabuntong-hininga nalang siya. Bigla niya tuloy na miss ang lolo niya. It's been a year since he left the world but his presence still lingers on her. 

She smiled and looked up to the sky through the wall glass. 

“I’m fine here, lolo. Don’t worry.” She blew out a gentle breath. 

Her gaze drifted toward the closed office door. The meeting beyond those walls must still be going on.

Hopefully, everything was going well for him.

“AS REFLECTED IN THE FINANCIAL statements, the company recorded a twelve percent decline this quarter.” The Corporate Secretary announced as the quarterly report appeared on the large interactive display.

Several board members exchanged uneasy glances.

One of the shareholders leaned forward. "Where did the loss originate?” 

The Director of Finance glanced at the report before answering. "The decline was primarily attributed to two factors. First, three strategic partnership negotiations remain pending due to delays in executive approval, resulting in unrealized projected revenue. Second, the company incurred substantial losses following the termination of its partnership with Tuazon Trading Corporation.”

“Why were the partnership negotiations delayed?” 

“How did Tuazon Trading Corporation pass our due diligence?”

“A partnership of that magnitude should have undergone extensive due diligence.”

“How did it pass compliance?”

Napahilot nalang si Hero sa kanyang noo sa sunod-sunod na tanong ng mga board members. He allowed the questions to settle over the room without interrupting.

“Wasn't this approved last month?” another director asked.

Before Hero could respond, someone spoke.

“Yes.” It was Mr. Ramirez who answered, the Vice president and the CFO of the Florin Corp.

Every pair of eyes shifted from the Vice President to the young CEO seated at the head of the table.

The room fell silent. Wala ni isang nagsalita. No one looked away either. Hero met each gaze without flinching. 

He knew right there, they’re starting to question his competence. They really weren't questioning the billion-peso loss anymore. They were questioning whether he deserved the chair he was sitting in.

“Mr. Florin…were you aware of the approval?” the representative from legal counsel asked.

“No.” Kalmado niyang sagot. “The proposal never reached my office for final approval.” 

A murmur rippled across the table.

One of the independent directors frowned. “Then how was the agreement finalized? Who approved it?” 

Hero calmly looked at Mr. Ramirez. Now, all eyes naturally turn to him. 

Tumayo si Mr. Ramirez sa kanyang kinauupuan at walang kakaba-kabang tiningnan ang mga directors. 

“The agreement required immediate execution. Since Mr. Florin was not available at that time, I exercised my authority as the Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial officer.” Mr. Ramirez answered calmly and straight. 

His expression never changed. He stood with practiced composure, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. There wasn't the slightest hint of hesitation in his voice.

“You may have acted within your authority, but not within the company policy. Mr. Ramirez, with all due respect, inisip mo ba kung anong kalalabasan ng ginawa mo?” Director Yu aggressively said.

"With respect, the Executive Vice President acted under exceptional circumstances. Mr. Florin had postponed three consecutive board meetings, and several partnership proposals remained pending due to the absence of executive approval.” The other representative defended the Vice President.

"In hindsight, I understand the concerns raised by the board. However, at the time, the opportunity was presented as time sensitive. Based on the information available to me, delaying the decision would have placed the company at a disadvantage.” sagot nito. 

“In cases like this, do you believe someone should step up and exercise their authority?” He held his head high as he added.

Hero just listened and observed the room. The board is now divided. Some sides with Mr. Ramirez, some sided with him as the CEO, and some just stayed silent.

He shut his eyes closed as everyone started to argue with each other. He gave them time to express their opinions, simultaneously. 

He sighed heavily as he slightly tapped his knuckles against the conference table. 

The room fell silent almost immediately.

“Enough.” Kalmadong aniya at tipid na tinapunan ng tingin ang Vice President. 

This man shows no signs of distress or nervousness at all. Ramirez has been working alongside with his Dad. Much longer and with much experience than him. Kaya naman naiintindihan niya ang mga dumedepensa dito. 

That’s why he has to finish the investigation report about this matter immediately.

He looked at the board members who's already looking at him, waiting for him to speak. 

“I acknowledge my lapses and I apologize for that.” Simula niya. “The responsibility is mine. I’ve been neglecting my duties as a CEO because of personal matters. That will not happen again.” 

The board members nodded and became silent. 

“Mr. Ramirez, please take a seat.” He said as he leaned forward, his elbows now resting on the table.

His eyes are fixed on Mr. Ramirez. “Mr. Ramirez, who conducted the final background investigation on the Tuazon Trading Corporation?” 

Ramirez answered without hesitation. “The initial investigation was conducted by the Compliance Department, as required under our standard procedure.”

A few board members nodded. That sounded perfectly normal. Walang mababakas na kung ano sa sagot at boses nito. It sounded natural and studied.

“Who conducted the final risk assessment?” Hero asked again. Trying to find some hole in his answers.

He folded his hands atop the conference table, his gaze never leaving Mr. Ramirez.

“The Risk Management Division reviewed the proposal based on the documents submitted to them.” 

Again, nothing sounded unusual.

“Who verified the company's financial history?” Hero continued. 

Ramirez slightly shifted his weight before answering. “Our Finance Department reviewed the financial statements provided by Tuazon Trading Corporation.”

Again, nothing seems suspicious. Everything Ramirez said sounded reasonable. Wala ni isa sa mga board members ang makakakita ng anumang mali sa sagot nito. They were even nodding and silently listening.

Then Hero leaned back slightly.

His voice remained calm. “Our company policy requires three independent evaluations before approving any partnership exceeding five hundred million pesos.”

He paused.

“How many independent evaluations were completed?” he added.

And for the first time, Ramirez hesitated… at least for a second before answering.

“One.” 

Silence fell.

Tumango si Hero sa sagot nito. “Then this agreement should never have been signed.”

Everyone fell silent. Even Mr. Ramirez kept quiet but still held his head high. 

Humugot si Hero ng malalim na hininga. “Compliance reviewed the documents submitted by Tuazon Trading Corporation.” He looked toward the other director on his left. “Risk Management relied on Compliance's finding.” Then toward the Director of Finance. “And the Finance Department evaluated the financial statements provided by the company itself.”

Hero clasped his hands. 

“Those aren't three independent evaluations." He looked back at Ramirez. “They're just one evaluation repeated three times.”

Ramirez may have way more experience than him but he’s the CEO of the company. Dapat niyang ipakita kung bakit siya ang naatasan at pinagkatiwalaan ng kanyang ama sa posisyong ibinigay sa kanya. 

I’m a Florin.

His father had entrusted him with this company for a reason. And today… he would remind everyone why.

Hero slowly exhaled and stood up from his seat. 

“Effective immediately…” everyone looked at him. “No partnership exceeding five hundred million pesos will proceed without my written approval.” 

Tinapunan niya ng tingin si Ramirez na matapang naman nitong sinalubong ang tingin niya. 

“Vice President Ramirez, until the investigation concludes…” he paused as he’s looking for any reaction from him. “You are temporarily relieved from approving external partnerships pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

“Meeting adjourned,” he announced as he strode out of the conference room.