Chapter 2 - New CEO

At Benson Group's conference hall, Mr. Taiye Jackson sits in the front seat, where he was having a meeting with workers.

He spoke to his personal assistant softly in his ear, like a whisper, "Introduce the new head to them now."

They sat in the meeting hall, waiting to meet with the newly appointed CEO. His name has been announced, but no staff have seen him.

Mr. Taiye Jackson was the former CEO, while his late father, Mr. Benjamin Jackson, was the first to establish the Benson Group of companies, meaning the Benjamin and Sons Group of Companies.

The staff members sat in the conference hall, waiting to witness the new handling of company ownership by Mr. Taiye's only son, Liam Jackson.

Liam was rumored to be cold and unfulfilling, and the workers knew that once he resumes as the new CEO, they will be dealt with.

Some have heard he was arrogant, mean, and unappreciative. Nevertheless, he was hardworking and had a private business in the states.

Mr. Taiye had announced his retirement to Liam, asking him to return home to take over the company.

Liam refused and didn't want to return home. He doesn't seem to find anything interesting, except for his mother, who is a God-fearing Christian mother. 

She dresses modestly and didn't skip attending church service to pray for him and his father, as he's her only child.

Liam understood that his mother went through crises at the beginning of her marriage with his father.

His paternal grandfather refused Mr. Taiye from marrying Juliet because she was from a poor background. But because his father truly loved her, even though other women were frolicking with him, trying to seduce him, and calling his wife barren.

Mr. Taiye insisted and married only Mrs. Juliet without having any other extramarital affairs.

He stuck with his wife and stood by her, even though his family refused, stating she couldn't give him another child, after 10 years of Liam's birth.

Liam knew his mother had many miscarriages because she worried so much about his father leaving her. 

She lost those babies she had carried in her womb, except for him, as he just turned 30 years old. His mother was 60 years old, while his father is 68 years old.

Liam loved his parents. Nevertheless, his father tricked him into coming home by lying to him he was sick. 

He went as far as arranging a fake phony doctor who called Liam and told him of his father's ill health, asking him to return from the states.

Liam was taken aback when he returned and saw his father healthily moving around and even attending business class meetings.

He was furious that his father tricked him and refused to allow him to return back to the States.

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Inside the Benson Group headquarters. They have the oil manufacturing, gas implants, steel production, and production of basic amenities. 

The company is globally recognized.

Liam was in a private room on the second floor, adjusting his necktie. He wore a black suit trousers, white shirt and black shoes. 

His father had spoken to him about introducing him to their different boards of members and partners managing their businesses.

Liam sighed, picking up his suit jacket to wear. His assistant, Brown Anderson, who his father first assigned to him on his first day of joining the company, knocked on the office door. He responded, "Come in."

"Boss, it is time for the introduction to begin," Brown informed, gazing at Liam.

Liam nodded, adjusting his appearance. He stepped out of the room and went into the hall on the second. 

The spokesperson announced to all the staff members sitting in the large meeting hall, "Welcome, Master Liam Jackson. The New CEO of Benson Groups of Companies Limited."

Liam walked on stage, the hall erupted in a round of applause for him, as he steps out and climbs on the podium. 

His father was sitting at the front seat, while his father's assistant, Mr. Silas Greystone, handed him the microphone to give out a few speeches to their staff.

"Thank you all for acknowledging our invitation and being a witness to my resume as the new CEO of Benson Group. I would like us to continue with our integrity and work really hard to continue building this company forward into a much brighter recognition of transparency, and guaranteed products. Thank you all once more for being a part of my new journey. Thank you," Liam said, handing the microphone back to Mr. Silas Greystone.

The meeting hall erupted in a round of applause for Liam as he stepped down from the podium, walking to take his seat. 

Some top staff members stood up to shake hands with him.

Liam approached to sit on the front seat made available for him, shaking hands with them before sitting. 

They return to their seats, while his father, Mr. Taiye Jackson, smiles, rising from his seat to give out his short speech, before the final closing speech from Silas.

"Thank you all once more for honoring my invitation and being witnesses to this new beginning, with our new CEO, who is none other than my son Liam Jackson. I appreciate our past workers, those who have been working really hard to uplift our company's name and create a sense of transparency that we are one of the best production companies worldwide. I would like you all, both the old staff members and the new workers, and those in retirement, to respect and work amicably with our new CEO, and to follow whatever decision he implies for our company to grow globally. As you all can see his global experience, and just returned from the states to be with us.

Thank you all once again, Silas. I give it to you now to close the meeting for today," Mr. Taiye said, handing the microphone to Silas.

Silas read out some new briefing about the new products and prices. After that, the meeting closed with his ending speech.

The workers rose from their chair and exited the meeting hall after the meeting with their new CEO ended.

Liam remained in the meeting hall with his father, after many guest left the hall, remaining a few staff members discussing. 

He walked up to meet his father, discussing with his friend, Mr. John Patrick.

"Father, I want to have a word with you," Liam told his father, wanting him to round up his conversation with Mr. John Patrick, who works as one of their top managing accountants. And he is very trusted with their company funds.

"Okay, son, I will be with you shortly," Mr. Taiye responded, while Mr. John Patrick turned to face Liam.

"Oh, Master Liam, congratulations on your position as our new CEO." Mr. John said, smiling at Liam.

"Thank you, sir. It was an honor meeting you too and working here with you all," Liam replied, his voice gentle.

"You can always count on us, Liam. Your father is my boss and very good friend too, and I am so happy to see you taking over his position as the new CEO. I know you will lead us well to much better growth than your father and grandfather ever did," Mr. John said, his eyes darting between Liam and Mr. Taiye.

"Thank you, sir," Liam smiled, loving praised words from his friends, colleagues, and even elders. It motivated him to work really hard.

"You're welcome, Liam., I am leaving now, Mr. Taiye.  My daughter will be very upset with me for not showing up today at her school graduation, even after she has called me to come with her mother to the venue," Mr. John Patrick said, turning to faces Mr. Taiye.

"You know I cannot miss your son being introduced to us as the new CEO. So I asked her mother and her elder brother to attend her convocation ceremony on my behalf. But she will be very annoyed with me on that." Mr. John explained, smiling sadly. 

"Oh, I am so sorry about that, Mr. John. I hope she understands," Mr. Taiye said.

"Yes, boss, she will." Mr. John replied,  a faint smile on his face, wanting to leave.

But Mr. Taiye spoke. "How about I make up for that and have her introduced to my son, and maybe extend our family friendship to marriage? I'm sure she will be happy about that."

"What?!" Liam frowned from where he stood beside his father, waiting for his father to be through with his conversation with Mr. John Patrick.

"Oh, thank you, Boss, but that's if only she will accept," Mr. John quickly rejected it.

Mr. John knows how stubborn his daughter is, and he doesn't want her to cause any problems between him and his boss, but Mr. Taiye quickly said, "Why won't she accept? Liam is handsome, and every lady wants him. What did she study again at the university?"

Liam's frown deepened, staring from his father to Mr. John. 

Women weren't of his interest, and he doesn't like how his father is trying to court him with a lady he hasn't even met. He doubts he will like just because his father is friends with her father.