Chapter 2 – New CEO

At Benson Group headquarters, Mr. Taiye Jackson sits at the front of the conference hall, meeting with various board members from his companies, all registered under his name.

He whispers softly to his personal assistant, "Introduce the new head to them now." The attendees wait in the meeting hall to meet the newly appointed CEO. While his name has been announced, none of the workers have seen him yet. 

Mr. Taiye Jackson is the former CEO, and his late father, Mr. Benjamin Jackson, originally established the Benson Group of Companies—officially known as Benjamin and Sons Group of Companies.

They wait to witness the transfer of company ownership to Mr. Taiye's only son, Liam Jackson. Rumored to be cold and unforgiving, the workers fear that once he assumes the position as CEO, they'll face harsh treatment.

Some workers have heard Liam is arrogant, mean, and unappreciative, though he's undeniably hardworking and successfully runs several private businesses in the States. He only returned after his father announced his retirement and asked him to come home to run the multimillion-dollar companies.

Liam initially refused, finding nothing interesting in his home country except for his mother—a devout Christian who dresses modestly and never misses church, where she prays for him and his father,  because he's her only child.

Liam understands that his mother endured significant marital challenges early in her marriage. His grandfather, Mr. Benjamin Jackson, had forbidden his son from marrying Mrs. Juliet. However, because his father truly loved his mother, he resisted the women who flocked around him trying to seduce him and calling his mother barren.

Liam's father insisted on marrying only his mother, Mrs. Juliet, without any extramarital affairs.

Mr. Taiye Jackson remained faithful to his wife, standing by her even when his family objected, claiming she couldn't give him another child even ten years after Liam's birth.

Liam's mother suffered multiple miscarriages, which Liam believes resulted from her constant worry about his father leaving her for another woman. She lost all those babies except for him. He's now 30 years old, while his mother is 60 and his father is 68.

Despite loving his parents, Liam is angry that his father tricked him into returning. His father had lied about being sick and even arranged for a fake doctor to call him about his father's supposed ill health.

Liam was shocked to return home and find his father healthy, attending business meetings, and then refusing to let him return to the States.

***

Inside Benson Group headquarters—which manufactures oil products, gas implants, steel, and other basic amenities, making it globally renowned—Liam adjusts his necktie in a private room on the second floor. He wears a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, with his black suit jacket on the table. His father has arranged to introduce him to the various board members and business partners.

Liam breathes heavily and picks up his suit jacket. His office assistant, Brown Anderson—assigned by his father on his first day—knocks on the door.

"Come in," Liam responds.

"Boss, it's time for the introduction," Brown informs him.

Liam nods as he puts on his jacket properly.

As Liam enters the hall, his father's spokesperson announces, "Welcome Master Liam Jackson, new CEO of Benson Group of Companies Limited."

The hall erupts in applause as Liam approaches the podium. His father sits in the front row while Mr. Silas Greystone, his father's assistant, hands him the microphone.

"Thank you all for accepting our invitation and witnessing my appointment as CEO of Benson Group. I'd like us to continue maintaining our integrity and working hard to build our company with greater transparency and quality products. Thank you again for being part of my new journey," Liam says before returning the microphone to Mr. Silas Greystone.

Liam steps down from the podium to increased applause. Several top staff members immediately stand to shake his hand as he approaches his seat.

After the handshakes, his father, Mr. Taiye Jackson, stands to give his speech.

"Thank you all for honoring my invitation and witnessing this new beginning with our new CEO, my son Liam Jackson. I appreciate all our workers, past and present, who have worked hard to elevate our company's reputation as one of Nigeria's best production companies. I ask that you all—current employees, new hires, and retirees—respect and work cooperatively with our new CEO. Follow his decisions for our company's global growth. As you can see, he's internationally experienced, having just returned from the States. Thank you again. Silas, please close the meeting."

Mr. Taiye hands the microphone to Silas, who briefs attendees about new products and prices before delivering the closing remarks. The guests and staff then exit the meeting hall.

Liam remains with his father as the crowd disperses. He approaches his father, who's speaking with Mr. John Patrick, one of their trusted senior accountants.

"Father, I need to speak with you," Liam says.

"Okay, son, I'll be with you shortly," Mr. Taiye responds.

Mr. John Patrick turns to face Liam. "Master Liam, congratulations on becoming CEO."

"Thank you, sir. It's an honor to meet you and work with everyone here," Liam replies.

"You can always count on us, Liam. Your father is both my boss and good friend. I'm happy to see you taking over. I know you'll lead us to even greater success than your father and grandfather achieved," Mr. John says.

"Thank you, sir," Liam smiles, appreciating the encouragement.

"You're welcome, Liam." Mr. John turns to Mr. Taiye. "I should leave now. My daughter will be upset that I missed her university convocation, even though she asked me to attend with her mother."

"I couldn't miss your son's introduction as CEO, so I asked her mother and older brother to represent me. She'll be angry about that," Mr. John explains.

"I'm sorry about that, Mr. John. I hope she understands," Mr. Taiye responds.

"Yes, boss, she will," Mr. John says with a faint smile, preparing to leave.

"How about I make it up to her? She could meet my son—perhaps we could extend our family friendship into marriage? I'm sure she'd be happy about that," Mr. Taiye suggests.

Liam frowns, standing beside his father. Mr. John quickly declines.

"Thank you, boss, but only if she'd accept."

Mr. John knows his daughter's stubborn nature and doesn't want to create problems with his boss. 

However, Mr. Taiye persists.

"Why wouldn't she accept? Liam is handsome, and every lady wants him. What did she study at university?"

Liam's frown deepens as he looks between his father and Mr. John. Women aren't his priority, and he dislikes his father attempting to arrange a match with someone he's never met and doubts he'd like, simply because their fathers are friends.