Temporary bride for the demon overlord-Chapter 24: Phase II
The meeting room was agog with activities. Several of the board members were engaged in a discussion where they were whispering furiously.
The tension was thick with the air of underlying alliance. Subtle head tilts, nods and adjustment of glasses.
Most of them were scared, a bit of fear was necessary. Fear was a very nice servant but such a cruel Master.
Enough fear instilled inside your blood and you’ll be thorough and cautious, too much fear and you’ll become a trembling mess.
It was in this situation that Alphonse met the Board members. The room was plunged into such an uncomfortable silence, that made the air of some of the nape stood up.
Some squared the shoulders, some gripped their pens tightly. But everyone was equally resolved.
"Good afternoon." Alphonse greeted, polite with an undertone of sarcasm.
The afternoon was anything but. Nobody knew what the outcome of this meeting would be and they were not really ready for it.
The chairman stood up, and papers were distributed for all present.
Another ripple of anxious murmurs passed through the room and was promptly followed by silence.
"An issue of such a great disturbance has been brought to our notice, just yesterday. It had to do with our rapidly plunging stocks." He pointed to the chart that was displayed on the projector.
"What exactly is the cause of the sudden plunge?" Alphonse asked calmly.
He already knew where this was going bad exactly how it was going to end.
Someone would be going home tonight with a heavy heart, and that person wouldn’t be him.
"I was going to get to that in a minute," the chairman said shortly.
"So, this is due to a recent scandal." On the projector shows a few articles online.
Another murmuring that was quelled with one hard look from Alphonse.
"It’s been speculated that you are having an affair with this young lady of unknown origins." He finished with a huff.
"I say," A man stood up. He was straining the material of his suit with his pot belly, "Our CEO is a young man, surely he could be allowed some repast?"
The table erupted into laughter. The chairman’s head bulged with a throbbing vein. He tried to get the room in order.
"That’s not the matter right now. The matter is with our rapidly declining stock and here," the chart shows the company’s name at number five.
"From number one to five in the span of six hours?" Someone asked faintly.
"Exactly. Now you seem to be getting what’s going on. We need to act, and it needs to be quick!"
"We take care of the scandal through media outlets." Mr Jones suggested. He was dressed primly and he adjusted his necktie.
A nervous gestures that made Alphonse very amused.
"No. We need to get to the root of the problem. Which is our CEO."
The room once again was graveyard silent. Everyone seemed to be interested in the paper in front of them as they examined it with an unholy amount of concentration.
Alphonse said nothing, he laced his fingers together and rested his chin on them. His eyes surveyed his member and their reactions to the news.
This was a joint effort but few were rethinking their decision.
"It’s a much safer option, if we appoint a new CEO. At least for the period of this crisis."
"I’d like to nominate Mr Jones." The chairman suggested.
Alphonse laughed, the sound boomed in the room, it rang coldly and made them shiver.
The shifted uncomfortably in their seats, and exchanged covert glances between themselves.
This wasn’t going as they had planned.
The CEO who had always behaved as if the whole world was under his control had been cornered and yet he was laughing.
A man rubbed his arms nervously. Someone muttered a curse under his breath.
"So, just because of a baseless rumor, you’re ready to replace me? Aren’t you Mr Jones?" He chuckled menacingly.
Mr Jones wiped his forehead and managed a wobbling smile.
"This isn’t a baseless rumor. Nobody knows what you do in your spare time. You never attended any parties, rarely socialize with anyone. It’s like you exist in a dark Society where transparency doesn’t exist. You make decisions regarding the company without consulting the board members." The chairman ranted off.
Alphonse sighed and pinched his forehead.
"Are you done?" He asked quietly.
"Uh..?" The man stuttered.
"I was asking if you were done with your ranting. But if you’re not, you’d have to wait till next time which I doubt you’ll be present for."
A loud gasp rented the air.
The audacity of this man!!
"The scandal would be resolved of course by putting out and making it a public knowledge, that I am married."
The shock was palpable.
"We cannot lie to the public with everything’s that already going on." Mr Jones spluttered.
"It’s not a lie if it’s true, is it?" He asked sardonically.
"Forty percent of the company shares belongs to me Mr Jones," Alphonse mused out loud.
"And what sort of board members would you be? If you’re jumping to the worst conclusion about your CEO." He shook his head.
"Anyone with an objection?"
Silence.
"I think it’s very vital, if_"
"You’re fired Mr Marcus."
"But_"
"You too Mr Jones." Alphonse smiled.
"Anybody else with an objection?" He asked the room. No one said a word.
"You can’t fire me!" He growled.
"The use of "can’t" means it’s not within my capacity to do so. That’s a wrong word to use, considering I already fired you." He pointed to the two of them, "out!"
It was a single word, that carried the command of the demon overlord. Sharp and authorative.
They stood up, mouth trembling, jowls quivering but no words was said after that.
"And now, shall we?"
The clock had begun ticking and Alphonse feared it was time for phase two. Not that he would enjoy going public with his wife, but he had a deal with Karma after all.
