THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 109: No Smoke Without Fire

As soon as they saw the piece of news, they had all contacted each other and agreed on holding an emergency meeting and communicated the same to the chairman who had not taken the initiative to call for the meeting.

They needed to be proactive because if anything untoward should happen to the company, they will have ample time to prepare for a soft landing.

Mr Beazel took a deep breath, then addressed the small group of people representing the interest of the Beazell Group in the calmest way he could.

"I sincerely apologize for what has happened and the likely impact it may have on the company. As we speak, we are already taking proactive measures to ensure that the situation is resolved quickly in the best possible way."

"We also sympathize with you, but everyone here will agree with me that this is going to have a devastating impact on the company," a grizzled haired man who appeared to be in his sixties said.

Everyone nodded in agreement with short expressions of,

"Yes."

"That’s true,"

"You are correct."

Getting the anticipated feelers that he needed to go on, Mr Rhodes was pleased.

Apart from the Mr Beazell who had the largest shares of 50 percent split among the three members of his family, Mr Rhodes was the next largest shareholder in the company with shares amounting to about 15 percent of the total shares of the company.

The remaining 35 percent shares were split unevenly among the remaining shareholders and directors.

"What we want to know now is if the news being circulated about the Chairman’s wife is true," he said.

With Mr Rhode’s opening, everyone broke into small talks among themselves.

Only Mr Beazell sat in silence, with an indescribable expression, nothing of how he felt could be deciphered from his face.

He cleared his throat and the chatter eventually died down.

"I know the fears everyone might be entertaining in their hearts with regards to the present situation. And I fully understand how you feel."

"Afterall, nobody will see his house on fire and fold his legs in bed and continue to dream, believing that the fire will go out by itself."

"As a way of answering your question, my wife is innocent of the charges leveled against her, and I believe it will be proven so in the shortest possible time."

"But for the meantime, I want to assure you all that everything will be settled and things will return back to normal."

Another stakeholder raised his concerns just after Mr Beazell finished speaking.

"An attempted murder charge is not something you easily sweep under the carpet. And just as they say, there is no smoke without fire."

’Afterall we all know the temper of the wife of the chairman.’ This of course he didn’t dare to say to anyone’s hearing, but his expression when he glanced around the boardroom, gave ample voice to his thoughts.

Those men were all insiders who knew that though the chairman’s wife always appeared harmless, she was actually more poisonous than a viper but over the years, has succeeded in putting up a smokescreen in front of her husband who only saw her as an angel.

The only person he has always been concerned about was his daughter whose life was nothing to write home about, but one thing he failed to realize was that a fruit doesn’t fall far from its tree.

So if he, as the father, had an unquestionable character, who did his daughter take after?

That was food for thought, but he wasn’t ready to be served that food yet.

Once again, another session of murmurings and indistinct chatter broke out in the boardroom.

A palpable darkness clouded over Mr Beazell’s features as he thundered, slamming his fist on the huge table.

"My wife has not yet been proven guilty. How dare you insinuate something that ridiculous?"

"No need to be irked and lose your temper, Chairman," Mr Rhodes’ voice sounded again.

"I may have to remind you of what you said a few minutes back about understanding our fears. Mr Jupiter here, is only expressing his fears and I think he should be given fair hearing. After all, our lives’ savings are involved if anything should go wrong."

"Not only that but our reputations are at stake here. We are known to be an establishment that is supposed to give life and hope to people."

"As the leading Pharmaceutical company in Baltimore, people need to have faith in the Management and leadership of such an establishment."

"But if the character of the leaders one day suddenly becomes questionable, how do you think they can trust our services and boldly invest in our products?"

Mr Rhodes’ words were like a bucket of iced water poured over the raging flames in Mr Beazell’s veins as he directly sat down limply on his seat.

"You know, Mr Rhodes, the reason I’ve always held you in high respect over the years is because of your timeless wisdom and ability to see things clearly especially in times such as this."

"Your words again today have given me a new lease of hope concerning this company. Meaning that whatever happens in the future, whether my wife is proven innocent or not, there are still people that will not throw in the trowel when it matters most in the general welfare of the company."

"And I must say I am relieved. And I promise all of you today that I will do my very best to make sure that the Beazell Group comes out of this deep waters."

With that, the meeting came to a close and Mr Beazell set out to look for Mr Taylor, his lawyer.

As the stakeholders and each member of the board of directors left the boardroom one after the other, the staff looked on in total silence.

The once lively atmosphere in the company had become so quiet and dull that a graveyard with all the flowers on the tombstones appeared more lively.