Chapter 12

This company had always been on a different level from others, and I knew it, but walking into it made it feel more surreal. I wasn't walking in as the granddaughter, I was walking in as the owner, and that took way more force than I could have imagined- it pulled me, putting me into place like I was meant to be there.

Today was also the shareholders' meeting, where I announced my resumption and everything else important. As soon as I arrived at the reception, a young lady met me and led me into the office.

My office. It was wide, minimalistic furnished, and had a balcony view that anyone would die for. On the huge, brown desk was also my nameplate. Nothing was more soothing than that.

After I was done with the overview of the place, it was finally time to take the bull by its horn. Velma was with Rodney, and I'd specifically asked him not to come with me. This was a step I needed to take by myself. It had to be done alone.

"Lead me to the meeting room, please?" I requested. The lady, Vanessa, had presented herself to be my PA, and so far, she seemed worthy of it.

She was diligent and quick, not to mention, soft-spoken. "Yes, ma'am. This way," she ushered, and I followed her.

It was either time had slowed to completely taunt me, or I was the one overthinking it, as this elevator ride took way longer than it should have. My heart pounded in my chest with every step, and it tightened, as though my heart was being fisted. I'd never felt this much fear in such a long time. The people I was meeting were those whose opinions about the company go a long way.

I couldn't afford to mess it up. I inhaled deeply, tapping my legs rhythmically. I needed to do a good job.

"Here it is, ma'am," Vanessa relayed as we got to the end of the corridor. "Everyone's waiting for you."

That made my anxiety even worse. "We're so glad to finally meet you, ma'am," she added, and I felt my heart leap to my throat.

There was also a tinge of reassurance that it brought me. "Thank you," I responded with a curt nod. I pushed the door open and strutted in. There and then, my eyes fell upon the most horrifying sight ever- in this setting.

Why?

Carl? What was he doing here? Then, it dawned on me that Carl was one of the shareholders. How did I miss that? I no longer cared about his company, so I didn't do in-depth research on it. My confidence became wiggly, threatening to plummet to the floor.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized that he was not only a shareholder, but also a potential obstacle to overcome. But I pushed aside my emotions, focusing instead on the task at hand.

The hall was spacious, with rows of chairs neatly arranged facing a raised platform at the front. The walls were beautified with framed photographs showcasing the company's achievements over the years, casting a sense of pride in the air.

As I made my way to the podium, I could feel the weight of the moment settling on my shoulders. This was it - the moment I had been dreading and preparing for ever since I agreed to take over the company. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I glanced around the room.

The atmosphere was tense, with murmurs of conversation filling the air. Shareholders, dressed in their finest suits and dresses, sat attentively in their seats, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. I could sense the anticipation building in the room as they waited to hear what I had to say.

And Carl. He never once took his eyes off me.

Taking my place behind the podium, I cleared my throat and began my introductory speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today. As some of you may know, I am Alma, CEO of VEL LTD, and the new CEO of this company."

There was a polite applause from the audience, but I could see the skepticism in their eyes. They wondered if I was capable of leading the company through these challenging times. I'd feel the same way if I were in their shoes. The succession was sudden.

"I know that many of you may have doubts about my ability to lead this company," I continued, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. "But I want to assure you that I am fully committed to ensuring the success and prosperity of this company. Just as I did with mine, moving my organization to the very top, I wouldn't hesitate to do the same here."

I paused, letting my words sink in before continuing. "I understand that we are facing some challenges, but I believe that together, we can overcome them. I am here to listen to your concerns, to work alongside you, and to lead this company with integrity and transparency."

"Thank you for your support and trust in me," I concluded, my voice ringing with determination. "Let's work together to build a brighter future for this company."

They applauded, and with that, I stepped away from the podium; the door flung open, and Linda stepped in. Oh, please! At least she got her tie tight.

"Am I late for the meeting?" she chimed excitedly. My eyes fell on the bouquet of hibiscus in her hand. I used to be allergic, and Linda knew that.

Keyword: used to. I am on constant allergy drugs now.

"As one of the major shareholders of this company, you wouldn't mind a recap, right, Alma?" She shoved the flowers into my chest with a mischievous glint in her eyes, and I giggled.

"Nice flowers," I leaned in and perceived them while Linda went pale with confusion. "Oh, and...Dr. Alma to you." I patted her shoulders. "You're way too mannerless for a child."