I looked up at the building in front of me.
It is time to face another reality.
And that means doing real business this time.
Which also means that today, I need to clean up the mess that followed the drastic, stupid decision those people made.
I can already tell without looking at how the company is going that it is currently in decline. And they are dismissing it as the transition after the scandals regarding my family.
Richard is an old businessman, but he is as stupid as the rest for thinking this way. No wonder Grandfather did not leave him the chairman or CEO position.
And to give him face or something, I don't know. He was appointed Vice President.
With my white shirt and black slacks, I walked into the building.
Good thing no one stopped me from coming in, or else I'd instantly clean everything, including the people, without any thought.
I was able to get up to the CEO's office without a hitch, just some people glancing my way.
They may recognize my face, but I doubt they know I'm now the chairwoman and CEO. As obvious as it gets, Richard wouldn't want to lose his acting position so easily.
Not that I care for the time being, as long as no one tries to get on my nerves, then I'd let them enjoy their sweet time for a bit longer.
When I entered the office, I found most of the department heads present.
My uncle was standing beside the table, smiling at me, while the seat behind the table was waiting for me to sit down.
They all looked so welcoming that someone else might think they were genuine.
I smiled at them as I sat down.
"We welcome you, the new Chairwoman of Kingsley Conglomerate," Richard started, followed by the rest.
"Thank you," I answered curtly.
"Now, let's get down to business. Give me all documents regarding every project taken by the company for the past year."
They all stared blankly at me after what I said.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"That is... we were discussing a while ago about a welcome party for you. To announce that you have taken up the position as chairwoman," Richard explained.
I shook my head, "There's no need for that. We can delay that part. For now, this is what I want to do. From December last year until today. I need them all in my table before morning ends."
Did they really think such petty tricks would work on me?
Throwing a party?
Right when Kingsley Conglomerate is on the decline? Stocks falling?
"But you should check the plan we created for it. You might want to have it after seeing this," Richard handed me the document.
I took it and flipped through their plan before a chuckle escaped my lips.
"Are you planning to disgrace me in public?" I asked, throwing the document on the table.
I looked at each of them, and all of them were looking at me as if I were talking nonsense.
I leaned back, "I am the only one remaining from my family."
I scoffed, "I lost them all in just a year. The last was just more than a week ago."
Some looked away guiltily, while others acted like they were feeling sympathy towards me.
I laughed inwardly. Most of those present now are the ones rotten to the core.
"And you are telling me to throw a grand party, inviting so many popular names, and others who are of high rank? As if their deaths meant nothing to me?"
I leaned forward, tapping my finger on the ridiculous proposal for the welcome party.
"Are you telling me to be scorned for partying despite all my family members' deaths?"
Some cleared their throats.
I turned to Richard.
"Is that it, uncle?"
Richard opened his lips before closing them again.
"Are you taking me for someone so stupid that you could just lead me around by the nose? Uncle?"
"That's not it, Lilith. We all just want... to let the world know that Kingsley Conglomerate is not falling."
"By parading an ungrateful granddaughter, daughter, and sister?"
"..."
He was lost for words.
He must not have expected that I would retaliate instantly with what they are trying to make me do.
I tapped the document once again.
"Again, bring me all the projects over the past year that the company undertook. And add to that, the financial report of the company."
The head of the financial department blinked in surprise.
"Why are you shocked? With this GRAND welcome party, are you really not thinking about the current situation of the company?"
He cleared his throat, lowering his head, no longer daring to speak.
"You may all leave. Have what I asked for on my desk before morning ends."
I turned to Richard and said, "I wish to speak with you, Mr. Vice President."
They all left one by one, Gary, who was also the current head of the marketing department, even glared at me.
I picked up the document again after they all left, leaving Richard and me alone.
"Were you the one who made this?" I asked.
I looked up at him when he did not reply.
I can see how much he's holding back his anger with the way I am speaking to him.
"Were you?" I asked, exuding authority.
I was not trained to be the heir, but I was trained to be someone else. Someone my father did not wish for me to be, but ended up having no choice but to comply because of my character.
Grandfather and Mother were the same.
They knew they wouldn't be able to stop me, so they chose to train me properly instead.
That is why authority is easy for me to exude.
Something, Richard, who only knew greed, wouldn't be able to resist.
He slowly shook his head.
"Gary," I said knowingly.
Of course, he wouldn't take the fall for his son.
Typical of a man who loves no one but himself.