"Why don't you all look at this?"
In the big screen behind me. Riven's will was presented.
Slowly scrolling down to let them all read what was written.
My smile never left my face as I watched their faces change from confusion to shock, then to disbelief.
There was no sound other than the hum of the AC. They were so shocked that they even seemed like they had forgotten to breathe.
"Again, Mister Stronghold. May I ask why you think I am temporary?" I spoke to him after reaching the last part of the will.
This snapped most of those who were still lost in their thoughts while Francis slowly turned to Richard.
I turned to him as well, "Did our vice president forget to inform everyone? I was still busy with my family matters after the will reading, so I was expecting Mr. Vice President to inform them. I thought you were competent enough."
Richard looked at me in horror, not expecting that I would not give him any face at all.
"Don't look so wronged, Mr. Vice President. It was the truth," I added sincerely.
*Bang*
"This is outrageous!" he slammed his hand on the table.
I smiled at him before standing and looking at all those who were present. Not forgetting to look at the camera that feeds the video link for the branch office.
"I am the official current chairwoman of the Kingsley Conglomerate, Lilith Kingsley."
Standing there with hands propped on the table, exuding the authority I had polished over the years, I intimidated even the other board members.
"I am no longer a temporary one. For the will has named me the sole heiress of the Kingsley Conglomerate."
Then I looked at Francis, straight into his eyes.
"Are there any more questions about my identity?"
"...None," he answered in defeat, for now, I suppose.
"Very well. Shall we begin with the reason behind this emergency meeting?" I nodded.
Keeping the authority in my voice, I refocused everyone on why I called this meeting.
I will show them my power at this first meeting. That way, everyone would feel threatened and would make their moves, no longer planning for the future.
Having no plans is my goal.
"Come in," I called out.
Everyone turned to the door.
Hannah Dean, the assistant I asked Kieran for, came in.
The assistant was supposed to be just for some mundane tasks, but when I met her yesterday afternoon, I realized that Kieran had given me a trustworthy person who can be my right-hand man.
Since that was the case, why not use it to the fullest?
At the same time, I know that she will be his eye on me. Not that I care since I plan on letting him know all of my moves.
"Meet Hannah Dean. My assistant."
Richard clenched his fists upon my introduction. Of course, I would do what I told him yesterday, why wouldn't I?
She walked over with a push cart with a pile of files on it, because the amount does not allow one person to carry everything on their own.
"If you want to know my schedule, then she is the person you will all be contacting. Her official company number is already posted on the company website."
I can see displeasure in their faces, but no one voiced their opinion. Not that they could with how I am showing them who has the authority here.
Even the board members could only show on their faces how much they dislike what is going on right now.
"Now, these are all the projects that the company undertook over the past year."
Instead of putting the files on the table, Hannah walked out once again and brought in a tin can, reaching her waist.
Everyone watched in confusion as I picked up one file, took out a lighter, and lit it.
When the fire was big enough, I dropped it on the can.
"Wha-!!"
Most stood in shock, ready to run out of the meeting room before the sprinklers were triggered by the smoke.
"Don't worry about the sprinklers. It won't be triggered. Stay on your seats," I commanded, prompting them to sit down once again.
It was a command that all the department heads were unable to defy, while some of the board members frowned. They must be feeling some kind of oppressive pressure.
I picked another file and started burning it the same way.
The smoke curled up in the air but dispersed rather quickly.
"What are you doing?"
At the fifth file, Francis finally questioned.
"Give me a minute. I just need to burn all this trash. Don't worry, I know that no one is asthmatic here. Plus, I had the ventilation of this room be upgraded yesterday," I replied, continuing my burning of the files Hannah brought in.
"If you plan to burn all those files in front of us, then even the whole day would not be enough," he commented.
I can tell that this man has more self-control than Richard, with how he questions me now without showing any sign of rage.
"I spent three days, almost 24 hours a day, to finish checking them all. So, what do you think?" I asked him back.
"Please tell me, Miss Chairwoman," he replied.
This time, he is using a respectful tone, as if he were submitting to me. But I know better.
This geezer is indeed someone else.
I stopped what I was doing and once again sat down.
Hannah took over my laptop and showed a graph I had already prepared.
"Very well, I will tell you."
Glancing over the graph before looking at each of them.
"This is the annual profit of the company for this year."
Another graph was shown next.
"And this is the annual profit from last year."
I leaned on the table, clasping my hands together.
"The difference is..." I paused.
Once again, I sweep my eyes over the people in the room.
"20 percent... lower."
Silence once again fell upon the room. Other than the sound of the papers still burning.
"If they are not trash. Then what are they?"