"What is this?"
I coldly looked at the board members in front of me.
All of their names I have already forgotten, deeming them unimportant.
The only ones I can remember were Francis Stronghold and Gary Davidson.
Gary Davidson for his stupidity.
Though he was not present.
It must be because of my return gift. I wonder if his heart can handle it. After all, he is already of advanced age.
If his heart fails now, what a waste when I have not done anything yet.
Anyway, these board members came to me for the files yesterday. And all of them entered with smug looks.
"Why are you returning these pieces of trash here?" I asked them.
Exuding that same authority I polished over the years with the help of my grandfather and father.
The authority that equals the chairman of Kingsley Conglomerate. Something trained not for this purpose but instead becomes the purpose.
I am young in their eyes, but they have all underestimated me. Not knowing anything about your opponent doesn't mean they have nothing to hit you back with.
Instead, they may be the dark horses of every game.
I raised an eyebrow while leaning back in my chair.
"Tell me, why is this trash on my table today? Do you want me to burn them in front of you again?"
All of them glanced at one another.
They must have expected the warning yesterday to be successful and had come here to see me humiliate myself by admitting that the contracts I burned yesterday weren't trash at all.
They must be thinking that I would be trembling by now after being scared witless by the attack. That I will admit I was wrong and would submit to them.
"You all came here thinking I would bow down," I smirked.
They cleared their throats.
"You barely spoke yesterday. Mr. Davidson even dared to be stupid. Don't you think he has more right to gloat today in front of me, if..."
I paused, leaning forward, "...what you planned succeeded? Isn't that right?"
"W- We do not understand what you mean, Miss Chairwoman," one spoke.
I tapped my finger on the files in front of me.
"You do not understand? I did not expect that," I laughed mockingly.
"Are you more stupid than Mr. Davidson?"
Their faces instantly darkened at my words.
"Take all this trash and come back as a smarter person. I already said it, prove to me why you are a board member."
I pushed all the files towards them before turning to my computer monitor.
Instead of doing it instantly, they stood stupidly in front of me.
Only the sound of the mouse clicking could be heard. I ignored them and seriously looked at my computer.
Seriously playing solitaire.
"What are you all still doing? The chairwoman has spoken. Get back to work and do it properly."
Francis Stronghold came in a few minutes later. It seems that these people were truly lost about what to do since their main purpose was faced with failure.
They all snapped out of their daze and scrambled to take the folders they brought over before leaving one after another.
The sound of shoes shifting rashly on polished floors accompanied their departure.
Ignoring it all, I continued playing my solitaire, not even greeting the man who had just come in.
Once everyone was gone, he sat opposite me.
"You really should tone down your hostility," he said.
"Why?" I asked, not denying his words.
"You may have a barrier because of the will, but there are many ways to go around that will."
"How is Mr. Davidson?" I asked instead of replying to his words.
He leaned back, crossing his leg over the other.
"You've done quite a thing to him. He's in the hospital."
I chuckled, "How weak."
"Miss Kingsley," Francis's tone changed.
"Are we getting to business now?" I asked, closing the solitaire game and finally looking at him.
There was no smile on his face, nor in his eyes.
"I did not expect that your capability would reach that point. But I am seriously giving you genuine advice, you should tone it down."
I also leaned back and crossed my leg over the other, "Why?"
"You do not wish to experience life worse than death," he warned.
"Why? You want another Riven?"
He shook his head, "You may end up worse."
I laughed sarcastically, "But you were played around by Riven. Why do you think I know more than what you think about the company?"
"Indeed, we gave him too much leeway. But towards you and how you act now, you should really think about my advice."
"You really don't know me, do you, Mr. Stronghold?" I commented.
"I may not, but what can one woman do?"
My lips slowly curled up, my smile turning sweeter.
"One woman."
He simply stared at me.
"You should admit it. You did not give Riven too much leeway. Instead, you underestimated him to the point of being blindsided by him."
"..."
"You chose Richard Kingsley for your little rebellion because he was as greedy as you. Easy to manipulate. Oh, even their sister Samantha is yet another stupid pawn."
He continued just staring at me.
"We have other relatives. Such as Grandfather's brother's family. But they are not greedy enough for your desire. So Richard is the best choice."
I giggled, "And you all thought everything went smoothly after Leonard Kingsley's family died one after another. But I bet you did not have fun."
His lips slightly curled down at my words. I smiled even sweeter.
"Because not one of them showed weakness and surrender from all the torture you gave."
His eyes had a dangerous glint.
He's getting angry, I can tell. Because I have been taunting the plan they painstakingly crafted.
"It was not a sweet success..."
I leaned forward even more, keeping the sweet smile on my lips and eyes. And with a mocking tone, I continued.
"It was a bitter one."