Chapter 3

A WEEK EARLIER

It was nine Am, Monday morning. The workers at the company seemed to be more nervous than they usually were that morning.

It was because a board meeting had been announced during the weekend. The board meeting was usually held in order to subtract or add to the company's policy.

The workers were quite aware this change could one way or the other become a negative or positive change for the workers of Frankel and Sons Global Groups.

The reason for the meeting was not mentioned. It only stated that it was important which was the reason Oliver looked forward to it.

Amidst the morning tension, Oliver walked into the conference room alongside his assistant who assisted with a few of his things.

The meeting commenced and a director spoke right from his seat. His name was Austin Frankel who is also Oliver's uncle, the manager of the company.

"Good morning everyone. We are here to talk about the company and its way forward," the director said while they all gave him a round of applause.

"We all can testify to the fact that Mr. Oliver, who is my nephew here, has been doing well since he took over the position from his father five years ago. In fact, all thanks to him, the company has reached heights it couldn't attain when his father was still the CEO. Agreed?" the director asked while using his question to search for a form of back up from the other directors.

"Of course."

"Agreed."

"Yes." They all replied one after the other.

'Stop beating around the bush and go straight to the point, old man. I wonder what other thing you have under your sleeves again,' Oliver thought while staring at his uncle.

"It is such a painful thing that my brother wasn't able to attend the meeting today due to his health. Because, he should also be able to testify to what I am about to say now, alongside everyone of us here," Austin continued.

"Oliver here was just twenty two years old when the board decided to have him as the successor of his father since his father's accident a few years ago. Since he was an only child, he took over and has proved himself worthy of the position ever since then. But we all know that being great at business is not the only way to show man's ability," Austin said with a purse.

His last statement caused the other directors to murmur as each of them discussed with one another.

"Hmm… Hmm…" Austin cleared his throat and continued.

"Oliver needs to show us he is a man by providing us a heir or heiress…"

Hearing this, Oliver literally emitted steam from his head and ears.

'What is he talking about? An heir? Is this another of his tricks?' Oliver thought as he watched the rest of the board discuss among themselves.

Noticing the tension in the room was starting to get too much, Austin decided to buttress his point.

"What I mean is, Oliver wouldn't have taken over his father's business if his father hadn't had a child would he? Oliver needs an heir just in case of situations like this. Who is with me?" Austin asked and the whole of the board raised their hands.

'I can't believe they are agreeing to this. What does a child have to do with being a CEO?' Oliver thought while watching the whole board like they were a bunch of circus players.

"Since Oliver was just placed in the position temporarily, he needs to have an heir before he can be considered permanently for the position. Failing to have an heir means we have to impeach him with our votes," another director backed up.

"Why? Who says I need to pass such criteria before I can take over my father's business? I have been doing well for the past five years. Is that not enough?" Oliver, who hadn't spoken since the meeting began, said for the first time.

"I have spoken to your father who is the Chairman and he saw the point in what I suggested. Moreover, why should having an heir be difficult for you? It's not like you are impotent or something. Or are you?" Austin said sarcastically.

"Oh. Now see why your son is womanizing. It is now obvious he is trying to show the whole world that he is not impotent by doing so," Oliver replied coldly while staring at his uncle.

Noticing the tension between the two, a director broke the silence that followed.

"Since Mr. Austin here has taken permission from the chairman, I see no reason why Oliver can't provide us an heir. So, here is what I propose…"

****

Oliver finished from work late at night. He felt exhausted physically and mentally as his head probed with headache.

The more he thought about the meeting held that morning, the more his head felt like it was about to explode so he made a call to his friend.

"Alright. I will meet you at the bar in ten minutes," his friend said before getting up.

"You can leave. I will be visiting my friend so you don't need to drive me," Oliver said to his personal assistant, Jason who nodded before handing Oliver his car keys.

"What? I can't believe this. Why would your uncle come to you with such? Have you asked your father about this?" Oliver's friend asked before taking a sip of his wine.

"No I haven't Carter. But that is not the issue at hand now. Even if I inform my father about the board's decision, there is little to what he can do. In fact, there is nothing he can do," Oliver replied with a sigh.

"So what is the way out? Where would you find a woman who can give you a child in fifteen months? Not just a child but you also have to get married to her. Though what they requested is no big deal. In a society with high standards like ours, you can get any woman you want," Carter said.

"I am quite aware I can get a woman of good class and level through an arranged marriage but you know me. I am not interested in marriage let alone a loveless one," Oliver replied, also sipping from his cup of wine.