1.11. The board meeting

"What… do you mean?"

The scientist glanced at Richard with an annoyed look and turned around to continue the experiment he was doing before. It was already the fifth time he asked the question and his answer didn't change.

"What I mean is that all the formulas we tested ended up in a failure. So either the writer of this book is a complete idiot, or he wrote wrong formulas in purpose. That is what I meant, president."

Richard had to sit or would have fallen on the ground like a wimp.

No, that wasn't possible. There was no way Angel suddenly became stupid. And there was no way he would sabotage his own work. Or maybe he did when Kevin asked him the notebook thinking that he wanted to use it to create a new company and not for Lawson & Co.

How stupid, he should have came to ask for it himself. Angel even said that he would have gave it to him if he had asked him to. But now it's too late and he'll need to find a solution for the board meeting held in only an hours.

Perhaps he'll be able to convince Angel to work for Lawson & Co. as a researcher after he's officially named president. Angel never cared for anything else than creating medicines anyway so having a high tech laboratory at his disposal is a dream for him.

Richard regained composure and smiled satisfied. He went to prepare for the board meeting.

***

I walked leisurely inside the building. There was no reason for me to hurry since I knew that Richard would absolutely want to wait for me since it was supposed to be the day he'll shatter my hopes of being president.

If only he knew what was waiting for him…

I entered the room filled with shareholders while whistling a tune which was stuck in my head for quite a while. I smiled as I remembered that it was the song that was playing on radio the day I met Amory.

I walked to the presidential seat where Richard was sitting and stopped in front of him my arms crossed.

"Uncle, you should go to your seat. The meeting is about to start."

He forced a smile.

"Angel, that's my seat."

"It was. Now that I'm eighteen, it's mine."

Richard seemed like he was about to explode but he held back and went to the next seat. I sat on the presidential chair and leaned back, arms and legs crossed.

"So, shall we start?"

One of the director coughed and glanced at Richard before speaking.

"Angel, I think we should begin with naming the new president."

I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Isn't it me? As much as I know, my father named me the heir of this company."

Richard let out a laugh. He looked a bit like a mad man but well, he is one so what can I say?

"Dear nephew, you really are naive."

"What do you mean?"

He took out a bunch of paper and threw it in front of me.

"You signed your inheritance away a year ago. I'm the rightful president of this company."

I skimmed through it and stared at my uncle teary eyed. It looked like he was really enjoying the show he added.

"Since I'm your legal guardian and agreed to it, this contract is legally admissible. We don't have to vote, I'm the president."

I nodded sadly and looked at the others members of the meeting. They all had winner's grin.

"Those who vote for Richard Lawson to be the president of Lawson & Co. raise your hand."

They all raised their hand as if it was a ridiculous question.

"Those in favour of Angel Lawson being the president of Lawson & Co. raise your hand."

Only I raised my hand. They all snickered mockingly. I looked around expressionlessly, then at Richard.

"You're all fired."

Richard laughed but before he could say anything, I turned towards the lawyer.

"If I give you another version of my father's testament, will you be able to tell which one the real thing between between the one my uncle gave you and mine?"

The lawyer nodded even if he thought that I was obviously acting out and I didn't have anything. I got up and went to open the door. I watched as Richard's eyes opened wide at the sight of Arya coming in. She walked to the Lawyer and gave him a piece of paper. He read it and gulped with difficulty. The fake will was the one Richard gave him.

I sat back and stared at the shareholders.

"Tell me. According to the official testament, who was my legal guardian until I turn eighteen?"

They all frowned, except Richard who was as pale as a ghost.

"Angel Lawson's legal guardian until his majority is Arya Winchester."

Whispers spread across the room. Are they finally realising that they fucked up?

"And is there any additional specific close with this?"

"Every decision concerning the company's decisions must be approved by the legal guardian or else, they'll be annulled and inadmissible in court."

They all gapped and stared daggers at Richard. He had promised them more shares once he would be president but now the knew they shouldn't have trusted him. Richard was red in anger. I turned back towards the lawyer.

"Can I sign the documents for the takeover of the company now?"

The lawyer nodded and gave me the documents. Richard tried to take them but I snatched them away before he could.

"While I think of it, Richard, I met policemen in front of the building. Since it's mine, they asked me for authorisation to search your office. Obviously, I agreed. I hope you don't mind."

Richard's face fell.