Chapter 35 - Rallying the Board
Jack stands in the conference room, eyes sweeping over the faces of the board members seated around the long mahogany table. Some avert their gazes, others look at him with thinly veiled suspicion. Leonard sits smugly at the far end, arms crossed, a slight smirk on his lips.
"Thank you all for coming," Jack begins, his voice calm but firm. "I know there have been rumors circulating about my management style and the direction of the company. I'm here to set the record straight."
Leonard clears his throat. "Rumors? You mean the fact that you've been making reckless financial moves without consulting the board?"
Jack's jaw tightens, but he forces a smile. "Reckless? Or strategic?"
Leonard shrugs. "We all know about your aggressive acquisitions, Jack. But what about the fallout? You're taking on too much debt. You're pushing the company to the brink."
[Mission Update: Secure board loyalty. Progress: 30%]
Jack pulls out a folder, flipping it open. "Debt, yes. But look at the returns we've generated over the last quarter. Our net profits have increased by 25%, and our market share has expanded by 15%. Those are not the numbers of a company in trouble."
He slides the documents across the table. Board members pick them up, eyes scanning the figures. Murmurs ripple through the room.
"And what about Derek?" Leonard continues, leaning forward. "Word is he's planning a takeover. How do we know you're not going to drag us into a turf war that we can't win?"
Jack's eyes harden. "Derek is trying to steal this company right out from under us. And he's using underhanded tactics to do it. But I have a plan to counter his moves – a plan that will not only secure our assets but expand our influence."
Leonard laughs, his tone mocking. "Oh? And what's your big plan, Jack? Another risky acquisition?"
Jack smiles coolly. "Actually, yes."
[Mission Update: Uncover Derek's true backers. Progress: 70%]
The doors swing open, and Chris walks in, carrying a projector and a laptop. He sets it up swiftly, and the screen lights up with a financial report.
"This," Jack says, pointing to the screen, "is a list of companies that Derek's backer has been acquiring. Most of them are small tech firms, but there's a pattern – they're all part of a larger conglomerate."
"What conglomerate?" a board member asks, leaning forward.
Jack clicks to the next slide. "Horizon Holdings. And guess who's the CEO?"
The screen changes to a photo of Lisa Thompson, smiling brightly at a press conference.
"My ex-wife," Jack says, his tone icy. "And Derek's primary investor."
Gasps ripple through the room. Leonard's smirk fades.
"Lisa has been buying up shares in secret, using her connections to Horizon Holdings to funnel money into Derek's campaign to take over our company," Jack continues. "But we can stop them – if we stand together."
[Mission Completed: Secure board loyalty. Reward: Leadership Influence Lv. 1.]
Jack straightens, his eyes blazing. "I'm not just fighting for myself. I'm fighting for all of you. So, are you with me? Or are you with them?"