The day began like any other day in the office: dramatic and eventful.
That was ironic, Asher thought. He hadn't even been rich for a month.
But when he arrived at Knox Holdings to find a few executives in his waiting room, including Lyman Creed, of course. Asher knew the day's drama would be an upgrade from the usual.
Asher exchanged a look with Rick who shook his head. He had not been informed the executives would stop by this morning.
"Mr Knox." Lyman Creed noticed him first. "There you are."
There he was. Exactly the last place Asher wanted to be.
"Good morning, gentlemen." Asher greeted, exchanging handshakes with the three executives. "It is quite early in the day for an unannounced visit."
"They sent word last night and I dropped you a text, Sir." The office assistant reported, getting up quickly. "You probably didn't get around to taking a look. I apologize. I should have called instead."
She had a determined look on her face. It spelt trouble. Asher didn't like it one bit.
A text? Asher didn't recall ever having her contact.
He and Rick would need to talk. His office assistant, the lady spy. What was her name again?
June. Right.
She was beginning to get too much of a handle over his affairs and Asher didn't stalk Rick's socials for an entire night to hire a secretary that would be helpless against a pretty face.
"I see." He said. "Well, come in."
Asher led the way into his office. Taking off his coat, he turned to hand it to Rick and found June standing there, holding her hands out.
What was her problem exactly?
He held on to his coat. Tossing it over his chair, he walked around the desk to the couch, gesturing for the executives to sit.
"Is this about the shareholders meeting?" Asher guessed.
Lyman Creed nodded. "The meeting is set to hold in less than a few weeks. As you know, the board will have a round of votes to determine the legitimacy of your succession."
"If it is decided that your legitimacy is still in question and the board chooses not to place their faith in you, it is expected that you step down as CEO of Knox Holdings."
Asher wasn't sure why Lyman Creed was providing a summary of what he was already aware of.
"I think I am up to speed on that." He replied.
"Recently, it's all over the news that you purchased the Freedom Stadium Ruins." Lyman continued.
So that's what the fuss was all about.
"I did." Asher confirmed.
"And do you plan to channel company resources into a construction project on the Ruins?"
Asher shrugged. "Mr Burns has already expressed his interest in partnering with Knox Holdings for the construction."
"The purchase of Freedom Stadium Ruins is in fact, what convinced him to establish a partnership."
Lyman exchanged a look with the other two executives. They both hesitated. One in particular was shifty, fingers twitching repeatedly.
"Mr Knox, while we understand your enthusiasm, basing the partnership with Burns corporation on a successful construction project at the Freedom Stadium Ruins is a bit... concerning."
"What is your concern exactly? That the partnership will fall through if the construction venture fails?" Asher asked.
Lyman nodded. "Precisely. Mr Burns is ambitious. But he's also cunning. After signing the contract with him, if we're unable to deliver, we might be burdened to compensate for damages."
"We all know the rumors surrounding the ruins. While there may be only rumors, it is a fact that three construction ventures on that same land fell through."
"Hence, you do not trust me to make the decision, even after securing Mr Burns' partnership with highly favorable benefits." Asher concluded.
"We would be more assured after the shareholders meeting. For now, taking on such a big project is...too ambitious."
Asher scoffed. The unspoken message was that the executives intended to make him a figurehead without any decision making power, up until they kicked him out at the shareholders meeting.
Marrick had predicted it. In his journal, he had explicitly mentioned to never let your guard down. Just when one obstacle is surmounted, another rears its head. That was just the way the corporate world worked.
"It seems you did not make proper findings." Asher said, leaning back into his seat.
"The Freedom Stadium Ruins was purchased under my name, with my funds, and has nothing to do with Knox Holdings finances. You can refer to the responsible department for confirmation."
"Even so..." Lyman Creed began,
"Even so, you intend to tell me what I can and cannot do with my money?" Asher deadpanned.
Lyman Creed seethed.
"Despite the... financial responsibility behind the purchase, your name is tied to Knox Holdings. And Mr Burns' partnership is not a personal arrangement."
Asher shrugged. "Feel free to reach out to Mr Burns and have your own arrangement."
"Mr Knox..." One of the other executives argued.
"Why? You don't like how I run my business. You don't like how I spend my own money. Am I here to cater to your likes and dislikes, or run a company?"
The executives were quiet now.
"Mr Burns has chosen the project on the Freedom Stadium Ruins. He is well aware of what is at stake."
"While your concerns are appreciated, you gave me a task. Secure Mr Burns' partnership. I have."
"What I do with that partnership has nothing to do with you. Because without me, you wouldn't have gotten it anyways."
He was bluffing. Sort of. Burns was a win, but if the board turned against him, none of this would matter. Still, he couldn't afford to back down now.
---
After the meeting with the executives, Asher's schedule was packed until way past lunch where he got a brief break.
Rick walked in, file in hand.
"Mr Knox, I have the report you requested."
He handed the file over to Asher. Within was a summary of the life and death of the infamous 'Demolition King', including relatives and acquaintances, past and present.
But nothing stood out to him.
"Is this all of it?" Asher asked.
"That's all I could find on him." Rick confirmed.
Asher read through the contents again, shaking his head slightly.
He was never married. Had no children. To whom exactly could he make such a binding promise that it held onto him after death? Could it be...an ex-lover?"
"Does he perhaps, have any scandals that were withheld from publication?" Asher asked.
Rick thought about it for a moment. "I did see something about an estranged son...but it never made it to print media."
Asher got up to his feet. "Look into it and text me the details. Name, address, anything you can find."