Chapter 9
The sound of the car engine hammed softly, accompanying Skylar’s journey to the Carter Mainland Enterprise head office building.
Her hands gripped the steering wheel of her Aston Martin tightly, as a reflections of her reless heart, which even though she had tried to calm it down many times, still felt uncertain
This was the first day she would be present at the head office of her grandfather’s legacy company, which she would lead until the time came for her to appoint a accessor, as her grandfather had done.
Anthony had returned to Australia with the twins on the last flight last night. He had to take care of several important matters in his company and aho related to the issue of the twins‘ school transfer
After a long discussions and very deep thought, Skylar and Anthony finally agreed that she and the twins would move back to Los Angeles, because Skylar had to carry out her obligations as the leader of The Carter Mainland Enterprise.
Skylar had set a limit for herself that she would not settle down. Los Angeles was no longer a place that felt comfortable for her.
“How many years?” asked Anthony.
“Five years at the most, Skylar answered, doing the math in her head. I suppose, during this time, we could consider moving The Carter’s headquarters to Melbourne. Do you think that’s possible?”
“We’ll try” Anthony said. “But even if not, why don’t we set up a second headquarters there. While you’re at it, you can start picking and choosing who you think is worthy of being your right hand man. Do you remember the process of choosing, right”
Skylar laughed and nodded. “Yeah, I understand.”
Skylar tapped the steering wheel with her fingernail, turning her thoughts back to the 36–story building that was already visible in front of her.
The security guard manning the buckling’s front security post had been informed of the new owner of The Carter Mainland, who had been in the spotlight recently, after the announcement of Aaron Carter’s will.
The sleek black Aston Martin pulled up in front of the security post and Skylar rolled down the window, holding out her ID.
“Excuse me, because I haven’t received an ID card from this company, so for now just write down my identity manually, Skylar said politely.
posture.
The security guard looked embarrassed and he took Skylar’s ID card, read it briefly and then handed it back with a half–bowed post
*Please come in, Ms. James, the man said respectfully. “You are already registered in the system and there is a special parking space on the second Boor. Welcome, M. James and have a good work
Skylar read the man’s name, which was embroidered in his uniform.
Thank you, Mr. Peter. And please support and help me while I work here,” Skylar replied.
Ewan Peter looked a little turned to hear Skylar’s words, then his face turned a little red and he gave a military salute with a big smile.
Skylar smiled and drove inside. The parking space reserved for her was marked with a sign that said “Chairwoman“.
Skylar stood for a moment beside the car, staring at the sign. She took a deep breath and clenched both fists in determination.
The inecting room was filled with the company’s highest–ranking executives, their eyes sharp and skeptical, staring at Skylar who stood in front of then, hands resting on the ardy mahogany table.
Although no one dared to speak openly or whisper to each other about what was on their minds, Skylar could feel that the atmosphere was thick with curiosity, cynicism, and uncertainty.
Gerry and Lilian, Jenna and David sat to her left, their expressions clearly showing feelings of irritation and dissatisfaction.
David was a lide different. He had been frowning since Skylar took his place and had been eyeing her from head to toe, until Jenny pinched his thigh in jealousy.
Skylar took a breath and spoke, her voice steady “Good morning, everyone. I appreciate you all making the time for this meeting. As most of you are already aware, I am Skylar Laurent James, granddaughter of the late Aaron Carter and as of today, I will be taking on the role of chairwoman.”
murmur rippled through the room, but it wasn’t one of welcome. Instead, she saw narrowed eyes and skeptical frown.
She didn’t know the executives present in this meeting room, but they knew each other, had worked together for a long time, and Skylar was sure that many of them had relationships with each other that were closer than just business.
Skylar only knew her family” she added quotation marks with a cynicism in her heart. Gerry, Liban, and Jenna, but she had decided not to use that ‘word at all about them. To her, they were the same as David She knew them, but didn’t want to admit more than that.
1.17 Pu
Chapter
To everyone in this room, especially the executives, Skylar was a stranger, the outsider. So, it was natural that their gazes were unfriendly and
enthusiastic
Lilian leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, cynical smile, while Jenna tapped her rails against the table impatiently.
Gerry stared at Skylar with a blank stare. He still couldn’t accept his father’s decision to hand over the company to Skylar, even when she was his own biological daughter. It was unfair to him, Lilian, and Jenna..
He felt cheated and kept thinking about how to expose the cheating and take back what was right fully his.
“You have to forgive us, Ms. James,” Lilian said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “It’s just a bit shocking, don’t you think! After six years of being completely absent, you suddenly return to claim the highest position in this company.”
The murmur of agreement and support from everyone present in the meeting room formed a Isize like a swarm of hers.
“That’s right,” said one of the heavily made up female executives. “We know how Mr. Aaron Carter has dedicated his life to running this
is company. We are witnesses to his hard work and we are also part of the process until now. Seeing you standing in front of us now, still so young, with no known qualities, it feels unfair. Moreover, your whereabouts were previously unknown.”
“You just disappeared without a word” Gerry took the opportunity to discredit Skylar. “Your grandfather always missed you and went to great lengths to find you, because he was worried about you, but you really didn’t care about him, did you! But, after he died, suddenly you come and Take everything? It doesn’t make sense!!
“And it’s not fair,” said a man in a blue suit in the back seat. “Mr. Gerry Carter should be where you are right now, Ms. James. Your name isn’t even
Canter!
David leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. “We’re all professionals here, Skylar, but professionalism demands transparency. You’ve been cone for six years. Where were you? What exactly have you accomplished in that time?”
A tense silence filled the room as every pair of eyes turned toward Skylar, waiting for her answer.
Exact question, Mr. Lawrence. At least we should know what Ms. James is capable of,” responded a bespectacled man behind David
Skylar cursed David in her heart. He might not have a position in the company’s top brass, because he didn’t work at The Carter Mainland, but the Lerence family, was the oldest and largest partner of The Carter Mainland.
They had a sizable share of the stock and it was clear that now as Jenna’s fance, he also had a special place among the company’s top brass. Back when he was still Skylar’s husband, he also had a special place as a partner of the company.
The remark was responded to enthusiastically by the people in the meeting room. Some were merely curious, but Gerry, Lilian, Jenna a wanted her to her. They wanted to expose her as nothing more than an unworthy heiress who had no place leading them.
and
David
Skylar smiled thinly. She knew this wouldn’t be easy
“Well,” she said, her voice cool and composed, “Since you’re so eager to know, let me tell you exactly what I’ve been doing for the past six years”
