Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Alyssa came to a sudden halt behind Dominic, who dared not look at her. His heart leaped into his throat. He thought, “That little bitch is so intimidating!”
She said nothing to Dominic. Instead, she gracefully settled down at the head of the table with a composed smile.
She began, “Gentlemen, my father departed the country yesterday for his treatment and recovery abroad.”
Carrying herself with an authoritative air, she announced, “I’m sure you have all received the official news of my appointment. I am KS Group’s new president starting from the date of announcement.
“There are two items on our agenda today. Firstly, we need to pick a vice president.”
The directors exchanged amused looks.
“Ms. Alyssa,” Edward Bates, the director who sided with Dominic, blurted out, “you might be Winston’s daughter, but you are not fit to be the president yet with your current work experience. Although you had some success with KS Hotel, running a hotel is vastly different from running an entire company.
“You need at least two more years of on-the-ground training for us to vote you in as the president.”
“He’s right. Mr. Winston has made a rash decision by forcefully promoting you,” the other directors chimed in.
Dominic betrayed a smirk when he heard the growing dissent. Noticing his smug look, Sean had the sudden urge to kick him in the teeth.
“Well, Mr. Bates, since you think my father has acted rashly, do you mind sharing a more thoughtful alternative?” Alyssa casually spun her office chair.
“We agree that Dominic Taylor is the best candidate as president because he is Mr. Winston’s brother who has served the company for three decades.”
Edward was as stubborn as a donkey. He would rather lend his support to Dominic, whom he was friendly with than subject himself to the leadership of a young woman.
He took the chance to put her in the spot. “The board should vote on this important matter. Mr. Winston might hold the final say, but he shouldn’t be autocratic!”
“Oh!” Alyssa tapped her temples and spun her chair back to its original position. “Mr. Bates, thanks for reminding me of something really important about Mr. Dominic.
“Mr. Dominic, you previously lost your money on your huge purchase of accrual bonds, and you misappropriated 50 million in company funds. Let’s settle the score today, shall we?”
The directors looked astonished at her remark. Did Dominic really misuse 50 million dollars? Wouldn’t that be an abuse of power?
To the directors, 50 million dollars might not be a large figure, but they would not let the matter slide after they were made aware of it.
Dominic jumped out of his seat, looking frantic and furious. “Lyse, what are you doing?”
She fixed a stern glare on him. “What do you mean? By the way, you should address me professionally at work. It’s inappropriate of you to call me by my nickname in front of everyone.”
The directors watched the scene play out with bated breaths. They were surprised at Alyssa’s courage to speak her mind, even if it meant offending the others.
Dominic’s face turned a deeper shade of red. He barked, “Does my brother know about this?”
“He doesn’t need to know. As the president of KS Group, I believe I can make decisions on this minor issue.”
Alyssa leaned into her chair with a faint smile playing on her lips. “You lamented to Winston how broke you were, and he paid for that 50 million dollars out of his pocket for his only brother.
“Because of that, he had a stroke, which led to the company’s situation today. The losses from the falling stock price and his medical expenses could amount to billions, but you’re not directly responsible for that, so I won’t hold you liable.
“But you need to return the 50 million dollars you misappropriated. It’s only fair to return what you stole. It’s not only the rule of law but also a moral rule.”
The directors fixed astonished looks on Dominic, whose face was twitching from the shock and humiliation. Even Edward, who had been speaking up for Dominic, fell silent.
“The 50 million has been taken care of. Even if Winston was the one paying, it’s considered paid at the end of the day!” Seething, Dominic snapped, “This was in the past, but you insisted on bringing it up. You’re making a private grudge public!”
“What made you think that it was all in the past?” The look in Alyssa’s eyes hardened. She slammed her hand on the table, shocking everyone. “I take right and wrong seriously. You don’t get to muddle through!”
Dominic turned white as a chill ran down his spine. Sean, meanwhile, watched Alyssa with admiration. The exchange was too cathartic for him.
“KS Group is a public company, not your private bank. You don’t get to transfer money out of the company as you wish.”
She cast a piercing gaze at Dominic as she sat regally at the table, eliciting the respect of the directors. “If I don’t take action against you, it’s not only unfair toward the other directors, but you might create greater trouble the next time since you did not learn your lesson this time.
“By then, it would be too late to regret. That’s why I need you to pay up!”
Dominic, knowing he was at a disadvantage, pulled the same trick by claiming he was broke. “Even if you need me to pay up, I can’t come up with that money right away! You won’t possibly make me sell my house and lands, right? Renee and I would be sleeping on the streets!”
He planned to put off the discussion for now. After the meeting, he’d immediately call up Winston to complain about Alyssa. Dominic was sure that acting pitiful would earn him the sympathy and help of Winston, despite Winston’s affection for his daughter.
To his dismay, Alyssa said coolly, “Sean, get the document for Mr. Dominic. He needs to take a look.”
“Sure, Ms. Alyssa.” Sean walked up to Dominic with a serious face before tossing the document onto the table.
Dominic looked through the pages with a shocked expression.
Alyssa explained, “I have compiled a list of all the assets under your name. You ran two hotels in Solana City and owned ten chain salons in Belbanks and Solana City.
“You also own a villa each in both Mosgravia and Yoarkley. Those are the assets you currently own. After you sell the two villas and the salons, you will come up with that 50 million dollars.”
“Alyssa Taylor, you¡ª” Dominic nearly blacked out. Was she trying to bankrupt him?
“You have half a month to take care of this matter. If you refuse to, I’ll get court orders against you.” Smirking, she added, “By that time, the authorities would find out about the tax evasion that has been going on in your hotel and salon businesses.”
The attendees were amazed by the interesting turn of events involving Dominic in their otherwise boring day. Trembling, Dominic felt dizzy when he stared at the writings on the document.
Alyssa had come for him, fully prepared. She had done her homework and looked to the bottom of his assets, blindsiding him and badly defeating him.
“Ms. Alyssa, didn’t you say you have two issues to discuss today?” a director blurted out curiously.
“The next issue concerns Mr. Dominic as well.” Alyssa announced in a determined and melodious voice, “Today, I will start the petition to dismiss Dominic Taylor from the roles of the company chairman and executive director.”
Alyssa’s booming voice delivered a great shock to the meeting attendees. Her confidence and imposing air reminded them of Winston Taylor.
Dominic, whose legs were shaking uncontrollably, mustered his courage and slammed his hand on the table. He rose in anger to face off against Alyssa. “Alyssa Taylor, you have no right to sack me, even if you’re the daughter of the chairman and the company president!
“Are you treating the board of directors meeting as your personal playground? You’re out of control. You’ll need to start a vote to remove me from my roles!”
He had taken a jab at Alyssa’s previous remark of him treating the company as his private bank.
Alyssa thought him petty and snorted. “Yeah, right. That’s why I convened this meeting to discuss your matter.”
As Edward was Dominic’s business partner¡ªhe had even been forced to invest in the two hotels¡ªhe could not possibly watch Dominic go down. Once again, he took Dominic’s side. He began, “Alyssa…”
“She’s Ms. Alyssa for you.” Sean shot a frosty look at Edward.
Edward nearly choked. He quickly changed his way of address. “M-Ms. Alyssa, Dominic has made many sacrifices for the company over the years, and we bore witness to that.
“Besides, Dominic is your uncle and Winston’s brother. He’s family. To be honest, the misappropriation of funds isn’t that big of an issue.
“Since Mr. Winston has settled the matter, it shows that he wants to put everything behind him. If the public learns about this, that will negatively impact KS Group and the Taylors.”
Alyssa put on a look of derision. “Oh, is it not that big of an issue? Fine, Mr. Bates. How about you pay up on Mr. Dominic’s behalf?”
Edward looked upset when he heard the provocation.
“Dismissing Mr. Dominic from his company roles is me being kind because I consider him my uncle. Otherwise, he would be speaking to the police by now.” Wiping away her smile, she warned, “I don’t need anyone to worry about my family’s reputation.
“All I have done is to rid the company of problematic employees on Dad’s behalf. Even if this gets out, anyone with a moral compass will agree that I’ve done the right thing.
“They will perceive the upper management of KS Group as being fair and strict, as we are willing to take action against the family. If everyone here wants the best for the company, you will have to rid the company of problematic individuals.”
The directors went silent. Edward looked stone-faced after Alyssa took subtle jabs at him for being evil and a bad judge of character.
“You don’t have the final say in dismissing me.” Dominic again tried to use Winston as his shield in a shameless attempt to save himself. “I’ll call Winston and meet him. Your opinion doesn’t matter!” Right after that, Sean interjected furiously in a low but intimidating voice, “Mr. Dominic, you cannot throw a fit at the board of directors meeting. Besides, Ms. Alyssa has the right to preside over meetings and make important decisions on Mr. Winston’s behalf while he recovers.
“We are proceeding according to the rules of the charter. Are you against Mr. Winston’s decision, or do you hold no respect for Ms. Alyssa at all?”
“You’re just a secretary! You have no right to raise your voice at me!” Dominic pointed a finger at Sean with a vicious scorn on his face. At that moment, he did not behave like an esteemed director of a company or a member of a reputable, wealthy family. He looked more like a leader of a gang.
“An ungrateful traitor like you should not bother meeting with Dad. It won’t be good for him.” Alyssa spun the office chair and showed her back to the directors.
She did not bother to take a look at Dominic. Ignoring someone was the highest form of contempt.
“Who are you calling ungrateful? You¡ª”
“You were the one who leaked the video of Dad’s relapse in that meeting, weren’t you?” She went straight to the point, sending shockwaves across the directors, who started having mixed feelings about Dominic.