CHAPTER SIXTEEN- HUMILIATED.

The question hung on the air, everyone became speechless, Marcus was not getting himself again.

But he recovered quickly, his smile grew wider like he always does then he clasped his hands together.

“Faith, I know this is difficult for you to hear, I know you can't process that going on now but the numbers do not lie, the board members need transparency”

“You are right uncle,” she said simply.

The room shifted, nobody was expecting that.

Marcus blinked twice.

“The board members deserve complete transparency.”

“Uncle, why are you repeating what you just say, I heard you clear and sound”

“Then what do you have to say”

Faith stood up slowly “which is why I took the liberty of inviting of someone who can provide exactly that”

She looked toward the door.

“I would like to invite our new major investor”

The boardroom door opened.

Warren Voss walked in.

Suit, calm the kind of quiet that fills the whole room without trying.

He nodded at faith

She nodded back and smiled.

Marcus stood up. Abstractly hitting his hands on the desk.

“Faith, do you think we are playing here?”

“No, uncle calm down you don't have to be in a hurry”

He sat down, his hands trembling beneath the table.

Faith noticed the change in his face.

Warren set down his portfolio on the table without rushing.

He opened it slowly.

“Good afternoon. I appreciate the board for making time for me to present what I'm here for”

His voice was even. Professional and calm like someone who had been in the business world for over a decade.

“I have spent the past several weeks conducting an independent financial credit of saritini industries”

Marcus' jaw tightened, he became uncomfortable, his legs were shaking under the table “did they find out that I embezzled funds” that was the question running in his mind.

“what Mr. Marcus presented to you today was a debt exist, and is accurate I'm one regard”

Warren click the first slide “what he failed to mention is that all of this money was taken by someone unknown and it has to be cleared today”

Silence.

“I personally acquired each outstanding debt and if it's not settled today then what will become of saritini industries will not be what one person can solve alone”

“The financial crisis now is up to 20 percent of the company interest”

The older board members leaned toward themselves slowly.

“And as for who it is that is secretly taking what belong to the company is–”

The room went completely silent.

All eyes moved to Marcus.

“Why are you all staring at me?”

“Are you feeling guilty or what?” one of the board members said.

He did not respond, the confidence was not there anymore, the smile had , something was creaking inside him.

His face had two shade lighters.

“The board should verify this claims before–”

“The documentation is already in front of you”Warren said calmly “independent auditor, certified account, every transaction verify”

After sharing the documents, the board members started to pick it one after the other.

The murmurs started, but this time was harder.

Marcus looked down at the table slowly.

All the heads that were nodding with him back then, now they were now looking at him differently.

“Marcus” the older members called sharply.

“These is what you have been doing behind our backs”

Marcus opened his mouth.

He closed it, he opened it again, words refuse to form.

Then he closed it.

“Marcus what is the meaning of this you we are seeing”

“I I -

“Uncle, so you wanted to frame me for what you did”

“That's not it faith, the things is that–”

TThe older board members stood up.

“I would like to call for an immediate vote of miss saritini leadership”

“Seconded,” another one said.

Marcus stepped forward “this is irregular, the main procedures is”

“The proper procedure” he continued “that's exactly what we are doing”

The vote called

Faith sat perfectly as everything was going on, she didn't utter a word, she was just staring at them.

“write who ever you want in a piece of paper that will be passed to you”

Everyone began to write one after the other.

And they started submitting, Miss Saritini was taking the high rank.

Marcus used his hands to whip his face.

Then the last person dropped.

“The board had full confidence in your leadership miss saritini, we just hope you put in your best and never let us down”

Faith nodded “I will not let you down”

“Okay we give you our all”

Faith smiled, not the smile of revenge, just a normal smile on her face.

“Thank you”

Marcus did not storm out.

He stood up, everyone thought that he was going to yell or do something.

That's the more terrifying thing about it.

He gathered his things, dusted his jacket, and picked up his phone.

He smiled at the room one last time before he turned toward the door, he stopped in front of faith.

“Congratulations faith,” his voice was warm, almost affectionate. “You are truly a carbon copy of your father”

He walked toward the door.

Faith watched him go.

“Uncle”

He stopped without looking back.

“Next time” she said “bring a better evidence”

A pause then he walked out.

The room exhaled completely.

Warren walked to where faith was sitting down.

“If I don't have an evidence, what would have become of you”

“I know you have something useful in you, so you won't disappoint me”

She was looking at the door.

“He will come back, “ he said quietly.

“I know,” Faith answered.

“Then what will you do”

“Don't worry I'm also prepared for anything at any time”

The board started walking out slowly, some smiled at faith, some shook her hand's, some nodded at Warren.

They looked at them together like they knew something was going on between the both of them.

“Thanks to you su heir”

“That my pleasure sir”

Faith tried to stand and her ankle twisted beneath her.

Warren moved without thinking.

His hand caught her waist pulling her toward him and their lips met.

One second. Two seconds.

Neither of them moved.

The portfolio slipped from his hand hitting the floor with a sound that broke the silence.

Faith pulled back slowly.

Her eyes were  but his face.

Warren stood completely still.

His hand was still on her waist.

Neither of them spoke.

The door opened.

The older board member stepped back in.

"I forgot my—"

He stopped.

He looked at them both, then he used both of his hands to cover his eyes.

"I will get it tomorrow."

He walked back out.

The door clicked shut.

Faith cleared her throat.

"That did not happen."

Warren looked at her for a long moment.

Then he picked up his portfolio from the floor.

Straightened his jacket.

And smiled at absolutely nothing.

"Of course.”