Chapter 56: Unliked Person

In the days of old, when people were more honest about their lust for blood, and not squeamish about feeding it. Executions were held out in public, the gruesome deed treated as more of a sport. People laughed, cheered, placed bets and took sides.

Over time the blood sports had been replaced by tamer games that were not nearly as vicious. Sports with rules, regulations and entire books dedicated to what was considered proper conduct and what was not. Games like football, soccer, rugby, netball, tennis, badminton, and many more that Emily most likely would never know the names of. But the key things still remained the same.

There were bets placed and there were sides taken. And once you picked a side and placed a bet all that you could do after, was to sit back and take whatever came with the bet. Whether it was a win, or a loss.

Standing in the conference room, ushering people in. Emily had a hard time figuring out whether she was ushering them into what would be a tame civilized meeting, or something that would end up as a bloodbath, everyone selling each other out to save their own necks. Looking at them, they seemed to think that it would be a blood bath. It was actually kind of funny. She was there as a spectator, so she could just sit back and enjoy the show while they tried to organize themselves.

And even as she let them in at the door, Emily could already see the teams forming. Those who backed Derek’s uncle and his reckless policies were easy enough to spot. They had a haunted look about them. People not too sure if they should jump ship or stay in case their captain pulled a miracle and saved them somehow.

The there were those who liked Derek’s more grounded and careful leadership, but were too spineless to ever back him up when it counted. Those were the people who walked in with their heads low, their eyes not meeting Emily’s nor Derek’s. Their PAs doing most of the introductions for them.

The last group to enter were the ones that took no sides in the family dispute. They were on the side of profit. Nothing more and nothing less. They walked in with their heads held high, their eyes sharp, calculating, looking from one faction to the other. Their faces giving away nothing on their inner thoughts.

In Emily’s opinion, they were the people that Derek had to be more aware of, and looking over at her boss, she realized that she was not alone in thinking that. He was now sitting up straighter, his malicious glee more contained.

He had a room full neutrals, supporters and enemies. It would not do to add to the enemies group simply by coming off as too interested in the humiliation of others.

Emily was contemplating whether or not she should close the doors when the last attendants walked in.

One Sebastian Haven, finally having crawled out of the hole he had been hiding in.

A real pity, things would have been better if he had stayed wherever he had gone after messing everything up. Sebastian Haven walked like a man without a care in the world. Like he had not nearly cost the group billions, like he had not put people’s lives in danger. Like his nephew had not nearly been injured because of the stunt he had pulled.

His grey hair was styled to perfection. His dark blue suit fitting him well, the green of his tie and pocket square matching his eyes, his shoes gleaming. The appearance of someone who’d taken his time picking out his outfit, not bothered by a single thing in the world.

She and Derek had nearly been attacked by protesters because of him! Emily wanted to slap him silly, instead, she balled her hands into fists. Squeezing so hard she felt her nails dig into her palms.

"Welcome, Mr Haven," She greeted, all of her teeth out, just begging him to say something so that she could bite him.

Lucky for him, his ego got in the way. He did not even acknowledge her existence, simply brushing past her without a word, his eyes fixed on his nephew. Moving deeper into the room, Sebastian took the seat that was directly opposite the one that his nephew was in at the front, a clear challenge. It was like having someone oppose the head of the family at a family gathering.

Yet another subtle show of disrespect.

Emily really, really, really...did not like Derek’s uncle. So focused on her dislike for the man, Emily nearly missed a very important development.

Lucas was standing behind his boss, but unlike all the other times, he was not preening like a peacock, in fact he seemed almost...subdued.

That was new, and definitely something to look into in the future. What had made Lucas, who as far as Emily knew, worshiped the ground that Sebastian Haven walked on, suddenly look not so happy to be in his boss’ presence. It was definitely something worth looking into, and she would be doing so as soon as she could.

With all of the relevant members now present, Emily shut the doors and made her way to the stage where Derek was waiting.

She took the podium first. Were she in a boxing ring the spotlight would be fixed on her. A microphone in her hands as she riled up the crowd, getting their hearts racing before the big show started.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, for making it here on such short notice," There were a few quiet murmurs at the mention of the short notice, but no one dared to complain too loudly, their eyes shifting from her to Derek. Then the moment they caught his steely gaze, they found somewhere else to look.

"Let me not waste any more of your time, and give CEO Haven a chance to address all of you, " With that simple welcoming speech, Emily stepped aside and let the fun begin.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read