Chapter 9

**James POV**

James let them stew for a while. He needed them to take wild guess after wild guess until they were at the very edge of panic, thinking what they must have done wrong. Finally, done with reading the contents in the file placed before him, he turned towards them and questioned no one in particular, 'Do you know why I asked for this meeting?', he asked in a calm voice. Some would even say, he was asking about the weather.

No one answered his rhetorical question except one, who was feeling cocky and confident in his position said, 'whatever it is Mr. McKenzie, we believe you are going to enlighten us, for sure.'

Some grimaced hearing his reply. You don't poke the Wolf with a stick, and here Mr. Williams, as done just that.

'Is that so, Mr.?', James paused as if he forgot the name of this executive.

'Williams sir. It's Stan Williams. We have met many times in the past. I have worked for 17 years in this company', Stan Williams said, with red creeping around his neck from the embarrassment, all the while suppressing his anger for this arrogant stubborn son-of-a-bitch, who dares to question his name in front of his subordinates and co-workers.

Talking with the Bland aplomb of a well-trained machine, James said, 'then Mr. Williams, you are the right person to enlighten us about this impromptu meeting'.

'I... I don't...I don't know what you mean by that sir. Is this about the financial report? I was told it was already given to your secretary', he said as his gaze went to locate Brittany who sat in the chair nearer to the door of this room, to attest to this fact.

'Unfortunately, it's not about that Mr.', he gave a deliberate pause before saying, 'Williams. You could say, it's more versatile in nature. Do you know anything about trademark infringement Mr. Williams?', he inquired, narrowing his eyes as Stan started stuttering.

'Trade...trademark...infringement? What? Who...who could possibly? Who could possibly do that?', by this time sweat accumulated on his forehead and he started wiping it hastily with his handkerchief that he took out from his pocket. Sensing that something big is underplaying, the other members made themselves as small as possible and let the 'Wolf' on its prowl.

'That's exactly what I want to know, Mr. Williams! There seems to be a snake in our midst, do you know that, Mr. Williams. A snake who is using the company's trademark and resources to sell illegal tickets, charging customers fictitious fees to process ticket changes and cancellations, as well as committing bereavement and emergency fare fraud. Not to the entire flight, mind you. And not much. But when you add those 2-3 members per flight to the 6500 flights that our company manages... ahh...you are getting the picture, I see. Do you want to know the amount this individual embezzled using our company name, Mr. Williams?'

'I... I don't know what you are talking about sir. How would I know?', said Stan Williams, all the arrogance gone. Now, panic setting in.

'Do you consider me a pliable weakling?', asked James as his anger mounted.

'Mr. McKenzie, you have to believe me. I have nothing to do with it', said Stan Williams, amidst the audible gasps from his colleagues.

"I'd rather have the truth—not some saccharine version of it", James said as he started stalking towards his chair.

Stan Williams stumbled while he pushed back his chair. He started backing as James approached him. In one fluid movement, James had him pinned to the wall, with his hands holding the collar of Williams shirt, he pulled Williams to his eye level and said, 'you tried to play with my company. To con our customers using my business. Breaking trust that those people put in my organization. You dare to stand before me and play innocent?', James bellowed with rage.

Williams tried to muster a response. With no vail. Before James could punch the daylights out of him, the reliable secretary, Brittany, intervened.

'Mr. McKenzie, let the authorities handle him. She pointed out to the law enforcers who are standing at the door with handcuffs ready', said Brittany, ever patient.

'This is not over. I will force all the money out of you that you tried to weasel out from everyone. Mark my words...you are done. Ruined for', he said while pushing Williams as if he is scum to the police.

James clenched his fists before he gave in to his urge to do some serious damage to the weasel. 'Mr. McKenzie...please. Mr. McKenzie, we can talk it out. Please sit, hear me out... we can share. You don't have to do this! Mr. McKenzie!!' Williams shouted as police dragged him out of the premises in handcuffs.

Once they scuffled out of the conference room, James addressed the people that are in the room while putting his hands on the table and scanning each of their faces.

'One of your own tried to take advantage of my lenience. If you think I'm not intimate with the happenings inside my own company, you are wrong. I have eyes and ears everywhere. Stan Williams was a senior executive, a man with years of experience under his belt, he should have known the consequences, yet he tried to take advantage of my generosity. He thought of himself as invincible. He knows the in's and out's of the company and he found a loophole where he thought he could get away with scheming. Unfortunately for him, I keep tabs on each and every vein of this company. I know every dirty secret that takes place here.

Those who misuse their authority...who abuse their subordinates...who try to take advantage of their subordinate’s work, I know every-fucking-thing. Be this be my first and last warning to those who try to fool me. Don't even think about it. You will not like the consequences. Whoever tries to threaten my empire will find themselves behind the bars. Is it clear?', James' voice rang out in the silence that followed after his outburst.

'Yes, Mr. McKenzie'

'We would never- '

'We are not like that-'

'Of course, Mr. McKenzie'

People said at once as he assessed the situation. 'Be warned. No one abuses their power and most certainly my trust in MY company', James walked out with that closing statement from the conference room. His exit was more powerful than his entrance. And some breathed with relief once he exited.

'Your lawyer is in your office, Mr. McKenzie. I delayed your next meeting by 30 minutes. Human Resources has sent the papers you asked for. I put it on your desk. Your lunch will arrive after you are finished with your lawyer. Anything else you would like me to do sir?'

'That would be all, Brittany', James responded, his mind already on the matters at hand.