Payback With Dividends

Shannon Inc. was the largest company in the Seaboard Industrial Block. It had an imposing grass and granite skyscraper reflecting the skies.

Alec, Seagal, and others who quit Damone Industries that morning, dressed up in formals and entered the Shannon Inc. building. They went through the large swiveling door, eyeing the main lobby with wonder. It was pristine, with waxed hardwood floors and rustic armchairs. A pretty receptionist instructed them to go up to the fourteenth floor, where the CEO's office was situated.

Rick McBride was the current CEO, a brilliant man in his early thirties. He welcomed them in his private lobby but looked as if he was in a hurry.

Rick asked Alec and the others to wait for their orientation since he was expecting a visit from the Chairman of Shannon Inc. Many key people of the company had gathered in the private lobby as well.

"What happened, Mr. McBride?" Alec asked. "Is something new happening in the company?"

Rick turned to him and said absentmindedly, "Yes. Shannon Inc. has joined a huge global conglomerate. Therefore, the Chairman decided to visit us and give a rundown of the changes that will follow."

Alex and Seagal's eyes lit up. A global conglomerate? That meant bigger salaries and opportunities to climb quickly up the corporate ladder. They had indeed made the right choice to quit the sinking Damone Industries.

Both men were industry veterans and could smell it when an opportunity to curry favor with the bosses presented itself.

"Sir, can we stay during this meeting?" Alec urged expectantly. "Since we'll be working in managerial positions, we want to introduce ourselves to the Chairman."

In Edgar's company, they were crucial employees, but in Shannon, their positions were middle management since it was a much larger company.

Rick was hesitant about Alec's request but agreed after Seagal, and the others made the same appeals. "Fine, you guys can stay. But don't take any seats. Just stand quietly in a row, and behave yourself. Our Chairman, Mr. Desmond Shannon, is a meticulous man, and he doesn't tolerate any indiscipline."

Alec, Seagal, and the rest nodded obediently and stood in a row with their shirts buttoned up. Their first impression upon the Chairman would determine their long-term career in the company.

Rick left the lobby for a minute to supervise his subordinates in another room.

"Guys," Alec whispered. "This is a great opportunity to suck up to the big boss. Let's try to impress him."

Seagal nodded. "Mr. McBride said that Shannon Inc. joined a vast conglomerate. That means we may get a salary rise and even growth opportunities. Abandoning the Damones to come here was the best decision of our lives!"

The rest of the group nodded. They were excited to meet the Chairman and learn which group took over Shannon Inc.

Just then, Victor Damone walked into the private lobby. He wore his usual bespoke suit, and his hair was combed back neatly. He looked very elegant with his gait and icy demeanor, but in the traitors' eyes, he was still a loser.

"Victor?" Alec barked. "What the heck are you doing here?"

"Have you come to Shannon Inc. to beg for investment?" Segal said with a smirk. "Or have you followed us here hoping we will return?"

"You are really pathetic," Alec added. "Get out of here now, or I will call security to eject you by the scruff of your neck!"

Victor ignored their insults, walked to the VIP section, and took a lounge seat.

"Are you out of your mind, you fool!" Seagal exclaimed. "That seat is for the Chairman of this company! Will you listen, or must I beat you up right here?!"

The lobby door opened and Rick McBride returned, accompanied by a tall, well-built man. Edward Shannon was a proud businessman who always kept his chin up. At thirty-five years, he had built a billion-dollar company, which reigned over the Seaboard Industrial Block.

Thinking that Victor's presence would ruin the environment, Alec and Seagal came at him. "Begone, Victor!" Seagal snapped.

Alec rushed at him intending to tackle. But what he saw shocked him to the core.

Edward Shannon and Rick McBride approached Victor Damone and bowed their heads to him. "It is a pleasure to meet you in person, sir," Shannon said in a submissive tone. "Mr. Clive Baron speaks highly of you. Please accept my humblest regards."

Rick McBride stood there and did not speak a word. He was a mere CEO of a growing company, while the legendary man before him intimidated even country heads. If rumors were to be believed, the man's net worth was greater than the economies of several major countries! Rick was too small a personality even to be allowed to utter a compliment.

Victor nodded at their curtsies showing no emotion. He was acquainted with adulation and praise in the olden days, and that too from exponentially more prominent personalities.

Hank and Seagal lost their composure.

"Mr. Shannon! Mr. McBride! This is a farce!"

"You have been duped!"

"This man is Victor Damone, heir to a sinking company in this industrial block. He is on the verge of bankruptcy and has already lost his mind. Now he has the audacity to scam you all!"

"Yes! He's worse than scum, this man. He's taken us for fools!"

"Whatever lies he has fed you, don't believe them! Throw them out of the building now!"

The silent Rick McBride rushed forward and landed consecutive slaps across Alec and Seagal's faces. "You bloody idiots! How dare you speak about our patron this way! You are nothing more than bugs in his presence!"

Patron? The two traitors caressed their stinging red faces, confused. How was Victor a patron of Shannon Inc.? That did not make any logical sense.

Didn't all six of them resign from his drowning company this morning? They crunched the numbers to discover that Damone Industries would be boarded up in a week!

"Who are these clowns?" Edward Shannon asked Rick with an annoyed expression.

Rick looked guilty. "I'm sorry, sir. But we just hired them. They came over from Damone Industries."

Edward turned to Victor, who gestured that he'll handle the situation.

Victor left his seat and walked up to Alec and Seagal. "Both of you are fired," he said with finality and turned to Alan, the new CEO of Damone Industries.

"Moving forward, Shannon Inc. will be the major client of Damone Industries. Both companies will complement each other in terms of production and supply. Baron International has agreed to hand over a thirty million dollar housing project near Springfield rapids to us. Both companies will complete the project together, and profits will be shared evenly."

Edward Shannon's eyes lit up. "Oh, this is great news, sir! After Baron International took over our company, I was already elated. Now you have brought us such a massive project? It will make Seaboard the second leading industrial block in Springfield!"

Alec and Seagal's stomachs lurched. A thirty-million-dollar project! If they had been a part of it, they could have made half a million each at least! Was Victor Damone indeed capable of such miracles? Had he been keeping his influence secret?

Alec and Seagal went to their knees, as did the other traitors. "Mr. Damone! I have come to my senses! Please forgive me!" Alec said, with folded hands.

"I apologize for my rash behavior, sir!" Seagal cried. "I was ignorant! Please take us back!"

Victor ignored them, getting up, and buttoning up his suit gracefully.

The CEO, Rick McBride, approached the traitors. He grabbed Alec and Seagal by the scruff of their necks and dragged them out of the lobby into the corridor. "Get out of here, you scum!"

Victor walked into the VIP lift as the raucous screams of repenting traitors rang throughout the corridor.

***

Clive Baron was waiting for him in the garage. "How did it go, sir? Did Shannon act with courtesy? He can get a little too excited."

"Shannon is your subordinate, I assume?"

The billionaire nodded. "Unfortunately so, sir. He's my protégé and is still learning from my guidance."

Victor nodded and checked his phone for messages. He found a WhatsApp message from a saved number. Sophia Baker. The cardiac surgeon who operated on Edgar. She had tricked Carol into giving her Victor's unlocked phone.

[This is Sophia. We met today in Springfield Hospital. Let's have dinner.]

She was a woman of few words and did not mess around giving lengthy introductions. She straightway went for the kill. Victor had a shorter reply for her. "I'm busy."

He had received an email from [realhaleyb@gmail.com].

[Dearest Victor, this is Haley B. Hope you still remember me. I heard you're active again. Incidentally, I have a concert in Springfield tomorrow. Please come to meet me. If you don't, I'll leak to social media that I, Haley B, international superstar, am your lover.]

[Yours forever, Haley B.]

Victor sighed and deleted the email immediately. Haley B was one of the biggest pop stars in the country and had three blockbuster movies under her belt. She was a brand ambassador for luxury products like Chanel and Dior. However, she was obsessed with Victor and wanted his attention.

"Where to next, sir?" Clive asked, interrupting his thoughts. "I am excited to know about your plans."

Victor nodded. Soon, he would get a mission from the New World Order and had to be ready. Clive was simply speaking in code.

"You shouldn't be chauffeuring me around during the day," he said, drawing a frown from Clive. "If someone recognizes you, it will be trouble."

"But, sir…"

"You can be my driver at night. During the daytime, I'll use an inconspicuous ride."

The billionaire relaxed. For a moment, he thought he was being replaced as his servant. "What kind of ride do you need, sir?"

"Let's go to the nearest motorcycle dealership. About my plans, I'll communicate them once I wrap up a few things in Springfield."