STEPPING ASIDE.

CHAPTER 30: STEPPING ASIDE.

Although Justin was physically fit, he was one who always avoided having physical altercations as much as possible, hence, the reason for his fright now that he was confronted. 

His eyes dilated, and he began getting sweaty, as the thugs advanced towards them.

One of the thugs swung his hand at the bodyguard, with a knife in hand. The bodyguard skillfully blocked the attack, and broke his arm from the elbow joint using his other hand. He screamed out in pain. 

The bodyguard then struck him on his throat, causing him to fall to the ground, gasping for breath. The other thug rushed at the bodyguard running directly with the knife with both hands. 

The bodyguard grabbed his hands with both his hands from above, and twisted both of the thug's hands, breaking some of his fingers, disarming the thug. 

He then nodded the thug on his nose, destabilizing him as blood gushed out of his nose. He then struck him in the throat as well, taking him down. 

Justin stood behind, watching the bodyguard skillfully take down those men to his amazement.

The other thugs looked at each other and charged at the bodyguard all at once. The bodyguard shook his head and brought out his gun quickly, and fired both men on their legs. He didn't want to waste energy exchanging punches with them.

Both thugs fell to the ground, wincing in pain. He then picked up the bag he had dropped, gently, and turned to Justin.

"We can go now sir." 

"Yeah, yeah," Justin nodded in affirmation. They walked through the thugs who were all on the floor, and got to the elevator, heading to the ground floor. 

Justin saw the caretaker of the complex at the entrance of the building.

"Here's your key. You can rent the room to someone else," he said to the caretaker.

"Aren't you coming back?" the caretaker asked. 

"Hell no!" 

Justin and the bodyguard hurried out of the building and headed to the car. They got in quick and drove off. Justin left the Bronx for good this time.

__________

The board members began arriving Cap Industries, one after the other, until they all arrived, in time. They knew Mr Bishop was one to not take kindly with lateness, when a boar meeting was scheduled. Moreover, the urgency of this meeting was clear, errgo, no one dared to come late.

They all got to the board room using the private elevator, and had very little time to exchange pleasantries before the board meeting began.

Shortly after, Mr Bishop arrived the board room, accompanied by Agnes and Gomez. Gomez stood at the door to the board room, but within, while Agnes exited the board room after she placed Mr Bishop's file where he usually sat, at the head of the table.

The ten man board members sat on their seats after they saw Mr Bishop walk in and sat down. The whole atmosphere then turned serious.

"Good morning everyone," Mr Bishop greeted. "I'm glad we could all make it here, even on short notice. Thank you all for coming."

Some of the board members nodded in acknowledgement, while some smiled instead.

"Well, I called us here to discuss about a problem which was discovered, and the solution to the problem." 

The board members then paid rapt attention to what Mr Bishop had to say.

"Discrepancies were discovered from the records of the financial department. Monies allocated weren't judiciously put to use, and as a result we are experiencing some bearishness in the stock market," he began explaining. 

The board members raised their eye brows in surprise, nodding their heads.

"An auditing by a competent young man revealed this to me," Mr Bishop said. 

"So that means the auditing team were in on it?" one of the men asked, furrowing his brow.

"Obviously Mr Blake," Mr Bishop affirmed.

"Okay. So how then do we tackle this?" Mr Blake asked. "You did mention something about a solution."

"Yes, I did. I'm glad you were paying attention," Mr Bishop smiled. 

Gomez looked at Mr Bishop's direction, and knew what he was going to say.

"So, the solution is to put someone in charge, who can actually properly run the affairs of Cap Industries, and bring about a massive return of profitability, for us all." 

The board members nodded in agreement, seeing sense with what Mr Bishop said.

"So, it is to this effect that I'd like to inform you all that as of today, I resign as from the office of the Chief Executive Officer of Cap Industries." 

"Excuse me?" Mr Blake's eyes widened in utter shock. The other board members were equally as shocked. They looked at each other dumbfounded and confused.

"Hold on Mr Bishop. You're kidding, right?" another board member asked.

"Have I ever joked about such matters before?" he asked, chuckling.

"You just stated a problem, and your resignation doesn't look like the solution to me," Mr Blake said.

"My resignation is part of the solution, for if I don't, the one to fix the problem won't have room to do so," Mr Bishop replied.

"Who then is the replacement, another board member asked.

"My son," he replied calmly, "My son will be the CEO of Cap Industries."

The board members were even more perplexed this time.

"Uh, Mr Bishop, we all know you don't have a child. Well except if you kept that from us. But even at that how can we trust that he'll be like you?" Mr Blake asked.

Mr Bishop smiled at Mr Blake for that question, and turned on the projector with a remote control, and showed them some slides. 

This is my son, Justin. He recently graduated from San Jacinto College Texas with honors, in Business Administration, the top of his class" 

"He has held leadership positions in sportsmanship while in Highschool and his freshman and sophomore year in college. And to crown it all up, he has my blood coursing through his veins," Mr Bishop rounded up. 

The board members all saw Justin's qualifications, but they still had doubts.

"So yeah, Mr Blake. My son won't be like me. He'll be better than me," he finally answered the question.

"So, who objects to my son taking over from me, as I resign?" Mr Bishop enquired, requesting a vote.

The board members looked at themselves, considering what to do.