Fiona

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 15

For the past three weeks that I have been working here, so many things have changed. I am not sure if everything has changed within the three months of my disappearance or maybe I just stopped knowing Arden. The company reputation has been growing worse and members are beginning to profit at the detriment of the communities we operate in. I have gone through many new articles and horrifying stories from our agents as to how they were instructed to increase the prices of our real estate housing and kick out poor families

. That is not why we built Arden, it’s not a place to exploit the people we claimed to be serving.

As if that is not enough, over 31% of the company shares have been sold to investors who only care about money and not about helping lives according to our corporate social responsibility. I don’t even know who they are and on what conditions the shares were sold. Not even my father is aware of this. I have been gone for just three months and only to return to see that everything I have lived to build is being torn down in my face.” Fiona continued blasting in the board meeting.

“Actually, you’ve been gone for more than three years” a tall light-skinned guy dressed in a corporate attire like the rest interrupted her. “Ohh you think so? Well, I was here the week before my mysterious disappearance and even before my physical return to Alisa

. If you are wondering how it’s because you must have forgotten that I can use my devices to work remotely. Come to think of you, you are very unfamiliar and I guess, you are one of the newcomers who live off stories from the street.” She snapped.

“Fiona calm down, I’m sure we can sort this out.” One of the elderly men spoke.”The new business plan project is canceled. I am going to re-evaluate this entire situation along with everything that has taken place within the last four months. It is about time, I will make some hard choices for the betterment of my company” Fiona blurted out.

“With all due respect, you are the higher shareholder, but this is no longer your company. It’s our company as we bought shares. We are equally notable for the decisions to be made here.” Another blond hair male figure answered and that took Fiona by surprise.

“I see, you are one of those newcomers who have turned down and tear all I have worked for. Well, if that is the case, I am going to return all of your money and take back the shares because as far as I am concerned, you and I had no business. And no one else has the legal authority to sell my shares in my absence, not especially when I am still alive. If I need shareholders, I will get value-driven people who understand the foundation on which Arden was built. Until then, we are done here!” Fiona stated firmly and walked out of the meeting. She made her way to her office on the 3rd floor of the six-story building. Arden Corp. was a largely white glass building located in the heart of the capital city. Like Fiona house, it contains many trees mostly fruits that were made for everyone who finds interest in it. There were many cars in the fence and had over two hundred employees and agents.

“What are you trying to do? Do you know how hard I have worked to get those investors to buy shares from our company?” Benji slammed into her office with complaints, Fiona was standing by the glass window and was soon taken aback by his action.

“I really appreciate all you have done for Arden, especially with me and my father being away. I am not trying to undermine your efforts but this is not right. I disappeared for three good months and my beloved family made no effort to find me because everyone was so busy selling off my company shares to those lunatics called investors. And I am supposed to just be okay with that? This is not the value we promised to deliver to the people brother and I am not going to watch Arden fall” Fiona insisted.

“Benji, I am so sorry. I was only trying to do what is right for us” Fiona stated firmly. “What I did and all I have done is right for us” Benji fired back. “You are just being so ungrateful. You gonna stand here and accuse us of doing nothing since your disappearance? That is just the last thing I would expect from you at this time Fiona. You are about to throw away everything I have worked hard for. He snapped and Fiona did not respond. She stood nodding her head as if thinking about her next words.

After a few minutes of silence from Fiona, Benji kept quiet and after a while responded.

“Am sorry, I didn't mean to come out that way. I just want you to rethink and consider this decision of yours. Like, work with us, and let's see how best we can sort things out. With you and father gone, I might have made some bad decisions but my intentions have always been for the best of Arden.” He tried to explain himself. “Give me a chance to fix this or at least let work on something together?” He pleaded.

”I will look through the files and see what I must do,” She said firmly and moved behind her desk.

~~~~

“Ms. Arden, I have the files you requested for” Perry stated immediately she walked in. She was soon followed by Olivia. “What is she doing here?” Olivia asked, pointing to Perry. “I told you she will be working here with me” Fiona stated.

“Yes but not as your PA” Olivia argued. “She has what it takes. Michel, though she would do a great job helping me settle in with everything that is going on” Fiona explained. “Ohh! Now I see it’s all about Michel. He also gets to decide who works here or not. Isn’t that nepotism to the highest.” Olivia commented. “This is more of a family-owned business Olivia if it was nepotism, both you and Benji won’t be here,” Fiona stated before she tried to stop herself. “I am sorry, I shouldn’t have said that but I hope you understand” She apologized.

“You know I was really excited about your return but it seems like lately, it’s all about Michel and what he wants. I just want my friend back. It is so hard to ask?” Olivia spoke in a soft voice. “Olivia, you always have me. I promise, I love you and you know I am always here for you” Fiona tried to reason with her. “Then why do we feel like we have to compete for your attention over Michel’s” Olivia demanded.

“I am sure it’s just the pressure about everything going on. From my return to Alicia, and someone trying to kill me, being with the Salamis, and now transitioning back to Arden with everything completely turned upside down. I am just trying to make use of all the help I can get. What I need is not you and Benji backlashing me but supporting me” Fiona demanded.

“I am sorry, I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I got your back. I am sure we can get things back to normal, Okay.” Olivia assured her. “Now, come here” Olivia pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for always understanding and being there for me Olivia, you are the best” Fiona thanked her while keeping her head on her stomach.

“I will just come back later” Perry who had been standing all along spoke out. “No, it’s okay, I was already leaving,” Olivia answered. “Let’s go out and have fun after work. I will come and get you” Olivia told Fiona and she agreed.

“I have researched and checked the files you asked for,” Perry informed her. “What are they?” Fiona asked. “It seems like your father signed most of the documents against your name. It also includes much selling of products that are not indicated within the fiscal budget nor do they appear in the overall revenue allocated for the past months. I am sure you are aware of the changes made to the real estate and the budget is really shaking ‘ Perry informed Fiona. “I am not understanding you perry. When you say my father signed the company against my name, what does that mean?” Fiona asked, looking puzzled.

“It means he might have thought you were dead and rewrote his will to turn over the company to Benji and Olivia. All of the documents indicated that you are no longer the owner of Arden Corp and not even existing in them. That gave rights to Benji to sell off the shares. As I speak, there is a negotiation going on for another 17% of the remaining shares. Leaving only 52% with your family. ” Perry informed her. “What the hell?” Fiona raged out.