366: Learning From The Devil

Learning From The Devil

"Well, this is the first time I've started a meeting in such a way. For everyone else who hasn't met him, let me introduce you to your new CEO, David Ruster. He is here today to meet the staff and learn about your activities." Samuel spoke casually, as if what had just occurred was nothing worth wasting any more breath on.

Ophidia may have been grateful for this, but it was hard to tell. Her face was redder than a ripe tomato and her gaze was down to the floor, probably hoping that a hole could open up and swallow her whole.

Dave smirked at the staff and drew a chair up next to Samuel and slid into it. He looked around the staff for a few moments before saying a simple "Hello".

Most of the people in the room nodded at Dave in acknowledgement, with the exception of two people at the back. They did not even try to hide their sullen looks as they stared at Dave. And he didn't miss it.

"David, as of now Sigma-Electronics no longer exists. You'll have full control over the company's direction and business decisions going forward. I'd suggest that you learn what your line of business is first before you start with familiarizing yourself with how the procedure of running a company goes." Samuel spoke slowly so that Dave would understand what he was about to get into.

Dave however frowned, he hadn't come here to learn what the company did to make a living, he was clearly aware that he was in over his head when it came to running the business, yet he didn't want to sound or look like an incompetent leader.

"Excuse me," one of the two men at the back, who clearly disapproved of Dave running the company, spoke up.

"I'm not sure how to put this any nicer, but you don't look like someone ready to run a company. You should probably step back and let us handle our own job."

Dave didn't even glance at the man. He had a few written notes laid down in front of him. Thanks to Samuel having already prepared some tips on how Dave should handle the meeting. Dave read a line in the middle of the page, and after a moment's pause he looked up at the man and said, "And who exactly are you?" he asked while remaining neutral.

"I'm Jonas Drek, the Head of R&D."

"Oh, Research and Development," he then looked at his paper and saw another line written there, again without looking at the man he said, "Well, thank you for coming in today, you're fired."

Everyone in the room snapped their heads toward Dave, with the sole exception being Samuel. A wide smile was plastered on the Devil's face.

"You can't fire me!" the man slammed his hands at the table.

"I'm telling you, you'll make this company sink!"

"I may be fairly new, but as the CEO and majority shareholder I'm bloody damn sure, that I can fire anyone, especially someone as incompetent as you. I don't know how the Webbs tolerated your existence in the first place. Your lab in R&D hasn't generated anything these past few years. No new projects, not a single patent for anything new, all you did was null nada nix zilch. The company's Electro-Technology has been stagnant for years. If not for the former large shareholder support, this company would have gone under years ago. I don't need old rusty material working for me, I need something new and fresh, Ms. Ophidia, let me congratulate on your immediate promotion, starting today you are our new Head of R&D. As for you, Jonas whatever your last name was. Fired! Since this is a staff meeting, I'm hereby asking you to leave this premise ASAP!"

The veins on the man's neck swelled, and he roared in protest, "I'll have my lawyers hear of this!" The man stomped his feet as he headed for the door.

"Oh, I wouldn't recommend that," Samuel interjected casually, slowly and most importantly, frighteningly.

The man shuddered at the Devil Barrister's words then turned to him, saying, "Are you threatening me?"

"Where did you hear a threat in my words?" Samuel Silvana asked with a toothy smile that made people remember Jaws.

The man shuddered and didn't move. He knew Samuel had more to say.

"Recently, the company's funds have decreased by 2% I did some research and noticed that there appeared to be a leak. Some of the money that should have been invested into R&D has gone missing. The amount was low, but accumulated over time it still generated over six million dollars in embezzled funds."

The man called Jonas, swallowed hard and feigned ignorance, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Of course you don't. However, I had a few friends do some checking, and apparently some of the money that was taken was used to build a nice villa overlooking the shores of Hawaii. The rest was used to buy some fancy cars and many other things that I doubt had anything to do with R&D. So tell me, Mr Drek, do you still not know what I'm talking about?"

Samuel Silvana's words tasted worse than any poison, the man shuddered and turned around ignoring the room. His lack of action proved Samuel's words.

"We're gonna let him go?" Dave whispered in a hushed tone.

"And let him leave the country? Heck no, I've already called a few policemen. They're waiting outside to arrest him as he leaves. Embezzlement is a federal crime after all. He'll spend a long time in prison. After of course, giving back all of what he took...with interest,." Samuel spoke in a tone for everyone to hear, and for everyone to fear.

The new Director wasn't as tolerant as the old one as it seemed. The famous Mr Skeletal, though he looked like a young man, started his first day in the company with a fist of steel. Among all the people present, only one was genuinely happy for Dave's arrival. The woman named Ophidia. She glanced at Dave with gratitude and utter respect.

The boy she just met yesterday turned out to be her saviour.

"Alright, next one is, Ferni- Fenire, Fenris? Yeah, Fenris Jackob's. You handle accounting, I presume," Dave looked up from his paper directly at the second man. He had a scowl on his face but didn't dare to raise his voice as his colleague just did.

"Yes, sir. I'm the Head of the accounting team. We manage the finance and resources of the company. Also, payroll."

"Hmm, you just said you also handle payroll? In that case as my first official company policy, I ask you to increase the pay of all the employees by 5% starting today." Dave ordered.

"What? That's a lot, it will stress our funds," the man immediately objected, receiving angry stares all around him.

"No, apparently it shouldn't," Dave mentioned with a smile, comparable to the Devil sitting next to him. He even swayed his index finger at the man as if to prove his point.

"The revenue the company is generating should be more than enough to handle an increase of 5%. It should make the employees a bit happier. I saw the situation before I came in. All of them looked dead tired. This is not a working environment. They deserve some off-time, give them today off and we'll have to revisit the working hours. Also, shut down the funding for the T-Chip."

"But that's our MAIN project. We've been working hard to make this!"

"Bull crap, this is just a rip off of another company's technology. I've seen this installed in Conquest's gear and sets. I don't know who approved of such a job, but if even a layman like me can figure it out, it's guaranteed that it'll get us sued by Conquest the very moment it's released." Dave argued.

Most of the words he spoke sounded smart and far beyond his level, but thankfully all of it was explained in the notes set in front of him. Samuel Silvana didn't wish to have Dave appear ignorant, so he had supplied him with all he needed to manage this meeting. However, surprise was still marked on Samuel's face. He had only given Dave crumbs, yet Dave managed to use these small pieces of information to make powerful statements worthy of a company leader.

"Then what do you suggest we do? We work in Electronics. We can't go back to our old projects. They have been overused, thought upon and made better by other companies."

"Why is your thinking so retro?" Dave sighed, "Who said we'll go back to the old stuff? Ms. Ophidia, I see here that you have asked for funds to get a new project approved, mind explaining?"

Ophidia started in her chair then stood up. There was a file in her hands.

"Yes, I wanted to share this with the company board when I came back from my vacation." She then shared her document with the rest of the people on the table.

Dave flipped through a few pages, most of what was written was tech jargon that he didn't understand, but when he glanced at the people looking intently at the documents, he saw interest written all over their faces.

After a few stressful minutes for Ophidia, the man called Fenris looked at Dave and gave his opinion, "This is really risky, it's too new. Innovative I must admit, but really risky. Something like this has never been put into the market. I don't know if we have the capability to market it."

Dave smiled at him, "In other words as long as it has the necessary marketing, you believe it will sell?" Dave summed it up.

"Worldwide marketing or forget about it," the man said.

Dave's smile grew even wider, "Isn't that what you have with me? Remember, I'm Mr Skeletal! I'm all the advertisement you'll ever need!"

The man's face lit up, "Right, you're absolutely right. Ophidia, send this file to my lab, I'll have the staff calculate the necessary funds. Feel free to select your own staff so you can be working on it as soon as I give you the estimated funds." The man spoke, excitement on his face.

"Of course," Ophidia agreed, her face beaming. Apparently, her idea was not only not refused but received approval — another step toward the top.

"Good, I like this. So what's left?" Dave looked at the files and frowned, "Fenris, mind telling me why we are funding Rembaldi Private Institution?"

When Dave finished his words, Samuel turned to him, "I was beginning to worry that you might overlook it."

"Yeah, didn't think they were in cahoots with this company," Dave said.

"They used our technology in their equipment," Fenris said, unsure what this question was about.

"Prototype treatment, bone and flesh reconstruction, Bio-Tech," Dave spoke.

"Y-yes, how did you know? That information was private."

Dave scowled at the paper and said, "I know, because I had the "pleasure" to be treated with it. Well, more like tested upon. Sam…" Dave turned to Samuel.

"Remember when I told you I only needed time and to do a bit of research before bringing them down?" Samuel said.

"Yeah," Dave replied.

"I no longer need to. We have all the evidence we need to bring them down now. The files from this company are in your possession, and they can work wonders in proving the inhuman treatment you suffered under the hands of Rembaldi Private Institution."

"Right, how long should it take for us to move on them?" Dave asked.

"I'm already on it, David. I already filed a report the moment I received this information. I only need you to sign a document allowing me access to some of this company's files. By the way, did you decide on a name? I don't want to call it This Company anymore.

"Yeah I did, quite a simple one, Skelectronics," Dave announced with a proud smile.0

The rest of the room fell quiet, pained smiles appearing on their faces. The name was shameful, but no one had the audacity to speak their minds. After all, the guy just fired the Head of R&D without batting an eye.

"Ugh, my niece warned me of your terrible naming sense… Whatever, I just hope others will find it more catchy," Samuel said while shaking his head.

Dave kept smiling and said, "I guess this is all, meeting adjourned. I hope to see you all later."

Dave stood up and walked out of the room, accompanied by Samuel.

"You seem to be in a hurry," Samuel pointed out.

"Umm, yeah, I have a duel coming up soon. Clash of Gods. Speaking of, I heard you also joined Conquest together with Dante. What class did you take?" Dave asked curiously. It was hard for him to imagine this lawyer as any class. A backline healer seemed as unlikely as a front row berserker.

"Merchant, I'm not a fan of fighting, yet I'm generating a decent amount of gold. The game is quite fun. I see now why it has such an appeal." Samuel answered casually.

"Merchant, huh. Well, if you ever want to level up or something tell Zoe. I will try to make some time to power-level you guys. For now, I have to go," Dave excused himself.

"Right, go and do what you do best. I'll be doing the same," Samuel nodded and bid Dave goodbye.

Dave, on the other hand, hurried out of the company. He had about half an hour before his match would start. He didn't want to be disqualified for not being there on time.

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