Chapter 258
Fredrick’s POV
Harmon Mansion – Study
“What??” I blurted.
“Damn those cops, scare the hell out of me p>
I walked over to the sofa and turned the TV on.
Ever since I came back, I’ve been making sure the cops don’t find out as now Jane and Veronica are the owners and if caught, I’d be trespassing.
I was about to take a bite from my burger, but ended up dropping it as I heard the news host speak:
CEO of Rollings Designs, Jonathan Rollings is in an indefinite coma after his car was rammed from his side pushing the car off the road before it clashed into the power lines. He was rushed to the Pearl River Hospital. Apart from his family members, jewelry house representatives, the council members are also at the hospital. Our reporter reported Mrs Rollings left the hospital a while back along with Isabella Staf, wife of Daniel Staf, CEO of Staf Studio as she was called for an immediate meeting with the council. It is said both Rollings Designs and Harmon Designs are in a mess after the news of Mr Rollings falling into a coma.
I leaned forward as I heard the news.
“If Jonathan is in a coma I trailed off a bit.
“Veronica, my daughter’s mind must be an emotional mess p>
“As his wife, I’m sure she’d love to be beside him in this critical moment p>
“But with Harmon Designs to take care of how will she manage that p>
“The state of mind that she must be in…could make my daughter make some irrational decisions p>
“And as her father, how could I allow that p>
“At this moment Harmon Designs needs a stable, clear, emotion free mind to lead it p>
A grin spread on my lips.
“How will she manage? How will she handle everything p>
I leaned back as I realized now everything must be resting on her shoulders.
Jonathan is in an indefinite coma.
The council will also want to know the status as Jonathan was just announced as the River admin a while back.
This was also the seasonal time and I knew Harmon Designs had tons of orders pending for the Christmas and new year.
Likewise Rollings Designs must be also.
And at this moment with Jonathan’s condition, Veronica won’t be the ideal person to depend on regarding business deals.
This is a vulnerable time for her and there must be sharks out there waiting to devour her.
I, as her father, should step up.
I picked my keys and walked out.
Council Chamber
“Mr Fredrick?” the council member said.
“I would like to meet the council head.” I spoke in an ordering voice.
“Sorry, Mr Fredrick, but now you’re not part of any jewelry house so you don’t have the old privileges you had p>
“The council head is totally a no, unless I think so p>
I exhaled as frustration always got the best of me but at the moment blowing my head off would only get me in trouble.
“I came to talk about Harmon Designs p>
“You know about my son-in-law’s condition p>
“My daughter Veronica should be beside him, but you’ve got her coming here p>
“Mr Fredrick, as a he trailed off a bit.
“Ex CEO, you should be aware of this fact, when the leader is not able, the next in line has to step up p>
“In Mr Rollings condition, it’s his wife as his daughter is still in college p>
“Yes, I know, but at this grave moment, my daughter should be beside my son-in-law, her husband p>
“Not attending council meetings or dealing with pending orders p>
“Harmon Designs needs an active leader who can focus minus emotions p>
“I do feel bad for my son-in-law, but I don’t mix emotions with work p>
“Veronica is dealing with Jonathan’s medical crisis, she needs to be beside him p>
“That’s why I came here to offer myself as a temporary solution p>
I leaned back as I was sure they would agree and tell Veronica to hand over the president post to me.
“I’m her father,” I said, hammering the last nail on the coffin.
“It’s only natural for me to make sure her father has her back p>
“So I request you to make Veronica hand over the presidency of Harmon Designs over to me so I can run it while she takes care of my son-in-law p>
I made sure every word sounded like I was supporting Veronica at a very crucial time.
I made sure I sounded like I was helping and not taking over.
I exhaled as I knew my words were coated and my true intention would be unnoticed.
“But he trailed off a bit.
“You’ve been out of work for some time now p>
“Do you still think you can deal Harmon Designs p>
“It’s not the same as before p>
“Of course I can p>
“I’ve kept track of the activities p>
“Veronica fills me in on every detail p>
“Will Mrs Rollings agree p>
“As I recall the last time p>
“The last time my daughter barely knew me p>
“But now it’s different p>
“My daughter is emotionally exhausted with Jonathan, having to deal with office matters will only drain her more p>
“Let us think it over and we’ll call you once the decision is made p>
“She’s coming over so let us ask her about this as well p>
As I was escorted to the other room, Veronica walked inside.
Anyone could clearly see the worry on her face.
It was clear Jonathan was the first thing on her mind.
I smiled as I realized she may just give in on her own considering the state of mind she’s in right now.
“Mrs Rollings,” the member asked.
“Considering Mr. Rollings condition, do you think you can manage Harmon Designs at the moment p>
Veronica paused for a moment.
I knew her thoughts were on Jonathan.
She also knew this was the seasonal time for Harmon Designs and not being able to function at this moment would mean millions in loss.
My smile widened as I realized I might be close to my dream.
I took the chance and stepped out.
“Veronica, this is the time when you should stay beside Jonathan p>
“As for Harmon Designs, I can take care of that p>
“As for Rollings Designs, Jonathan’s staff is more than able to function until he comes back p>
I knew my words were supportive and just what she needed at the moment.
If Veronica senses this and accepts my help, I could be back to leading Harmon Designs.
She was looking at me suspiciously but she was clearly exhausted as well.
“Mrs Rollings, one thing is a fact, you do need to find a temporary arrangement p>
“Let us allow Mr Fredrick to act on your behalf for the moment, until you can find someone else p>
I smiled as I knew apart from Jane, Veronica had no one and now with Jonathan’s condition, she won’t be able to do so.
Victory drums were already playing inside of my head.
I was about to shake hands with the council member, and he got up.
“Adrian p>
That name caught me off guard.
“Adrian??” I said as I turned back.
“Aunt, don’t worry, I told you Harmon’s will be the least of your worries,” he said as he sat beside her.
“Sir,” he continued.
“I have a list of the board members, our prime customers, and prime suppliers p>
“They’ve voted for me to take over as the acting Vice President p>
I looked at him with a dismay look.
“What’s he doing here?” I said in my mind.
Him coming over was practically ruining my plan.
The council member got up and made a call.
He came back smiling.
“Considering the performance Adrian has shown us, and the way he has performed under acting President Jane Harmon, the council has decided Adrian will be the acting Vice president under acting President Jane Harmon p>
“But Jane is p>
“I just spoke to Ms Jane Harmon p>
“She said Daniel’s family is there for Jonathan, as she and Adrian are there for Harmon Designs, Veronica can stay with Jonathan, and as for Rollings Designs, Daniel, Vance and John will handle that p>
“Oh, that’s great,” I said, smiling.
After all Adrian is the boy I trained for seven years.
Now it’s time to take back with interest.