Chapter 259
Adrian’s POV
Council Chamber
I was seated beside Aunt Veronica as the council member spoke to Aunt Jane regarding my ability to work as acting vice president during this time.
As the council member came back, Fredrick took his chance.
“Fredrick is only nineteen years old, and he’s been working as the managing trainee for barely a year now p>
“You should know how much experience he must be having p>
“And that list p>
“Half of them have been around since I took over p>
“Some of them must have agreed based on the fact that I raised him, while the others must be cause of Jonathan’s trust in him p>
I kept quiet and listened as that’s what Uncle Jonathan taught me.
Listen, think, react.
I knew at this moment defending myself would only make me look like a child eager to prove himself.
I was nervous but determined to show the trust Aunt Jane had in me…was not worthless.
“Adrian,” the council member finally spoke.
“Considering Ms Jane Harmon recommended you p>
“We will give you the chance p>
“This is one of the pending orders of Harmon Designs p>
“If not delivered in time, the penalty amount is three times the order amount…ten million dollars p>
The council member passed the file towards me.
I opened the file and immediately recognized the order.
The order was yet to be made.
“I want you to review this and give me a solution that will resolve the matter within time p>
I took the file as Fredrick watched over.
I knew he was waiting for me to make a mistake.
“I’m sure he’ll manage, after all I taught him for seven p>
“Seven years?” I scoffed.
“I don’t recall ever sitting on your lap or having you tell me how to do anything p>
“The only thing I do remember is telling you not to cry as men don’t p>
“Whatever I’ve learned over the years I got my senses has been taught to me by Uncle Jonathan and now my Dad, Daniel Staf p>
I opened the file with confidence as I knew this was the moment to test what I had learned.
I could feel Fredrick’s eyes burning on me as I knew he was waiting for me to make a mistake.
One I just could not afford at the moment.
Pressure was building inside of me as my nerves were tightening.
“You have two hours p>
The time may look like a lot to others, but it was in fact a short time as the order was still in the draft stage.
I began to review the order.
I considered the designing time, the financial cost, the contract guidelines, the concerned staff, and the deadline.
At first I was overwhelmed by all this.
Then I remembered the people who guided me along the way.
The ones who made me the man I am today.
The ones who stood by me when I had no one.
My nerves relaxed as confidence slowly returned back inside of me.
I was busy studying the files, when a hand rested softly on my shoulders.
I turned around.
“Grandma p>
“I came over as fast as I could p>
“Ms Jane, how’s Mr Rollings doing p>
“Oh, he’s still in a coma, but he’s responding to the treatment so he should wake up anytime soon p>
“Adrian,” Jane said.
“Do what you know, and leave what you don’t p>
“You’re the vice president, the rest I’ll handle p>
I nodded.
“He’s always been keen on learning and is a fast learner just like his father Daniel p>
Her confidence in me boosted my confidence.
“Just be who you are p>
I smiled as I knew exactly what she meant.
Show you are a true Staf, carrying the blood of Daniel Staf, a man who made his own jewelry house.
I recalled how Uncle Jonathan once gave me a Rollings project telling he knows I can handle it.
Since then I have been handling some Rollings orders as well.
I realized they never tried to make me look like a successful heir, but a young man who could handle his own work.
For the first time I realized what they wanted from me to belong.
I exhaled.
“The draft can be completed in an hour p>
“If delivered by Friday, the cost will be around seven million, profit of three million, the guidelines state as long as the order is completed in time, there will be no issue, deadline is well within reach p>
“The design can be completed in an hour? And the deadline is for tomorrow,” the council member asked, confused.
I knew this was the central issue. After all, if the design isn’t ready, how can the design be made?
“Yes, we could use ai and get the design ready in like ten minutes, and get immediate profit of seven million dollars if delivered before time, but considering the reputation of Harmon Designs and the designing department who create every design by hand, that would not be a good idea, so an hour, as the design is almost complete p>
The council member listened carefully as I explained my point of view and how we can deal with the matter I was presented with.
“Mr Fredrick,” the council member asked. “What do you say p>
“Well, his verdict is truly what makes Harmon Designs stand out p>
I could sense the sound of regret as this meant I could be accepted as the acting vice president and Fredrick might have lost his chance.
The council member even questioned me regarding my evaluation, but I didn’t lose my calm and kept to my evaluation as I knew I was correct.
“Ms Jane,” the member said.
“You and Mrs Rollings have truly done a great job in teaching Adrian p>
“He’ll make a great president one day p>
I was happy to see the smile on their faces, and the trust in the council member’s eyes.
“In that case, Ms Jane and Mrs Rollings you both can take leave as I have some matters to discuss with Adrian regarding the upcoming Christmas offer p>
“Mr Fredrick,” he gestured to him to leave us.
As everyone left, the council member passed me a file.
I thought it was about the Christmas offer Harmon Designs proposed.
As always the deals had to pass by the council so they didn’t clash with other jewelry houses.
I took the folder and opened thinking it to be offered from the other houses for me to evaluate.
I froze as I saw they were personal records of my mother.
“What’s this p>
“Keep reading.” I did as the council member told me.
On reading I found out the paperwork was related to my mother’s biological parents.
According to these, her parents gave her away in return for a big amount of money.
And today they run a successful hotel over in the next city.
“Her parents sold her and they’ve been running a hotel since then p>