Chapter 32
At Lancaster Group’s main headquarters, the boardroom buzzed with tension as executives from various divisions gathered around the long table. Representatives from electronics, construction, shipping, advertising, entertainment, financial services, securities, retail, ICT, medical, and healthcare services sat with tense faces.
The atmosphere was thick with unease, and everyone was keenly aware of the storm brewing at the head of the table. Alexander sat at the head, adjusting his eyeglasses before coldly ordering, “Let’s begin.” His face was so dark that everyone in the room practically held their breath, sweating under the weight of his displeasure. The only person who knew the reason behind his foul mood was Tyron, who stood beside him.
Tyron took a deep breath and sighed, surveying the anxious faces around the table. “First on the agenda is the performance review of all units for the second quarter,” he announced.
The director of the electronics division nervously stood up. “Our sales have seen a slight decline due to market saturation, but we are confident that with the new product line p>
Alexander raised a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence. “I don’t want to hear excuses. I want results. The market is always saturated, Mr. Brown, don’t you agree p>
Mr. Brown swallowed hard and nodded quickly. “Yes, Mr. Lancaster p>
“Good. Next,” Alexander demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Lyndon Meyer, Alexander’s cousin from the construction division, was next. “Our projects are on track, but we’ve encountered some delays due to supply chain issues p>
“Delays?” Alexander snapped. “Do you think our competitors care about your delays? Find alternative suppliers or streamline your logistics. You must remember we don’t tolerate inefficiency, Lyndon p>
Lyndon paled, nodding quickly. “Understood, Mr. Lancaster.” As he sat down, Lyndon shot Tyron a questioning look, mouthing, ’What happened p>
Tyron shrugged subtly. The truth was, everyone knew Alexander was always strict, focused, and serious at work. But today, he was unusually irritable. Tyron understood why: Alexander was still convinced that Diana Jones and Rain Clayton were the same person, and Rain’s sudden act of avoiding him had thrown him off balance.
For Tyron it was unusual to see his emotionally deprived boss so rattled. He could not forget when Miss Carla had broken up with him and left after a long relationship, Alexander hadn’t shown any emotional breakdown or seemed too affected. He had continued with his routine life and didn’t ever mention Carla again.
Tyron had even doubted if Alexander had ever truly loved her. But, Alexander hadn’t been involved with any other woman for more than five years after the breakup, which made Tyron believe his boss had cared for Carla in his own way. However, seeing how deeply Alexander was affected by the mysterious Rain Clayton, Tyron was beginning to question his understanding of his boss once again.
Alexander’s frustration was palpable, and Tyron couldn’t help but think that Rain Clayton, or whoever she really was, had successfully gotten under his boss’s skin in a way no one else ever had.
The intensity of Alexander’s emotions was absolutely a new side of his, something Tyron had never seen before. The boardroom’s suffocating tension wasn’t just about the business today—it was about a man losing control, not of his business empire, but of his unexpected wife.
As the meeting progressed, Alexander’s ruthlessness became increasingly apparent. He dismissed any sign of weakness or failure with a cold, calculated efficiency. The entertainment division Director, Mr. Roberts, reported a dip in viewer ratings for their new TV series.
“Cancel it,” Alexander ordered. “We don’t invest in mediocrity. Shift your resources to something that can perform. If you can’t manage that, hand it to someone who can p>
The financial services representative, Mr. Patel, hesitated before presenting a plan to diversify their portfolio. Alexander listened, his expression unreadable.
“Interesting proposal, Mr. Patel,” Alexander said finally. “Have you considered all the aspects of this project? Remember that success is the only option here.” Mr. Patel nodded vigorously.
When the meeting moved to the medical and healthcare services, Dr. Thompson proudly mentioned their new cutting-edge research initiative.
Tyron hoped that the tension in the room might ease with some good news, but it seemed he had misjudged the situation entirely. As the next division head began to present, the atmosphere remained charged, and Alexander’s mood showed no sign of improving.
The head of the advertising division stood up, trying to project confidence. “Our latest campaign has exceeded expectations in engagement, and we’re seeing a significant uptick in brand awareness across all demographics. We’re also about to launch a new initiative that should p>
Alexander’s icy stare cut him off mid-sentence. “Should? There’s no room for ’should’ in this company. Either it’s done, or it’s not. I expect you to deliver results, not possibilities p>
The executive faltered, his earlier confidence evaporating. “Yes, Mr. Lancaster. The initiative will be launched as planned p>
Tyron glanced at Alexander, hoping for a flicker of approval, but his boss’s expression remained as stony as ever. The usual rhythm of the boardroom had been disrupted, and everyone could feel the heaviness in the air.
As the next division prepared to report, Tyron’s own anxiety grew. He had seen Alexander in many moods over the years, but this was different.
The meeting dragged on, with each executive more nervous than the previous. Tyron couldn’t shake the feeling that they were all walking on a tightrope, waiting for the slightest misstep to send them plunging.
And with Alexander in this mood, that plunge felt closer than ever.
After an exhaustive review of all divisions, Alexander leaned back in his chair, the room silent and tense.
“Let me be clear,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Lancaster Group strives for excellence in every sector we touch. I expect each of you to bring your best to the table and push beyond the challenges. We must innovate and adapt to maintain our dominance in the market p>
He paused, letting his words sink in. “If you encounter obstacles, find solutions. Collaborate, think creatively, and drive results. Remember, we’re a team, and our success depends on each one of you performing at your highest potential p>
Alexander stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. “Let’s continue to raise the bar of standard in our industries. You’re dismissed p>
The executives immediately rushed out of the conference room. Tyron watched them run for their lives, hoping this shift in tone would help restore some balance in the coming days.
“Boss, Twilight’s next performance is in two days,” Tyron informed quickly, trying to gauge Alexander’s mood. “Do you want to book her again p>
Alexander’s expression darkened further as he annoyingly hissed. “Damn,” he muttered, clearly frustrated. But after a moment, he relented, murmuring, “Book her p>
Tyron noted down the instruction, sensing there was more on his boss’s mind. Alexander’s eyes narrowed, his voice turning cold and calculating as he added, “And put a tail on Rain. Let’s see if she can dodge and slip away as easily as Diana Jones did p>