Changing Places with Yourself

Chapter 20

I ask the brothers with me, “So, was that an act or is he sincere in his disdain for what your father did?”

“Probably a little of both, though I doubt he knew we were being robbed.” Asher conceded.  Tony agreed, “Yeah, I think, part of him is trying to distance himself from Albert’s thievery and the other part is genuinely upset that he wasn’t able to stop it before now.”  “There was a time before the head, on his shoulders, got so big and full of himself that we all had fun together as a family minus that prick.” Allen pointed at Albert on the TV.  “Why don't you guys go to Conference Room A and talk it out before the press show up?” I offered, “I'll have Adam brought to you.”

They all agreed and Steve had the guard with Adam bring him to Conference Room A, the same one he was in earlier signing the contract.  Tony knew the way so he led his other two brothers there.  Soon I switched views to Conference Room A from Grandpa’s office, since all of our rooms have cameras and mics installed.  It makes it easier to keep track of everything important said in meetings and typing up the minutes is a breeze.  It was awkward for the first few minutes watching them all just sit there until Joyce came in with a tray and handed them each a fresh drink that she got from the mini bar in Jimmy’s office, the booze was not quite as top-shelf as Grandpa’s liquor but still good.  I could tell by the way she studied the younger three she was trying to confirm my suspicions of the parentage for them.  They all thanked her as June came in with the statements for the press if they were forced to speak.  A few minutes later Steve brought in lunch, which was BBQ.  “Please, oh please, tell me those ribs have Becky special sauce on them.” Tony pleaded with Steve.  “Yep, she made a second bottle after you passed out last night, just for lunch today.  Mr. Harold loves to put it on his steaks even when it's not grilled.” Steve chuckled.  “Guys, get ready to taste a bit of heaven, Becky’s barbecue sauce is the best I’ve ever had.” Tony gushed about it to his brothers.

After the first few bites, Allen proclaimed, “Well shut my mouth and call me Shirley.  Little brother, where did you find her again?  Brains, beauty, grace, wit, and she cooks like a Chef.  Now, boys, we can’t let this little lady getaway.  One of us needs to convince her to dump that asshat w***e she’s married to and get hitched to one of us.”  “It’s really too bad the only one I’m attracted to is bigger w***e than Evan,” was my passing thought as I munched on my burger.  I switch to a dual-screen so I could see both offices at the same time.  Of course, Albert was speaking with his mouth full of food, yet again trying to weasel his way out of everything.  Grandpa ate quietly listening to Albert as he dug the hole he was in deeper and deeper until finally, he cracked, “Albert, shut up already.  What’s done is done and you will stand beside me and nod when I announce your retirement today and named Tony as your successor.  If you say one word to the contrary, my team will begin playing the footage of you and Adam standing outside this office. Where you both were plotting to try to steal my company by using my granddaughter’s ‘lack of business savvy’ to your own advantage.  Everyone in the press will get a copy of the contract that you changed.  Along with that, you will be arrested for stealing from your three younger sons for all these years, right in front of all those cameras.”

“So, what do I get if I comply?” Albert asked belligerently.  “You’ll receive the same retirement package you provide for all of your employees, just to keep things fair.  I don’t want anyone to think you’re getting special treatment.  Besides, you get to keep Adam from being arrested along with you on conspiracy to defraud charges.  We know he’s your Golden child, your favorite son, and you don’t want to see him in handcuffs being put in the back of a police car, do you?  Though after what he tried to force Becky to do, under your orders, he deserves it.” Grandpa grumbled.  “Fine, give me your agreement in writing that you won't penalize my Adam and I'll behave at the press conference.” Albert relented.  Grandpa handed him the paper I had drawn up yesterday while I was stuck for two hours in the warehouse and nothing to do.  I also wrote up a few orders for Stovard's HR department to fire Adam's assistant, the “slut”atery, for wearing inappropriate attire in gross violation of the company's dress code.  That was hand-delivered by James as soon as he got to their offices.  He also gave them the order to have the IT department go through her computer with a fine-tooth comb to see if she had anything in there that we needed to know about.  Other than being skeezy, she gave me a very bad vibe when I met her yesterday.  Wow, only yesterday, so much has happened and so much is still to come that feels like a week has passed already, but it’s not even 24 hours yet.  I shook my head to clear it as Tony began talking to Adam on behalf of himself and his brothers, “We have hated you for so long, you know that right?” Adam nodded sadly, “I honestly was mad at all because I thought you were just being jealous about how Dad treated me, but now I know some of the hell he put you through.  I don't know how to apologize enough, I had no idea he was stealing from any of you or I would put it to a stop.”

“As CEO wasn’t going over the payroll something you should have been doing with the finance department?” Asher asked angrily.  “Normally, yeah, a CEO takes care of that stuff, but Dad would never turn over that aspect of the company to me, no matter how much I requested it.  Now I fully understand why he wouldn't, because he didn't want to get caught.” Adam exclaimed.  All four of them began bashing Albert's parenting skills for a few moments before their mother was brought into the room. Dylan explained that she had been briefed, on the way in, about what was going on and would transpire.  So, she could stand with her sons and support at the conference.  This was to ensure that no i***t journalists could try to turn it against them.  Because heaven knows, there will be one who tries to spin it to cause a maximum drama just to sell papers.  Anything for the almighty dollar! 

Adam's phone rings and by the sound of the screeching coming from the other side I would hazard a bet it’s his ex-assistant yelling in his ear. “Darla, will you shut up for one second to let me find out what’s going on?” Adam gritted out between his clenched teeth.  Everyone at the table looked askance at him to see what was wrong.  “Darla just got removed from our building after HR terminated her and she wants me to make them hire her back immediately.”  Steve piped up, “Sorry but that’s not going to happen.  Boss lady ordered her termination and since after you signed those papers today, she is your boss as well, so until things get settled her word goes.”  “Why on Earth did she get rid of my PA?” Adam demanded.  Knowing Steve didn't have the answers I rang his phone and had him put me on speaker, “I had her fired because Darla's appearance was so far from professional as you can get unless her profession is walking the streets searching for John to service for cash.  She isn’t someone who represented the values of the company.  Heck, I doubt she values herself or your opinion, given the email I just received from your IT department, they found a hidden folder labeled wedding.  Seems she had planned her ‘wedding’ to you scheduled down to the tea, including her plan to drug you so that you'd say ‘I do’.  I just sent Steve a copy of the file to his tablet, so he can pull it up and show you on the plasma.  My suggestion would be to first block her number from your phone and then ask Claude to get you a restraining order issued ASAP.  Unless of course, you want to make her Mrs. Adam Bartholomew Stovard over the weekend during your business trip to Vegas, I'm just saying.” I laugh. “She should have known better, I mean, everyone knows you hate blondes after catching Wendy with, wasn’t it 2 guys at the same time,” I asked in a snarky manner.  Adam is beyond mad at this point as he yelled into his phone, “Darla, go to hell and lose my number!  You are fired for dressing like the slut you are!  Don’t try to get back in the building or you will be arrested.   I know what you were planning to do to me in Vegas, so if you show up while I’m there I’ll personally have your ass tossed in jail.” he hung up and blocked her number immediately on his phone.  “Now Mrs. Novell, you need to tell me how the hell you know about Wendy.” he demanded, “Why don't you stop hiding behind the phone and get your fat ass in here to face me directly.”  “Wow, really mature there, Champ, but I’m headed that way anyway right now, not because of you, but because I’ve got the final statements printed for everyone.  I hope you don’t actually kiss your mom with that mouth of yours, by the way?  Hey, Tony, I got $20 bucks that says we see drool.” I add.  Asher snickered, “I got $20 on the jaw hitting the floor first.”  “I'm with Ash on this.” Allen concurred while avoiding Adam’s curious glances at them.  “Mom, I'll explain everything later just trust us you're in for a treat,” Tony promised her as I walked in the room.  “Hello Adam, Asher, Alan, Tony, and Mrs. Stovard.  I'm Becky Novell.”  I address the last statement to her as Adams jaw dropped to the table.  “You might want to close your mouth there, slick, you're beginning to drool.” I mock him slightly. “Looks like we both win, Becky,” Asher said as he leaned over and literally pushed Adam's mouth closed, and then wiped his chin with a napkin.  “Wait, how? You? Different?” Adam babbled.  “Oh, look he’s reverted back to childhood again before he was able to form a full sentence isn't it just so cute?” Allen joked.  His siblings snorted back their laughter until a side-by-side picture of me in the and out of the disguise flashed on the screen so their mom would understand. 

I moved to the head of the table and stood thereafter I gave Steve the papers to hand out to everyone as Claude, Grandpa, and Albert walked in the room.  Albert looked as stunned as Adam had when I began talking, “First off, yes this is my normal appearance.  Yesterday and this morning I had on a disguise.  Secondly, in front of you are your statements to the press.  Grandpa and I will field any questions, but these,” I pointed to their papers, “are specifically designed for how you will respond if the press asks you anything directly, questions?”  “I have 1, why did you hide that glorious figure?” Adam crooned.  I rolled my eyes, “You're not seriously hitting on me again, are you?  I shouldn’t have to remind you, Adam, of the lesson I taught you yesterday.” He had the decency to look a bit guilty, “No I'm just trying to understand.”  “My reasons for the outfit I was wearing are my own and will stay that way. Maybe one day, one of your brothers will explain it to you, when you mature.”  I concluded by tossing him another ice pack, which started his brothers laughing their heads off.  He didn’t catch it so it slid off the table landing in his lap.  “Steve, Grandpa, and Claude gave a quick chuckle too.  Somehow, I was able to maintain a semi-straight face at the look of horror that flashed across Adam’s.  Meanwhile, his parents were looking completely lost at what was so funny.  Claude offered me his seat when he went to address the room, “When the press are seated Mrs. Novell will give the opening statement including the information that Stovard International Incorporated is now owned by Novell Industries, effective this morning.  She will layout how the final talks took place yesterday before the actual signing of the contract this morning.  One of the key points she will make on this is the fact that Stovard will remain privately owned just as Novell is.  As each of you walks in to sit on the dais, she will introduce you, and then she will handle a few questions before turning over the podium to Mr. Harold.  He will read his statement and open the floor again to a few questions.  If someone of the press corps asks any of you something directly please read what has been prepared for you without deviation.” He was looking at Albert when he said that last line, glaring might be a better way to describe that glance.  Grandpa got up to speak as Claude sat back down.

“We have about 45 minutes before they begin arriving if you wish to memorize what you should say, please do so.  Although the podium has a monitor built-in that can show you your lines if you need them.  This way it appears more natural and more conversational to the audience.  Makeup and hair people are here set up in Conference Room B so that you can all look your best on camera.  Becky, why don’t you take Mrs. Stovard over and get started.  We all know how long it takes for a lady to put on her face.” Grandpa teased.  “Subtle, Grandpa, well played,” I uttered, as I lead Amanda out the door.