New Life : A Second Chance

New collaborators? Other than the ones already here?

No one had any objections to the current three - even towards Cosa Nostra. After all, if Kyle\'s best friend was the leader, there is no danger of the company doing illegal deals just to get ahead.

The fact that Xing Han\'s lover was a guy was no longer an issue.

Heck, his lover - no, fiancee - was the King of the Underworld!

With such a background, who was going to object?!

Kyle gave a nod to the security, and the door opened again.

Kyle stood up and introduced them as they entered.

"This is Sayuri Hinata, from Glomac Industries. Glomac Industries is the leading health supplements brand in Country Tz, focused on both traditional herbal remedies and medicine. She is currently Head of the Marketing Department as a stopover before taking over as CEO in the future."

Sayuri gave everyone a nod and a smile before sitting down. Next to her, was Ali.

"This is Muhammad Ali of MA Oil Conglomerates," Kyle continued, "I believe I do not need to say anything else as everyone knows of this company."

Everyone nodded, their eyes wide - especially Philip\'s.

One after another, he was getting shocks after shocks.

"This is Karen Tan, Xing Han\'s sister," Kyle said, "And the new CEO of the Tan Family business. The last CEO had to step down due to health reasons."

Of course, that was not the absolute truth.

Just like what Philip had tried to do, in ousting Kyle, Karen and Puay Kiow had done to their father. Unlike Philip, however, they had done so openly and by the book.

He had caused too much loss to remain as the CEO, and Karen was given the post as she was the eldest. Xing Han had rejected outright, saying he was helping his fiancee in his business.

Puay Kiow was to be the adviser and as for Zhènlín?

He was placed in cold storage, so to speak.

No, not literally. He\'s still alive, but stripped of power and forbidden to interfere with the business any longer. He spends his days golfing now, and found hitting the ball to be rather therapeutic.

The remaining board members looked at the six new collaborators. Each, and every one of them, had some personal ties to Kyle. It was obvious why they were chosen and why they had agreed.

Like Kyle had said,? the board members were chosen due to their loyalty.

There was no doubt in the board members mind that the six would be loyal and not betray the company.

Three of them were Dragons - Karen Tan, Muhammad Ali and Xing Han.

The remaining three were just as impressive, but have yet to reach the level of the former three.

"With this, the Smith Industries can only grow," Kyle said.

Everyone nodded.

"Those in favour of including these three as collaborators, with controlling shares, raise your hand," Kyle said, starting the third motion.

Everyone (except for stubborn Philip), raised their hand.

"Motion passed," Kyle said, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Now that we have that out of the way," Kyle continued, "We still have one more thing to deal with."

He turned to the old board members. The other four were still in the room, for they had not been allowed to leave.

"The issue of punishment," Kyle said, "According to our Rules, the CEO, or the Heir, has absolute right to determine the punishment for any transgression."

"Since the attack was against me, I will be the one determining the punishment."

"To the four betrayers, you and your family are stripped of all positions and power in the Smith Industries. In addition, you and your family are blacklisted for three generations."

As the Smith Industries dabbled in many things, it would not be wrong to say that over 70% of the work opportunities were provided by them, or their subsidiaries. In short, they won\'t be able to get any good jobs in Country Tz.

It was akin to a living death sentence.

Kyle then turned to Philip and said, "Philip Smith, for the offence of treason, you are hereby stripped of your position in the Smith Industries. You and your family are banished from Country Tz," Kyle announced coldly.

Philip laughed, "You can\'t do that!! Who are you to banish me anyway? What archaic nonsense is this? It\'s not like you control the government!"

Kyle threw a clear folder with an official-looking document at Philip. It was a decree that banished Philip and his entire family out of Country Tz.

"In case you didn\'t know, banishment is allowed under the Constitution of Country Tz," Kyle said.

"Country Tz was built by those who had been exiled and persecuted unfairly in their home country, and thus, loyalty to the State has been of the utmost importance of Country Tz," Kyle explained slowly, as if he was talking to a child.

"Thus, when I showed them all the evidence of what you had been doing to oust me from this position, they agreed that such a traitor fits the requirements of banishment."

Philip was so angry that his face was red as he shouted, "YOU ARE JUST A KID IN A COMPANY! What has that got to do with me being a traitor to the country and be banished?!"

Kyle\'s eyes narrowed and his cold aura became stronger as he stared down Philip, "Have you not understood it yet? Something so basic and simple?"

"Smith Industries is the heart of Country Tz! We are one of the pioneers and earliest founding members that helped the economy of Country Tz to reach it where it is right now!"

"Did you think that this company is just a plaything? We have responsibilities, not just to ourselves, but to the nation!"

"Attacking this company and its foundation is equivalent to attacking Country Tz!"