The Traps of Black Swan

At Harmon Industries,

In the conference room, the shareholders were demanding Leon's presence, trapped in the conference room. Harmon security guards were at the door without letting them go out. As time passed, one after the other started to fall completely quiet. 

The same middle-aged man carefully noticed the many shareholders were answering a call, then they were panicking and falling silent. It was very easy to guess they were being controlled.

He quickly dropped a message to a contact, [Looks like Leon Harmon is taking charge. What are you going to do?]

He waited but the response didn't come. He dialed the number but pretended to be receiving the call when others looked at him. He rushed to the corner of the hall making sure none were close to him. [Sir, the things don't look in your favor. I guess you should come and sway their decision.] He whispered.

A male voice from the other end sounded lethargic but held the weight, [Let him fight. the tide will turn once I step in.] There was confidence… Or is it overconfidence?

The middle-aged man grinned cunningly and went back to his seat. He started his task to rile up the other shareholders against Leon. He tried his best to make everyone voice they don't trust Leon.

Of course, the man didn't notice, he caught the attention of another pair of eyes other than Leon.

Meanwhile, Leon got majority shareholders on his side but he wasn't positive yet. His men reported that Aarvi hadn't reached Harmon Industries and he highly doubted if she would let him have his way. There were also other forces who wanted to take his position.

A secretary knocked on the door and entered inside the office, "President Harmon, some shareholders are still creating a ruckus. Chairman Harmon is in the elevator with a bodyguard. There is no woman or Second Young master with him." He reported what he was asked to do.

Leon furrowed. What was Aarvi planning? Why isn't she here yet? Leon just couldn't stop thinking about what her plan might be. 

'Will I be dismissed?' If she was planning to meet him after he was ordered to leave, then he wanted to make sure he doesn't give up at any cost.

He stood up and proceeding towards the door as he asked, "Where is Dylan?" He was planning to push Dylan under the sword and make him take all the responsibility. That way, he could escape the strike and take time to solve the crisis.

The secretary responded as he followed Leon a step behind, "President Harmon, Assistant Harmon is in his office. He is smoking, watching outside." He responded clearly.

Leon's eyes fell on the chubby, nerd lady secretary. He paused in the footsteps. She was one of the highly efficient secretaries under him. She was kind of cute, if he was the past self, he would have already tasted her but she joined after Aarvi made him impotent.

"Emma…" He uttered as he went towards her cubicle.

The girl stood up, pushing her glass on her nose as she stood up. "President Harmon, how may I help you?"

Leon stood with his hands shoved in the pockets. None could say he was super stressed and tensed to the bones behind that cool-looking face. "I want you to get me all the papers of Cornbell project which Dylan signed during my absence in the company."

The girl pushed her glasses on the nose bridge as she responded confidently, "Five minutes, President Harmon. I will sort them and get them to you."

If not Dylan, the perfect candidate for his assistant post was her. Leon merely nodded and went towards the elevator. Emma watched the president enter the elevator. Then she pulled a drawer from her desk. Her lips tilted up looking at the brown file. 'Boss is too smart.' She thought as she sat down. 

She was the same girl who had helped Aarvi in the bus stop with the wounds and stayed by her side till the bus was leaving.

She had prepared the file as soon as she came to work. It was Aarvi's guess for her work on the last day of Leon. 'Keep Dylan's signed paper handy. If not you, he will ask somebody.' Emma couldn't believe Leon sacrifices anybody for his well-being.

She quickly dropped a message to a number, [Plan A.]

-----

A floor below the top floor, Leon exited the elevator right at the time, another elevator beeped, announcing its halt at the floor. Leon put on a mocking smile and saw Elder Harmon coming out. His smile was faintly flattered.

Although Leon never let the old man starve or give poor quality food, Elder Harmon always used to have a glum face that was affecting him physically due to the house arrest. Now, the wrinkles on his old face created more due to the hearty smile on his face and he looked fitter than before. More than a decade had passed Leon had seen his grandfather real happy. The irony was, his grandfather was getting happy for his fall.

Despite the fact that Elder Harmon waited to see his grandson disappear, Harmon Industries was in trouble. Leon was very sure his grandfather was hiding his worry with a smile, just to piss him off.

"Grandfather, long time." Leon's sarcastic voice sounded, "I thought you got yourself a new granddaughter and forgot the rest." He scoffed, annoyance clearly visible in his eyes.

Elder Harmon pretended to be thinking, "I hadn't thought of it. That's a great idea." Even if he wishes to give everything to Aarvi, she definitely wouldn't take it. He was aware of it. He just wanted to irritate his grandson.

Leon: "..."

He followed the slow footsteps of the old man while the bodyguard made sure to keep the distance between them with his presence.

The security saw it was Chairman Harmon and made space for him. Chairman Harmon had every power to make the decision and fire anybody. Leon ignored it.

When Elder Harmon stepped inside, everyone stood up to pay their respect, without creating noise. Elder Harmon's eyes swept on everyone as he nodded at them. His eyes halted on a person who was leisurely sitting on the seat with a round hat placed on the face to avoid the light. It was the first time somebody didn't stand. It wasn't like it was mandatory, there was a weird vibe from that person.

He made his way towards the head of the large horizontal wooden table. The bodyguard kept a close distance as he made sure none were present to harm Elder Harmon physically.

Even Leon noticed that person but he ignored it. He passed ahead Elder Harmon and pulled the head chair flashing a filial smile. Well everyone ignored him and watched Elder Harmon. 

The bodyguard didn't want Leon to pull any tricks so went ahead when Elder Harmon was just a few steps away. "President Harmon." His raspy voice sounded as he pointed to the left side where a chair was left for him to take a seat.

Leon almost rolled his eyes, he didn't want to argue so he went ahead and stood at the seat. Elder Harmon sat comfortably and signaled the rest to take their seats.

The secretaries sat behind Leon. Leon moved the microphone up with the right hand and the left hand clicked on the small black button to turn on the microphone. He was about to start the meeting, there was a gentle knock on the door. 

Leon felt his back stiffen, guessing Aarvi's entry at such a perfect time.