The company 6

The company 6

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The email put Stanley in a tight spot. He was happy to meet with the board and probably be given an opportunity to explain what he knew. But how was he going to explain to Anita that he was summoned by the board after he had submitted the evidence he promised not to submit? How would she bear the fact that he held her in his arms in her very low moment and comfortably lied to her? That thought ate some pounds off Stanley's body as he sought for the best way to break the news to his wife. There was no better way, everything boils down to betrayal and lie. He wished he could meet with the board without Anita's knowledge, but he couldn't. One way or the other, she should know about something as big as that. 

When Stanley couldn't find a less hurtful way of telling his wife about his meeting with the board,, he resorted to showing her the email. Anita read the message twice to make sure she understood what it said before turning to Stanley with an accusatory look. Stanley knew what she was thinking and wanted to explain, but she cut in. "So, the lives of my parents mean nothing to you? So your words no longer means anything that you looked me in the eyes and comfortably lied to me? You did well", she said with her voice becoming teary. After saying that, she left the sitting room leaving Stanley wallowing in guilt. That night, she refused to sleep in their bedroom. She rather slept on a couch in the sitting room and cried most part of the night. She felt so hurt. Stanley couldn't sleep as well. He was torn between the thought of what he was going to face the next day and the sight of his beloved wife hurting because of his actions. He too was hurt by guilt. 

The next morning, when Stanley was set to leave the house, Anita was in the kitchen making breakfast. Stanley went to the kitchen to kiss her, but stopped by the door and turned around. As he stepped away, Anita said "good luck. Go and say the day". Stanley turned around, looked at her, nodded in acknowledgement and left. 

Stanley got to the venue of the meeting way before time. He stayed outside and waited while the directors and others who were invited for the meeting arrived. As he waited, the managing director walked by. As he walked past Stanley, he focused a scornful gaze on him. Stanley greeted him while trying to avoid his gaze, but he didn't respond his greeting. Immediately the managing director passed, Stanley started feeling strange and lightheaded. He felt as if something left his body. He bent his head to rest a little only to doze off. The next time he woke up was when a messenger came to tell him that the board needed his attention. He sprang to his feet and walked into the meeting room. 

In there, there were the chairman, the managing director, eleven members of the board and one of the company's lawyers. Stanley was offered a seat and the chairman started the meeting right after Stanley introduced himself. He (the chairman) told the members of the board what Stanley had brought to him and asked Stanley to explain it in his own terms, pointing out the flaws he thought he found in the production of the fluid. After the explanation, the chairman asked him to relay to the board what had transpired since he went to the managing director with his findings. Stanley gave a detailed account of how the managing director tried to shut him up by bribing him, the suspension, the falsification of the documents and the threats on his family. 

While he told his story, there were looks of surprise and disgust on the faces of the directors while the managing director sat with a straight face. When Stanley was done, he was asked to wait outside. The board then asked the managing director what he had to say about Stanley's allegations. "It is very clear that this is a calculated attempt by whoever that is sponsoring that man to tarnish my image. None of what that man said is true. The said fluid was produced to the supposed standard. The documents are there. I wonder where he got his information from. What do I have with him that I will make threats on his family? I insist he must provide evidences proving his claims, especially that of the fluid", the managing director said in anger. 

The chairman asked the messenger to call in the others. A few minutes later, Raphael, the head of the production department and his assistant, and the chief internal auditor of the company walked in. Immediately the managing director saw them, he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. After introducing themselves, the chairman gave a short speech before asking for their testimonies. 

"I want you to know that whatever you say here will never be used against you no matter who it favored. This is the highest authority in the company. But be sure that the company will take any lie seriously and will deal with whoever told it. I urge you to say the truth and nothing but the truth", the chairman addressed them. They were individually asked about the fluid and what they know about it. They all said the said thing, stressing that the managing director recalled all the documents concerning the production of the fluid right after Stanley was suspended. They said another set of documents were given to them to sign. Raphael in his statement, mentioned that Stanley showed him some mistakes in the calculations before going to the managing director. 

As they were giving their testimonies, the managing director kept clamouring that they were all in the league to tarnish his image and fervently demanded that they should present evidences to buttress their claims. The board members asked if any of them had The supposed original documents. But none of them did. When they were through with their testimonies, they were dismissed. Barely had they left the room when the chairman picked on the managing director. 

"I'm so disappointed and ashamed of you, Mr MD. I wonder what you were trying to prove that you chose to throw the image of this company to the mud. That man came to you with something that should bother any reasonable human and all you could do was trying to shut him up. You think you got it covered when you destroyed the original documents and forged yours?,  the chairman said in anger. He reached into his briefcase, brought out photocopies of the original documents and that of the forged one and handed a set to everyone present. "You are asking for proofs, well here they are. I am sure you can see your signature there authorizing the production of the fluid with some mistakes in the calculations. Something that would have been treated like a mistake. I wonder what you were trying to prove. What stopped you from coming to the board and letting the board decide what to do? Did you ask yourself what would have happened if that man went to the press instead? And to think that a man of your status descended so low as to issue threats on human lives just to shut up the truth? You disgust me", the chairman exploded. 

As he spoke the members of the board had different reactions while the managing director bent his face in shame. 

What happened next? 

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