Chapter 3

I looked over the people who had signed the documents; some were legal experts, others were financial experts.

That was exactly why, if I refused to approve it, I'd be putting myself right in the line of fire.

I picked up my pen and wrote a single line in the risk-control lead's opinion column: I hereby exercise my single veto power to reject this share issuance plan.

That meant their share issuance plan could not be approved by our firm.

It was a serious blow to their reputation!

Everyone was stunned when they saw it.

Mamie shouted, "Are you insane? You actually used your single veto power?"

Paige said in a low voice, "Egbert Hughes, are you set on fighting me to the very end?"

A few of the experts murmured among themselves, "What's gotten into Manager Hughes?"

"I think Manager Hughes is being completely irrational."

Ronnie's face was very grim. "Manager Hughes, the Sanchez Group hasn't had a single financial or quality problem. Your veto will do serious damage to their reputation."

"That's right, our firm's financial experts went through it and didn't find any problems."

"Manager Hughes's move is impossible to justify!"

Paige said in a low voice, "I admit I never fulfilled my responsibilities as a mother to you, but you can't blame me. I have a new family, so of course I couldn't take care of you. But that's no reason to veto my company!"

My face stayed blank. "Ms. James, I'm a professional, and the law gives me independent decision-making authority! Besides, in my eyes you're just a stranger, so don't stand here claiming to be family!"

Mamie snapped, "Is there something wrong with you? How dare you talk to your own mother that way?"

"My mother died a long time ago."

I said it flatly.

Paige froze where she stood.

Mamie raged, "A person like you—ungrateful, no respect for your elders! You're nothing but an ingrate!"

I laughed. "Ms. Sanchez, this is an official meeting, not a private matter. Please keep your emotions in check!"

This share issuance was Mamie's main task now that she'd taken over as CEO.

Given the Sanchez family's reputation and influence, and with Chad and Paige enlisting the help of their longtime friend Ronnie, the task should have been easy to pull off.

And it was; if it had been anyone else in my place, it would definitely have passed.

Except I was the one who vetoed their share issuance plan.

"Do you really think vetoing the share issuance plan counts as revenge against us?"

Paige sneered, "That's right, Twin Peaks Securities, where you work, is one of the top firms in the country, but it's not like the world can't turn without you."

"Worst case, we let another brokerage handle the new share issuance."

"The Sanchez family is big and powerful; they can easily absorb this kind of bad press!"

"As for you..." she sneered, "I hear Mr. Lawrence has put you on the shortlist for Chief Risk Officer, in full charge of your firm's risk management, set to take the post in a month. What a shame..."

With that she walked out.

Chad glanced at me, thoughtful, then followed her out.

A chill went through me. Was he going to move against me?

Mamie gloated, "Manager Hughes, is this your revenge on us?"

"Your power is far too small; it means nothing to us."

"You, on the other hand—after losing this big deal, what's waiting for you is the company's punishment."

After they left, the firm's business department was the first to open fire on me.

"Manager Hughes, this was a huge deal we finally landed!"

"You handed the project over to someone else for your own selfish reasons!"

"Our commissions are gone, and it's all your fault!"

Ronnie shook his head. "The Sanchez family is big and powerful and has never had a financial problem. This deal was money handed straight to us, and you drove them away."

"I had already nominated you to the board as Chief Risk Officer, but you... are such a disappointment."

The colleagues clamored, "Mr. Lawrence, he has to be punished!"

Ronnie told me, "You're suspended for a week, pending the company's investigation."

The next day, word came from the stock market that the Sanchez family's stock had hit its daily limit-down because I'd vetoed their share issuance plan.