George Agnew sat back in his leather chair. His hands were folded calmly on the table, but the cold glint in his eyes said everything, this wasn't a casual meeting.
Philip stood before him, slightly tense, like someone used to being in control, yet still seeking approval.
George finally spoke, with his deep and smooth voice. "Yes, I wanted to see you face to face," he said. "You've done well so far. Moved quietly. But now... now the final pieces are coming together."
Philip nodded slightly. "Everything's on track."
George tilted his head, watching him carefully. "How are things with Raymond? He doesn't suspect anything… does he?"
Philip gave a calm, almost smug smile. "Of course not. He still sees me as part of his loyal circle.
George smirked. "Good. Good, son."
Those words, "Good, son," hung in the air longer than they should. Philip caught it, felt it deep in his chest, but didn't let it show. He'd waited his whole life to hear those words. And now... now they were being handed out like a reward, not affection.
"So," George continued while leaning forward, "how's the pitching going?"
Philip straightened his jacket. "The board convenes today. It's the final process, the voting stage. But I'm confident. They'll vote to sell ADIG Group."
George smiled. A slow, calculating smile. "Excellent. That's why we've placed our hands on it… through Sasson Group."
There it was. The shell company. The real buyers. The trap is hidden in plain sight.
George asked, "How much do you think the highest bid will be?"
Philip paused. "Not more than 2.7 billion dollars."
George nodded once. "Good. That's what we'll offer. That's what we'll pay... to take everything from Raymond. Piece by piece."
Philip gave a subtle nod, then added, "Also… there's something else. Alex has started digging."
George raised an eyebrow. "Digging?"
"I found out he's discovered some confidential files tied to Rebecca. He's putting pieces together quietly but persistently. He doesn't trust her anymore. He might cause trouble sooner or later."
George leaned back slightly, his expression remained unchanged. "We already planned on handling him later. But if you believe he's becoming a real threat…"
He turned slightly, speaking toward the shadows behind Philip.
"David will handle it. Immediately. Don't worry."
Then his expression darkened
"This," George said quietly, "is just the beginning. The beginning of destroying everything Raymond ever built."
He looked at Philip with sharp eyes. "What's next? What happens after the sale?"
Philip didn't hesitate. "Raymond will use the money to pay off his massive debts. But once that's done, he'll try to bounce back, try to invest in smaller ventures, buy stakes, stabilize his empire again…"
He paused, and then added with cold confidence, "But I'll be there to make sure he doesn't succeed. Not in any of it."
George nodded slowly, clearly pleased. "Good. Very good."
Then his voice dropped lower, almost like a whisper meant to echo forever.
"Do this well… and you'll have your place by my side. Fully accepted. Officially known… as my son."
Philip's heart skipped.
That word again, son.
All his life, he had worked in the shadows of George Agnew. Raised by him. Trained by him. Used by him. But never acknowledged. Never seen in family photos. Never introduced to the world. He was the secret, the hidden card.
George had adopted him when he was just a broken, gifted 7-year-old boy with sharp eyes and a sharper mind. He saw something in Philip that no one else did. But he never showed him off. Never claimed him in public.
And Philip… he had done everything to earn that place. Everything.
Now, he was being promised what he had craved since childhood, not just power. Not just money. A name. A place. A father.
"Finish the job," George said with a finality that chilled the room.
"Destroy ADIG Group completely."
He stared at Philip like a general giving his soldier the final command.
"Do that," he said, "and you'll have my name."
Philip didn't blink. He didn't smile.
But deep down, something inside him twisted. This was the moment. The final test.
And he wasn't going to fail.
"..."
As Philip stepped out of George Agnew's office, he was still replaying those words in his head:
"Do this, and you'll have my name."
That name, that legacy, that validation
It was so close now that he could almost touch it.
He was lost in thought when David, George's righthand man, walked up quickly with a sharp navy blue suit in his hands.
George's voice came from behind, calm and commanding. "I noticed you didn't come dressed for the occasion. Put that on. Go straight to the office. We don't waste time."
Philip nodded. "Thank you, sir."
The suit fit perfectly… He buttoned it up slowly, looked in the mirror once, adjusted his tie, and left for ADIG Group.
***
The boardroom at ADIG Group headquarters was unusually silent.
The entire board of directors, 16 of them, were present, seated in their usual spots. Some looked calm. Others looked anxious. A few tried to hide their unease behind blank expressions.
Philip entered the room like nothing was wrong, taking his seat at a corner, calmly.
Then Raymond walked in.
Unlike the previous meetings where he sat and listened, this time he stood.
He didn't smile. He didn't greet.
He simply looked at them, one by one, then spoke in a calm but firm voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we're gathered for one of the most critical decisions in the history of ADIG Group. Whether or not we sell ADIG Constructions."
A hush fell over the room.
"I know things haven't been easy. We've faced pressure, internally and externally. But I urge you to look beyond now. Think about what this company represents. Think long-term. We're not just talking about numbers here… we're talking about legacy."
Raymond paused.
"That being said, the decision lies in your hands. We'll proceed with the vote."
"..."
The secretary stepped forward, laying the ballot papers on the table. One by one, the board members cast their votes, quietly, discreetly.
No eye contact. No whispers. Just pens scratching paper.
Philip kept his eyes straight ahead, not giving anything away.
When the last vote was cast, the secretary began counting.
Raymond stepped back, folding his arms as he waited.
The room felt frozen in time. No one moved.
Then came the result.
Out of the 16 board members, the votes stood:
9 against the sale.
7 in favor of selling.
Philip didn't flinch.
Now all eyes turned to one man, Raymond.
As Chairman and CEO of ADIG group, he held three votes. The power to break the tie. The power to tip the scales.
Silence thickened in the room.
Raymond's face was unreadable. He glanced down at the floor for a moment. Then looked up and scanned the room again.
Some members leaned in. Others sat stiff, waiting.
Everyone wondered the same thing:
Would he vote against the sale… and keep ADIG Constructions alive?
Or would he vote in favor… and give in to the pressure, hand over the company, and begin paying off the mountain of debt?
Philip watched him closely. Studying every movement.
Raymond was clearly torn, but not weak.
He stepped forward again. Slowly. Carefully.
"This company has been my life's work. It's more than concrete. More than steel. It's dreams built from the ground up. And every one of you here… helped shape that."
His voice cracked slightly, but he didn't let it show.
"But leadership… means sacrifice. Sometimes, even when it hurts."
He paused.
And then, with a deep breath, Raymond reached for the ballot paper meant for the CEO's vote.
The entire room held its breath.
Philip gripped the edge of the table.
Inside, he was screaming:
"Vote to sell. Give it up."
But Raymond... was still thinking.
The moment was here. The future of ADIG Constructions….
One man… One vote…
"..."