“Bah. Son, daughter, what does it matter? Girls can lead a company just as well as boys.”
Justin watched his uncle with bemusement. The old curmudgeon sometimes surprised him.
“If it would make you feel better, I suppose I could try to be more considerate of your situation.” Barron pursed his lips, but then he noticed the sugar cookies laid out for him. “By the way, did that marketing VP turn in his resignation?”
“Who, Ross?” Justin frowned. “No.”
“If he doesn’t do so by COB today, fire him.”
“Why?”
“He came to me to discuss your comments on his latest ideas yesterday, and I told him to resign.”
Justin scowled.
“You have to make examples of a few. Then things will be fine. I won’t overrule you no matter who you fire. I’m on the board, but that doesn’t mean I want to make managerial decisions. That’s your job.”
“Fine. I’ll talk with Hayashi and see if we can cut the strings on his golden parachute.”
Barron smiled. “See? There’s a reason I chose you. We always were on the same wavelength, as you youngsters like to say.”
* * *
After Barron left, Justin got up and stretched, then poured himself a drink. Finally, it looked like he was going to have full control of the company. It was a considerable weight off his shoulders.
As he sipped his scotch he glanced at the clock. It was already a little after one thirty. It was a Friday and victory or no, he didn’t feel like staying in the office any longer. Just at that moment a notice came in that there was a replacement jet and pilot waiting for him at the airport.
Okay, time to go to L.A. and do some damage control. But first, he needed to take care of a bit of business.
Rita helped him put away all his documents. “Anything else before you leave?”
“Actually, there is. Can you ask Keith Ross to come to my office?”
“Sure.”
“And get the security team ready to escort him out.”
Her smile faltered. “Uh… Is he being let go?”
“Yes, but don’t tell him. You know the protocol.”
She nodded. A few minutes later, Keith showed up. He was always well-packaged—an expensive suit, an expensive watch and expensive shoes. His dark hair was slicked back, the high forehead shiny as a pebble in a river. “Hey, boss. You wanted to see me?”
“Yes. Close the door.” Justin pointed his chin at the armchair and waited until the other man was seated. “You’re being let go effective immediately.”
His eyes bulged out, making him look like a goldfish. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“Why? My performance has been exemplary.”
“If you truly believe that, you’re delusional. Your performance has been adequate, but is outweighed by your disruptive influence. Nobody can undermine my authority and expect to stay on my team.”
“Jesus.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Is this because I called Barron yesterday?”
Justin merely sat back and watched Keith’s face turn red.
“It was just to get some feedback. It wasn’t like I was going over your head.”