Chapter 3

Mr. Bennett entered, his expression composed yet urgent. "Mr. Dmitriev, I apologize for the disturbance, but I would like to inform you that the board members have gathered in the conference room for the meeting scheduled at ten o'clock. They're awaiting your presence."

Mikhail glanced up, meeting his secretary's gaze with a nod of acknowledgment. "Thank you, Bennett. Let's not keep them waiting any longer."

He immediately gathered the documents he needed as he stood up, adjusting his suit jacket with a brisk motion. "Ms. Jones, please join us as well. I'll need your insights during the meeting."

Ms. Jones nodded, her demeanor professional as always. "Of course, sir."

Together, they walked down the corridor to the conference room, where the board members were already seated around a large, polished table. The atmosphere was expectant, filled with anticipation and respect for the man who had shaped the company into what it was today.

Mikhail took his place at the head of the table, Ms. Jones seated beside him, and Mr. Bennett standing nearby with a folder containing the meeting agenda.

The meeting commenced with Mr. Bennett giving an overview of the financial reports since their last session. His voice was measured and clear as he presented the figures, detailing revenue streams, expenditures, and projections for the upcoming quarters. Mikhail Dmitriev, known for his sharp attention to detail, followed the presentation closely, his hazel eyes narrowing as he absorbed the information.

As Mr. Bennett concluded, Mikhail leaned forward, his brow furrowing slightly. "There seem to be discrepancies in the revenue projections for the next quarter," he remarked, his tone calm yet probing.

Mr. Bennett, caught slightly off guard, adjusted his glasses before responding. "Yes, sir. It appears there's a divergence between the expected revenue from our new product lines and the actual sales forecasts."

Mikhail nodded thoughtfully. "I want a detailed analysis of these projections. Verify the data sources and reassess the market conditions. I need a revised forecast by the end of the day."

Mr. Bennett nodded, jotting down notes swiftly. "Understood, sir. I'll coordinate with the finance team immediately."

Just as Mr. Bennett was about to leave to begin the task, Mikhail raised a hand to stop him. "Actually, Mr. Bennett, bring the entire finance team here. I want to discuss this matter with all of them."

Mr. Bennett hesitated briefly, surprised by the request. "All of them, sir? That might not be necessary. I assure you, our calculations have been meticulously reviewed."

Mikhail's expression remained firm. "I want them here. Now."

Mr. Bennett nodded reluctantly and left to fetch the finance team while the board members exchanged puzzled glances. It was unusual for Mikhail to call in the entire team for what seemed like a minor discrepancy.

Minutes later, the finance team assembled in the conference room, looking slightly apprehensive under Mikhail's penetrating gaze. Mr. Bennett took his place beside Mikhail, signaling for the team to begin their explanation.

One of the senior analysts stepped forward, clearing his throat nervously. "Mr. Dmitriev, we've reviewed the calculations and data thoroughly. There doesn't appear to be any errors in our projections."

Mikhail nodded, his expression unreadable. "Then why the discrepancy? We need to get to the bottom of this."

Silence hung in the room for a moment until a junior analyst tentatively raised her hand. "Sir, there's one thing that's been bothering me. It's about the sample products we've been distributing for testing purposes..."

Mikhail's gaze sharpened. "Go on."

"Well, sir," she continued, "I've noticed some irregularities in the tallies. It seems that some of the sample products have been accounted for in our sales figures, but we haven't received any revenue from those sales."

Mikhail's eyes narrowed as realization dawned on him. "Are you suggesting that someone within this room is responsible for this discrepancy?"

Before anyone could respond, the junior analyst's eyes fell on one of the board member who was sitting quietly at the far end of the table. The man's face paled slightly, and his eyes darted around nervously.

Mikhail's voice turned steely. "Mr. Richards, care to explain?"

Mr. Richards who was caught off guard by the direct accusation, stuttered for a moment before composing himself. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Dmitriev. I assure you, I've always acted in the best interests of the company."

As the tension mounted in the conference room, Mikhail Dmitriev's gaze bore into Mr. Richards with unwavering intensity. "Mr. Richards," he spoke once more, his voice cutting through the uneasy silence, "why do you have access to the sample products meant for testing?"

Mr. Richards shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his usually confident demeanor faltering under Mikhail's scrutiny. "Well, sir," he started hesitantly, "I oversee the distribution logistics as part of my responsibilities on the board. It's within my purview to ensure that samples reach our partners and clients for testing."

The CEO's expression remained impassive, but his hazel eyes betrayed a hint of disbelief. "And yet, it seems these sample products have found their way into unauthorized sales channels. Care to elaborate on that?"

Mr. Richards swallowed nervously, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "I... I may have taken liberties with some of the samples," he admitted reluctantly. "There was demand from private investors interested in our new products. I thought it wouldn't harm the company if I diverted a few samples for private sales."

Mikhail's jaw tightened at the revelation. "Diverting company assets for personal gain is not only unethical but also illegal, Mr. Richards," he said sternly. "Do you realize the gravity of your actions?"

The man bowed his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dmitriev. It was a lapse in judgment. I never meant to cause harm."

Mikhail's gaze softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "Consequences will follow, Mr. Richards. Ms. Jones, ensure that a complete audit is conducted immediately. I want to know the extent of the unauthorized sales and the financial impact on our projections."

Ms. Jones nodded briskly, her fingers already flying across her tablet to initiate the audit process. The other board members looked on in stunned silence, realizing the severity of the situation and the breach of trust that had occurred under their watch.

As Mr. Richards left the conference room under escort by security, the once-respected board member now faced the repercussions of his greed and betrayal.

"As for the rest of you," Mikhail's voice suddenly rang out with steely resolve, "let this serve as a reminder that integrity and loyalty to this company are non-negotiable. Any deviation from these principles will be met with swift and severe consequences."