CHAPTER 2

In the Benson group of companies, Mr. Taiye Jackson sits in the front row of the conference hall, where meetings are being held with the various boards of members working under his companies, all of which are registered under his name.

He speaks softly to his assistant, almost like a whisper, "Introduce the new head to them now."

All employees are seated in the meeting hall to meet the newly appointed CEO, whose name has already been announced. However, none of the workers have seen him yet.

Mr. Taiye Jackson, the former CEO, had been succeeded by his only son, Liam Jackson. His father, Mr. Benjamin, who was the first to create the Benson group of companies—thereby establishing the "Benjamin and Sons" brand—has already passed away.

Everyone is gathered in the hall to witness the transfer of company ownership to Liam Jackson. Rumors circulate that he is cold, unfilial, and that the workers fear being dealt with harshly once he assumes the CEO position.

Some have labelled him arrogant, mean, and unappreciative. Yet, he is known to be very hardworking, managing some private businesses in the United States before his father announced his retirement, urging him to return to Nigeria to manage the multimillion-dollar companies.

Initially, Liam had refused, as he had no desire to return to his homeland. He found very little interesting there, except for his mother, a God-fearing Christian who dresses modestly and never misses a Sunday service to pray for her husband and son, her only child.

Liam understands that his mother faced many marital crises at the beginning of her marriage to his father. 

Mr. Benjamin had refused to allow his son, Mr. Taiye, to marry her, Juliet, despite his father's insistence on marrying only her, amidst attempts by other women to seduce him and derogatory claims that she was barren.

His father was devoted solely to Mrs. Juliet Jackson, standing by her despite family opposition and encouraging her during the ten years after Liam's birth when they believed she could not have more children.

Liam knows his mother suffered multiple miscarriages, a result of the stress and worry about his father leaving her. Now thirty years old, he is aware of the sacrifices his parents made. His mother is sixty, while his father is sixty-eight.

Although he loves his parents, Liam feels betrayed. His father had deceived him into returning by lying about his health, even arranging for a fake doctor to call him in the States to discuss his father's supposed illness.

Liam feels angered upon discovering that his father is actually healthy, attending business meetings and effectively manipulating him into staying in Nigeria.

Inside the headquarters of the Benson group of companies—known for its oil manufacturing, gas plants, steel production, and other essential services—Liam prepares to be introduced to the various heads managing his father's empire on his behalf.

In a private room on the second floor, Liam adjusts his necktie, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and plain black trousers, leaving his coat on the table.

His father instructed him to meet the different boards and partners managing the business. With a heavy sigh, he picks up his coat.

His assistant, Brown, who was assigned to him on his first day at the company, knocks on the private room door. "Come in," he replies.

"Boss, it's time for the introduction to begin," Brown informs him. Liam nods and puts on his black coat.

Just then, his father's spokesperson announces in the large meeting hall, "Welcome Mr. Liam Jackson, the new CEO of the Benson Group of Companies." The room erupts in applause as he makes his way to the podium. His father is already seated at the head of the table while his assistant, Mr. Silas, hands him the microphone for a brief speech.

"Thank you all for responding to our invitation and witnessing my assumption of the role of CEO at the Benson Group of Companies. I hope we can continue to uphold our values of integrity and work diligently to elevate our company to new heights of transparency and quality products. Thank you all for being part of my journey, thank you." He hands back the microphone to Mr. Silas and steps down from the podium.

As applause continues, Liam walks toward his designated seat, shaking hands with a few top executives as he sits down.

His father, Mr. Taiye, smiles faintly at him and later stands up to give his own speech before Silas closes the meeting.

"Thank you all for honoring my invitation and witnessing this new beginning with our new CEO, none other than my son, Liam Jackson. I appreciate all of our past employees who have worked hard to build our name and create a transparent image as one of the best production companies in Nigeria. I implore all our old and new employees, as well as those in retirement, to respect and work amicably with our new CEO, supporting his decisions for the company’s growth on a global scale, as he has just returned from the States to lead us. Thank you once again, Silas. The floor is yours to close the meeting today." Mr. Taiye hands the microphone back to Silas, who shares updates about new products and prices before concluding the meeting.

As the attendees exit the hall, Liam remains behind with his father. Once most guests have left, he stands up and approaches his father, who is engaged in conversation with a colleague.

"Father, I need to speak with you," Liam says, waiting for his father to finish his conversation with Mr. John Patrick, a trusted managing director.

"Okay, son, I'll be with you shortly," Mr. Taiye responds, turning back to Mr. John.

"Oh, Master Liam, congratulations on your new position!" Mr. John smiles faintly.

"Thank you, sir. It’s an honor to work here with all of you."

"You can count on us, Liam. Your father is both my boss and a good friend, and I’m excited to see you take over. I know you will lead us to even better growth than your father and grandfather did."

"Thank you, sir," Liam replies with a faint smile; he appreciates compliments from friends and colleagues as they motivate him to work hard.

"You’re welcome, Liam. Mr. Taiye, I must take my leave. My daughter will be upset with me for missing her university graduation today, even after she called me to attend with her mother," Mr. John explains.

"I couldn't miss the introduction of your son as the new CEO, so I asked her mother and her older brother to attend on my behalf. She'll be quite annoyed with me," he adds.

"Oh, I’m sorry about that, Mr. John. I hope she understands," Mr. Taiye replies.

"Yes, she will," Mr. John responds with a faint smile, ready to leave.

"What if I make it up to her by introducing her to my son and perhaps extending our family friendship into a marriage proposal? I’m sure she would be pleased," Mr. Taiye suggests. Liam's frown deepens as he stands there, waiting.

Women do not interest him, and he dislikes the idea of his father trying to set him up with someone he hasn’t even met and likely wouldn’t be interested in, all just because of their friendship.