Chapter 5 - The Snakes in the Boardroom
The introduction of Thomas Bennett into the high-society world of the Whitmore Group did not happen without resistance. While Thomas excelled in his architectural studies, Harold insisted on bringing him into the corporate headquarters as a special project consultant, shadowing the design team for the upcoming $300 million luxury resort on the Chicago riverfront.
This move deeply angered Julian Vance, the ambitious and cold-hearted Chief Operating Officer of the Whitmore Group. Julian had spent the last ten years positioning himself as Harold’s successor, since Harold had no living children of his own.
"Julian, look at these sketches," Harold said during a private executive meeting, sliding a blueprint across the glass table. It was Thomas's modification of the riverfront project, adding a massive public park and a community terrace to the luxury hotel design. "The boy has a vision. He understands that architecture should serve the city, not just the elite."
Julian glanced at the drawings, his mouth tightening into a thin, venomous line. "With all due respect, Harold, this 'boy' is a South Side labor dropout you picked up off a loading dock. He has no corporate experience. His design cuts our premium suite space by fifteen percent. That’s a loss of forty million dollars over five years."
"Some things are worth more than forty million dollars, Julian," Harold said coldly. "Samuel Bennett's grandson has the spirit of this company. I am thinking of appointing him to the executive design board next month."
Julian walked out of the office, his chest burning with rage. He knew that if Thomas continued to win Harold's favor, his own dream of controlling the Whitmore empire would die. He needed to eliminate the threat, and he knew exactly who to call.
That night, Julian met with Claire Hargrove, the disgraced former manager, in a dimly lit bar near the loop. Claire was bitter, her career ruined after Harold had blacklisted her from the luxury hospitality industry.
"The old man has gone soft, Claire," Julian said, sliding a glass of whiskey toward her. "He’s letting a charity case dictate our largest project. I need something to discredit the boy completely. Something that will make Harold throw him out himself."
May you like
Claire smiled, her dark eyes flashing with malice. "The grandmother, Ruth. She’s still selling those pathetic little wooden carvings at local community markets. And Thomas... he handles the project's petty cash flow for the structural materials. If a few hundred thousand dollars from the riverfront foundation fund were to disappear into a private account in his grandmother’s name..."
"An embezzlement scandal," Julian grinned, his eyes darkening. "Perfect. By the time I’m done, Harold will think the Bennetts are nothing but professional con artists who used an old winter story to rob him blind."
