The Jupiter Fund (New Rewrite)

Ambushed

The hour moved slowly for Margery. 'In the morning, I will be putting on a suit with no job to go to' she thought anxiously 'what will I do and how does a a fifty four year old woman with no friends make friends?' the thought churned in her gut, adding to her unease.


At ten fifty five her stomach began to tightened again. She crossed her arms on her chest and completed some more box breathing. At ten fifty seven, she stood up, checks her suit jacket was fastened, said a quick prayer and looked around the office for one last time, straightened herself and strode out with as much confidence as she could summon, shutting the door firmly behind her.


Thirty seconds later she arrived at the boardroom, the door was slightly ajar. 'You done nothing wrong Margery' she silently assured herself. As she entered, some of the board of directors are already seated.


At the center-left side of the table was Henrietta, dressed in leather pants and a leather jacket. Attire Margery considered inappropriate business attire.
To the right of Henrietta is Myles, wearing a cotton black shirt and bright white tie, which maintained his gangster persona.

To the left of Henrietta, new Chief Financial Officer Lloyd Green, at sixty-seven he had a lifetimes service to the company and filled various senior roles. The over head light reflected off his buffered bald head. His black suit and yellow tie looked dated. After Alan left, Lloyd recently swung a well paid senior management job for his eldest son Terry, a qualified lawyer, who Margery often wondered if Daddy bought him his qualification. Margery had little respect for both father and son, she had no doubt the last few weeks Lloyd sharpened his knives for her.

On Henrietta’s left was the new Chief Financial Officer, Lloyd Green. At sixty-seven, he had spent his life in senior roles at the bank. The overhead light reflected off his polished bald head. His black suit looked dated, his white shirt sourced from Walmart, and his yellow tie from a dollar store. Lloyd had recently maneuvered to secure a position for his eldest son, Terry, a qualified lawyer whom Margery often suspected had been fast-tracked. She had little respect for either of them and was well aware that Lloyd had been sharpening his knives for her gain.

Henrietta pointed silently at a chair directly opposite her. Margery side steps in, the board table way too big for the room. Once at her seat Margery gingerly sat down. No sooner was she seated then Henrietta checked her watch and a wall clock behind her, sending a silent message that she was in charge and she was watching everything.

Margery ignored Henrietta and looked straight ahead at nothing, a tactical move, she wanted to show them that they were not worthy of a glance from her. Her stomach was tense but she expected it would, she prepared herself mentally.

Myles leaned toward Henrietta and whispered something. Without looking, she nodded in agreement. The boardroom filled with all remaining board members. Finally Terry Lloyd bounced in full of self-satisfaction, it became clear to Margery that he now had her job. Her gut ached, but ultimately she expected it.


Henrietta checked the time and deafened the room with "It's now eleven am, we'll get started" 'her pitched tone almost pierced the walls.

"The meeting today is called regarding Board Restructure and Role Realignment, I will now pass it over to you Myles".

Myles clears his throat "Good morning everyone" as he glances across at everyone with an artificial smile. Margery felt her throat fill with bile.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that the organisation is positioned to remain competitive in an ever changing market. To continue the great work of Alan" he paused momentarily glanced at Margery with smug satisfaction "we have completed a review of the organisation and following board discussion it is agreed that the Investments and Property departments be amalgamated into a new department Investments and property. I am delighted to announce it is now signed off that Terry Lloyd will be Director of this department and will now be added to the board of management" Margery sits still and emotionless as she processes what was just said. Myles continued "I wish to congratulate Terry on his new role and we all know he will be successful." Terry received a round of applause, it now reaffirmed to Margery she had no allies on the board.


Myles hold his stare at Margery "I pass it back to you Henrietta".

Henrietta thanked him "Margery" her tone cold "on the sixth of August, you violently entered a reduced board meeting and threatened myself and Myles with terrifying aggression. Such behaviour will not be tolerated". Margery counted to four, she draws her attention to her hands, she didn't want to show any emotion. Henrietta continues "Your director of Investments role is extinct along side with your role as board director". 'Tomorrow I put on a suit for no reason' Margery thinks to herself petrified.

Henrietta clears her throat with a sound like a cat spitting out a mothball. "In addition to this amalgamation, Ruth Goldshitz will remain on as executive assistant to Terry and Maria Younger's role will be terminated. Now Margery reacts she opens her mouth in disbelief 'poor Maria', she thinks, 'she's getting married in seven months time, this is the last thing she needs'. For the first time Margery felt guilt for storming into the meeting, this punishment seemed harder than her own.


"Can I just say" interrupted Margery "Maria, had nothing to do with my behaviour, don't punish her because of me, I plead with you all to spare Maria, she doesn't deserve this"

"I'll continue" stated Henrietta coldly "Margery, Myles and the board understand a lady at your age is highly un-hireable." Margery frowned at her ignorance but remained calm "They have generously assigned you to head a new fund developed to attract a new cohort of wealthy individuals and give them a true return on their investment. You will report to Prunella D'arcy head of Fund Development and Services.

Prunella D'arcy a thirty five year old pint sized five foot nothing woman, with the temperament of a terrier and her sharp features displayed tenseness and zero fondness for Margery. She wore a fawn cashmere cardigan, more attire Margery considered inappropriate for business.


Margery clasped her hands together, externally she appeared confident, but internally it felt like a demotion. Prunella lead the Women of Platinum Bank program however provided no sisterhood to Margery. "So, your demoting me and your firing Maria" she thought of Alans advise to hold on but she couldn't do it "I am not going to sit here and take this, I hereby resign". Myles smirked, and Prunella glared more severely "You will be hearing from my lawyers".



Myles smirked "Oh Margery, your going nowhere!"