Mark Mason glanced at his phone. The messages were still in the positive despite the board taking their time. The dragging of feet favored his father, Morris Mason. If Mark was going to wrest control of the company from him, now was the time. Morris had out maneuvered him several times before, but this time Mark was sure that he held the upper hand. However, the longer the meeting took, the more he worried his father would find another trick to prevent it.
“My son seems to think I am going to cause trouble.” Morris sneered, folding his hands on the table. “He should find me very cooperative if given the proper motivation.”
“Just like you were cooperative when you stole Lab 18 from me,” Mark countered.
Why are you full of such bull-shit old man?
“You merely left yourself vulnerable.”
“The family and Mason Oil had no interest in that project. You stole it.”
“To teach you a lesson.”
“One that I have learned really well,” Mark snarled. “Never trust family.”
“Gentleman,” Vinny Dillon, the lead Mason Oil council, interrupted. “If we can get back to the business at hand.”
Mark glanced at him and noticed his father holding up his hand.
“Just a minute, Vin. My son and I have a few more things to say to one another.”
“I have nothing more to say to you, old man.”
“Mark!” Morris barked, “Even though we are clearly not business partners, I still expect courtesy when addressing your father.”
“It’s a two-way street.”
“Fair enough.” Morris slid his hands from the table into his lap. “I would like to exercise my options as CEO and sell out.”
“Sir.” Vinny set his pen down on the table in front of him. “Your options allow you to only sell out to a family member.”
“Precisely.”
“What the hell?” Mark exclaimed.
“What do you think, son?” Morris grinned. “Care to buy me out?”
“What’s your game?”
And why should I listen to any more of your shit?
“No games.” Morris said as he set his hands back on the table. “I will simply step aside and let you take control of the company. It is what you want?”
“Yes,” Mark seethed.
“I’ll even agree to thirty cents on the dollar.”
Mark nodded, keeping quiet.
“And one more thing,” Morris smiled.
“What?” Mark snapped.
“I want your shares of Orbitdyne.”
“Why?” Mark felt confused but held his composure.
“Let’s just say that it is a bet, given you acquisition of KG Aerospace.”
“Orbitdyne is a long-shot man.” Mark dismissed.
Besides, you won’t have a controlling interest in Orbitdyne, anyway. Ernie and Ava McDermott control Orbitdyne. Mark knew that his father and the McDermott’s had a history of disagreement. It was not likely that Morris could ever control the company with them in charge.