10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine

151  A Seat at the Table

I had to admit that no matter what I did, I wouldn't be able to hide the bounce in my step as I arrived at Imperium Holdings.

Matt was joining me! Do you know what that means? It means I now have a right hand man! Someone who knew me as well as I knew myself. I grinned as I entered the skyscraper that housed my empire. Imperium Holdings might still be worth a measly $30 billion but not for long. Especially if I manage to have my way.

Stamping holders shouldn't be the only way to make money. Especially if I call myself a businessman.

Stepping into the lobby of the building, I quickly made my way to the elevator. There were things to do.

Tom, my assistant, was already waiting for me near the entrance of my office, tablet in hand, ready for instructions.

"Morning, Tom." I greeted as I stepped inside my office. Taking off my jacket, I placed it over the back of the chair.

"Morning, Mr. Voss. Your schedule for today is on your desk, and I've prepared the documents for your meeting with Elsa Karlsson. Do you need anything else?"

"Yes." I said, sliding into my chair. "Prepare a proposal for Astoria Way's office."

"I want her to see the potential of a partnership between Sunset Inn and her nightclubs. Tailor it to highlight the exclusivity, the prestige, it needs to be something she can't refuse."

Tom nodded, making a note on his tablet. "I'll have it drafted and sent to her office by noon. Anything else?"

"That's all for now. Have my messages filtered for anything urgent. I'll be introducing a new executive today."

With that, my day began.

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When the time came, Matt was already waiting, standing near the reception desk, dressed in a nice suit but looking just slightly out of place. He adjusted his tie when he saw me, grinning. "Hell of a place, Nico."

I smirked. "Welcome to the machine." I said grandly. "Ready for your introduction?"

He exhaled, shaking his head. "Not gonna lie, it still feels like I'm dreaming. But yeah. Let's do this."

With a nod, I led him through the halls, moving with the confidence of someone who owned every inch of the place. After all, I did own the place.

Employees nodded respectfully as we passed, their gazes flickering to Matt with curiosity. News traveled fast in Imperium, and a new executive, especially one brought in personally by me, was bound to turn heads. @@novelbin@@

"You're gonna get a lot of stares today." I murmured as we walked. "People are trying to figure out where you fit."

Matt chuckled. "Guess I'll just have to prove I belong here."

"That won't take long." I replied with a grin. "Remember what your dad always says?"

"It's not the heat, it's the humidity?"

"What? No." I chuckled. "The other one."

"I'm not sleeping, I'm just resting my eyes?"

I sighed and facepalmed. "The business one."

"Oh." He chuckled. "It's not nepotism if you can do the job?"

"Exactly."

Have you guys noticed that nepotism is always labelled a rich people crime and yet, people of all social status commit it? Why fight the dude at the mom and pop store hiring his nephew when you could fight the billionaire hiring his nephew?

Well, it doesn't matter. My belief is that if the person is obviously qualified, there's no problem with it. And Matt was qualified for the job, seeing as I created the job especially for him.

When we reached the executive floor, Matt could feel the shift in the energy and atmosphere. It was quieter, more calm, a space occupied by people who made decisions that moved millions, and sometimes billions. I led Matt to the large conference room, where several key figures were already waiting. Each of them represented a cornerstone of Imperium Holdings. Finance, acquisitions, legal, and tech development.

"Everyone," I announced as we entered, "this is Matt Hardin. He's the new Director of Future and Strategic Planning. Effective immediately, he will be working closely with all of you to help shape the next phase of Imperium's growth."

A few of them exchanged looks before stepping forward to shake his hand. Matt met them all with confidence, his easy going nature allowing him to go through the formalities and put a smile on some faces at the same time.

After the introductions, I could see that he was finally grasping the burden that would be resting on his shoulders. He wasn't just stepping into a job. He was stepping into the beginning of an empire.

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Let's get to work."

The private meeting room was already occupied when we arrived. Elsa Karlsson sat at the table, reviewing some documents, her expression as unreadable as it had always been. She didn't look up immediately, but when she did, her piercing blue eyes swept over Matt in quick assessment.

"So you're the new addition." She said, setting her papers down.

Matt extended a hand, unfazed by her scrutiny. "Matthew Hardin. Nice to meet you."

Elsa took his hand, giving him a firm shake before nodding. "You're the right choice."

I smirked, watching the exchange with amusement. Elsa was blunt, but that was part of what made her effective at her job. She didn't waste time with pleasantries. She just spoke her mind.

Matt chuckled, still holding her gaze. "Glad to hear it."

Elsa leaned back slightly, considering. "You'll be handling future strategic planning. That means you'll be directly involved in major acquisitions, long-term projections, and infrastructure expansion."

"I run WireFrame Solutions, and my job intersects with yours more than most. You'll need to understand our systems, our tech investments, and what's coming down the pipeline."

Matt nodded. "I'm ready to learn."

She tilted her head slightly, then glanced at me. "Good. I don't have time for people who need hand holding."

"Neither do I." I said, smirking. "And that's why he's here."

The meeting proceeded smoothly from there. Elsa briefed Matt on the internal structure of the company, giving him a thorough overview of the departments he'd be working with and the challenges he'd be facing. She outlined the upcoming expansion plans, a few high-profile mergers in consideration, and the anticipated growth trajectory for Imperium Holdings over the next five years.

By the end of it, Matt looked more settled, more certain. He knew just how much responsibility he'd be shouldering but there was also a tinge of excitement.

As we left the room, he exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's intense."

I chuckled. "Elsa doesn't believe in wasted time. She's one of the best."

Matt glanced back at the closed door, then turned to me with a smirk. "Guess that means I better make sure I don't fall behind."

I clapped him on the back. "Good. Because we're just getting started."