Revenue, Okay. Profit, Okay. Return On Investment, Okay. Debt to Equity, Okay. Cash, Okay.
Everything is still within reasonable limits. Nothing seems off. Even during the global crisis of 2008, it was still manageableâfor both the parent company and its subsidiaries.
News? There has never been any negative coverage about Tara Enterprises. Its CSR programs are running smoothly.
Dozens of sheets of scribbled quarto paper were scattered across the table. My pen's ink was almost depleted. I had finished three cups of coffee. I had been pacing back and forth, head bowed, for half an hour. Now, I was sitting in frustration, legs crossed, elbows resting on the table, supporting my aching head as I stared at the concrete jungle outside the window.
What? What could have caused the stock price to plunge as if it had fallen from thirty thousand feet?
No, it can't be...
But who? Who did this? Who benefited from it?
A 'beep' sound came from the door outside.
"Mr. Tony, perfect timing. I was just about to inform you of my analysis."
"That's good timing then, Mr. Wisnu. In ten minutes, we'll be holding a conference. Our investors want to discuss this directly. Mr. Batara also called me. You will be representing him."
I was taken aback.
"Alright then, Sir."
***
We headed to the CEO's (Chief Executive Officer) officeâa room with a curved layout, following the shape of the crescent-shaped building. An abstract painting in shades of green, blue, and yellow on a white background hung on one of the walls. Behind the work desk stood a bookshelf. In the corner of the room, a golf bag and equipment were neatly placed.
A round conference table equipped with the latest advanced technology was being set up by two staff members for the upcoming virtual shareholders' meeting. Five minutes later, the table was ready. The door was closed from the outside, leaving just the three of us: Me, Mr. Tony, and Ms. Revaâthe recently appointed CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of Tara Enterprises.
The conference machine was activated. One by one, the holograms of the shareholders appeared, seated in the designated chairs. All of them were well-dressed in formal attire. Mr. Tony, acting as the host, welcomed them.
"Mister William. Mister Bhagwandas. Mister Hari. Miss Melanie."
So, Tara Enterprises was divided among five major shareholders:
Melanie Sasongko of Himalaya Group (10%)
Hari Utomo of Excel Group (11%)
Bhagwandas of BBC (Bhagwandas Ballistic Company) (12%)
Gabriel William of Nanotech Company (21%)
And my father, Batara Nasution (44%)
The remaining 2% was publicly traded.
***
"Melanie. You are beautiful as always. Even at your age, you look twenty years younger."
"It's nice to see you too, Mister Bhagwandas."
"Sorry, Melanie. But you are just tempting." added Mr. Utomo, also teasing.
"You guys are just perverts."
"Fellas. Let's get to the point. Where is Nasution?" Mr. William asked Tony, who was seated next to me.
"With all due respect, Sir. He will be represented by his son, Wisnu Nasution. He is an international finance consultant."
"What? This urgent matter hit us this morning, and he's not even here?"
I was about to introduce myself, but the Indian businessman interrupted me.
"You can't be serious, Tony. Does he even care about his money? And by the way, it's not just his money."
Mr. Hari, the businessman with an oriental look, seemed offended by my father's absenceâespecially since he was being represented by his son.
"Yeah. We know that he holds the biggest share in this company. But Tony, you should have called him." Melanie insisted.
Despite her formal and elegant business attire, Melanie still exuded a MILF auraâif you don't know what that means, Google it.
"No offense, kid. I've heard about you. Some of my colleagues have mentioned your name. Your reputation is impressive. But we need your father's presence at this meeting."
I was honestly a bit flattered by Mr. Hari's compliment, even though he was also pushing for my father's presence.
"Where is he, Tony?" asked Mr. William.
I exchanged glances with Mr. Tony.
"I have found my analysis."
All eyes turned to me. Mr. Tony looked surprised.
"What?" Melanie reacted immediately.
"Nothing is wrong with the balance. Nothing is wrong witâ"
"No, no. You may not speak yet."
"Okay, son. I'm all ears. You may continue." Mr. William said. He was the most level-headed among them.
He shot a sharp look at Bhagwandas, signaling him to let me speak. He then glanced at the othersâa gesture inviting them to listen. They all complied.
***
"Nothing is wrong with the balance sheet. Nothing is wrong with the company's reputation. Our company has been performing well for the last fifteen years. So, the two points I just mentioned have nothing to do with this massive problem."
I made sure to deliver my thoughts firmly, with authority.
"I already have a theory. But I need more time to prove it. Our stock system has been hacked."
"Bloody hell?! Are you sure about this?" Bhagwandas, the most outspoken of the group, immediately reacted.
"Eighty-five percent sure. In the next twenty-four hours, I will give you one hundred percent certainty. I'm very sure about this."
"Let's see. If that's the case, who dares to do something like this? And why? To steal from us?"
"That's a possibility. But, I'm sorry, Mr. Utomo, for now, I don't have exact answers to your questions."
"Alright. We'll give you one day. Tomorrow, at this time, you will enlighten us. Okay, everyone?"
They all nodded in agreement.
"Thank you very much, Mister William."
One by one, their holograms disappeared.
***
I took a deep breath.
The pressure was overwhelming.
This wouldn't be easy.
I checked my watch.
The hands had already moved past the first quadrant.
Talia's surgery should be finished by now.
But there was still no news from her.
Or maybe the surgery wasn't over yet?
Krrrrrk.
Damn it.
I hadn't eaten lunch yet.
My stomach acid was raging.
There was still a ton of work to do.
And I was too lazyto go out for food.