“So you don’t know who was trying to buy up Knight Industry’s stock,” Amanda answers. After the phone call Benton received from Frances Twist regarding his first appointment Wednesday after lunch; he started telling his wife all about the early morning surprise he got via phone call. His business partner in New York all in a panic telling him some one was trying to buy up the various holdings of Benton’s conglomerate.
“No,” Benton correcting his wife; “I suspect it’s either Joseph or Jack Crawford. It was the holdings they went after. The ones that were original to the Crawford & Knight company way back when we were dating.”
“So they now own the company,” Amanda getting concerned.
“Hardly,” Benton chuckles; “all they own is shares. They tried to go after the voting stock but ran into a roadblock of my design.”
“Okay husband,” Amanda looking at Benton with his usual grin that would make a comic book villain look pathetic; “out with it. What did you do to make you do your best Jack Nicholson Joker grin?”
“I invoked my ‘First Right of Refusal Clause’;” Benton grinning; “Every single shareholder who had voting stock and was selling, was forced to sell to me. Stopping the Crawford’s before they could start.”
“What about those that you have broken off all contact over some matter or another,” Amanda looking at her husband; “what of them?”
Benton thinks for a moment; his grin disappears into a scowl. So many former board members he has kicked out that managed to keep their stock, pass through his head. While they themselves do not have enough to pose a threat individually; combined they could cause problems. The largest being the Wáng Technological Consortium run by Far Houjin. Unbeknownst to Benton; Far Houjin and his grandson Kai Hǔ Wáng were currently Tachibana No Akane’s guests at her estate in Moon Lake. Already enacting their own plans to take Benton down.
“Well Amanda,” Benton looking at his wife who is in her fursona; a black furred were-panther. “You certainly know how to shit on my fun.”
“No it’s called bringing one’s spouse back to reality,” Amanda staring back at him; “You need to contact these former board members even if they are not interested in selling, you need to remind them of your clause.”
Benton grumbles, “you know how I hate doing that.”
“About as much as you hated having to apologize to William Anderson,” Amanda responding.
“No,” Benton answers; “That one was surprisingly heartfelt. I may be a lot of things Amanda, but a person that attacks children is not something I want hanging over my head.”
“Well you still have to talk to those former board members,” Amanda answers.
Before Benton could answer; there was a knock on the hospital room door and Doctor Abigail Robinson enters to see Benton talking to his wife. Abigail Robinson was a psychiatrist that ran Benton’s test for Bipolar disorder; a were-leopard like her daughter Liv Robinson.
“I understand you wish to have your daughter tested for Bipolar disorder,” She asks looking at Benton.
“Yes,” Benton sighing; “My brother Lance was told that the disorder can run in the family but skip generations. Before you ask my daughter has already agreed to this.”
“Okay,” Doctor Robinson answering; “and you would like it done tonight? At least that is what Doctor Tora told me.”
“Either tonight or Wednesday,” Benton stating; “Tomorrow evening is a were-panther gathering. My daughter is inducting two new members into the pride.”
“Ahh,” Abigail looking at her schedule; “fortunately for you tonight is available. But I only have time for one examination. Your Brother Lance already called to make an appointment as well.”
“Frieda first,” Benton stating; “let Lance have Wednesday.”
“Fine,” Abigail making a note on her schedule; “Have an overnight bag ready for her. This will be a lengthy procedure.”
“It was only lengthy because you and Doctor Tora kept making small talk while I was stuck in and MRI and I heard every word;” Benton’s anger rising.
Abigail just smiles; “That’s part of the procedure. But on another note have you been in contact with Doctor Frances Twist?”
Benton grumbles; being told of having to endure the two doctors prattle on about their children was part of the tests done was miserable to say the least. “Doctor Twist called me a few hours ago. Our first appointment is this Wednesday.”
Very well,” Abigial making another note on her clipboard; “The sooner your daughter is here the sooner we can begin. Oh and don’t tell your daughter about the prattling while in the MRI. It will skew the results.” Abigail Robinson leaves, leaving Benton and a grinning were-panthress that was Benton’s wife alone.
“Looks like I need to leave to get a bag for Frieda ready,” Benton stating as he texts Frieda regarding her appointment.
‘Picking you up after school for your appointment for bi-polar testing. Your Mother also wants to talk you regarding your Sunday.’
Hitting send he gets up to kiss his wife; about to leave she stops him. “Call up those former board members,” Amanda looking at him; “get those voting stocks before the Crawford’s do.”
Benton nods and gets out of the room. Leaving the hospital back to his Lamborghini Veneno; he gets a text from Frieda.
‘Okay. But be sure to use the town car tomorrow. Eric and Spencer will be riding with us after school for the gathering. I also asked them to pack overnight bags as well.’
Benton looks at the message and shrugs his shoulders. Getting in his car he drives off back to his estate to take care of some business and pack a bag for his daughter, for when he picks Frieda up after school.