Mr. CEO, I Was Forced To Marry You.

~ A meeting

“Tell us how you plan to increase the shopping mall’s sales, Miss Smith. What’s your strategy?” One of the board members, Sean Anderson, questioned during a meeting on a Monday morning.

The news that Roxanne who had no experience in marketing was appointed as the marketing director of the shopping mall spread like wildfire. A lot were against the appointment, especially those who were on Miriam Hopper’s side. They quickly called for a board member’s meeting to find a way to get rid of Roxanne. Since she was appointed by Kenneth Smith, they couldn’t just send her away but if the majority of board members agreed, it would be easier.

Knowing she was going to be put under the microscope, Roxanne had prepared adequately for the meeting. With open confidence, she answered, “To increase sales, I suggest we implement strategies such as offering discounts, promotional codes and coupons. As much as we want to make money, we need to think about the customer too. If our goods and services are too expensive, we won’t have many people coming to our mall. However, when the majority of goods and services are being offered at a fair price, many customers will want to come to our mall to save money.”

Richard Johnson, a man in his fifties who was on Miriam’s side suddenly interrupted Roxanne.

With a harsh tone, he said, “Wait! All this means nothing if customers don’t actually visit the mall. Do you know how many malls have discounts and promotional codes? What makes RG special? We will just end up with a few customers and less revenue. The Ford’s shopping mall is still at number one as we speak. Give us something concrete that will convince us that you are cut out for the job, Miss Smith.”

Roxanne narrowed her eyes at the man but her face didn’t betray her emotions. Instead, she smiled and said, “I was just getting to that.”

“We can set ourselves apart by turning our shopping mall into an entertainment hub. If we put things like a children’s section, a movie theatre, a pub and grill for the...-”

“The Fords are already doing that. Have you been to a place called Black? Every weekend, it’s packed with VIPs who spend millions of dollars on beers and women. Tell us something new, Miss Smith. Or stop wasting our time,” Richard countered.

Roxanne pursed her lips into a thin line as she narrowed her eyes at Richard.

He was trying to intimidate her but Roxanne was undeterred. Just because she had been laying low doesn’t mean she can be bullied.

She looked at him and changed the page on the screen. “We are different because we will focus on family. Bringing a family together strengthens the love and bond they share. We can create events that would prompt customers to visit our mall. The image you’re seeing right now is of the famous artist, Yolanda Nicholson. She’s so good at influencing that whatever brand she endorses doubles in its income and customers. I’m going to make her RG shopping mall’s brand ambassador.”

A few of the board members nodded in approval seemingly liking her idea.

“Yolanda is difficult to contact. I heard she demands a hefty amount and is very difficult to convince. What’s your alternative plan if you fail to make her our brand ambassador?”

Roxanne hissed internally. She knew Richard was deliberately going against her but she wasn’t afraid. She glanced at him and forced a smile, saying, “Mr Johnson, don’t worry. I will hire Yolanda Nicholson to be our brand ambassador.”

She was confident in her negotiation skills. If it meant she had to travel overseas to personally bring the artist, she would.

“The presentation might be ok but Roxanne doesn’t have the proper qualifications to run a mall-”

“I’m sorry for interrupting, Sir. Here are my credentials. I have a degree in business and finance, also, I recently got a master's in marketing and sales. So, I am qualified for this job. I’ll show you through my achievements,” she declared while passing her certificates around.

As the board members looked at each other, Richard remarked, “You were not hired through the proper procedures but since you have shares in the mall, we shall vote to see whether you’re fit to be the managing director. Being Kenneth Smith's daughter doesn’t mean the position should be handed over to you on a silver platter. Besides, Kenneth has two daughters and he might decide to hand over the shopping mall to your sister. Anything can happen.”

Roxanne knew what he was implying. Her father could choose Maya as the sole heir of all his businesses. However, Richard's words didn't affect her. Her plan was to work hard and gain full control of her mother's shopping mall. She didn't care about anything else.

“We can give her a month and see how she performs. Then we can have another meeting to decide whether she will remain as the managing director or not,” Bridget suggested.

Kenneth who had been silent all this time cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. To be honest, he didn’t expect Roxanne to be so skilled. She often locked herself in her room, little did he know she was busy studying.

He glanced at everyone and added, “It’s settled then.”

Looking at Roxanne, he said, “Roxanne, the board is putting you in charge of the mall for a month. Prove to them that you are qualified for the job. We shall meet in a month to make a final decision.”

“That’s fine by me,” Roxanne responded confidently with her head and chin raised high.

She wasn’t afraid of being challenged. All she wanted was a chance to prove that she could do it.

When the meeting was over and Roxanne had returned to her office, she received an order from Richard. He was the vice president of Starlight Inc. so he also oversaw the RG shopping mall.

“We need to have a partnership with an electronics company. They are supplying our electronics department stores with the latest smart TVs. Go and negotiate with Mr. David Miller. We need him to supply the goods to us at a cheaper price. You will find him at Black in one of the VIP rooms,” Richard instructed.

Roxanne was confused, “Shouldn’t a business negotiation be done at his company? Why should I go to Black?”

Black was a high-end pub and grill. It was a low-key strip club at night while it served as a restaurant during the day. Most people who went there went for pleasure and fun. It wasn’t ideal for business discussions.

Frowning, she declined, “Kindly change the location and appointment. I’ll meet him at his office.”

Richard’s eyes flashed with malice. Looking at her coldly, he said through gritted teeth, “Are you serious about keeping your position? Mr Miller never leaves Black. He does all his business deals there. I’m ordering you to go and meet him as your superior.”

Roxanne sighed. In the end, she had no choice but to go. She didn't want to upset Richard lest he persuaded the other board members not to vote for her.

After gathering the necessary documents, she proceeded to the Ford’s Paradise shopping plaza.

She went straight to Black and a waiter showed her to Mr. Miller’s private room.

Meanwhile, a man in a wheelchair on the second floor narrowed his eyes when he saw the petite figure entering David Miller’s room.

“Sir, isn’t that…” his assistant trailed after noticing that the air around them suddenly turned colder than ice.

The man clenched his jaws as he glared at the door, thinking, ‘What is she doing in David’s room? Doesn’t she know he’s a pervert?’