Weiss's POV:
I had arranged for the board to summon my father to a meeting, where I planned to confront him and unveil my surprise for him.
3rd POV:
Jacques' morning had been going well. He successfully closed another lucrative deal, and his daughter had been obedient since the 'accident'. When he received a call from the board requesting his presence at a meeting, he wondered what they wanted this time.
"What do these fools want?" he grumbled, rising from his chair and making his way to the conference room.
As he opened the doors, he was taken aback to find his daughter, who had been obedient lately, wearing a cold smile. The board members appeared terrified, their brows glistening with sweat.
"Hmmm, Weiss, what are you doing here? This is the conference room for higher-ups only," he said, trying to dismiss her.
"Oh, that's precisely why we're here," Weiss replied, standing up and approaching the board. She turned on the projector.
"We're here to decide if you're still the best choice to be the CEO," she declared.
"You see, I researched how to become the CEO of a company, and I discovered that to become one, all you need is the approval of the majority of the Board of Directors and Shareholders, and if you look at the screen here, I got 70% approval from our Board of Directors and Shareholders."
"That's impossible; why would you pick this useless brat over me, you fools?" Jacques shouted at the Board of Directors.
"Alright, Weiss, if you want to play in the big league, then let's play," he retorted.
"Who here wants this brat to lead this company?" Jacques asks the Board of Directors to vote for him, believing what Weiss showed him was fabricated.
The board looked at each other, remembering what happened to their colleagues who didn't agree with Weiss getting their assets seized and arrested.
Then they all raised their hands, making Weiss smile, but to them, it felt like they accepted a deal with a demon, while Jacques turned red with anger.
"You want this little girl to lead this company to ruin!" He shouts at them.
"Oh, actually, I won't be ruining the company at all; I'll be improving it by expanding the branches to not only dust but to other areas like entertainment, technology, vehicles, and more," Weiss said, showing some examples of what she wants to expand to.
This surprised the board, as they hadn't heard of this considering they were being threatened, but they felt like it would increase the amount of money they could acquire.
"You ungrateful daughter! You had everything you could ever want, but you betrayed me for a bunch of animals!" he shouted.
"Yes, because you are nothing but a monster masquerading as a human. Also, don't forget to sign these," Weiss said, handing him two documents.
One requested a divorce from Willow, while the other transferred the company's ownership to Weiss.
"Ha! Do you think I would sign these and relinquish my fortune?" He sneered at her.
"Yes, because I have months' worth of evidence ready to expose you. Even Ironwood won't be able to cover up for you," she told him, forcefully placing a pen in his hand.
"I'll get my revenge and take back this company. Just you wait, Weiss!" he shouted angrily after signing everything.
"Just what I wanted to hear. I have no regrets now," Weiss said, looking directly at him.
Weiss had called some huntresses and hunters beforehand to arrest him, just as he thought he would escape without consequences.
The hunters entered the room after receiving the signal, shouting, "Hands up, Jacques! You're under arrest for mistreating Faunus, child abuse, slavery, and more!"
(I have no regrets is the signal btw)
Jacques glared at Weiss with intense hatred and tried to escape, but the hunters quickly caught him. He didn't stand a chance.
Approaching Jacques, Weiss taunted him, saying, "Did you think you could get away with what you did to me, to my family?"
"When I get out, I'll kill you!" he screamed.
"Trust me, you won't get out," Weiss said coldly, before turning around and trying to steady herself, suppressing her trembling.
'No, I won't be afraid of him anymore. I refuse to be at his mercy,' Weiss thought, digging her nails into her palm.
—-
Weiss POV:
I stood outside the entrance of the mines, ready to embark on the next phase of my mission. However, as I approached, a guard intercepted me, his hand firmly gripping my shoulder.
Without uttering a word, I swiftly flipped him over and delivered a swift kick to his head. The guard lay on the ground, incapacitated.
"Listen up! I am the new boss here. Does anyone have a problem with me entering this mine?" I declared, my voice filled with authority.
The guards, their eyes filled with fear, glanced at each other and then shook their heads, silently acknowledging my authority.
Accepting their response, I stepped into the mine, and the workers' eyes fixed on my distinctive white hair. I could feel their trepidation and uncertainty.
"It's okay," I reassured them, my voice softening. I summoned a healing glyph and reached out to a Faunus around my age, their body bearing the scars of their labor. The soothing energy of the glyph washed over them, and tears welled up in their eyes, a mixture of pain and relief. One by one, I extended my healing glyphs to the other workers, providing them with a moment of respite from their physical burdens. Their cries of relief echoed through the mine, carrying a newfound sense of hope.
I quickly arranged for a bullhead to deliver food, ensuring that they could nourish themselves after days, perhaps even weeks, of meager rations. Their expressions transformed from weariness to gratitude as they eagerly accepted the sustenance before them.
Gathering the workers together, I addressed them, my voice filled with sincerity. "If you choose to stay, I promise better working conditions and fair pay. However, if you decide to leave, I will provide reimbursement for the hardships you have endured and support to overcome the challenges you may face."
As expected, only a quarter of the workers opted to stay, their faith in me evident. Though it wasn't surprising that many chose to depart, their decision served as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted trauma they had experienced.
——
Weiss POV:
After the emotional encounter at the mines, I knew there was still work to be done. With a heavy heart, I left the workers to tend to their newfound freedom and returned to the headquarters to complete the necessary paperwork and implement new policies to safeguard the rights of Faunus employees.
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Inside the headquarters, the atmosphere felt cold and sterile. It was a stark contrast to the hope and warmth I had witnessed in the mines. Wanting to bring about meaningful change, I delved into the paperwork, meticulously reviewing each document and adding provisions that would protect the Faunus from mistreatment and discrimination.
As I worked diligently, I couldn't help but recall the stories of suffering and hardship I had heard from the miners. Their experiences served as a constant reminder of the corruption that had plagued the company for far too long. I made it my mission to rectify these wrongs and ensure a fair and inclusive working environment for all.
Hours turned into a blur as I poured over the paperwork, my eyes scanning every line and every clause. I revised policies, added channels for reporting grievances, and established protocols for addressing any instances of discrimination. It was a painstaking process, but I knew it was necessary to create a foundation of equality within the company.
Finally, satisfied with the changes made, I rose from my desk, stretching my tired limbs. The weight of responsibility and the gravity of the task ahead loomed over me, but I refused to falter.
——
On the bullhead, I decided to call Winter to let her know what was going on.
"Hello, Weiss. You don't normally call me. What's the problem?" Winter asks about getting straight to the point.
"Well, I found out some things about Father and decided to overthrow him," I say with a nervous chuckle.
"You decided to do what!" Winter yells at me.
Sighing, I decided to let Winter know about my investigation, what I had discovered, and the result of my confrontation with Jacques.
"That was reckless, Weiss. Why would you confront him directly when you know he wasn't afraid to use physical force?" Winter scolds me.
"I know it was reckless, but I was too blinded by my anger to think properly," I said, touching my scar and remembering that day.
"So, what about the company? It should be in chaos with the sudden change in leadership," Winter asks.
"Nope, there shouldn't be any chaos inside the company. It may come as a surprise to the public, but I was preparing this for a while, and gaining support from the board and shareholders went smoothly, so the only one who wasn't prepared for the change was Jacques." I said, puffing my chest out a bit, that my plan went so well.
"You know some people won't be as accepting of you or the changes you're going to make; they'll likely hire people to take you out," Winter says in a serious tone.
"Yeah, I know," I reply, leaning back and looking at the ceiling of the bullhead.
"But this has to happen, and I would rather take the brunt of the heat on the changes so that when mom takes over, they will be more accepting and it will keep her safe. She doesn't need to know about the hardships I'm going to endure for this," I said.
I hear Winter sigh before speaking to me. "There's nothing I could do to change your mind, huh? Winter tells me with a tired tone.
"Nope, I'll admit I'm scared, but I'll do this to help Faunus and protect our family," I said to her.
"Just promise me to be careful, okay?" she says with a worried tone.
"I promise to be careful, Winter," I say, reassuring her.
"Alright, I love you, Weiss," she says.
"I love you too, Winter; I'll talk to you later," I say, hanging up on her as I start to plan my day. Tomorrow I'm going to be busy from now on.
I finally arrived back home, ready to break the news to the rest of my family. I headed towards the room where I believed my mother would be, clutching the divorce document tightly in my hand. I peek inside to see her drinking wine on a chair.
"Mom, I need to talk to you," I said, kneeling beside her and looking at her with a soft expression.
She turned to me, her words slurring, "Ahhh, Weeeeiss, wha-*hick* are you doing here?"
Ignoring her intoxicated state, I pressed on, "There's something important I need to tell you, Mom."
She responded with a hint of curiosity, "What does my *hick* little snowflake want to tell me?"
"Jacques is gone, Mom," I replied with a tinge of excitement in my voice, passing the documents to her.
As the words I just told her sank in, her face lost its flush, and she seemed to sober up significantly. Her voice cracked as she asked, "Huh, how did you do this?"
"I discovered something he didn't want me to see, and I was able to persuade him to leave our family," I explained vaguely, covering up what happened, hoping she would believe it.
Her voice filled with worry as she asked, "But what about the business? Who's in charge of it now?"
"Don't worry, Mom, you're looking at the new Ceo of the Schnee Dust Company," I said, smiling softly at her.
Her panic grew. "Weiss, you're too young, and that man made a lot of enemies. They will seek revenge or see this as an opportunity to control the SDC."
I then reassured her, "I know, Mom, I know. But I couldn't sit back and do nothing while people were suffering. Besides, it's only temporary because, in the end, I want to become a huntress."
Her concern shifted: "Temporary? Then who will be in charge?"
"It's you, Mom," I responded, hoping she would embrace the responsibility.
"Me? But I'm not the person I used to be, Weiss," she said somberly, reflecting on her struggles.
"That's okay, Mom. I'll be here until you're ready, and even when I'm at Beacon, I'll continue to help with the paperwork," I reassured her.
Her eyes filled with curiosity, and she questioned, "Beacon? What about Atlas Academy?"
"Yeah, there's that, but I've planned to go to Beacon to escape Jacques. I know I don't have to worry about him anymore, but it sounds exciting to study in another nation.
What do you think?" I asked, using my best puppy eyes.
"Well, if that's what you want, snowflake," she said, patting my head affectionately.
It had been a while since I had seen her like this, and I was determined to ensure she would never return to the state she was in when he was here. I would make her the happiest mother in all of Remnant.
As she reached for her drink, I swiftly grabbed it, asserting, "Nuh uh, Mom. If you want to return to who you used to be, you can't drink as much anymore. You also have to talk to a therapist that I'll be hiring for you."
She tried to protest, but I remained firm, saying, "Nope, now go to bed. It's late, and I still have to talk to Whitley." I pointed towards the door, my hand on my hip while holding her glass.
"*sigh* Okay, honey. Goodnight," she said, before reluctantly leaving the room.
—-
As the door closed, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before seeking out my younger brother. I found him in his room, immersed in a book. I knocked gently on the door and entered when he beckoned me in.
"Hey, Weiss. What's up?" Whitley greeted me, looking up from his reading.
"Hey, Whitley. I have something important to discuss with you," I replied, taking a seat next to him.
He put his book aside and gave me his full attention. "What is it?"
"I want to talk to you about Father," I began, choosing my words carefully.
"He's no longer going to be a part of our lives, and I'm going to be in charge of the company until Mom is ready to take over."
Whitley's eyes became teary as he said, "I know."
Surprised, I asked, "How do you know?"
Whitley looked sadly. "When I heard you arrive, I went to greet you, but I ended up overhearing your conversation with Mom."
His voice trembled as he continued, tears flowing down his cheeks. "At first, I was angry. I wanted to believe it was a lie, but in the end, I know him enough to know he probably did bad things."
Feeling a mix of sadness and empathy for Whitley, I looked straight at him. "Did he end up doing something really bad?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Umm, let's just say he did things that no one should ever do to another person or group of people, and I couldn't let him get away with it," I said softly as he started to cry even more.
I then pulled him into a hug, letting him cry on my shoulder until he fell asleep from exhaustion.
Carefully lifting him, I carried him to his bed and tucked him in, pressing a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Sweet dreams, little brother," I whispered before quietly exiting his room.
Feeling emotionally drained, I decided to take a bath to relax my tense muscles and clear my mind. The sound of running water filled the room as I stepped into the warm embrace of the tub, letting the calming sensation ease my worries.
Afterward, I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel and donned a comfortable robe, my wet hair wrapped in another towel. I took my time blow-drying my hair, gently combing out any knots, and savoring the small moments of self-care.
Exhausted but with a sense of peace, I finally lay down on my bed, ready for a peaceful nap. Knowing that this would be the last moment of tranquility I would have in a long time I would need to be more careful whenever I go out, but at least White Fang shouldn't be attacking us as much anymore, and I say as much because I'm sure there will still be hatred for my family for the years of mistreatment toward Faunus kind.
—---
3rd pov:
Weiss fell asleep, but the public was going wild as they got news of the new CEO of the Schnee Dust Company only being a 15-year-old girl, and how she is improving the situation for Faunus.
Somewhere else in a camp, a red-haired Faunus with black horns and a Grimm-like mask yells and throws his scroll at the ground.
"Call a meeting!" he shouts at the guard outside.
Faunus of all kinds gathers, waiting for him to speak. "I know that the news stations are spouting how this girl is improving the treatment of Faunus, but don't believe them; they're liars who will do anything to convince us to quit fighting for equality!" He shouts
"We have to prove that we won't fall for their lies and that we will grab equality with our own hands. Do you agree?" He says this as the other faunus cheer in support.
He leaves the podium, heading back into his tent when he runs into a black-haired girl with yellow eyes and cat ears.
"Adam, what's going on? I was coming back from patrol when I heard yelling," she says, worried evident in her tone.
"Nothing is wrong, Blake; you should refrain from using scrolls."
"Something happened, and that would just give you false hope," Adam says, grabbing her scroll and putting it in his pocket.
"Ok, I trust you, Adam," Blake says, smiling at him before heading into a tent.
'I'll keep her away from technology until this blows over. I can't have her doubt me, and I should deal with that disgusting Schnee trying to repair what her father did. It's too late to be forgiven for your family's sin.' He thinks darkly before heading to a tent that is bigger than the rest of the tents and disappearing inside.