Page 72 of The Billionaire Babe

“Your mother always thought of the future, and over the years, she started to become more aware of the type of man your father was. So she made some business changes…” he says, his voice trailing off.

“What changes?” I ask, my stomach in knots.

“She made me the anonymous board member of Van Cleef Corporation.” Thank God I am sitting down because I would have fallen over.

“Really?” I breathe out, in shock, but also happiness.

“Yes. As a butler, I hear many things in that household and come across various paperwork and materials. Over the years, I have gotten a good handle on exactly what your father is planning and the reasons behind it. Your mother saw an opportunity to ensure he is kept honest by implementing me as the anonymous board member, to be in place until you took over as CEO.” A small smile comes to Dennis’ face.

“She was so smart…” I murmur, thinking about my mother.

“She was. She had great foresight. Excellent ability to strategize and see the bigger picture,” George says.

“So, what does all this mean? Do I have your vote?” I ask, my stomach now lurching into my chest. Dennis looks down at the box at his feet, and my heart stutters. Is he not going to vote for me?

“There has been some… progress on that matter…” George says cryptically.

“What is it? What’s happened?” I sit on the edge of my sofa.

“I remembered last night about some files,” Dennis says, and my brow furrows.

“Files? What files?” I ask, a bit confused.

“Your mother’s files.” He paces my living room. “I remembered she had a box of files stored away. She told me to access them in case of an emergency. I think at the time she meant if your father died, not that he was threatening you,” Dennis says.

“What? Where are they?” I ask, keen to see them. Keen to have any contact with my mother.

“They were in a safety storage facility on the west side,” he says. “Your mother thought they would be safer in an area of the city that none of her contacts would think to visit.” He shakes his head, half smiling at the memory of her.

“So we go get them,” I say, standing, ready for action.

“I went last night. I have been up all night looking through them.” He swallows roughly.

“And?” I ask, my hand immediately coming to my elbow to pinch the skin. A nervous tick I am now aware I have, thanks to AJ pointing it out.

“You have a trust fund,” he says, and I still.

“A what?” I ask. “Wouldn’t that be something that was in her will? She already left me some money. That is how I bought this penthouse.” But he already knows all this; George and Dennis were both with me, even way back then.

“I know. But this is something additional. Your mother was a very smart woman.” I take a breath, willing tears not to come as I think about her. George looks a little teary too, thinking of his own memories with her.

“So what does the trust fund say?” I ask.

“It comes into effect on your twenty-sixth birthday.” He looks at me closely.

“My twenty-sixth birthday…” I say, a new nervousness, mixed with fear coating my insides. That is tomorrow.

“That is how old your mother was when she had you,” George confirms, and my eyes widen.

“So what is it?” I ask, looking at them both, knowing whatever it is, it is big.

“The trust fund states that on the day of your twenty-sixth birthday, you will become majority shareholder of Van Cleef Corp. It means the board needs to consult with you before making any formal decisions and you will have the final say. It means Van Cleef Corp will be yours.”

I stumble and fall back onto the sofa.

“What?” I ask, barely able to breathe. “My mother left me the company?”

“Even back then, she knew you were the rightful heir.” George nods as he sits in the armchair next to me.

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