Page 90 of Unwillingly His

“Mr. Manwarring, I do apologize. I didn’t expect you to attend this meeting. We are going over some of the finer points of the day-to-day agendas, lower-level stuff that you need not concern yourself with?—”

Lucian held up a hand, and immediately, the other man stopped talking.

“I know very well what this meeting is about and everything that goes on in the day-to-day operations. Just because I may not attend the meetings doesn’t mean that I don’t read the minutes. In fact, Brian, there are some things we need to discuss privately in detail about what is and isn’t covered in the scope of your responsibilities. Taking new business to the board without running it by me will force me to relieve you of your duties.”

Brian’s face paled so quickly that I was expecting him to pass out on the floor. His mouth opened and closed a few times as if trying to find the right words.

“The rest of the people in this room, however, are doing a great job staying in their lanes and making sure everything runs smoothly. Brian, however, has decreased productivity, so Mrs. Miller, if you don’t mind, I think it’s best if you take over these meetings so Brian can attend to his other duties.”

“Yes, sir,” a middle-aged woman with a severe bun pulling at her face and cat-shaped glasses said.

“I am interrupting your meeting today to make a quick announcement. This is Miss Stella Deiderich. She will be taking over the Manwarring charitable fund. If you have any questions or concerns about galas or other fundraising events, or even how your department could make an effort, or in Brian’s case, save a little face, please discuss this with her. This is effective immediately. Now, please, Mrs. Miller, continue your meeting.”

I waved a little before Lucian took my hand and led me out of the conference room and back to the elevator.

“What did you just do?”

“I gave you a job that will give you purpose. Now, let’s go see your new office so you can get ideas on how you would like to decorate it. I suggest we start with a very large and sturdy sofa.”

CHAPTER 33

LUCIAN

In the less than three weeks of being in charge of the foundation, Stella had gone from quiet and observant to taking charge and exceeding any expectations I could have had for her.

I’d asked Mrs. Miller to keep an eye on her, just to let me know if she was struggling, and I would need to hire an assistant for her, on top of her current secretary.

According to Mrs. Miller, Stella was amazing and already planning the first fundraising event, meant to draw in a younger, more influential, and affluent crowd.

Apparently, she had a few ideas for more formal events that would cater to our class, but her first event was going to cater to her generation. Specifically, bringing social media awareness to all of the great things that the Manwarring Charitable Fund supported—not that I had any idea what those things were—as well as increasing overall brand awareness in the younger generation.

Mrs. Miller seemed almost giddy and excited about the idea.“You don’t understand, sir. The brand has always touted itself as a fine spirit, which it is, but it is only really being advertised to the elite. It is the drink of old white men, what you would expect to find in your grandfather’s library.”

“Careful,” I warned. “It is currently in my library.”

“Mine too,” she said with a smile. “But what Stella is managing to do with this party is make it seem like the preferred brand of whisky for entrepreneurs, musicians, and the most successful people of the younger generation. It’s going to be a status symbol among them as well. She is even meeting with an award-winning mixologist to try a few signature cocktails for the party.”

“Is this your doing?” I asked.

“No, it’s hers. I don’t know how much of it is intentional for the brand, or how much of it is just coincidental. She wanted a unique venue for the party, so it’s going to be held at one of the distilleries. Since it’s at the Manwarring Liquor distilleries, it only makes sense to have drinks made from our whiskey. She is planning what is going to be the social event of the season for every single influencer and mover under thirty. Not just in New York, there are people flying in for this party from all over the world. From what I understand, everybody on the Forbes thirty under thirty list has already RSVP’d. There are several musicians, a few up-and-comers, and a few names I even recognize. Not only that, but she has also set up raffles for tickets that anyone can get with just a $10 donation. Those raffles have already earned 1.3 million dollars in donations.”

“You’re kidding,” I said in disbelief.

I knew Stella was intelligent and that she would be successful at absolutely anything she put her mind to, but this was more than I could have ever expected.

“I don’t say this lightly. I know you have made some incredible deals in your time and have grown this company into something amazing. But bringing that girl here and giving her free rein was the smartest thing you have ever done.”

The rest of the day, I was beaming.

I couldn’t hide how proud I was of my girl.

Mary Quinn and her bullshit were practically forgotten as I sent my assistant a text telling him to arrange a reservation for Stella and me tonight, and to make sure it was somewhere incredible.

My girl deserved to be rewarded.

She and I would go out for a nice meal, and then I intended on having her for dessert.

“I bet he just likes grabbing a handful of that pink hair while she’s choking down his cock.”

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