Page 53 of Bachelor CEO

“CHASE!” The rebuke came not from Mirandabut from his grandfather. “That is no way to greet one of my guests!”

Chase shouldn’t have been surprised. InLeroy’s book, you defended all women, even if they were wolves in sheep’sclothing.

Chase quickly assessed the older man. Heseemed fine. Frail, yes, but otherwise okay.

“She’s not a guest,” Chase responded,tempering his volume. “She’s an employee and one determined to take over ourcompany.”

“This is my house, and if I say she’s a guest,then she is. As for taking over the company, you seem to be the one doingthat.”

Chase’s scowl deepened. “Not if Walter Petersgets his way.”

Leroy’s lips pursed. “What’s he got to do withanything?”

“He’s presenting a motion to the board onMonday to force me back on vacation and leave Miranda in charge.”

Leroy adjusted his covers. “Oh? Is that all?Well, maybe that’s a good idea.”

Miranda sat there,swiveling her head left to right as if watching Ping-Pong. “I’ll leave you twoto discuss this.”

Chase’s glare pinned her to the seat. “Admityou know about Walter’s motion.”

Her chin came up slightly. “I do. But that’snot what Leroy and I were talking about or why I came here.” She faced hisgrandfather. “Walter told me his plan earlier today. It was his idea.”

“Which I’m sure you were thrilled about,”Chase retorted.

“Walter’s a curmudgeon, that’s for sure.” OnlyLeroy didn’t seem too perturbed by the current events. “I think you two shouldtalk about this. No better time than the present.” He rang a little bell andhis nurse appeared. “I think I’d like to go to my room,” he told her.

“I’ll get your wheelchair,” she said.

“I can help you,” Chase offered, immediatelyconcerned. He shouldn’t even be discussing business. He’d promised hissiblings. But trust Miranda to come here and try to shore up her position. Whenhe’d seen her car in the driveway, he’d known exactly what she was doing.

“You’re wrong. Leroy, this is not going towork. I’m leaving now,” Miranda replied. Without waiting for either man’sapproval, she darted out.

“You ran her off,” Leroy accused as the frontdoor slammed.

“Me?” Chase couldn’t believe his grandfather’sprotectiveness of Miranda. “Don’t tell me she’s got you under some kind of aspell. You can’t side with her over your own family.”

“Who says I’m siding with anyone?” Leroysnapped. “I wanted you to go away for a year to make up your mindabout what was truly important. First chance you get, you’re right back here.”

“You had a heart attack. Where else would Ibe?”

“Well, I’m better now.”

“No, you aren’t,” Chase argued. “You’reeighty, whether you like it or not, and you have to take care of yourself.”

“I’ve been taking care of myself for years. It’syou who needs to take care of himself, Chase. You need to figure out what youwant, what will bring you joy in life.”

“I want to be CEO.”

Leroy shook his head. “And that’s it?”

“What else would there be?” Chase asked. Leroyhad totally lost him. “I don’t want to see McDaniel go into the wrong hands.”

“Miranda isn’t the ‘wrong hands.’ She doesn’thave any stock options for two years. She earns a flat salary, which as this islow-cost-of-living Chenille, is less than she could have gotten by staying inChicago. Any bonuses are paid exclusively on performance and need boardapproval. She has no vested interest in running the company into the ground.She won’t even see a raise for six months.”

Chase hated when his grandfather was right.Still…“She has no vested interest at all. Not like I do. Not only do I havestock, but it’s my last name on the letterhead and the building.”

“Isn’t there a way for both of you to worktogether?” Leroy asked.

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