Page 59 of Bachelor CEO

Chase turned his attention to his grandfather.“My brother and sisters are not going to be happy you’re here. You’re supposedto be resting.”

Leroy shrugged. “Which I’ll do later.Obviously, I’d like to have Miranda continue on in the interim, and send Chaseback on his vacation.”

Chase’s cheek twitched, but he managed toremain still and not interrupt.

“However, I can see how impossible that is,”Leroy continued. “Chase clearly wants to be here, and that’s what I wanted himto figure out for himself. Besides, naming Miranda CEO is a moot point.”

Leroy had dressed for the board meeting. He’ddonned one of his best suits, and now he reached into his jacket pocket andremoved an envelope.

“Miranda came by the house this morning andgave me her notice. In turn, I offered her a year’s pay as severance andreleased her from her duties effective today. Since she was hired to do Chase’sjob, and he’s here, there’s no reason for her to remain at McDanielManufacturing.”

There were gasps, but Chase hardly heard them.His entire focus was on his grandfather, and vice versa. It was as if the twoof them were the only ones in the room. Miranda had resigned. She’d quit. Theannouncement hit Chase like a punch to the gut.

“Chase is here and he wants this job. I’d beremiss if I turned him down. He’s family and he’s earnedit,” Leroy stated, finally breaking eye contact.

He glanced around the table. “Let’s vote andmake it official that Chase is the new CEO of McDaniel Manufacturing. I’ll stayon in an advisory capacity until December 31. Congrats, Chase. You got what youwanted.”

So why did it feel soawful?

“Okay,” Kathleen said, ready to regain controlover the vote. She seemed rattled, but determined to get this over with. “Allthose in favor of Chase McDaniel being named CEO?”

Everyone but Walter and Leroy raised theirhands. Kathleen pinned her attention on the two men. “All opposed?” There wasno opposition, as both men chose to abstain. “Motion carries. Congratulations,Chase.” She sighed. “If there’s nothing else?”

After a quick motion to adjourn, the boardroomemptied. Everyone appeared to be relieved that the nightmare was over, and eachmember shook Chase’s hand and congratulated him before leaving.

“So she resigned?” Walter asked when only heand the McDaniels remained.

Leroy grimaced. “I warned you not to push her.She came to see me this morning, and I couldn’t talk her out of it. Her mindwas made up. Said she talked to you last night, did some soul searching andknew what she really wanted and needed to do.”

Walter whirled on Chase, his tone accusatory.“What did you do to her? What did you say?”

“Nothing,” he said defensively. “The last timeI saw her she planned on being here and giving me a run for my money. I haven’tseen her since Thursday, like I said. I don’t know why she changed her mind.”

“She told me her reasonswere personal. I left it at that and suggest we all do,” Leroy said. “So,Walter, since I’ve sprung the coop, how about we go get some lunch before mynurse calls time?”

“Okay,” he agreed. “But only if we go toMaxine’s. I’m dying for a piece of her cherry pie.”

Leroy turned to his grandson. “Chase, I guessyou ought to let Carla know the news. She’ll need to contact PR and have anannouncement sent to the press. If you have questions for me, you can stop bythe house later tonight.”

Leroy’s nurse entered and Chase knew he’d beendismissed. “Just take it easy,” he told his grandfather.

“Lucinda will make sure of that.”

“I will,” his nurse confirmed.

Carla had already heard the news by the timeChase arrived, and she beamed with excitement. “So it’s final.”

“Yep.” But for some reason he didn’t feel likecelebrating. Still, he had to act the part for his staff. “I guess later thisweek we need to discuss your title and your raise.”

She kept smiling. “That would be wonderful.Thank you.”

Chase gave her a cheeky grin. “I’m no dummy. Aman’s only as good as his secretary.”

“You’d better believe it.” Carla laughed.

Chase entered his office and took a seat athis desk. He reached for a piece of paper and a pen. At the top he wrote “Todo.” Underneath he wrote “VP.” Someone had to fill his spot. He’d have Carlaask personnel to send him company files of good internal candidates. He hadsome ideas already, as he’d been working with these people for years, but hedidn’t want to miss considering anyone.

Thinking of missing people, Chase rose andwent down to Miranda’s office. Her secretary, Lauren,jumped to her feet when she saw him. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

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