Page 148 of My Big, Fat, Hot Billionaire Enemy
Morgan’s constant undermining.
The terror of the SPEs.
And Christopher.
The aching silence.
The choice I made.
“…and I know he didn’t know about the takeover, Ava,” I choke out, tears finally blurring the legal documents. “I believe him. Completely. But how could I let him stay? Everyone is watching me, waiting for me to screw up, to prove I’m just like Dad, making emotional decisions. Especially now that I’m permanent CEO! It’s different from being interim. Back then, I always knew Dad was coming back, that it wasn’t reallymyburden. But now… this title, thispermanence… it feels like the weight of the entire company, its past sins and its future hopes, is sitting right here.” I thump my chest. “And it feels like it’s just me, alone, against freaking Goliath.”
Ava listens patiently, her expression full of sympathy. She scoots her chair closer, puts a comforting arm around my shoulders.
“Oh, Lucy.” She lets me sniffle for a minute before speaking again. “You’renotalone. You know I’m here. And any help Gideon or I can offer, it’s yours. And you also know Christopher would be right beside you if you let him, right?”
“But Ican’tlet him,” I insist, pulling away slightly, wiping my eyes furiously.Get it together, Lucy.“How can I be CEO of Hammond & Co., fighting a takeover from Mark Blackwell, while having strategy sessions, or anything else, with the CEO of Blackwell Innovations? Even if Christopher is fighting his father too, the conflict is massive! The board would crucify me. The press would have a field day. It would undermine everything I’m trying to build, everything I need to project. Strength, independence, impartiality.”
“So you sacrifice your personal happiness for professional optics?” Ava asks gently.
“Isn’t that what CEOs do?” I retort miserably.
“Maybe the old-school ones,” she says. “But perhaps there’s another way. A middle path? Honest communication? Setting clear boundaries but not… complete amputation?”
I shake my head, feeling exhausted and stubborn. “Not now. Not while Mark is actively trying to destroy us. Maybe later. If thereisa later. Right now, I have to keep that wall up. I have to prove I can dothis myself.”
Ava sighs, giving my shoulder one last squeeze. “Okay, CEO Hammond. Just… don’t forgetLucyHammond exists too, all right? She deserves to be happy.”
Later that night,buried under revised projections and counter-offer drafts, a sleek courier envelope arrives from Blackwell Innovations.
My stomach does a nervous flip-flop.
What now? More bad news?
Maybe Christopher has decided he wants to cancel our partnership.
Wouldn’t surprise me, after what I’ve done.
Inside isn’t a legal threat, but a thick binder labeled ‘Project Nightingale: Hostile Takeover Defense Analysis & Countermeasures. Preliminary Recommendations.’
It’s incredibly detailed. Strategies, legal precedents, potential financial maneuvers, weak points in Mark Blackwell’s known holdings… basically a masterclass in corporate warfare, laid out specifically to defend Hammond & Co. It’s brilliant. And it must have come directly from Christopher’s top strategists.
Tucked inside the front cover is a single, cardstock note. No letterhead. Just his bold, decisive handwriting.
Lucy,
I understand your position and respect your leadership. Protecting Hammond & Co. must be your top priority.
This doesn’t change how I feel about you.
This information is provided without expectation. Use it as you see fit.
When you’re ready to talk about us, whenever that may be, I’ll be here.
Always.
- C.
I readthe note three times, my throat tightening. He understands. He respects my decision, even though it hurts him... hurtsus.
