Page 18 of My Cruel Billionaire

Jenna

The big day arrived at last. It was time for the Leisure Unlimited and NonPoint merger to begin in earnest. That meant I had to introduce my hand-picked team to their counterparts from Michael’s side.

We sat in the boardroom on the highest level of Michael’s building. Outside, a sheet of iron gray clouds darkened the horizon. Disconcerted by nature’s brewing fury, I turned my attention back to the meeting itself. Things were about to get started.

Michael strolled into the room—late, trying to show me that I had no control over him, I guess—and was followed by three executives in impeccably tailored suits. They all looked the same to me. I mean, they did have different facial features, but they had pretty much the same haircuts and style of suits on. All in hues of gray or charcoal, as if they were trying to dress like one of those Japanese superhero shows where everyone wears a matching outfit.

Michael took up residence on the opposite side of the table, though he didn't actually sit down. He stood, looming over everyone else because of his height. Probably did that on purpose too, so he could look down on me as I sat.

“Good morning,” he said as if he weren’t fifteen minutes late. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Michael Wallace.”

“We all know who you are,” I said dryly.

He slightly cocked an eyebrow at that but otherwise continued as if I had not spoken.

“Allow me to introduce my team. This is Chad Denning.”

He gestured at the first man on his team. I couldn’t remember a name as dull as Chad so in my mind I thought of him as Chad the C.H.U.D. He kind of had that escaped from the sewers look in spite of his well-groomed appearance.

“Chad is an expert in corporate mergers. In fact, he’s overseen over forty-six of them, personally.”

Chad beamed a smug smile. I instantly didn’t like him.

“Seated beside him,” Michael said of the red-haired man. “Is Blake Simon. Blake is the former CEO of Sporting Dynamics, a company I acquired last year. Now he works for me, and I would like him regarded as an expert witness on all things having to do with the sporting world.”

“Nice to meet you all,” Blake said. He was polite and all, but he had a cocky veneer that rubbed me the wrong way.

“And last but not least, Trent Francis.” The brown-haired man nodded his head. He didn’t smile like the other two. “Trent is a lawyer specializing in corporate mergers.”

Michael then looked at me as if to say ‘beatthat.’ I smiled and gestured toward my team members.

“I’ll let my team introduce themselves. Becky, why don’t you go first?”

Rebecca stood up and adjusted her glasses.

“My name is Rebecca Storm. I have dual degrees from Harvard in law and economics.” She turned her gaze on Chad the Chud. “And I have personally overseen more than sixty corporate mergers.”

Becky sat back down, and my next team member stood up, adjusting his tie and pulling his ill-fitting pants up. He’d lost a lot of weight recently.

“My name is Joseph Joestar,” he said, stroking his beard. “I was actually retired last year, but with all of my kids gone to college, and my wife having passed on, well… the house was rather quiet. Too quiet, so I accepted Jenna’s offer.”

Blake snorted.

“And what were your qualifications again?” he said smugly.

“Mr. Joestar is a living legend in the business world,” Michael said, his eyes narrowing. “I suggest you respect him and his wisdom.”

I was glad of the vote of confidence from Michael, but then he turned and looked at me like I was supposed to be uber grateful. I returned his gaze with a blank stare.

The last member of my team stood up and adjusted his pastel-hued tie with slender fingers.

“My name is Polnaraff Epurer. I have dual citizenship with the United States and the glory that is France.” He offered a slight bow, green eyes blazing into everyone in the room. “My qualifications don’t quite speak for themselves like my esteemed colleagues. I am recently graduated from Brown University with a doctorate in corporate law."

“A doctorate?” Chad scoffed. “Aren’t you a little bit young?”

“I’m twenty-seven, I hardly think that’s young. But don’t worry, I like older men.”

He gave Chad a wink and the latter turned red as a beet.

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