Page 136 of Point of Contention

“Marisa?” I called.

“Yes, Mr. Reed?” she said as she paused at the door and turned around.

“Don’t be embarrassed to correct someone for getting your name wrong. It is I who should be embarrassed, not you.”

She swallowed hard and nodded, grinning as she left the room.

A moment later, the glass door to the conference room opened, drawing my attention to it as my father strode in, all three Rombauer men flanking him.

I waited for them to take their seats, sipping my coffee patiently, giving them nothing as I awaited the arrival of the other shareholders. The energy in the room shifted the longer I sat here quietly, my father and the Rombauers curious about my calm demeanor, no doubt, but unwilling to speak first.

Finally, I chuckled and rose to my feet, then focused on Roderick. “You’ve been busy, old friend.”

His eyes widened slightly, but then he swiftly schooled his expression. “I’m always busy, Cabot. The curse of being a king.”

I rolled my lips together to keep from laughing and he bristled. “I’ll have to take your word for it.” I looked up as my newly-appointed legal advisor, the man who would replace Winston Rombauer as soon as this meeting was through, strode through the door, Travis and a few other men on his heels. “Ah, Mr. Hastings. Thank you for coming.”

He nodded and took a seat beside me, opening his briefcase and immediately laying out the documents I’d asked him to draw up.

“What’s going on, son?” my father asked.

“Oh, so many things. Where to start?” I looked at Travis and he smirked. “First of all,” I continued, “As far as your preposterous plan to force me into marriage, I must politely inform you that it won’t work.” Laughing, I gazed out at the skyline. “One thing I’ve learned about women, father”—I glanced back at him over my shoulder and winked—“especially the kind we Reed men are drawn to, is that you can’t force them to do a goddamn thing they don’t want to do. Ms. Blake is no exception.”

One by one, executives entered the room and Marisa served them coffee while I continued speaking. “I apologize if my lifestyle has upset you, father, but forcing me into marriage won’t clean up my sullied reputation.” I paused, clasping my hands behind my back as I stared out the window. “I’m afraid I won’t be providing the Reed dynasty with an heir anytime soon either.” I glanced over my shoulder in time to see my father pale. “Ah. So I’d been right about that. What a preposterous idea.”

Motioning toward Winston Rombauer, I glanced at Hastings and he hurried to the opposite end of the long table to place a document in front of him.

“What is this?” the old man said as he pulled out his glasses and slipped them onto his leathered face.

“That, Mr. Rombauer, is the termination of your contract with Reed Enterprises.”

With my back to him, I smiled as he guffawed, then sputtered, “You can’t—”

“Oh, but I can.” I turned slowly around, smiling wickedly as I stared him down. “You’ll sign that document, or I will expose every one of your misdeeds.” I leaned down and lowered my voice. “I’ve kept receipts.”

He huffed angrily. “I will do no such thing.”

I shrugged. “Suit yourself. Your son, however, might urge you to reconsider.”

“Why would I do that?” Roderick asked, his voice icy smooth.

Chuckling, I lifted my hand to count off the reasons on my fingers as I listed them. “Blackmail. Bribery. Corporate espionage…”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?”

He squirmed and I smiled.

“I have statements from both Gage Magnusson and Stella Whitney.” I didn’t, but he needn’t know that.

Winston Rombauer leaned forward, his wrinkles twisted around narrowed eyes. “What are you playing at?”

Smirking, I crossed my arms over my chest and looked down my nose at him. “Your son is responsible for leaking those private photos of me to the press.”

If this was a surprise to him, he didn’t show it.

I nodded. “I figured you knew.” Sighing, I turned to my father, as Hastings placed a stack of paperwork in front of him, then I breathed deeply. This would be the hardest part of this meeting, but the one thing I felt most sure of going forward.

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