Page 20 of The Last Morgan
Corey stepped forward and placed a file on the table in front of each board member. "This is the breakdown of Miss Morgan’s shares. A clear, legal majority."
One of the older board members picked up the folder, squinting. "This can’t be right."
"It is," Lucy said. "So let’s skip formalities. I’m not here for a ceremonial title. I'm here to take control."
Richard took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Lucy, this isn’t how things are done. You don't storm into the boardroom with soldiers and expect respect."
She turned toward him. "Did you show me that upon my arrival? I've learned very quickly from you that respect isn't given. It's taken."
The room went still.
Richard's jaw tightened. "You're emotional. This company needs stability”.
The grey-eyed Dove took a step forward, his presence a chilling reminder that Lucy was not alone.
She walked past Richard, pulled out the high-backed chair at the head of the table, and sat.
Silence.
Then Lucy spoke. “You’ve all done a spectacular job” She addressed the board. “And you” as she turned towards her uncle, “look like you’ve been having so much fun playing pretend CEOsince my parents were killed. But playtime’s over. I’m here now — and starting today, every decision and deal crosses my desk first.”
She looked around the room. "If you have a problem with that, there's the door."
No one moved.
After Lucy's bold declaration, the boardroom was thick with tension. Eyes darted. Throats cleared. The silence was almost satisfying.
"Now," Lucy said smoothly, rising from her seat. "Show me to my office."
Richard stood frozen. "Lucy, your office is being prepared—"
"Wrong answer," she interrupted. "My office is the one my father used to work in; I take it you have been using it?"
A tight silence followed, knowing he had been defeated Richard nodded once to his assistant. Lucy didn’t wait. She turned and left the boardroom with Corey and the grey-eyed Dove close behind.
Richard’s office—now hers—was as grand as she remembered. High windows, sharp lines, walls of heavy books, and clean glass. She stepped inside and let the silence wrap around her. Then she turned to the assistant who followed behind.
"Bring me the directors. One by one. I want to meet the people who have helped run my company."
Chapter 12
Lucy met the board of directors one by one however, one stood out.
Deza Linton – Director of Strategic Development. She walked in very confidently and within five minutes, Lucy knew that they would be great friends.
Deza offered no flattery, no fear. She spoke plainly and intelligently, highlighting strengths and failures in recent strategies, and even asked Lucy, point blank: "What’s your endgame?"
Lucy smiled. “My goal is to rebuild this company to make it stronger, cleaner, and smarter. I need someone who tells me the truth and not just what I want to hear.
Also someone who can help manage the chaos that's about to present it self."
Deza lifted an eyebrow and cracked a smile, "Well, I am definitely on board for change, and happy to be part of the bigger picture."
Lucy smirked. "Then let the games begin."
A new alliance had just been formed.
After a day full of boardroom clashes, subtle power plays, and the weight of legacy beginning to settle on her shoulders, Lucy finally reached a point of pause. She had met with every director, shaken hands, taken mental notes, and aligned herself with Deza—a brilliant, bold woman who would soon prove to be the kind of ally Lucy needed in the battlefield of business. But now, the office lights were dimming, and even Corey was showing signs of fatigue.
