Page 76 of The Next Door Billionaire's Deception

“Sounds good enough.”

“Are you sure this is the best step to take?”

“Positive. Richard Burnes might have good intentions, but he’s just gonna complicate things further by entering a partnership with this pack of wolves.”

The line is filled with silence. I tap my office desk, waiting for Agent Chad’s reply. An analytical man who mulls over every possible outcome and every obstacle before taking any action, he’s probably weighing my choices right now.

“I can’t say I give you my blessing, as I’m still not sure this is the best course of action,” he says, after the long moment of silence, “but I can’t say you’re making the worst of decisions, either. Just make sure you’re in the right mind for this. As you mentioned earlier, the board is like a pack of ravenous wolves, ready to eat you alive if you slip up. Don’t give them that chance, okay?”

“Yeah. I won’t.”

“Good. Give me a briefing of the meeting after it’s done.”

That’s the last I hear from his end. Brief as ever. I glance at my watch. It’s just twenty minutes from the meeting. Better to go early and leave a good impression.

It sickens me to summon the board I detest so much like this, but right now, those men are the ones that called the shots, as they hold the most shares. They’re the only ones that can put a stop to Richard’s quest.

The reasons for Richard's takeover don't matter anymore. Handing over my company and all I've worked for to a liar and deceiver will be the last thing I do.

A rapping sound at the glass door catches my attention. It must be someone sent by the board. Sure enough, as I press a button and the doors slide open, a young brunette woman is standing just outside, with a file in her hands.

“Miss Durham? I’m Becca. I’ll be accompanying you to the boardroom. I’ll brief you on some things you should know before we get there.”

With my phone and a folder containing files about Vibrant, which I gathered and worked on for the better part of a week, I followed Becca to the boardroom.

“What’s the briefing you wanted to give me?”

“Just two things, Miss Durham. First, the board will be seated for an hour. That’s all they can spare. Second, the board maintains the right to deny your proposal, if it’s not in the interest of the company. If it’s detrimental to Emerald’s progress, you can be voted out of office. So please, ensure your proposal is as objective as possible and is for the growth of the company. That’s all I’m to brief you on.”

Well played. In other words, if I say something that pisses them off, I get the boot. At this moment, I’m treading on thin ice.

Less than three minutes later, we arrive at the closed conference room. All fourteen members of the board are already seated. The meeting isn’t due for another ten minutes.

Sitting at the far right of the table is John Lamar, a cigar in his mouth, with his gaze following me. A blatant disregard for corporate policy, but I’m powerless to stop him. The chair on the far left has been reserved for me, and I take a seat.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I’m so glad you reserved some time from your busy schedules to be here.”

They all murmur in reply. All, except Lamar, who’s still releasing huffs of smoke, his gaze set on me.

Drawing my chair back, I stand. “I called this meeting because of an issue I’m sure everyone seated here is aware of. Emerald is about to enter a merger with Richard Burnes’s Vibrant Corporation.”

The board members converse in hushed tones before the murmurs are put to a stop by John Lamar, who sets his cigar on an ashtray and clears his throat.

“Yes. We’re very well aware of that. We’re the ones processing the deal, after all. What’s your point, Miss Durham?”

“Here’s my point – the deal should be called off.”

The room lapses into total silence, and it’s like I’ve just uttered blasphemy in the presence of a religious group.

Lamar breaks the silence. “Why don’t you tell us why you’re suggesting this, Miss Durham?

“After some research, I discovered this deal will benefit us less and Vibrant more. I can’t stand that.”

“It’s not your decision to make, Miss Durham. The board will decide what’s best for the company.”

I press on, ignoring the implied criticism. “I’m calling for a reevaluation of this deal, and, if possible, an end to it. That’s my proposal.”

The board falls silent. Lamar, fingers crossed on the table, stares daggers at me.

---