Page 2 of Billion Dollar Baby Deal

Next, Sophie presented the team with new marketing strategy ideas. Noah barely heard a word she said, though his eyes couldn’t help but notice the way her new dress accentuated her curves. Most of the staff had dressed in finer clothes for the CEO’s arrival, but she looked particularly nice today. He wondered if there was somewhere else she had to be then remembered what she’d told him about needing to leave early for her friend’s baby shower.

Usually Noah had strict rules about leaving work early, but Sophie had caught him in a good mood when she asked. Besides, the numbers this week were record-breaking and he knew her work running the marketing team had played a huge part in that.

Finally, Richard stood for his speech and Noah’s palms became slick with sweat.

No matter how long his father spent gallivanting on tropical islands, he was a true businessman at heart, and his aura demanded respect.

Sometimes Noah wondered if his presence demanded the same.

His father’s speech was short and to the point. He acknowledged the areas in which the company was thriving and highlighted some areas that needed attention. Overall, he genuinely seemed impressed with his staff’s work.

Noah’s heart rate increased when Richard finally mentioned his name. He sat up straighter.

“Before we wrap up, I would like to say a special thank you to my son for his excellent work this year.” He paused as his staff gave him a round of applause. Noah felt a blush cross his cheeks; his father rarely spoke like this.

“You all know how important family is to this company. So as a proud father, I just want to say that I couldn’t have done a better job myself. Keep up the good work, everyone. I’ll see you again next quarter.”

Noah adjusted his tie, ignoring the sense of suffocation that was starting to wash over him.

That was it?

The team began to pack up, dispersing quietly. Noah did not move.

Sophie’s blue eyes conveyed sympathy as she passed. By the looks of things, Noah wasn’t the only one who’d thought he might be getting a promotion.

He waited until everyone had left to address his father, who was packing up his own things, unaware of the disappointment on Noah’s face.

“That was all? There was nothing else you wanted to announce?”

Richard barely glanced up as he answered. “I believe we covered everything of importance.”

Anger swept through Noah, his body heating in response. Years.He had been doing his father’s job for years now without the official title of CEO. He deserved this.

“Not even your retirement?” Noah gritted out.

Richard looked up, a dismissive annoyance in his narrowed eyes. “You can’t be serious, Noah. Did you not just hear my speech?”

Noah stood, unable to be confined to a seat any longer. “Yes, I did. You said you couldn’t have done better yourself. You applauded all the work that I’ve done this year. Work that should have earned me the title of CEO a long time ago.”

Richard shook his head. “Your work is not the issue here, Noah. Maybe you should start focusing on building an image befitting Birch Industries.”

Noah balked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

His father set down his briefcase. “It means, if you want to become the face of this family-oriented company, you need to actually have a family. I will not have some free-spirited bachelor ruin the perfectly curated image I’ve created.”

Fear squeezed Noah’s chest. “I didn’t realize having children was a requirement.”

His mind reeled as his father stared at him. Was Richard insinuating that Noah existed only because of the lengths his father was willing to go to in order to curate their image?

“Did you even mean what you said in the meeting?” Noah blurted out.

“All I’m saying is that maybe it’s time to grow up. Find a suitable woman and settle down. It’s not like you have to love her. Just show me that you’re able to portray an image befitting of the company and then we’ll talk.”

Noah’s hands balled into fists. “You say it as if it’s nothing.”

Did his father seriously expect him to get married and have children in order to become CEO?

Richard approached the door. “Because it is,” he responded.

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