Page 75 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

Eve smiles at me. She probably thinks I’m about to beg not to be kicked out. “Sure, go ahead, but be sure to be brief. We all have things to do…places to be.”

She sits, and I get to my feet.

“I just wanted to let the board know that I have negotiated a deal with our biggest competitor.”

“What deal?” Francis Matthews, one of my allies on the board asks. “And with whom?”

“Harris Techis a force to be reckoned with, but we could be so much greater. As you all know, for the past 10 years I’ve been trying to make us the largest tech company in the country. I would like to announce that I have negotiated a deal to merge withLitmus Industries Inc.to achieve that goal.”

Everyone around the table starts murmuring.

“That is a lie.” Eve stands. “Vincent Carlisle is a personal friend of mine. He would never sell Litmus, and even if he were going to, I would’ve heard about it,” Eve challenges.

I pull out a piece of paper from my inner jacket pocket, unfold it, and throw it across the table in Eve’s direction, but it doesn’t quite reach her. “This is a letter from Vincent himself confirming what I just said.”

“Let me see that.” She snaps her fingers in the direction of the letter until someone passes it to her. She scans it, then says, “This can’t be real.”

“Of course, you can have it authenticated. Since he is a personal friend of yours, I’m sure you have his phone number. Call him and ask him.”

Eve’s eyes cut to me and rage burns in their depths. “How did you manage this?”

“The same way I founded one of the biggest tech companies in the country; with my grit.”

I offer her a kind smile.

She looks as though she is ready to burst into flames.

“Reid…” Francis says. “Answer the question. If you’re making this happen through illegal means, then that will blow back on us. We need to know that everything is above board.”

“Well,” I smile for Eve’s benefit. “I recently became acquainted with Mr. Carlisle. I’m not at liberty to say what exactly it was, but something has made him realize that there’s more to life than work. He will be retiring soon. He was planning to train his nephew to replace him, but that would take years. So, he changed his plans. He has agreed to merge with us to ensure his family’s legacy survives him.”

“He agreed to merge withHarris Techjust like that? After years of me trying to get him to merge?” Eve says.

“Well, it wasn’t easy. Of course, he was worried about what would happen to his company if we merged. After all, he is a third generation CEO. The company has been in his family for decades. The idea of merging made him sick, but he knows it’s necessary. He just needed to be sure that merging with us would be a good idea.”

I continue, “So I reminded him of the problemLitmus Industrieshas. They are old. Yes, they have pioneered technological advancements for over 100 years and have patents that many tech companies around the world depend on, but they have an image problem. Although they are alright for now, if they continue like this, in about ten years no one will be talking about them. I convinced him that merging with us will give him the benefit of our young and cutting-edge brand image, while we benefit from their legacy. It’s a win-win, and he agreed.”

“Well done, Reid,” says Francis.

“Of course, Vincent will be co-CEOs with whoever isHarris Tech’s CEO to make sure that his interests are protected. Once he makes sure of that, then he will retire.”

“You must know that you are on your way out,” Eve says. “So why are you bringing us this deal?”

“That’s a very good question.” I beam from ear to ear. “Vincent’s only caveat for this merger to go ahead is that I remain CEO ofHarris Tech. If I am removed for any reason, then he walks away from this deal. I don’t have to explain to all of you what that means for you financially. If this merger goes through without a hitch,Harris Techwill become the largest tech company in the country. Therefore, doubling our revenue. If you vote me out, you’re basically ensuring that this company will die, because Vincent will merge with another company. He, and whatever company he merges with will become a behemoth and will corner the market, starvingHarris Techin the process.”

“I think it’s time we vote on Eve’s motion,” Francis says.

“Yes, let’s.” I agree.

Through gritted teeth, Eve says, “Those in favor of removing Reid Harris as CEO ofHarris Tech…”

Only she puts her hand up.

She looks to Mitchell but he’s avoiding her glare. Next is William, but he has his eyes cast into his lap. Smart boy.

“Those against,” I say, and every other hand in the room shoots up. “I guess I’m staying on.”

“Congratulations,” Mitchell says with a smile, as if he didn’t just try to get me fired literally one minute ago.

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