WHO OWNS THE DESIGNS?

(ALEXA'S POV)

 

I stood before the board once again, my gaze drifting to Steven's tense face. His fingers drummed a beat on the table, something he usually does when anxious. I should have felt guilty for trying to destroy him, but I didn't. You only give someone the power to destroy you once, and Steven had used up his chance. His betrayal opened up the battlefield for this war, and now he was fighting for survival. With his father and two brothers in attendance, he might lose it all today. I smiled at the thought, one misstep, one mistake and might cost him his title as president.

"Today, I am here to present evidence that proves I, Alexa, am the sole designer of the estates designed and sold under this company's name," I declared, my voice firm and unwavering. There was silence in the room until one shareholder spoke up, "All designs?"

"Yes, all," I replied, my voice filled with emotion. "Hales Estates was founded on my vision, originally known as Calven Estates and Construction Company. I trusted the wrong person with my dream. A child from the streets, with no background, just talent, I participated in a college competition, my designs got recognition and that's how I met Steven Hales. He was looking for talent, I was looking for money that is how we partnered up” 

A shareholder spoke up, "Miss Jones, if you agreed to this, then you gave away your designs willingly." He gestured for me to sit down.

"Yes,” I replied, my voice firm. “But we had a binding contract." I pulled out the contract, and Owen Hales glared at his son, his face twisted in anger.

Mr. Hills, a lawyer, reviewed the contract. “Miss Jones, according to the agreement, you are only entitled to compensation for your sketches. Do you have any idea that with this contract the company can settle the matter by paying you for your work and providing some damages.” He tossed the contract on the table. “Get the finance team, let's end this.” Steven smirked, I knew Mr. Hills was his man.

"I know the limitations of that contract, but just like the contract states I was only obligated to craft sketches. Steven was supposed to refine them into architectural designs but he couldn't, that is why he employed Miss Clavelen.” I pulled out another contract.

“As Miss Clavelen, I breathed life into those sketches, I poured my heart and soul into them, working tirelessly day and night to make it the success it is today. Now, I am simply asking for what is rightfully mine to be returned to me." I ended my speech and turned to face the board.

The room fell silent, except for the sound of gasps and whispers among the shareholders. Luke, however, remained calm, he sat relaxed in his chair, sipping his water with an air of detachment, as if he had come to watch a soap opera. 

A shareholder spoke up, "But Steven has a degree in architecture! What do you mean he can't even polish a design?" I gestured towards the contract, my voice firm, "The answer is right in front of you, sir." The contract was clear.

Owen Hales stood up, “Alexa, I can understand your grievances. I invited you here today so we can settle this matter privately.” He said that looking around the board, the warning was clear for the rest of the board members. “I will pay you any amount you desire if you agree not to pursue legal action.'"

Steven's jaw tensed, and I knew exactly what was going through his mind. He didn't want me to win this, he didn't want to give me any money. This was how he had controlled me from the start, by controlling my finances. I had to beg him for everything, he had to approve of my every expense. He claimed the company needed the money, that we would both succeed together. But when success came, he pushed me aside.

“Alexa,” Mr. Hales called, bringing me back to his offer. As someone I had often sought advice from during my time here, he knew me well. “When I first met you at nineteen,” he said gently, he had always seen me as a daughter, that is why this betrayal hit hard. Why had no one told me Steven was married? “I saw a kind, intelligent young woman.” he continued his speech. “You introduced yourself as Steven's girlfriend, but he wasn't even present to support you.” His voice was filled with anger. Luke's gaze drifted towards me, and I could sense his silent judgment."

“I was young, sir, and I made a mistake by loving the wrong one,” I replied. Luke's eyes remained cold, unfazed by my words. Mr. Hales chuckled. “We all make mistakes, don't we?” He cleared his throat before continuing.

"You know what I told my son that day.” He looked at Steven. “To be cautious around you, standing bravely in my office, you reminded me of someone from my past, a sleeping tiger, she was a hunter at heart.” 

“My son messed with the wrong woman,” he said with a sly smile. “But I have to protect my company, Alexa.” His eyes locked on mine with a determined intensity. “Your designs are our top sellers, and Hales Real Estate and Construction is our most profitable sector. I can't watch it collapse."

“You made a mistake of trusting my son, This company failed you, we all made mistakes.” Mr. Hales said, his tone turning serious. “The question is, what do we do to rectify them? Going to court will destroy all of us.” He paused, his eyes locked on mine. 

“I will make you a deal,” he said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he calculated the risks. “Instead of buying rights to your designs, I will offer you a percentage of the profits made from your designs over the past few years, plus a lifetime commission on all future sales.”

Gasps echoed throughout the room, Steven's face turned pale. “You can't, Father,” he protested. “She just sold her company shares to our biggest competitor. What if she sells her design rights too? We will be left with nothing. The company will crumble.”

“Dangerous competitor? Do I scare you that much, Steven?” Luke set aside the document he was reading and met Steven's gaze with a mocking smile, his eyes glinting with amusement.

I shot Luke a warning glance, wondering why he had even bothered to show up. He seemed to be treating this meeting like one treated a tea date with a toddler, utterly unbothered. Steven attempted to speak, but failed to form a comeback. Frustrated, he turned his attention back to Mr. Hales, deliberately ignoring Luke. “Dad, please, you can't give her the rights,” he urged.

Mr. Hales slapped Steven, the sound echoing through the room. “Shortsighted, no wonder you couldn't choose the right woman,” he sneered. Nicole, who was watching from the back, shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her face pale with rage.

“I don't think I can accept your offer, Mr. Hales,” I replied calmly, my mind made up. Getting my rights back was my first priority besides I couldn't trust anyone from the Hales family.

Mr. Hales chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “You are just like her, determined to break free. But considering our involvement, that is no longer possible.” His tone turned cold, calculating. “Alexa, let's be clear, under the law, you willingly handed those designs over to Steven, and this company invested heavily to develop them. All you contributed were the initial designs, which I can technically buy back forcefully if necessary.” His gaze locked onto mine, the threat clear in his voice. “The only reason I'm making you an offer is because I want to avoid washing our dirty laundry in public.”

I laughed. For a moment, I had thought things might go smoothly, but who was I kidding, after all, this was Owen Hales I was dealing with. Did I really expect him to go down without a battle?

“Are you threatening her?” Luke's voice was low and even, but laced with a dangerous tone. He lounged back in his chair, his gaze fixed intently on Mr. Hales, who looked increasingly stressed.