Chapter 5: My Wife

TWO DAYS LATER

Ethan’s phone beeped with a notification the moment he and Olivia entered the Grey company building. He looked at it, saw who it was from, and ignored it. Olivia noticed.

“Who was that? Zara?”

“Mm,” he replied. “She wants to know how things are going.”

“So why didn’t you send a reply?”

“Nothing.”

Olivia frowned slightly. “You’ve been pissed off since yesterday. Is this still about that girl?”

“‘That girl’ is the woman I’m supposed to marry.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “I still don't know what you want from that Mia of a girl. Just don’t treat Zara badly because of her. You know you need her too. Leo is an indispensable asset.”

“I know.”

“Don’t sulk. After today, you’ll be the sole heir of the company, and Mia won’t be able to keep playing hard to get.”

Ethan nodded. “Do you know which board members are going to be at the meeting?”

“Most of them are on our side. By the time Ezra realizes what's going on, it’ll be too late. I heard he’s still acting like a child and refusing all your grandmother’s efforts to set him up.”

Ethan scoffed. “Loser. Maybe he thinks Grandma will step in to save him like she always does.”

“That won’t happen this time,” Olivia replied.

They entered the elevator that took them straight to the conference room. Most of the board members were already seated and waiting.

“Should we start the meeting? What are we waiting for?” Olivia asked.

“You know the meeting can’t begin without Ezra,” a middle-aged man said, a look of disgust on his face. “He hasn’t even been back two weeks and we already have to wait for him and pander to his wishes.”

Olivia smiled slightly. “Forgive my brother for his insolence, Mr Hayes. I’m sure he’s just held up with something.” Inwardly, she was glad. Trust Ezra to screw things up for himself with his arrogance.

Mr Hayes gave her and Ethan an appraising look. “I got your message about having something to share with the board. Care to tell us what it is before the meeting commences officially?”

Olivia gave a bashful smile as she glanced at all the other board members. They were eleven in number, and most of them hated Ezra to some degree. The others were either on Matilda’s side, or neutral. Thankfully, the people on her side outnumbered the others, and were a lot more vocal.

“I’m not so sure it would be proper to share the news before Ezra gets here…”

“Oh, come now,” one of the other men urged. “It won’t make a difference whether you tell us now or when he arrives.”

“Well… if you insist.” Olivia tried to contain her smile as she stood. “As you all know, before my father died, he left a large number of shares behind to be held in trust and be given to whichever of his heirs settles down first and starts a family. One of his heirs is Ethan, my son. Everyone in the company has always wondered who the shares and the position of overall CEO of the group would go to. For a while, I even thought it would go to my brother since he’s older than Ethan and should be expected to settle down first. However, that hasn’t been the case. After waiting for so long, the company doesn’t have to wait anymore. We’re happy to announce that Ethan is not only engaged, but already has a son and another baby on the way!”

The room immediately erupted in congratulations and handshakes for Ethan.

“This is great news,” Mr Byers said enthusiastically, pumping Ethan’s hand. “All that’s left is to have the shares automatically transferred to you, and you’ll be the new head of Grey Holdings! I bet your uncle wouldn’t like that!”

“Ha! Serves him right, in my opinion. After being gone for years and abandoning the company, he thinks he can just return and have everyone make room for him? Impossible!”

“Yes! His status as William’s son doesn’t give him the right to walk over us – pun intended – and dictate how the business is run! You’re William’s grandson, but you know your place. You've been the one managing the company when he was wailing away his life. You’re a good boy, Ethan. Congrats again.”

Ethan was soaking up all the congratulatory messages and wondering how he could get Mia to see just how important he was, when the door to the conference room swung open, and the whirr of a power wheelchair sounded, followed by Ezra and his assistant entering the room. The room was immediately plunged into silence.

Ezra was in an impeccable suit that highlighted his best features and made him stand out from the group of men even though he was the only one in a wheelchair. On his face was an arctic expression coupled with a slight sneer.

“Interesting.” His gaze moved across the table. “You seemed confident discussing my position while I wasn't here.”

No one answered.

Ezra's expression remained cold.

After so many years, this was the first time Olivia was seeing her brother in person, and she was caught off guard for a minute before regaining herself.

“Uncle!” Ethan said, getting to his feet with pride. “We were just sharing the news of my engagement and having an heir.”

Ezra’s expression didn’t even change. “Is that so.”

“You know what that means, brother,” Olivia said with a smug smile on her face.

Ezra ignored her and instead looked at the board members who were sitting quietly now. The audacity to plot against him and make a conclusive decision without letting the board vote. He sneered. “Ethan isn’t getting the company.”

Olivia stepped forward and frowned. “What do you mean? Dad’s will clearly stated that whoever got married and - ”

Ezra waved a dismissive hand, cutting her short. “I know what my father’s will said. But Ethan isn’t married, is he?”

“He has an heir!” Olivia fumed.

Ezra snorted. “I’ll believe that when I see proof. But for now…” He gestured to Jason, who placed a folder on the large table.

Ezra leaned back. “Before we discuss the transfer of those shares, there's something you should know.”

“What’s that?” One of the neutral board members asked while Olivia snatched the document and started reading through it.

He nodded toward the folder in Olivia's hand. “My marriage certificate.”

“WHAT?!”

The shock was palpable. Ethan stopped looking so smug and joined his mother in examining the document.

“This.. this can’t be real!” Olivia exclaimed. “This could’ve been faked!”

Ezra shrugged. “Feel free to have it verified. But in case you want further proof…” He snapped his fingers in the direction of the still open door. “Come in.”

Everyone’s gaze swivelled towards the door as Mia walked into the room, her head was bowed as she walked towards Ezra, trying to appear more confident than she felt. Taking a deep breath, slowly, she lifted her gaze and met the stunned gazes of all the board members one by one, but nothing could match the shock she felt when her gaze landed on Olivia and Ethan, Olivia stared at her as if she'd seen a ghost. Ethan's face went completely white. His jaw was apparently on the floor.

Mia's heart began pounding.

What was going on?

Why had Ezra brought her here?

And why did everyone look as though she had just walked into the middle of a war?

“Allow me to introduce my wife, Mia Grey,” Ezra said, taking Mia's hand and thoroughly ignoring the palpable shock on Mia’s, Ethan’s, and Olivia’s faces.

His gaze swept over the room, and with a small smile, he added the final nail in the coffin. “She’s pregnant with my child.”