Chapter five- The CEO in name only

Liora’s POV

It was all a lie, and I had fallen for it.

Everything went by in a blur, as documents were signed and congratulations from the board members flew around.

I didn’t react; I couldn’t react.

Soon the congratulations settled down, and the business discussions began. I was about to take the head seat which my father had always sat in, when Sebastian sat on it first, not even sparing a glance at me.

I hesitated. What just happened?

An assistant pulled a chair by the side for me. ‘Mrs Carvers, your seat.’

I willed myself to move and sit, feeling the bile rush up within me. It didn’t help that all eyes focused on us, and everyone had seen what just happened.

A board member cleared his throat and began to speak:

‘Ma’am,’ he glanced at Sebastian then looked at me. ‘Given the circumstances, what is your strategy for handling the declining assets?’

‘In my opinion…’ I breathed a little.

‘I’ll take that,’ Sebastian’s voice cut mine smoothly.

My cheeks heated up as I watched him give a detailed, brilliant explanation. It wasn’t enough that he took my place at the head table, now he wants to show everyone how incompetent I am?

As I sat there, fuming inwardly, I realized something I didn’t want to admit: Sebastian had planned this from the start. Taking over my father’s company, humiliating me, he already knew this was going to happen the very moment we said our vows.

After the discussion was over, Sebastian cleared his throat and continued.

‘I owe you all an explanation for the rushed arrangement. Given Mr Bennett’s prognosis,’ he said, ‘continuity is essential. My wife, understandably, isn’t in the right emotional state for leadership. She will be assisting me in a learning capacity.’

Some board members chuckled, while others nodded their heads as if they understood what he meant.

‘A sensible arrangement,’ another member agreed.

I felt like screaming, telling them all to go to hell. But I controlled myself and watched in silence.

After all formalities were over, everyone dispersed, leaving me and Sebastian alone in the boardroom.

‘Car’s outside to convey you back home,’ he told me before walking out.

I watched him leave, knowing I was just an object to achieve a means, and he played it well. My chest heaved, with the tears threatening to fall out, but I kept them back.

Not now; not here.

As I walked out, the whispers followed.

‘So it’s true she’s no longer in power?’

‘She gave everything up to her husband? She must really love him.’

Love? I scoffed. The only person I loved was my father, but I was already failing him even while he was still alive.

As I got home, I saw Sebastian by the wet bar. I stood for a while staring at him sip from a wine glass slowly, then I let my anger loose.

‘How could you?’ I snapped at him.

‘I was going to get it one way or another,’ his tone was nonchalant as he eyed the glass of wine he held.

‘Tricking me and everyone else? Do you think that makes you a smart businessman?’

He stared at me for a while before bursting into laughter. ‘In the business world, you have to do whatever it takes to get what you want.’

I stared at him, my fists clenched and my chest tightening.

What would my father do if he found out that the company had been handed over to a stranger?

After years of hard work and sweat…

Feeling dejected, I sighed and began to walk up to my room. My body felt heavy; I just needed to rest at that moment.

‘Liora!’

I turned abruptly to face Sebastian. It was the first time he had ever called me by name.

He looked at me for a while with an expression I couldn’t quite understand. ‘You have so much to learn.’

There was no need to reply, so I left without a word.

In my room, I lay there all day and night, eyes wide open. It seemed not only did sleep elude me, but the only thing my father had to his name was almost gone from my grasp.

As I closed my eyes, I thought that maybe all wasn’t lost. If I just played along, moved on with Sebastian’s schemes, then maybe…just maybe…everything would end up fine.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of voices and laughter in the living room. Curious, I went downstairs to see Sebastian and his father, Reginald.

‘Liora,’ Reginald smiled at me.

‘Good morning,’ I smiled back.

‘I thought I should come visit. Sebastian was just filling me in on yesterday’s event.’

‘How’s my father?’ That was the only person I could think of.

He hesitated. ‘Surgery would soon commence, and after that, George would be back on his feet as before.’

My mind relaxed a little.

‘Oh well, enjoy,’ I nodded and turned to leave.

I was close to my room, when I thought about what he had said. Did Sebastian really tell him how he had taken over my father’s company? Is that why he looked so smug and happy?

In a daze, I turned back to ask him. Questions were bothering me, and only he would have the answers. As I got close to the living room, I began to hear some conversations; some disturbing conversations…

…about my father.

‘The surgery has a forty percent survival rate. Even if George survives, he won’t regain capacity. The company would bleed out before the year ends without intervention.’

It was Reginald, and it seemed he was on the phone with someone. I edged a bit closer to hear better.

‘Which is a good thing the plan worked. Sebastian is in charge and if that old man kicks the bucket, we’ll have full ownership. And don’t worry about the daughter. She’s already taken care of.’

Shock waves ran through my body at that instant, making me pause and replay what I had just heard. In a daze, I turned and raced down to my room, shutting the door loudly. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely twist the door handle.

The only thoughts racing through my mind were how this marriage had been planned to benefit just the Carvers.

And I had been the perfect pawn.