Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

~~~~~

The tension in the boardroom was thick enough to choke on.

There was a long mahogany table that housed twelve name plates and chairs for each members.

Ethan sat at the head of the table, waiting for that one person he had come here for. From the look of things, it does not look like she has arrived yet.

Julian and Sarah sat huddled together on the left side of the table, right beside Ethan.

Sarah’s hands were clenched so tightly in her lap that her knuckles were white, her eyes continued to dart between Ethan and the Phoenix Ring on his finger.

“This is a mistake,” Julian hissed, still not over the truth of the situation. “The Phoenix Group doesn't just... hand out power to ex-convicts. There’s a legal trail here that I will uncover.”

Ethan didn't spare Julian â glance, rather, he busied himself with adjusting the name plate.

. “As of now, Julian Vance, The trail leads exactly where I want it to, Julian. I suggest you worry less about my past and more about your future. Or the lack of one, anyways.”

An elderly board member cleared his throat, leaning forward, nodding briefly toward Ethan's direction. “Mr. Wilder, we are all present. We are ready to begin the audit and discuss the review of subsidiary shares. However...” He glanced at the one empty chair at the far end of the table.

The plaque in front of the seat read: ALINA JOHNSON – CEO, D_VANCE BOUTIQUE FIRM.

“She’s late,” Sarah snapped desperately “Typical. The girl is as disorganized as her criminal father. Is this who you’re protecting, Ethan? A girl who can’t even show up to a meeting that determines her life’s work? It’s an insult to the Phoenix Empire to keep you waiting.”

"Keeping the Phoenix representative waiting? She should be stripped of her shares for this alone.” another of the board member mentioned.

Ethan's face hardened at the statement. "Under no circumstance, would you utter derogatory comments against Alina or her father, neither will anyone speak until they are asked to!"

The murmurs from earlier died down until there was complete silence in the board room.

Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the end of the hall swung open with a loud thwack.

A young woman burst into the boardroom looking anything but settled. She was frantic, dressed in a professional blazer that was slightly misbuttoned, her hair escaping a partially neat ponytail.

In her arms, she clutched a mountain of folders and files

“I’m so sorry. The elevator got stuck, and then the staples snapped, and I—” she trailed off, anxiously sparing a glance at everyone's hardened face.

She swallowed the rest of her words and hurried toward the empty seat, her heel caught the edge of the carpet in the final moments, causing her to stumble with a force that sent all the folders and files flying.

“Oh, no, no, no!” she squeaked, dropping to her knees to scramble for the sheets. “I have the projections! I have the proof of the illegal coercion! Please, just give me a second!” the tremor in her voice was not concealed as she spoke. "I've worked so hard for this cooperation. It's unfair to be dismissed like I don't matter at all due to issues that were not in my control"

Ethan's lips pressed into a thin line. Looking at her this helpless, triggered a part of him he hated.

Sarah let out a sharp, mocking peal of laughter. “See? This is the ‘business titan’ you’re defending, Ethan. She’s a clown.”

Julian smirked. “Embarrassing. Security should escort her out for wasting our time.”

Ethan’s chair creaked as he stood up. The room went silent instantly.

He walked slowly toward the mess of papers and began to pick them up by himself.

Alina noticed the presence and slowly looked up to peer at him.

She recognized him instantly.

Ethan Wilder, also an ex convict in the prison where her father had served time. Her father had described him pretty accurately.

Dark brown eyes, dark hair that looked good even in a buzz cut. Few piercings on his left brows, skootu, plump lips and a very huge physique.

How did this man end up being a sex offender?

"Are you okay?" His tone, laced genuine concern reached her ears.

Alina shook her head, reminding herself to be focused on the reason she's here. The purpose. To retain her position and shares and this gorgeous ex convict of a man could help out.

Her father had described him as "our last hope"

"You aren't?" His brows raised in amusement as he studied her

She took the papers from him, gathering it in her arms before placing it on the desk.

“Pardon my clumsiness, Mr. Wilder. I... I have the files, sir. I promise I’m competent, I just—”

“Take your time,” Ethan said calmly. “We were waiting for you to arrive before we commence tye meeting"

She nodded once and mouthed a thank you.

Ethan waited till she is settled comfortably on her seat before proceeding, his gaze turning towards Julian ând Sarah.

“And as for those who find her ‘embarrassing’...” Ethan gestured to the board members. “I find it much more embarrassing to be a CEO whose company is currently being dismantled from the inside."

Everyone shifted in their seats, complete decorum descending in the room

Ethan walked back to where he sat in a bid to address them all.

"The Vance Corporation has built its reputation on the idea of 'legacy,'" Ethan began, his voice sounding too calm for someone who is annoyed "But looking at this table, all I see is a group of people eager to wrongly strip a subsidiary because they think there are no consequences for bullying the vulnerable."

"Ethan, enough of the theatrics," Sarah snapped, her voice trembling despite her urge to hide it. "You’ve made your point. You have some mysterious backing. But the board isn't going to let a convict dictate the terms of our internal acquisitions."

. "If I were you Sarah, I wouldn't be so sure about what the board is 'letting' happen."

Just then, phones loudly chirped, ultimately distracting members

Ethan inclined positively, giving them the permission to go ahead and check their notifications.

. The board members scrambled for their devices ând almost immediately, gasps filled the air

"What is this?" Julian gasped, his face turning bright red as he scrolled his phone. "The Vance family shares... they’re being liquidated? By who?" He screeched

"By me," Ethan said. "Five minutes ago, the Phoenix Group just bought your debt, Julian.”

Ethan turned his gaze to the elderly board member who had mocked Alina earlier. "As of this moment, I own fifty-seven percent of the Vance Corporation’s voting shares.”

A stifled sob escaped Sarah’s throat. She looked at Julian, but Julian was staring at his phone in an engrossed manner.

"First order of business," Ethan announced, gesturing toward Alina, who was watching him with wide, blue eyes. "The acquisition of the boutique firm is cancelled. Effective immediately, Alina Johnson is promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations for the entire Vance parent company. She will be overseeing the audit of every person sitting at this table."

Alina gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Mr. Wilder... I..."

"You’ve earned it, Alina. Your father said you were the smartest person he knew. Prove him right."

Sarah let out a loud yell. “Earned it??” She asked, her tone being that of disbelief. “She earned nothing. Take a look at her, Ethan! She looks like sh!t! She does not deserve the position”

“Enough Sarah! You should not be talking to me or seen associating with me, Remember? You are worried about the stain in your reputation”

She sucked in a lower lips. “Listen to me, Ethan. How about we talk it out. Somewhere else? In private?”

“There’s nothing a criminal like me has to discuss with a criminal like me. Due to that, association with a criminal is a terrible thing, which is why as the majority shareholder, I am firing you for cause. Security will escort you out”