Chapter 84
“Good morning, William,” his father barged into the office.
“If you need money,” Will sighed. “Call the accountant.” He said without looking up. He was growing of his parents walking in and out of his office like they had a right to be there.
“That’s not why I’m here.”
“Then what do you want?”
“Your uncle Robert is coming back from Singapore.”
That got Will’s attention. Robert coming back was not a good thing. Stewart Industries was founded by Conrad and his younger brother, Warren. They were successful partners at first, but it was discovered that Warren was embezzling funds from the company, bribing competitors and government officials, extorting and blackmailing employees, as well as selling company secrets. Warren was removed from the company by the board and arrested for his crimes. It was a dark blot on the family history. Conrad had always been ashamed of his brother and strived to restore the image of his company. Warren’s son, Robert, took his place. Robert was always resentful of Will’s position in the company and Conrad’s favoritism of him. He always believed that the company should to him. If Robert was coming back, it meant he was going to try and take over. But Robert was just as shady as his father. But he was smarter.
“I assume it’s not for a friendly, family visit,” Will said.
“The board may feel he is a better fit as CEO.”
“And why would you say that?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t act like you don’t know. You’ve been the tabloids for years with one scandal or another. And now you’re divorced without any children.”
“Why does that matter? Stewart Industries has been doing the best it ever has been since Pop left me the company. Our stocks are at an all-time high”
“The company’s image though, is at an all-time low. The board doesn’t like you.”
“And how do you know that?”
“Robert is a family man,” Franklin continued, ignoring his son’s question. “He’s got a son your age. If you’re going to save your position from him, you need to get married, and get your bride pregnant. Soon. You need to have an heir.”
“No. I was married already, and we all see how well that worked out. I have no interest in getting married again.”
“How about Grace? She’s already living with you, and you two have history.”
“Not all history needs to repeat itself.”
“So, you’re going to let your grandfather’s company slip out of your fingers?”
“I’ll fight for it. But I don’t see how marrying Grace is going to help. I won’t be having any children with her. Ever. I don’t love her anymore.”
“You don’t need to love her. You just need to marry her.”
“Well, I won’t. So, drop it.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“No. You’re unbelievable. You don’t care about me, or the company. You’re here to protect your paycheck and lifestyle. If you really cared about this company, you would have been the CEO instead of me. I don’t want to marry Grace and will not be having any children with her. Period. Unless you have anything else to say, get the hell out of my office.”
Franklin scoffed and walked out. But this wasn’t the last Will would hear of this.
Not that long ago, Will would have jumped at the chance to marry Grace. But now, it was the very last thing he would want to do. He had only been divorced for a short time. Getting married was out of the question.
He went home, and as usual Grace was all over him.
“Hello, honey,” she tried to greet him with a kiss. He stiffened up and backed away.
“Hi,” he said.
“How was your day?” She placed her hands on his chest and leaned against him.
“Fine,” Will tried to move away from her, but she continued to crowd him.
“I was thinking that maybe we could cook together and watch a movie tonight?”
Will thought of the last time he did that and couldn’t help his small smile. That was one of the greatest nights of his life. He held on to it as tight as he could. Grace misunderstood his reaction and felt encouraged by it.
“And then after maybe we can have some private time. I seem to remember your rather… voracious appetite. You could never get enough of me.” she said suggestively.
Will’s smile fell away, and he pushed Grace off him.
“No thank you,” he said. “We’re not going to have that kind of relationship, Grace. I don’t know how many times I have to say that to you.”
“Will…” Grace whined.
“I’m tired.” He pushed passed her and went to his bedroom. Grace fumed in the hallway. He could keep spurning her advances, but she would keep trying. Will had loved her once before. She was certain that she could make him love her again. Her phone buzzed and she was surprised by who was calling.
“Hello, Mr. Stewart. What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”
“Good evening, Grace,” Franklin said. “We need to talk.”
A few days later, Will went to work early to avoid Grace.
“Good morning, Mr. Stewart,” his receptionist greeted. She seemed off, but Will ignored it.
“Good morning. Are there any calls for me?”
“There is a message from the security company. They said to tell you that they still haven’t found anything, and that you would know what that meant.”
Will sighed.
“Of course, they didn’t. Thank you.”
The receptionist smiled and nodded. Will sat in his office. His mind was heavy with intrusive thoughts. They buzzed and swirled in his head and made it impossible to concentrate. On top of working hard to keep the company as successful as it had been, now he had to work harder to keep the board from removing him as CEO. And all while still trying to find Emma. His efforts had dwindled over time, but he didn’t want to give up yet. He didn’t like the way things ended between them.
Part of him wasn’t even sure why he was searching for her. She was the one who left him. She wanted the divorce, not that he could blame her. But he just… needed to know where she was.
Around midday there was a commotion outside of his office.
“Excuse me, miss? You can’t go back there!” his receptionist called out.
“Where is he?” a familiar voice called out. “I’ll tear him apart with my bare hands!
“Babe, please,” another familiar voice said.
“I swear to fucking God, take your hands off of me if you want to stay attached to your body. Where the fuck is he?”
Sabrina? Alex?
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