Chapter 76

Chapter 76

SILVANA

"He isn't?" Karen who had been silent asked and I nodded. "Someone bought shares anonymously so I don't know who the person is, I wish I knew though." I mumbled, pouting my lips.

"Anyways, can we eat now?' I turned to James, rubbing my tummy with a pout. James chuckled and before I knew it, I was in his arms. I laughed out, and my eyes met with Karen who was shaking her head. James took me to the dining room, placing me on one of the seats.

"You made enough for four, right?" Chad asked as he walked in with Karen, trailing behind him.

Karen giggled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't wait to taste brother-in-law's cooking."

My face contorted in surprise. "Brother-in-law?" Karen nodded in affirmation, her gaze shifting to James. "Aren't you my brother-in-law, James?"

The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on James. He glanced at me, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, before nodding in confirmation. "Of course, I am."

My face flushed bright red, and I bit my inner cheek to stifle my embarrassment.

"Can we just eat, please?"

Karen chuckled and we began eating.

Just after we finished eating, the doctor came and I had to get treatment. Chad and Karen left after. Treatment took quite some time before they left and James took me back to his room in his arms.

As we sauntered into his room, James attempted to extricate himself, but I clung to him, wrapping my arms around his neck like a vice. I gazed up at him with pleading eyes, my lips pouting in a silent protest. I didn't want to let him go, not even for a moment. James' brows furrowed in concern, but I only tightened my grip, savoring the warmth of his embrace.

"Okay, okay," he relented, sinking onto the bed with me still wrapped around him.

I pulled back, my eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Are you going to work tomorrow?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of mischief. James shook his head, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'd rather stay here with you."

My expression turned stern, my lips pursed in disapproval. "No way, you need to go to work! I know how swamped you get, so don't even think about playing hooky."

James' face fell, but I remained resolute. "You must go."

James groaned, his eyes rolling in exasperation, but I could see the hint of a smile lurking beneath. "Fine," he conceded, leaning in to peck my lips.

I smiled and was about hardening the kiss when my phone started ringing. I glanced at it on the bedstand, groan lowly as I reached out to take it. I picked up when I saw Mr Greg calling.

"Anything?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted to inform you that the chemical waste has began to be disposed properly."

"Oh, that's great. What about the company itself?"

"I think we should change to another one. I discovered that they also disposed other companies' chemical wastes and ours illegally like this, this time around, they couldn't cover it and so it got blown out like this."

"Err – Change them as you planned, to a competent one though."

"Sure, I will hang up now."

"Wait!" I called and I heard a pause.

"Send urgent works to me. I will start working on them tomorrow."

"Can you really do that? You just woke up."

"It's fine. Bye." I said with a small smile and hanged up. I faced James only to see him frowning at me.

"Is something wrong?"

"Did you tell me to go to work because you want to work?"

"Nope, I just guessed you would have a lot of work to do."

"Still, you are not completely okay."

I shook my head, pecking his lips slightly. "Don't worry, I won't overwork and just do little. The drugs I take won't even let me work more cause I will end up sleeping."

"Still – " I smiled and James hesitant look, pulling him closer.

"I promise not to overwork, I'm serious." I whispered, staring into his eyes, and finally nodded.
__________

XANDER

I strode into the lounge, greeting Reed with a nod and a fist bump.

"Hey." I bumped fists with him as I settled down beside him.

Reed's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Now, tell me the full details. How the hell did Silvana wake up, and even appeared at the company just when you were about announcing yourself as the president?"

I let out a frustrated sigh, pouring myself a drink. "I really have no idea. That cousin of mine is really something else."

"Real truth, man. What do we do now?"

Hesitantly, I mumbled. "I have to get the board on my side."

Reed's face screwed up into a mixture of doubt and concern. "Dude, how are you gonna pull that off when things are this messed up? You know you are really fucked up right now."

I rubbed at my eyelid, leaning closer to him. "You know the man from the other time,"

"That old man?"

I nodded, briefly. "He is part of the board so I would get him to help me talk to the other board members."

Reed's expression contorted in disbelief, his voice laced with skepticism. "You seriously think he is gonna do that?"

"Well – " I paused, uncertainty creeping in. After Mr Richardson ignored me the other time, I had sent a message to him, asking to meet up, but I was unsure of his presence today because he never answered, even if he read it.

"Anyways," I shrugged to cover my uncertainty, "we would be meeting here."

"Why isn't he here then?" Reed still had that look of disbelief that was getting me frustrated. I'm also trying to be hopeful here.

Seconds turned to minutes and minutes was already turning to hours. Reed's patience was already diminishing, same as me.

I took my phone out, trying to call him this this time. As I did, my fingers drummed impatiently on the armchair. The door suddenly opened and my head whipped in the direction. Only the person's leg was visible at first then he walked in fully. I breath a sigh of relief when I saw Mr Richardson in front of me.

He raised his phone which had my name calling. I immediately ended the call and faced him.

"I'm glad you are here, please have your seat." I pointed at the couch opposite Reed and I.

Mr Richardson gazed around the room skeptically before he nodded, finally settling down on the couch I showed to him.

"So why did you call me here, and – " his eyes travelled to Reed, his gaze questioning.

"He is actually part of us." I stepped in.

His brows raised, his gaze moving back to me. "Us?"

My eyes darted speechlessly, unsure of what to say.

"I think you know why we are here, there is no need for this." Reed spoke up, and I looked at him, almost giving him a thumbs up before facing Mr Richardson.

"It's true, so let's get to business." I said.

"Aren't you Silvana's ex husband?" Mr Richardson spoke up, obviously not interested in moving on.

Reed nodded with a little shrug. "I guess I am."

Mr Richardson's eyes narrowed. "So what are you doing here?"

"My relationship with Silvana, I don't think that matters here." Reed drawled, looking pissed.

"It doesn't," Mr Richardson nodded in agreement.

"So, shall we – "

"Get straight to the point, why did you call me here?" Mr Richardson cut in and my teeth clenched at his words.

'How annoying can he be. Just wait till I get what I want.' I scoffed inwardly, but forced a smile.

"I need your help in getting the board on my side."

"What for? You think they would be willing to help you?"

"That's why I need your help. If a significant majority of the board members holding a substantial amount of shares can go against Silvana, posing to get her off the presidents seat, then we have a chance." I explained, my words hanging in the air as the room became silent. Both faces looking like they are having their own thoughts. Well, I hope their thoughts are favourable to me.

"You know, I've given you lots of chances." Mr Richardson finally spoke up after minutes of endearing silence.

Nodding in agreement with his words, I lifted myself from the couch. "Give me one more chance. I almost pulled it off yesterday."

"You almost, but you didn't." Mr Richardson said, stating the obvious difference.

"This will work though." Reed spoke up and we turned to him. "With a large number of people against her, she has no other choice but to step down. The recent incidents can be used against her. That makes it easier."

Mr Richardson nodded thoughtfully and I smirked.

"Anyways, I will get you a meeting with the board. I hope you don't fuck this up."

"I won't." I shook my head and he nodded, getting up on his feet. Without a word, he walked out of the room and my expression changed into an annoyed frown.

"That man is damn annoying." Reed groaned beside me.

"I know, right?" I glanced at him. "But we absolutely need him."

"Yeah yeah, you're right."

We took our glass of whiskey, smiling at each other.

"Cheers to upcoming success." I said, loudly and we clinked our glasses together, gulping the hot liquor down our throat.

We spent the rest of the evening downing liquor, getting ourselves drunk in the process. But I wish I didn't. Mr Richardson called had set up a meeting with a substantial number of the board that morning, but I was suffering from hangover the moment.

I did my best to dress up, heading to Hardins for for the meeting. Benita was already waiting for me in front of my office when I got there. She told me they were already waiting in my office so I hurriedly went in.

"Good morning." I greeted, politely, which they all returned.

As I settled in their midst, I began explaining our agreed plan, and they were all doubtful about it, but with the help of Mr Richardson, all of them began to yield. Well, except one.

"How do we trust you?" One of the men with bald head and big tummy asked.

I smiled. "Why can't you trust me? We are all helping each other here, and I'm surely not gonna flee after all this. I mean, do I even have a reason to flee?" I questioned, my eyes travelling round the room. With a light chuckle, I continued. "Of course not, and I will make sure to do a good job."

"Even at that, remember you almost ruined the company."

"I've reflected on my actions and I want to show you all that I can lead this company again. If you look at it, our stocks has been falling drastically ever since Silvana returned. She gets involved in different scandals without care about the company. Do you think she should continue leading this way?" I posed a question at them, and of course, they fell for my words. They agreed to support me at the next shareholders meeting which would be occurring next week.