Chapter 81

SILVANA

When I got to my office, James told me about the shareholders who were assembled in the conference room. Well, I was not surprised. Today was the shareholders meeting, which happened regularly.

I straightened my dress and my way to the conference room with Mr Greg trailing behind me. When we got there, Mr Greg held the door open and I walked in with my head held high. Mr Greg walked in after me.

I sat down in my seat, facing members of the board. My eyes narrowed slightly at the looks some of the board were giving me. Some were smirking at me while some threw me pitiful glances.

Either way, I didn't think much to it and called for the commencement of the meeting. The meeting was going smoothly until Mr Richardson spoke up.

"We have opinions that you should step down."

My eyes dilated in surprise. "What are you implying?" I asked and a man spoke up.

"We implore you to step down cause we are not satisfied with your leadership. If we take a look at all the things that's being happening since you took seat, there are little good and more bad."

I scoffed, but kept quiet, allowing him to continue.

"We had a lot of scandals, even recently and you were not even there to take care of it."

"I got into an accident."

"Probably because of reckless driving."

My brows shot up in surprise, and I gazed at him from his head to toe, eventually considering him worthless of my time and talk, before proceeding.

"Next".

"We just what you to step down." Another one said.

It was almost like they have been watching me. None of them even remembered the good deeds I did for this company, not to talk of for them. Instead of feeling heartbroken, they could all turn their backs on me like this.

I found it funny instead and bursted into laughter unconsciously Infront of them all, leading everyone to be silent and to just focus on me. Their jaws all dropped and I was pleased. They expected me to be sad but they were in for a surprise.

"Instead of feeling remorseful, she is even laughing meaning she doesn't take this company or any one of us serious." Mr. Richardson, one of my number one nemesis in this company, ever since I took over spoke up and everyone supported him.

I turned to look at him, as he stood up to face me..we both stared at one another, for a long time, none of us broke eye contact and I could see the side of his lips rising up into a victory smile.

He has always hated me and wanted only to see my downfall. He hated being under the command of a young girl, old enough to be his daughter and believed my cousin, Xander was the rightful C.E.O of this company.

"Am I supposed to break down in tears or go down on my knees to beg you all not to chase me out?" I threw back at him, relaxing fully into my swivel chair like a boss, crossing my legs onto one another in the process.

The rest of the shareholders all reared back in awe, not expecting me to be able to speak up but I did, and even boldly looked them all in the eyes like their boss.

"Even if I did, won't you all still carry out your evil plans as discussed?" I pointed out, asking them and they all turned to look at one another, uneasily before looking up to Mr. Richardson to save them as usual.

"Bunch of cowards." I muttered under my breath.

"Stop it girl, we are all old enough to give birth to you " Mr. Richardson scolded, making the other shareholders nod their heads in agreement to his words.I immediately turned my head to glare at him, daggers obvious in my eyes and he gulped before looking downwards like he should.

"It's Miss Hardin to you." I roared at him and just then the door flew open and in came my uncle, Xander's father. He looked at me for a while and I did the same.

I wasn't going to judge him for he was going to side with his son but then his next statement shocked me.

"Xander might be my son but I do not think he is fit nor do I think he has what it takes to run this company efficiently, thereby I would be giving my shares to my niece, Silvana" He announced, putting everyone in an amused spot.

I myself was moved but didn't show it and just acknowledged him.

"Thank you, Uncle". I said and was about to speak further when I was interrupted.

"But that cannot be possible father, for you already gave me those shares remember?" Xander called out to his father, standing up from his seat where he was observing everything going on quietly.

I turned to arch my eyebrows at my uncle.
'Was I being deceived?' I pondered, but noticed my uncle was giving Xander a " what the hell are you saying?" look.

Obviously, he was just as confused as I was at the moment.

" What are you talking about Xander, I never did that" my uncle corrected and Xander let out an evil grin, which notified me he knew what he was doing, but what?

" Remember when Silvana got into a car accident and went into a coma, not waking for weeks and the head of the company's position was left open,". Xander began, emphasizing on the words, empty and at risk, to show everyone how incompetent I was.

' Not like it was my fault I got knocked into an accident and straight into a coma' I thought, not fazed one bit and just watching the ongoing drama, happening between father and son.

"You gave me your shares for a month, your shares to back me up so I could take over but at the press conference. One month is not over yet. " He suddenly stopped and turned to look at me, hate and fury obvious in his orbs, his fists clenched before he unclenched them and pointed at me.

'What was with everyone and pointing their fingers at me today?' I wondered, but still kept mute not saying a word. Xander looked away from me, his hands dropping to his side as he faced his father.

"So father, do you remember now?" He questioned his dad, who looked downwards in shame instantly, probably remembering and regretting his decisions.

The shareholders began muttering between themselves happily..it was obvious I was going to be voted out as Xander now had more shares than me..it hurt, yes it did, like a piece of thorn trying to pull apart my heart, but I refused to show it and just remained still, looking at them all.

Xander was now the third, largest shareholder as the second was unknown. I took a deep breath, before breathing out, preparing myself mentally to step down.

As I expected, Xander spoke up.

" Since it's all clear now that I am the third largest shareholder and the second largest is nowhere to be found or has said anything about this, this means I have the right to take over as the next C.E.O since I have been proven qualified" .

Everyone agreed with him, excluding his father and I. Xander smirked, then turned to look at me.

" Then Silvana, you won't mind getting up from my seat, will you? Your time is over" He told and I prepared myself, only to hear a voice I was not expecting.

" Stop" A voice sounded and we all turned to the door to see James. What was he doing here?

James walked in with his assistant. Xander recognizing him, scrunched his face up at him before asking the question I have been dying to know the answer to.

"What the hell are you doing here, Mr boyfriend?". He turned to look at me again, accusations in his eyes.

" So this is how you bring private matters into business? I guess it's a good thing you are stepping down" He added and I was about to explain myself when James butt in.

" That's not ....".

" No one asked you" Xander told him rudely, cutting him off.

" I have to be here as the second, largest shareholder of this company" James announced, ignoring Xander and putting me in a frozen state.

"What did he just say?"