Chapter 5 Chapter Five: Scheming for a Company.
Chapter Five: Scheming for a Company.
After the board meeting, Richard rushed home. He was furious! Not only had Savannah grandstanded him once again in front of the board, but now she wanted to pick her own fiancé!
“I knew Lacy should have stayed away from Alburn! Dammit!”
As he sped through traffic, he immediately called Kevin and ordered him to head over to the estate. As soon as he arrived, Darma was the first to greet him.
“Hello my love! How did the meeting go! Did the board-”
“Is Alburn here!”
Darma’s eyes widened. Why was Richard being so short with her!
“Y-Yes…he’s in the grand room with Lacy. Richard….did something happen?”
Richard ignored Darma’s question and immediately headed towards the grand room, panic now in his eyes. As he entered the room, Lacy was sitting on Kevin’s lap while giggling. Richard’s face darkened.
“Lacy! Get up! Now!”
Startled, both Lacy and Kevin immediately turned around to see a fuming Richard. Both Lacy and Kevin stood instantly.
“Daddy….is everything okay? Why do you look so upset?”
Richard stared at Kevin with pure annoyance in his eyes. He’d already talked with Kevin in detail about the plan to take over Carter & Associates; he wasn’t about to watch a plan he’d had in motion for over 10 years be destroyed because of something as dumb as emotions.
“Lacy….I need to have a word with Kevin.”
Lacy’s brows furrowed. What was going on that he wanted her to leave!
“But daddy I-”
“Now!!!”
Startled, Lacy’s eyes widened but she decided against protesting and headed out the room; giving Kevin one last glance.
Confused, Kevin began to speak.
“Um….Mr. Hawkins….is something wrong-”
“Are you trying to ruin everything!!!”
Richard’s patience was running thin! He was already two steps behind Savannah!
“Ruin what? What happened?”
“I’ll tell you what happened! Savannah has not only refused to marry you, but she also informed the board she will be picking her OWN suitor! Do you have any idea what that could mean!”
Kevin’s eyes widened in surprise! Several weeks ago, Richard came to him regarding his plans to take over C&A. He informed him that as long as he could marry Savannah, he would be voted in as CEO while she did all the work. Knowing what type of social status he would accomplish not only being Savannah’s husband but also CEO, Kevin immediately agreed.
“W-Well did she say who she was choosing? Maybe we could-”
“She hasn’t said anything yet!”
Richard sighed and walked over to his mini bar fixing himself a drink.
“Listen Kevin….our entire plan is hinged on you marrying Savannah. She’s refused because she is convinced you have something going on with Lacy! Now the board has given her a little over a week to find a suitor….no mistakes can be made!”
Kevin smiled smugly.
“So she only has a week? No worries Richard. She won’t be able to find a suitor before then. Lucky for us, Savie’s ball busting aggressive behavior has made her unappealing to most of high society’s bachelors.”
Richard looked at him with challenge in his eyes as he sipped his whiskey.
“Even if that means becoming apart of C&A? Don’t get cocky boy! Remember…you have to stay married to her for an entire year before you get the shares! And you cannot underesitmate Savannah! She knows we are after control of her company!”
Suddenly, Lacy burst through the doors.
“A YEAR!!! Daddy you never said anything about them being married for a year!!! What am I supposed to do! You know I how much I love-”
“Stop your foolishness! Have you all forgotten what the goal is! Your mother sacrificed an entire decade! You can’t give up a year!”
Lacy’s eyes darted over to her mother who now looked at her with disdain. It was true; in order to gain control of C&A, she was willing to give up an entire decade with the man she loved as far as the public was concerned. Suddenly, Kevin spoke up.
“Lacy….baby you know I only love you. This is business only. I’ll still be with you every day. I’ll be husband in name only and once the year is up I’ll divorce her and marry you.”
Lacy’s face hardened.
“Are you joking! Everyone will think I’m some homewrecking whore that had an affair with her stepsister’s husband!”
Kevin became frustrated. He loved Lacy, but he felt he was owed C&A. Back in grade school, he always thought he would marry Savannah. He’d once loved and cared about her, as she was one of the few people that didn't treat him like the "less successful" Alburn. She never made him feel like he was in his older brother's shadow. But he soon realized he was always in HER shadow. No matter what, he was always referred to as "Savannah's boyfriend". Not to mention, Savannah never played “soft” or “cute”; unlike Lacy who always seemed to need him. He knew Savannah didn’t need him. She was smarter than him, shrewder than him, and already had a top company handed to her on a silver platter. His ego and insecurities were what lead him to Lacy in the end.
“Lacy….once I take control of the company, no one will dare say such things about you! But right now….we have to stick to the plan no matter what!”
Lacy’s eyes began to swell with tears. Though she was angry, she knew everyone was right. Her inner thoughts, however, became dark.
‘I’ll be damned if I sit back for an entire year! Mother was stupid! I’ll have that little bitch gone before the honeymoon!’
A dark smile appeared on Lacy’s lips.
“You’re right Kevin. We have to stick to the plan. Daddy, I’ll be on my best behavior.”
Richard smiled brightly! Now all he had to do was make sure no suitors accepted Savannah’s proposal.
“Now that’s more like it! That’s my darling daughter! As for Savannah, I think I can make sure no one accepts her marriage proposal! So all we have to do is wait!”
The room was filled with sinister laughter and planning as they all set out to steal the company.
------------
Three days after the board meeting, Leeda raced to Savannah’s office; a huge smile on her face.
“Boss! I’ve got some really great news for you!”
Savannah had just finished a business call, her eyes instantly shot up to Leeda.
“It must be….you’re smiling so hard I can see your wisdoms.”
Leeda eagerly took a seat at Savannah’s desk; her face filled with triumph.
“I got Darius Kyle to agree to a meeting with you.”
Savannah’s eyes widened with shock! She could hardly believe her ears!
“W-What! You spoke with him?”
Leeda smiled.
“Of course not. But I did speak with his PA, and he agreed to meet with you this Friday! He’s just waiting for a time and location.”
Savannah couldn’t believe it! She’d asked Leeda to find out what she could on Darius so she could figure out how to approach him, and now she would be having a meeting with him!
“Okay….call his assistant and tell him I want the meeting to be private! No one, especially the press can be aware. Let’s pick one of his hotels. The Continental, Friday….9pm sharp.”
Leeda nodded eagerly.
“You got it boss!
-----------
Friday evening arrived swiftly. As Svannah stared at herself in her full body mirror, she could suddenly feel her nerves doing what felt like a ballet dance in her stomach. She hadn’t been this nervous since her first business deal. Over the last few days, she tried her best to learn as much as she could about Darius Kyle, however, there wasn’t much to learn. This guy was completely closed off, truly living up to his nickname. The only thing she was able to conclude was that above everything else…..he valued a good business deal.
Arriving at the hotel ten minutes early, Savannah and Leeda were greeted in the lobby by Warren. A huge smile on his face, Warren walked over and shook Savannah’s hand.
“President Carter, a pleasure to meet you.”
Savanna smiled back.
“You as well Mr. Peterson. This is my PA Ms. Leeda Barton.”
Warren smiled brightly at Leeda.
“Ah yes, it’s nice to put a face to the voice. A pleasure to meet you in person Ms. Barton.”
Leeda nodded as bowed slightly.
“You as well Mr. Peterson, thank you for setting this up.”
Warren directed the women towards the hotel restaurant.
“President Kyle has booked out the entire restaurant for the evening as to make sure our meeting stays private per your request Ms. Carter. If you both will follow me.”
Once they arrived at the restaurant, Warren led them over to their section. There, standing near the window which displayed the city lights was Darius Kyle.
Savannah could feel her heart pounding as he turned to greet them.
“President Carter, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Darius Klye.”
