Chapter fifty
Luc
I can’t lose her.
A lain and I stride into the boardroom. The remaining board members sit around the long table, and they stop talking as we enter. Their gazes flick to me with anticipation. The only one missing is Olivier. Of course, he wants to make an entrance.
I move toward the head of the table, my fingers brushing over the back of the chair before I straighten, rolling my shoulders back. Alain stands beside me, calm as ever, his presence grounding me.
After my dad’s stroke, he made what I’ll always believe was a terrible mistake, splitting the family shares. He gave 30% to me, 13% to my sister, and 10% to Olivier. While he did name me CEO, I still needed to fulfill my great-grandfather’s ridiculous and outdated marriage requirement.
Years ago, my grandfather brought in outside investors to expand the company, but our family still retained 53% of the shares. That meant we only needed 10% more votes from investors to meet the 63% threshold required to pass decisions.
Each share equates to one percent vote, so if have 10% shares that’s 10% votes.
Olivier hated that I had more shares than him, so he made it his personal mission to vote against me on every decision. Last time, when I tried to cancel the marriage requirement, he not only voted against me but convinced a few board members to side with him.
But that ends today.
I take my position at the head of the table, my nails digging into my palms to keep me grounded. Today, things change.
The door opens, and Olivier strolls in, smirking like he owns the place. He nods at a few board members before sliding into a chair near the end of the table. His gaze locks on me, a little too smug.
My gaze sweeps over each board member before landing squarely on Olivier. “You’re all here today to talk about my marriage,” I start. “But I’m here to tell you, it’s none of your business.”
Olivier’s chuckle grates against my nerves. He leans forward, his elbows resting on the table. “I think you forgot that you need to be married to remain CEO. That’s the whole reason you arranged this little marriage, right?”
My nails dig into my palms, but I don’t flinch. “Even if that were true,” I say, cutting him off, “nowhere in the bylaws does it say the marriage can’t be arranged.”
Olivier raises an eyebrow, but his smirk widens.
“This requirement is outdated,” I continue. “Maybe it made sense decades ago, but not anymore. Requiring me to marry—or even have a child—to stay CEO is archaic, and I won’t stand for it.”
I glance around the room, straightening as I let the silence settle for a moment. Then, I deliver the next blow.
“I vote to have it removed.”
Olivier leans back, his arms crossing over his chest. His grin stretches wider. “Well, guess what, big brother? You still need 63% of the votes to get that approved. You don’t have that.”
I wait a beat, letting him enjoy his false confidence. Then, I strike.
“Actually,” I say, leaning forward, locking my gaze with him. “As of this morning, I own 63% of the company shares.”
The room goes silent. Every head turns toward me.
Olivier’s smirk freezes, his body stiffening as the weight of my words sinks in. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’ll find the documentation to confirm it in front of you,” I say, letting the power of my position settle over the room. “As of today, the board’s input—including yours—is only advisory. I make the final decisions now.”
The other board members exchange hushed whispers, heads nodding as they glance at their phones or sift through the papers in front of them.
Olivier’s confidence cracks, his gaze darting around the room as if searching for support. None comes.
I straighten my back, letting tension eases from my shoulders.
Olivier stands from his seat, clapping his hands slowly as he steps toward me.
“Congratulations, brother,” he says, his smirk firmly in place. “I really didn’t see that one coming. Father will be so proud.”
My jaw tightens, heat rising in my chest. “You’ve never cared about the company,” I bite out. “You just wanted what I have.”
Olivier chuckles, shaking his head as if I’ve told a joke. His movements are lazy, calculated, designed to get under my skin. “And you care too much.” His eyes narrow slightly as he steps closer. “Always desperate to prove you’re the perfect son, the rightful heir.”
My shoulders stiffen, but I refuse to let him see how deep his words cut.
“What I don’t understand is why you went through all that trouble to get her to marry you.” He cocks his head like he’s examining me.
I narrow my eyes at him. “What are you talking about?” I can feel everyone’s eyes on us. His grin spreads wider, his teeth flashing as he glances around the room.
He’s enjoying this.
“What? You thought I wouldn’t find out how you paid off the loan officer to deny the loan for her old company? All so you could swoop in and play the hero?” He tilts his head, watching me carefully. “She knows, by the way.”
Heat rises in my chest, spreading to my neck as I step closer to him. “Stay away from my wife.” I grab him by the collar.
Gasps ripple through the room, but I don’t care.
Instead of looking alarmed, Olivier laughs. “Oh shit,” he says between chuckles. “You love her, don’t you? That’s why you did all this.”
My grip clenches for a brief second before I release him, shoving him back as I take a step away. “I don’t want to see you within ten feet of her. Do you hear me?”
Olivier straightens his jacket, brushing off imaginary dust as he grins at me. “Loud and clear, brother.”
I glance around the room, catching the stunned expressions of the board members.
“This meeting is over. My assistant will reach out to schedule another to finalize everything.”
Alain gives me a subtle nod before I stride out of the room.
I can’t lose her. The knot in my stomach constricts as I move faster, my pulse pounding in my ears. I need to explain why I did it.