Chapter 2
Holding the pen in my left hand, I tapped it against the desk, eyes darting at the printed document Sloane had sent. Chewing my lower lip, I flipped it to another page.
Her terms for rescuing my company were... intriguing. Is this even real? Is she for real? I scoffed, leaning back in my chair and swaying slightly from side to side.
Swallowing a lump in my throat, I straightened and studied the document again. I hovered the pen over the signature line, then set it aside, picking up the paper to read it once more:
Duvall Capital Group
Monaco Headquarters
15 Avenue Princesse Grace, Monte Carlo
TERMS OF STRATEGIC INVESTMENT
Between Duvall Capital Group and DeLacroix Couture Luxury House
To: Aurora DeLacroix
Chief Executive Officer, DeLacroix Couture Luxury House
From: Sloane Duvall
Founder CEO, Duvall Capital Group
Following recent financial developments concerning DeLacroix Couture Luxury House, the undersigned submits the following conditions under which Duvall Capital Group is prepared to secure immediate capital infusion and investor protection:
1. Capital Injection
– Duvall Capital Group will assume responsibility for 50% of the withdrawn investors and provide initial funds required to offset losses and prevent bankruptcy.
2. Board Representation
– Sloane Duvall will be appointed to the Board of Directors with irrevocable voting rights.
3. Shareholding Structure
– Duvall Capital Group will acquire majority shareholder status. While Aurora DeLacroix will retain the position of CEO, controlling interest will reside with the majority stakeholder.
4. Public Announcement
– Both parties will issue a joint press release announcing a strategic partnership, reinforcing stability and investor confidence.
5. Binding Personal Condition
– As a final and non-negotiable clause, Aurora DeLacroix will enter into a legal marriage with Sloane Duvall. This agreement shall serve as both personal and corporate guarantee of commitment.
Failure to comply with the above terms will result in the immediate termination of all negotiations and withdrawal of prospective investors.
Respectfully submitted,
Sloane Duvall
Founder Chief Executive Officer
Duvall Capital Group
"Legal marriage with Sloane Duvall..." I muttered, reading the line over and over. My head tilted as something at the bottom of the page caught my eye—a handwritten note. I licked the corner of my lips and chuckled at the scrawled ink: Take it or leave it, Ro.
I needed the money Sloane's company was offering. There was no doubt about that. I needed to uphold the status of my company... but marrying her? I rubbed the corner of my brow, fingers tapping the desk.
My eyes fell on the photo frame on my desk—an old picture of me and Sloane, before we broke up.
.. no, before I broke up with her. "It's been twelve years.
.." I whispered. "Who would've thought we'd see each other like this?
" A faint smile tugged at my lips. "Life really does move in mysterious ways. "
"Maybe this is a way for us to reconnect. Maybe... maybe it's my chance to make everything right," I murmured, picking up the pen and staring at the signature line. "Maybe... maybe we could start again..."
Clutching the pen, I exhaled sharply and signed the document. I reached for my phone and unlocked it. My eyes fell on the calling card Sloane had given to Celeste before leaving my office. I stared at it for a moment, then began dialing the number.
A knot formed in my throat as I pressed the call button. The line rang once, then connected.
"Hi, Sloane Duvall speaking. How may I help you?"
Her voice made me swallow hard. My stomach churned, heart racing, ears burning. I cleared my throat. "Ms. Duvall, this is Aurora DeLacroix."
"Oh," she said, a soft laugh in her tone. "How may I help you, Ms. DeLacroix? And..." she chuckled. "It's kind of late for you to be calling, isn't it?"
I blinked at the desk clock. "Ah, right.
" I smacked my forehead. "I'm sorry for calling so late, and thank you for picking up.
" I pressed my lips into a thin line. "Actually.
.." I licked my lips, curling my free hand into a fist. "I've signed the terms document you sent. I want you to know—I'm accepting it."
A silence followed. I frowned at the screen. "Sol? Are you still there?"
"Yes," she said finally. "Well, I didn't expect you to accept so quickly. It hasn't even been a day, Ro." She laughed lowly. "But I guess you couldn't really say no since you needed the money, right?"
I hummed in agreement. There was no denying it.
I needed the funds to save the company my grandmother had built.
"Well... yeah. Sort of." I cleared my throat, sitting up straighter.
"So, I guess I'll see you at the next board meeting?
I'll send you the details so you can prepare.
Let me know if it conflicts with your schedule. "
"Oh, it's fine. I'll free up my schedule for the board meeting. Just send me the details once you've finalized them."
I nodded to myself, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "Alright," I sighed. "That's all I wanted to say. And... uh... thank you for offering your help."
She hummed on the other end. "Sure thing. If that's all, I'm hanging up."
"Wait, Sol—" My words hung in the air as the line went dead. I blinked, staring at my phone screen. Then I glanced at the photo on my desk and scoffed softly. "I hope you know... you're still my sun," I murmured, mostly to myself, knowing Sloane would have loathed hearing it after everything.
I crossed my arms and leaned them on the desk, resting my cheek against them, eyes fixed on the picture frame. "You're still as beautiful as ever, Sol. And... I missed you."
?·???°???°???·?
Standing in the middle of the conference room, I pushed my eyeglasses up and scanned everyone seated around the table. Pressing the remote, the slide flipped to the next page. The board members followed along on the printed documents in front of them.
"As you can see, Duvall Capital Group will own 50% of the shares in the company by investing and covering the losses of the investors who have pulled out," I began, pausing as murmurs rippled through the room.
"I will still retain my position as CEO and maintain ownership, but Duvall Capital Group, holding 50% of the shares, will have a seat on the Board of Directors with irrevocable voting rights, and controlling interest will reside with the majority stakeholder—Duvall Capital Group. "
One board member raised a hand. "Won't that be an issue later? Duvall Capital Group could easily revoke your position and replace you with someone from their team."
I faintly smiled, shaking my head. "As per the agreement with Ms. Sloane Duvall," I gestured toward her, "I will remain CEO and owner. It won't change unless both parties agree. Besides..." I swallowed hard as Sloane rose and walked toward me.
"Are you sure we're going to announce it here?" I whispered as she came to my side. She smiled at the board before leaning in close to me.
"You know, if you want to back down... sorry, not sorry, you can't," she murmured, nodding toward the board. "After all, what's there to hide when the public will soon know we're getting married?"
I sighed. "Fine. Make the announcement yourself," I said, surrendering.
"Hello everyone," Sloane began, bowing slightly to the board.
"I'm Sloane Duvall, founder and CEO of the Duvall Capital Group.
As you may know, Ms. Aurora DeLacroix and I have signed an agreement whereby Duvall Capital Group will cover the company's losses and prevent bankruptcy.
" She glanced at me, offering a brief, knowing smile, then turned her attention back to the board.
"For those who may not know," she continued, reaching out to take my hand and lifting it so the board could see.
"Ro and I will be getting married. This joint venture is mutually beneficial—a true win-win situation."
A ripple of whispers spread through the room. Sloane gently released my hand. "In fact, Ro and I were once an old flame, twelve years ago. For some reason, she ended things between us, leaving me on my own. But perhaps now is the time to rekindle what we had, don't you think?"
I gulped, nodding. "Y-yes," I whispered.
"We hope for everyone's cooperation and support for both the wedding and the joint venture," she continued. "We will also hold a press conference to announce this strategic partnership to attract potential investors and ensure company stability."
"One question," a board member asked. "If we proceed with this partnership, there will be no more layoffs, correct? That would benefit the employees as well."
I nodded. "Yes, there will be no further layoffs. Ms. Duvall and I will discuss our approach and share finalized plans with you."
As the meeting concluded, Sloane and I remained behind. She leaned on the edge of the table, watching me gather my things. I paused when she extended her hand toward me, blinking as I looked from her eyes to her hand.
I took it, giving a brief shake. "Congratulations on securing your company's future," she said, pressing my hand before letting it go.
"Thank you, Sol," I replied, looking at her. "I couldn't have done it without your help."
She scoffed, crossing her arms as she glanced at the large screen behind me. "It's my business. I help companies from going bankrupt."
I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek. "Right... If you're free... would you mind having lunch with me? I mean... if it doesn't take too much of your time."
Tilting her head, she smirked. "What's this, Ro?" she clicked her tongue, circling her finger in the air. "Trying to show up now that we've announced we're getting married?"
"Well," I rubbed the back of my neck, "not exactly... I just wanted to treat you. You're the reason my company didn't hit the ground."
Her expression turned serious. She stepped closer, and I instinctively stepped back. She exhaled, sighing. "You don't need to treat me. This is a strategic investment between us. Stop pretending you care, because we both know you don't. I'll be leaving now."
I wiped my face, sighing. "Wouldn't you want to know why I broke up with you twelve years ago, Sol?"
My words made her freeze. Then, her hands gripped my collar, yanking me closer. "Oh? Should I? Because I remember every fucking word you said... even twelve years ago, Aurora."
Her glare pierced me, but I didn't flinch. "Then... can I correct my past mistakes, Sol? Since we're getting married... can I have another chance?"
She paused, then shoved me back, making me stumble. "What now? Are you so weak because you're losing your empire?" she scoffed. "And stop with this madness."
Turning toward the door, she glanced over her shoulder. "Oh, and prepare yourself. I'll schedule the prenup with my lawyer, and we'll also plan a pre-wedding photoshoot and engagement party. We'll discuss everything for the wedding. I'll call you once I finalize the schedules."
With that, she left me alone. I looked at my hand and chuckled. "It feels like our marriage is just another business deal," I muttered, heaving a sigh. "Well... of course it does. After all, she just invested a huge sum in my company."