Marrying For The Throne

CHAPTER THREE

Zachary Kenningston leaned back in his chair, surveying the faces that nervously stared back at him.

“Let me be clear,” he began in a deep, loud voice. “If we don’t continue with the acquisition as planned, we stand to let our competitors catch up with us. But if you have any doubts then please… speak up.”

The room became as silent as a graveyard, nobody said a word. No one would dare to challenge Zachary Kenningston. Well, no one except Philip Weston.

Philip was the CFO of Kenningston Global Synergy, and he always took pleasure in challenging Zachary, all because he didn’t believe Zachary was ready to inherit the throne from his father and be named CEO of Kenningston Global Synergy.

“Zachary, the projections are quite ambitious, maybe a bit too ambitious.” Philip said in a very neutral tone. “The board will need assurance that this isn’t another gamble. Some of us still remember the fallout from Paris.”

The entire room simmered with hushed murmurs, but Zachary wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. If he was, then he would never have risen to the position of COO in the company quicker than any Kenningston before him.

“Need I remind you Mr Philip, that Paris was nothing but a calculated risk,” Zachary said in a low tone. “And one that paid off. Or do I also need to remind you of the profit margins from that quarter, Mr CFO.”

Philip faltered, and Zachary took his chance. He stood up and buttoned his jacket as he continued.

“I’ve already asked our R&D team to run the numbers a third time,” Zachary gestured to a screen that displayed the graphs of the projection. “If you need further reassurance, you’ll have it by tomorrow morning. But understand this… hesitation isn’t an option for me. We will proceed as planned.”

Zachary clasped his hands behind his back as he addressed the room. “I’ll expect the finalized reports on my desk by noon tomorrow. And Philip,” Zach’s gaze like a rocket, flew to the CFO, “If you still have any concerns, I suggest you voice them directly to me after you’ve reviewed the numbers again.”

Philip nodded curtly, “Understood.”

“Good,” Zachary looked over at everyone seated to make sure there weren’t any other objections. “This meeting is adjourned.”

Zachary stood there as the board members and other staff members filed out of the conference hall before exhaling quietly and walking out as well. The minute he stepped out, a slender-looking woman dressed in a black dress and holding a tablet in her hand fell into step beside him.

“Afternoon updates, Mr Kenningston,” she began, while scrolling through her tablet. “Legal have finalized the Singapore acquisition deal. They need your sign-off by the end of the day.”

“Well, that was quick.” Zachary chuckled.

“Marketing also wants you to approve the revised pitch for the new campaign, and HR flagged a potential issue with… ”

“Give me the highlights, Chloe, not the deep dive.” Zachary interrupted her with a wave of his hand.

“Fine. Highlights.” Chloe sighed before speaking again. “Everything is on track except for Philip who’s still sulking from the meeting, but then again, when isn’t he?”

Zachary’s lips twitched from the little quip from Chloe, but he preferred to remain as he always was… Professional. “What else?”

She looked down at her tablet again. “Your lunch meeting with the Saudi investors got pushed to three.”

“Pushed?” Zachary asked, confused. “Why? What happened?”

They reached his office, and as he opened the glass doors, his eyes fell on an elderly woman with dull gray hair seated in his office.

“Your mother wanted to see you.” Chloe finally answered, breaking the tension. She held out the tablet with a pen. “Just sign here for the Singapore deal and I’ll be on my way.”

He glared at Chloe before signing off on the tablet, and she left his office. Zachary then turned to face the woman behind him with a noticeable scowl on his face.

“To what do I owe this delightful surprise, Elizabeth?”

Her eyes flickered up to meet his, but her calm expression never faltered. “Really, Zachary? Not even a hello for your mother?”

“You’re not my mother,” he answered her in an icy tone, “And this is my office, so I suggest you explain why you’re here.”’

For a while, Elizabeth didn’t say a thing, she just kept staring at Zachary in disbelief.

She, of all people, knew that she wasn’t his mother, and she never would be. Zachary’s real mother had walked out on him and his father, Arthur, when Zachary was barely fifteen, leaving them alone in a mansion that felt emptier than it looked.

A couple of years later, much to Zachary’s shock, his father remarried, bringing Elizabeth and her little girl into the Kenningston household. Arthur Kenningston had promised Zachary that Elizabeth wasn’t there to replace what they had lost, but Zachary didn’t want any part of it.

Finally, Elizabeth gestured to his chair opposite her. “Sit. We need to talk.”

He didn’t move. “Whatever it is you’ve come to say, make it quick and leave. I’m not interested in whatever bullshit game you and my father have cooked up this time.”

Elizabeth gave a small smile, but it was one born out of irritation. “Alright then, I see you don’t understand what small talk is, so I’ll just get straight to the point.” She looked Zachary deep in his eyes as she spoke, “I’ve arranged for you to meet your future wife.”

Zachary blinked as he heard the words. It took a lot to catch Zachary Kenningston off guard, but Elizabeth had managed to do it quite easily, so it seemed.

“Excuse me?” Zachary’s jaw tightened.

“You heard me,” Elizabeth replied casually, like it wasn’t such a big deal. “I expect to see you by noon tommorrow at the penthouse conference hall. You’ll meet her there, and then we can finalize the engagement details. And no Zachary, this isn’t up for discussion.”

“You cant be serious, Elizabeth.” Zachary laughed, but there was no trace of humor in it.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Elizabeth answered with a smirk. “This is happening. I’ve already made the arrangements, and your father has given me the go-ahead.”

“And what in your right mind makes you think I’d go along with something so… so… utterly ridiculous!” he yelled out.

Elizabeth, with as much poise as she possessed, got up from the chair. “Don’t be so dramatic, Zachary. You’ve spent your entire life clawing your way up to the top instead of being handed success on a silver platter. So don’t pretend you’d throw it all away over something as trivial as your pride.”

“My pride?” he repeated bitterly, “And forcing a marriage is your answer for my so called pride?”

“This isn’t just about you, Zachary.” Elizabeth sighed in frustration. “There’s also the matter of this company’s future. You want to take your father’s place as CEO, don’t you? Then you’ll do what’s required, and that includes getting married and sustaining the right image.”

A cold laugh escaped Zachary’s lips. “The fact that you think I need a trophy wife to run this company is preposterous.”

Elizabeth shook her head in pity, “I know you don’t see it now, Zachary, but this is for your own good. Your father believes this. I believe this. And someday… you’ll understand.”

“To hell with what you believe in!” His voice rang out loud, but thankfully the walls of his office kept anyone else from hearing. “I understand perfectly. You think you can control me, just like you’ve always wanted. But here’s the thing… ”

He took a step closer to her and pointed his finger at her, “You’re not my mother. And you never will be.”

Elizabeth’s face hardened at Zachary’s words, but she did her best to suppress her raging emotions and offered him a smile. “I have tried, Zachary. For so many years but you remain so stubborn.”

She took a deep breath before continuing, “Whether you see me as your mother or not is irrelevant. This marriage is happening. Penthouse conference hall. Noon tomorrow. Don’t embarrass yourself or the Kenningston name by not showing up.”

She picked up her bag and strode toward the door, but just as she reached the door, she glanced back over her shoulder. “Oh, and Zachary? Try not to overthink this. It’s just business.” And with that, she was out the door.

Zachary waited for several seconds, even after Elizabeth had left, before moving from his spot. He walked to the sprawling windows and stared out at the city skyline.

“Just business,” he muttered bitterly. The words tasted like ash.