The Wife He Never Deserve

Chapter 2

The Only Solution

DAMIAN POV

People often think money solves anything in this world but it doesn't. Money just buys influence, loyalty and silence but there are some problems that even billions of dollars can't fix …. And I hate to admit to that.

Because right now, one of those problems that billions can't fix is sitting across from me in a boardroom.

Victor Langford.

The giant screen at the front of the room displayed his face for the third time that morning.

Everybody loves him — financial news channels loved him, the investors loved him, the public loved him.

But personally I can't stand him. I can't stand the air he breathes, his presence and his name.

"The market responds to trust," Victor was saying during an interview. "Investors need confidence in leadership."

I leaned back in my chair, gazing at the screen intensely. There was this smile on his face.

The same smile he always wore whenever he thought he was winning. The interviewer nodded.

"And do you believe confidence in Veyron Holdings has declined?"

Victor shrugged. "I'm simply saying leadership matters. And you know the necessary skills of leadership which one of it is responsibility. I'm not saying he's not responsible but someone with no woman, no child, no marriage. Women having bad experiences with him. Does that answer your question?" He asked the interviewer with a big smile on his face.

As if all he had said was in my favour.

Lies. This entire interview was orchestrated to attack me. Not against my company but me personally. f*****g me!

Well carefully planned attacks disguised as concern. The screen went dark when Nathan switched it off.

Silence filled the boardroom. No one spoke immediately. No one wanted to be the first to speak. But finally, one of the broad members cleared his throat.

"We've received concerns from investors."

My eyes shifted from the TV to him. "What kind of concerns?” I asked, slowly as I stared at him intensely.

He shifted uncomfortably. He looked at the other board members who drifted their eyes elsewhere.

"Public perception,” He managed to say, and I let out a loud scoff.

Of course. Public perception. What was I expecting from an old man like him? And that was the most irritating phrase in corporate history.

Another board member joined in. “The merger is approaching."

"I know,” I said, shutting my eyes.

"Investors are worried,” he added.

“I know! I'm aware of it! Stop rubbing the problem in my face and bring up a better solution!” I growled, tightening my fist as I hit it against the table, gazing at them. I shifted my eyes to each of them.

The room fell silent again. My patience was running thin. For months, we had worked toward the merger. It took months of negotiations, planning, strategy, yelling of ‘Go back and redo it’

And now Victor wanted to destroy it because he couldn't accept losing.

What a pathetic loser!

I rose from my chair.The movement alone was enough to silence everyone.

"We proceed as planned. The merger is happening and that's the end of discussion."

No one argued. No one dared to.The meeting ended shortly afterward. One by one, the board members left.

Until only Nathan and Marcus remained.

My brother loosened his tie dramatically before dropping into a chair.

"I'm starting to miss simpler problems."

I glanced at him. "When exactly did we have simpler problems?"

Marcus considered that.

"Fair point,” He responded. I switched on the tablet to see every online news channel reposting Victor's interview.

Hungry YouTubers now use me as a topic sentence.

Nathan opened several folders. Folders like reports, media analysis, investor projections, damage assessment and so on. I barely look at the folders twice. The issue wasn't my company rather the problem was me more specifically my image.

A CEO dragged on the net all thanks to that pathetic liar for having no wife, children, and no personal life.

It's the way Victor played with people's minds and now apparently people are suspicious of me. Wondering if I was impotent? Allergic to people? Hate women? And all sorts of crazy things.

I walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. It felt like the city was stretching endlessly. Thousands of people, and thousands of lives.

And somehow poor strangers who hide behind their screen thought they had the right to decide what mine should look like.

What a ridiculous act!

"They want stability," Nathan said carefully.

I laughed. It came out as humourless.

"I've increased company profits for six consecutive years,” I said, firmly.

"That's not the stability they're talking about,” Marcus interjected, calmly.

I turned. Nathan gazed at me. The audacity and bravery.

"Sir, I think what Mr Marcus is trying to say is that the public want a family image," Nathan chirped in.

I scoffed. “Did you just say a family image?” I repeated, glancing at Marcus at his ridiculous idea.

“Yes, you heard him right, Damian,” Marcus replied, his tone too relaxed.

"They want someone they can trust. Yes they trust the numbers but sir, not anymore,” Nathan explained further and his answer sounded sour to my ears. It irritated me more than Victor did

Well because he wasn't entirely wrong. I hated when people were right, especially when the solution wasn't something I wanted to hear.

Nathan slid another report across the table.

I didn't bother opening it. The answer wasn't there.

Every public relations strategy had already been attempted. Name it; is it interviews? Charity appearances? Media campaigns?.

We have tried every public relations strategy and nothing worked. Instead the pathetic Victor kept pushing harder, and different rumors circulate every time.

Now the merger is getting close and time is running out. For several moments, nobody spoke.

Then Nathan sighed.

The kind of sigh someone makes when they're about to suggest something unpleasant.

My eyes narrowed at him and saw him adjusting his nerdy glasses. I knew instantly that he was thinking, calculating, hesitating.

"Say it, Nathan,” I mumbled out.

Nathan looked up. "Sir—"

"I said, say it!” I growled and he stood firm, holding my gaze.

Marcus suddenly sat upright, his expression changed. Apparently, he knew what was coming.

"Nathan,” Marcus called, his tone was laced with warning and Nathan just gazed at him, and nodded.

He's making a very bad decision.

"The problem isn't the company."

I folded my arms. "That has been settled. I'm aware,” I intercepted.

"The problem is your image."

Again. Repeating the obvious.

"I'm aware of that, Nathan. You're clearly stating the obvious! Are you ridiculing me or what??” I questioned, my voice louder and firm.

Nathan swallowed then reached inside his briefcase. He pulled out a thick folder and placed it carefully on the table.

Marcus cursed under his breath and that got my attention. I looked at the folder.

Then at Nathan.

"What's that?" I inquired, slowly, and he didn't answer immediately which meant I wasn't going to like whatever was inside.

"The only solution left." He passed the folder to me, and I opened it.

The first page stared back at me.

Two words. ‘MARRIAGE CANDIDATES.’

The room became very quiet. Extremely quiet. Marcus looked like he wanted to disappear, and Nathan looked like he regretted existing.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze meeting Nathan's eyes. My voice came out calm, very calm. That kind of calm that signals danger.

"You want me to do what?”