Chapter 5
1237 Words
Edgar chuckled malevolently with all he confidence of a man who's got the world I'm his hands. His sister's annoyance amused him.
“It wasn't a request sis. You don't have a choice.”
Soléne seethed. From the corners of her eye, she watched her husband being rolled in by Jonathan. What was he doing here? He made her position more pathetic.
Edgar's lips stretched unit a wide smile. “If it isn't my brother-in-law. Glad for you to join us..perhaps you can put some sense into your woman that fighting a lost battle is a senseless venture.” Edgar dipped his head. “I'm sure you understand what it's like better than anyone in his room. A lost battle.” Edgar chuckled again and urned his head to his grandmother. The Hastings family matriarch who was seated on a the only red throne-like chair in the room with lengthier legs for added height. Indifference glittered in her eyes as she watched Micheal.
“I didn't think you had the nerve to come in here.”
“I'm not a coward. Thank you for noting that.” Micheal replied the matriarch with a stiff polite smile as Jonathan rolled him only place at the table. He took a look at Soléne and his heart broke at her tormented figure.
Something that looked like anger flashed across the materiach's eyes sat Micheal's statement.
“We will soon be done with the meeting anyway.”
“Hell no!” Soléne spat.
Edgar rolled his eyes.
“Watch your tongue Soléne. There's no case to argue here.”
“You're mistaken grandmother. There's no way I'm relinquishing a product of my blood and sweat to an incapable man whose years of involvement has not progressed the company even an inch.”
Edgar perked up in his seat. “Watch your tongue Soléne.”
“Or what?” Soléne leaned back in her chair and folded her hands. “What can you possibly do that I can handle? You're not up to the shakes I've had to deal with to be here. So if anyone should watch it, it should be you.”
Edgar clenched his fist, knuckles nearly tearing out through his skin. He caught the shadow of a proud smile on Micheal's lips and his anger intensified.
The room fell into heated silence since Edgar had no comeback. Soléne's grandmother looked from her grandson to her granddaughter, then let out a sigh.
“Allow me keep you updated Micheal.” She turned to him instead, surprising Soléne and Edgar. “This discussion is about the future of our treasure, the family's business.” She rested her elbow on the table and clasped her hands. “Your wife here seems resistant…” She looks at Soléne, then shakes her head. “Stubborn, actually, to see common sense in relinquishing control.”
“Control of what?”
“Of the business.”
“You mean Hastings Global AI?” Micheal added a soft chuckle. “Why would you do so much harm to yourself by giving it someone who has no place in it's startup?”
“I do hope you're not referring to me Micheal.” Edgar warned.
“If you feel offended, then I probably am.”
“I didn't update you in order for you take sides Micheal. It's your duty as a husband to speak sense into your wife when she's lacking it.” The matriarch scolded.
“In his position, grandmother, he is unfit to control his wife. I'm certain it's the other way round. Soléne controls him.” Edgar laughed as if he just told a funny joke. His eyes mocked them.
“Coming down to ungentlemanly insults, are we brother-in-law? Let me remind that your sister is perfectly fine human being. She does not need to be controlled.”
“Oh god.” Edgar grumbled.
“Micheal!” The matriarch snapped. “The family business needs one to carry the name down generations.”
“Hastings Global AI isn't the only subsidiary, why does she need to let it go?”
“Because it's the subsidiary with the highest progression and Soléne has somehow manipulated her way in the board to owning the highest shares besides me.”
“Brilliant.” Micheal complimented much to the chagrin of Soléne's grandmother and Edgar while Soléne was left surprised by the unexpected compliment.
“With someone like Soléne, the company is left in safer hands. Isn't the growth of Hastings Global the priority?” Micheal questioned.
“That isnt your place to decide.” Soléne's grandmother's voice hardened notably. “Your place is to put your wife in order and it seems you're lacking in that regard as well.”
“I don't understand you grandmother.” Soléne was genuinely confused.
“What don't you understand child? Perhaps enlightenment will give you the senses your husband has failed to give you.” It wasn't necessary but the matriarch was pissed off at Micheal.
“Why are you doing this to me? Considering you're a female yourself, I would think that you'll be my greatest cheerleader but youbhaye me despite all my hard work. Why are you making things difficult for me?”
“Now that's where you are wrong child.” The matriarch leaned forward. “The most important thing here irrespective of your hard work is the durability of the name.”
Soléne stared on in disbelief.
“Allowing you take charge will lead to the loss of the family's name over time.”
“It's not my fault I'm born female!”
“Yet we must do what we must and make do with what we have Soléne. The sooner you accept thayz the better for you and the easier for us.” The matriarch raised her voice in authority. “Why don't you just save us all his headache and do as you're asked. Them you going the family group and support your brother.”
“I will not be background character when I've been driving the plot for years grandmother!” Soléne said heatedly.
“Then you leave me no choice than to have you severe ties with us. If you don't have Hastings as your name, then there will be nothing for you to hold on to. Will there?”
Soléne's eyes widened. Her grandmother just threatened to disown her. After everything, they were just going to throw her away like thrash.
“Will be peaceful not to have a stubborn sister.” Edgar muttered.
Soléne's lips trembled. She was valuable to no one. Micheal sensed Soléne's pain from where he was seated amidst his own anger. He hated the way they were treating Soléne. She didn't deserve all this. She's worked too hard and has been loyal to the Hastings. She was capable and stupid traditions shouldn't determine anything. Why didn't Edgar work himself to death if this was how it was going to be?
The unfairness was a stench that cannot be missed and Micheal felt anger boil within him so without thinking, Micheal hit the table drawing everyone's attention to himself.
“Time will have to stop for Soléne to give yo the company.”
The matriarch c****d her head, not believing his audacity. “Excuse me.”
“I said Soléne will not give up the company. Not in this lifetime. Not in the next. Never!”
- Writer
