Done With My Ex, Moving To The Next

Chapter 37: A Side To Him

Chapter 37: A Side To Him.

RHYS

I was heading to the executive boardroom. I called for an impromptu meeting yesterday, after the news about the anonymous buyer broke on the internet.

“Sir, please, you cannot act impulsively," Lewis, my secretary, pleaded softly as he managed to keep up with my pace.

He'd just returned from the branch in Canada yesterday as well and since last night, he'd been hellbent on one thing: “It will affect the decision of the stakeholders"

“This is not impulsive, Lewis" I said firmly as I slowed my pace, a few feet away from the door.

“It's corrective."

“But sir—"

“Lewis" I called his name over my shoulder. That was enough warning. I was done, hearing this protective bullshit from both him and even Shawn himself.

I could handle it. It was my company, and I would address issues however I wanted.

That was final.

I pushed the door open, walking in as if I'd just been nominated for an award.

I didn't greet.

There was no time and obviously, no need for greeting because after today, this very moment, my name would be flying across papers, and I didn't give a damn.

Everyone was present on the round table—the fourteen members of the board and all seven of our major stakeholders.

I didn't take my seat even as Lewis pulled it out and wiped dust off it.

“Without talking too much…” I began, my hands placed on the table for support as I leaned forward. "How many of our stakeholders were approached?”

I didn't wait for an answer. "Please, be on your feet if you were approached”

Two stood. Then two others. Then another two stood. Only one was seated firmly.

"You were approached, weren't you, Mr. Ray?” My brows pulled together.

"Yes, but I declined. It seemed fraudulent to me” Mr Ray, who held 6% of the A.D Group of Businesses, had met me yesterday, just before I called for a meeting.

I wasn't impressed. It took more than the bare minimum to impress me.

"How were you all approached by the buyer?” I asked them. I'd asked Ray all the questions.

Fuck. I didn't have all the patience in the world, especially when I was dealing with greedy people.

“You all received emails on your phones, right?" They all confirmed, with hints of shock spreading across their faces.

“And what else?"

“A call but…"The only woman among them paused, like she was processing the rest in her head. They all exchanged glances I pretended I didn't notice, before she continued.

“It was more like a regular phone number. He called me and spoke for about a minute and fourty seconds. Straight to business.”

"And…?”

"When he was done making his offer, he said he'd reach out to me when the documents were ready and the phone went off. I tried to call back but it didn't connect.”

"Is that how it went with all of you?” I asked them, making sure I met their eyes, one by one.

“Yes," Some nodded, some answered with a small smile of inconvenience.

“Now, are you still interested in selling your shares?" I knew I dropped a bomb.

Silence settled in the room.

They exchanged glances and made signals at each other with their eyes. Their fingers tightened at the edge of the table.

“It's a free will. No coercion, fellas" I grinned, ending with a smirk.

I could sense their greed—right there—clawing so hard at their throats that they swallowed harder, every second.

Five minutes. That was how long it took them to respond. One nodded, then the others followed. Negligent. Weak.

Lewis handed the agreement form over to them, one by one. They signed the documents, and he slid their signed copies before me.

No coercion. No irrationality.

Just correction.

I signed on each, before hitting the stamp firmly on each copy.

Final.

“Done” I exhaled sharply. “Your value will be wired to your bank accounts. Exact market valuation with.”

It wasn't triple. Not inflated either. Just fair and exact.

The other members shifted in their seats but I didn't care.

The air stiffened and that was when they realized—they’d sold their shares.

But to me, I just bought them out.

I'd bought back 49% of my company—with my own money.

“Now, leave immediately" I turned to all six of them. Their foreheads glistened with sweat as confusion washed over them.

A phase had just been settled.

I glanced at my wristwatch.

It was time.

“Lewis,” I nodded upwards. He knew exactly what to do. He spun around, turning on the projector.

Six of them were already scurrying out before I remembered to give them a little tip.

“Get a TV on your way out. So you won't feel left out” I said, a faint smile curling at the corners of my lips.

The air thickened as I observed everyone present, other than the news being read on the projector.

“NEW LAW BY CEO RHYS ADRIAN CONCERNING ANONYMOUS BUYER AGENDA" That was all I needed to hear from the anchor before I stepped out.

The numbers would speak for themselves.

That was not cruelty.

Not punishment.

It was correction.

Ownership.

I made a pause by the window, while I was heading towards the elevator.

My head felt cold—like I'd just been buried in ice but this extra surge of energy flowed through my core.

“Sir," Lewis muttered.

“What is it?" I asked, eyes shut as I stepped into the elevator.

“Mr. Hardy is in town now, he says it's urgent and already on his way here"

I frowned in silence. "He can't wait till evening?”

"He said you need to hear about it as soon as possible.”

A mix of unease and tension settled in my belly.

Something was definitely wrong. I'd given Hardy the burner phone details that Mr. Ray had provided yesterday evening.

I trusted Hardy—He owned top global tech and information agencies. He was a genius and on top of all, the only one I could trust.

I knew who the culprit was but I wanted actual proof.

I stepped out of the elevator and turned into the corridor to my office.

“Boss," someone called from behind. Footsteps were approaching. Running.

I turned. It was Hardy. And Uncle Shawn.

In Hardy's hand, was a brown envelope. Large-sized.

Uncle Shawn looked as disturbed as he could ever be.

“You have to see this, boss." This was the first time we had met in two years, but my instincts were distant from acknowledging that fact.

“What's wrong?" I held him, my eyes on his. Lewis had already walked into the office.

“Come in." I ushered them in, sensing the impatience that clung to them like their colognes.

“Here." He handed over the paper. None of them sat so I didn't.

"This is not Dylan. Not Taylor, boss” He caught his breath, swallowing hard.

My heart thudded. That was even stranger.

“Who is it then?"

Hardy's gaze softened, his dry lips trembling like he was out of breath.

Could it be—?

My eyes shot out.

Uncle Shawn wrapped his hand around mine as I held the envelope firmly between my thumb and the edge of my index finger.

“He's still alive, boss" He nodded, like he was confessing to a sin he couldn't remember committing.

"He was spotted in France, yesterday"

Everything else quieted. My hands felt cold.

In doubt, I tore the envelope open.

His profile details.

It was his face.

Alessio. Alessio K.

“That bastard!" I swore.