“Obviously, we need to give these folks some time to settle in–”
“We’re perfectly fine,” Alex assured her. “I’m ready to vote.”
“Maybe we ought to hear from Julex about their thoughts on this situation,” Caroline said.
Lydia frowned at her. “That’s not necessary.”
“Well, heisthe man of the decade,” Caroline pointed out. “Obviously, StoneCorp’s CEO himself knows how to run a successful company. His thoughts could make a difference.”
“I’d love to share,” the shaggy-haired man said as he tipped his chair back. “I’ll admit, I had some…reservations about what would be best as I entered the energy sector. But this company was built on innovation and integrity, two things that are vital to any leadership team. Which is why Julex will throw its twenty-five percent behind Big G.”
Mitchell nodded as he jotted a note on his legal pad. “HG currently owns nineteen percent of its own stock, voted by the executive team for Grant to remain CEO. That’s forty-four percent. Lydia, I assume your twenty-five percent goes against him?”
The angry glare she shot him before she hissed out, “Yes,” was terrifying.
“I control a five percent block,” Caroline announced, “and my vote is Grant.”
After two more board members, loyal to him, put their votes behind him, he’d secured the majority. All other votes became moot, and the meeting officials adjourned shortly after.
Lydia rose from her chair and stormed from the room, leaving her new husband behind. He raced around the table toward Alex. “So, is there any chance–”
Lydia returned, grabbing him by the ear and tugging him toward the door.
Mitchell rose from his chair, thrusting his hand toward Grant. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Grant said with a relieved grin as he stood and shook his chief legal counsel’s hand.
“We’ll discuss a way to move forward so this can’t happen again tomorrow. Enjoy your win tonight.”
Grant bobbed his head at the man. They’d dodged a bullet, and he wanted nothing more than to celebrate with the woman who had handed him the win on a silver platter.
Julia offered Grant a triumphant smile as she stepped toward him. “Congratulations.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “Thank you. For both the congratulations and the save. I’m dying to know how you pulled this off.”
She sucked in a breath as the last few board members wandered from the room. “That’s actually all thanks to Alex. He offered, and I took him up on it.”
Alex Stone wasn’t his favorite man, but he now owed him for three favors–Sierra’s photos, Kyle’s life, and now his company.
“I really thought Julex was Lydia-controlled. I expected Luke to walk back through that door and vote her way.”
Alex snorted a laugh from behind her. “Julex is a lovely amalgamation of Julia’s name with mine. Fitting, I thought.”
“Very,” Grant said as he pried his hands away from his wife and extended one toward the man. “Thank you for this. It seems I now owe you on several fronts.”
“Say, Sunshine, mind if I have a private word with the ball and chain?”
“Not at all. I’ll wait for you in your office.” She kissed his cheek before she left them behind.
Grant sucked in a breath as the door thudded softly closed behind her. “I really do need to say thank you in person about what you did for Kyle.”
“Like I told your better half, I’m fond of the little Grantling.”
“Well, he probably wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for you.”
“And Julia. She showed no fear in making sure Neanderthal Knuckles didn’t finish the job.”
“Yeah, and she nearly got hurt herself. I hope this never happens again, but if it ever does, please call me. Julia never should have been inside that building.”
