56
LEONA
Max kept his eyes on me the entire meal, but these men were eating out of my fucking hand.
We’d been trading stories about my father, catching up on my “studies,” and discussing all their families. I’d bolstered my knowledge on each of them with the dossiers Ciel had created. During the conversation, Obi and Ciel had fed me plenty of knowledge about their pressure points, too. If things went south, I should have enough leverage to force a vote—and so far, I was confident we had the majority in our pocket.
“Now, gentlemen,” I said with a clap after Sterling finished his most recent story. “As much as I have loved catching up, I must confess I came here with a very specific thing in mind.”
“What’s that, dear?” Sterling said, taking a drink from one of the scotches I’d ordered for the entire table.
Max glared, his drink untouched. He’d done his best to engage in the conversation, but he seemed off. Shaken. I held back my grin and masked it with a dramatic sigh, letting my lip wobble ever so slightly.
“My father’s passing was such a surprise, but I’d actually been talking with him for quite a while about learning the ropes from him.”
“Oh, really?” one of the other board members, Hayes, said as he leaned forward in his chair. He was one of the newer and younger members, and he was firmly in Max’s camp.
I nodded. “Yes, that’s actually why I’ve been pursuing a business degree. He wanted me to take over his position when the time was right. Now that he’s gone, I’d like his seat on the board.”
“Take over?” Hayes said, an edge to his voice. “I hardly think that’s something you can handle. You’ve never even set foot in a VCI meeting before.”
“You’re so right, Hayes.” I held my hands up, a shy smile on my face. “Of course, I don’t want to run the company, even though it ismy nameon the doors. But I miss my dad, and I want to work where he worked. See what he did. Just seeing you all has made me feel so close to him, you know?”
“Brilliant, princess,” Cas mumbled in my ear.
“Did he ever mention me?” I asked, looking around the table. “That we talked about me learning?”
The board member in Obi’s pocket, Alexander Blackwell, cleared his throat. “He did, actually! A few weeks before his death, he floated the idea that you start mentoring underneath him and a few other executives. To me, at least. I thought that was a splendid idea.”
I smiled brilliantly. “Oh, Mr. Blackwell, that’s amazing. I just knew he would. I am so excited about the prospect of learning how my family’s business worked. I know I could really make my father proud.”
“We all miss your father terribly,” Max said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. “No one more than me. He was also like a father to me, as you all know.” He sighed dramatically, a small frown on his face. “But you’re not finished with your degree yet. It might be best to wait until then.I know how much he cared about your education as well. He wouldn’t want you to sacrifice that.”
“That’s a great point, Max,” Hayes added. “We’d hardly want to take you from your studies. Let’s perhaps postpone this discussion for a few years.”
I grit my teeth, trying not to whip out my knife and flick it across the table into his neck.
“I’ll kill that guy first,” Ryu murmured in my ear. “I’ve got my sights on the back of his head.”
That time, I couldn’t keep the small smile off my face.
“Max, you’re so right. I know you had been working closely with my father.” I turned to Sterling, then Blackwell, on either side of me. “I’m not sure if you knew, but Max was the last person who spoke with my father before he died.” Murmuredawwswent around the table. “I know. Max is always trying his best to look out for me. After all, he’s practically like my brother.” I gave him a dazzling smile. “Max, thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate you. I’ve actually thought about this a lot, and I’ve arranged with my professors to include a work-study program into my curriculum so I can learn the business and have it count for college credit.”
Sure, I was lying through my teeth, but nobody needed to know that yet.
“I’ll make a record of that immediately,” Ciel said.
I loved my hacker.
I locked eyes with Blackwell across the table. He blinked before he jumped in, performing his role perfectly. “This business is as much yours as your father’s, Leona. I think he’d be very proud of you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Blackwell. I just want to live up to his legacy. Leave the world a better place, like he always tried to. I know I can contribute to this company’s great future.” I inclined my head with a soft, practiced smile. Carefully, I injected hopeand innocence into my voice. “Max? What do you think? You wouldn’t keep me from my inheritance, would you?”
All members of the board turned to him. He schooled his face into a passive mask. “Like all major board decisions, I think it should come to a vote.”
I nodded. “You’re right. What do we think? Mr. Sterling? Mr. Blackwell?”
“Leona, I’m so proud of the woman you’ve grown into,” Sterling said. “I vote yes. I can’t wait to see what you bring to us.”
