The song of the day and for the chapter is Empathy by Crystal Castles. It fits the chapter perfectly and is what I listened to while writing this masterpiece.
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Kenna
"You have to choose the best possible candidate... I get that Ace is the Chairman's son but look he's in jail and Carl is such a better candidate than any other person."
"No no no, I believe Ace isn't guilty. He'll probably be released soon. Carl isn't to be trusted if he can treat Ace like that who knows what he'll do with the company."
"It'll be best if the Chairman wakes up and ends this nightmare, nothing is going right with his absence."
"I heard a rumor that he's actually awake but wants to see how everyone handles things in his absence... I heard he also spoke to the police that Ace would be let out soon. It's all part of his great plan."
"Oh shut up! You and your rumors! The next thing we know someone will say they saw his son who died a long time ago. Please the chairman has no reason for this... Unless he's trying to drag someone out by making them reveal themselves?"
"Exactly! I thought it could be the person who poisoned him because the person obviously wants him dead but it could also be a bigger picture. Someone he's been trying to get but can't. You know how these rich people do ridiculous things when they can just save time and bite their pride."
"A bigger person? Argh how am I even listening to your crazy theories? We have work to do I'm going out first."
I heard the footsteps of the first person walking away then the second person soon followed. A low smirk crossed my lips as I slid open the toilet stall and walked forward to the mirror where they were.
They were long gone but their words still lingered in the air and my mind. I hadn't heard anything about mr Winston possibly being awake and faking everything. Alex had already filled me in on everything Ace wanted and we were both determined to help him. It was the day for the election and the whole company was buzzing with the new position.
I walked out of the toilet just to see a walking zombie staring back at me. Taken by surprise, I jumped back and my hands instinctively went to my chest where my heart was about to burst.
"Oh my God, you scared me," I breathed trying to steady my breathing and he stared back at me with terrible dark circles beneath his eyes and pale skin. But yet, he still looked gorgeous.
"I heard you're in charge of the case." He began and stood up straight with just his hands in his pocket.
"Harry, is that why you came here?" I asked and he nodded.
"My dad, he's had Nana locked in her room since last night when he found out that she went ahead to see Mr Winston in his hospital. I think Mr. Winston might be connected to the drug case in some way. Anyway, I'm going to help you take the company down. I can't let my sister be forced to follow in his footsteps. Can we talk?" He spoke like he was a robot.
I stared at him feeling his pain. Every time I saw Harry he always had this cheerful and playful look on his face that made everyone around him instantly happy. Seeing him look so dejected and empty of emotions was so weird it sent a shrill down my spine.
"There's a meeting that I have to attend now Harry. But you can wait. I'll come and see you once it's over. Do you think you can wait for me?" I calmly touched his arm to reassure him that everything was going to be alright. My heart broke when he pursed his lips into a smile and nodded.
"Always."
I don't know what came over me but I pulled him into a hug and he froze before I felt him loosen up and wrap his arms around me too. He tightened his grip and buried his face in my neck. I softly caressed the base of his head where his neck was and heard him let out a shaky breath. We stayed like that for a while before we finally let each go and I gave his hand one last squeeze before walking away.
"Kenna," he called and I turned to look at him.
He was about to say something before he hesitated and gave me a smile that made me mirror him. "I... Thank you... I really mean that."
"Always," I told him and walked to the elevator.
The shareholders and important staff were already making their way towards the conference room to determine the new chairman. My conversation with Axel earlier in the morning ran through my mind and I couldn't help but grin at how a genius Ace is. He and his parents, I could tell they were related from how smart and analytical they were. I couldn't wait to see how everything played out.
Pushing the huge back door I entered the room which was almost full and buzzing with different people talking about what was about to happen. My eyes wandered around the room looking for the two girls that were in the toilet earlier, they're the only ones I knew in the company because we stayed in the same office.
But unfortunately, I seemed to have attracted traitors and betrayers as Carl and Mr. Jefferson walked up to me and I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, Carl. Didn't expect you to try to get more votes," Mr Jeffferson tried to laugh off the awkwardness and Carl gave a thin smile.
"I'm actually quite familiar with Miss Davis here. She's Quinn's best friend. And I didn't come over to get her vote. I came to check on her as it's been a while since we've met." His gaze moved from Jefferson to me and I forced a smile.
"I can't say it's great to see you but hey, you're alive and not in jail."
His eyes widened but he quickly masked it and cleared his throat.
"Well, since you said you aren't here to ask for her vote. Miss Davis, you look like someone who knows what's best. I'm sure I'm already your number one candidate. There's nobody here who can manage this company like I can and I bet the chairman would have chosen me himself if he could," Mr Jefferson praised himself and Carl evidently rolled his eyes before checking his watch.
"Oh, but he's not dead, is he? He might even walk through this door who knows. And besides, Mr Jefferson I would never vote for someone who sees no wrong in being a murderer. Someone that's worse than the devil." The venom left my mouth before I could stop it and I emphasized each word before walking away from both of them. I honestly couldn't see Mr Jefferson as a normal person after I overheard him telling Louis he wanted to kill Mr Winston.
I took a seat beside Nily and Alayna. And they both tried to ask me what was wrong which made me realize that my anger was showing through my expression but I couldn't just help it. They're here trying to fight for a company that doesn't belong to any of them. But it's okay because the rightful owner would walk through that door any moment from now.
Soon, everyone was called to order and the room went quiet as the person on the podium did the common greeting, welcoming everyone and giving a little speech on how much Mr. Winston adored the company and how important it is to every one of us. Then finally after what seemed like forever, he called out the candidates for the position and they walked out to the stage.
Carl, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Smith, and Mrs. Green.
My legs began to bounce beneath the desk and my phone buzzed from my suit and I took it out to read the text from Alex.
Alex: They're here.
I tried to suppress my grin and stop myself from yelling at all the money-hungry people on the stage and waited while they gave their manifestos. In the meantime, I brought out my files from my bag and went through them again feeling the adrenaline of what was about to happen run through my veins.
Just as the last person gave their speech claps erupted. The doors to the entrance flung open capturing the attention of every soul in the room and the room went quiet as everyone stared at the door waiting for what was behind to emerge.
They walked in, I slowly stood up. Ace's dad was in a wheelchair with Ace's mother behind him and Alex walking in beside them. I adjusted my suit just as gasps erupted and some others shrieked like they were seeing a ghost. The whole place was in a frenzy.
The best of all was the expression on Carl and Mr. Jefferson's face. They looked like a bucket of iced water was dumped on them. I began to make my way down the stairs to the stage and Carl's eyes met with mine, I blew him a kiss which made his eyes twitch in anger.
Alex smiled at me once I got to them and we did a little fist bump before I finally saw eye-to-eye with Ace's parents.
"Thank you so much, Kenna," his mother said as her blue eyes creased with so much emotion. She looked so strong and beautiful that a smile found its way to my lips.
"You don't have to thank me for this, the hard part isn't here yet. But we can do it." I squeezed her hand and she nodded.
Then Alex came over to help me get Mr. Winston on his feet. Apparently, he's been practicing on his feet just for this day and I just had faith that he was going to do it. And just like that he stood up straight and more gasps erupted. We carefully helped him onto the stage with his wife behind us.
We walked past the candidates who were still too shocked to speak. He stood behind the mic and we handed him a walking stick to balance with. We both stood behind him and his wife joined us.
"You're not seeing a ghost... I am Logan Winston." His voice came out much stronger than I expected. I could immediately tell how much he trained and overcame so many things to be able to do that. Last I heard he couldn't even mumble a few words but now he was saying full sentences.
"He can talk... It's just that he's limiting himself because of that night. It's like a trauma. But he can overcome it. He has to, for everything to go according to how Ace wants it."
Alex's words rang through my head.
The whole conference room was suddenly silent like they were too shocked to even speak.
"I'm not here to explain why I faked my death or hide all this time... I'm here to take my rightful place and fix this company," he said strictly.
"Bullshit!" a loud voice roared from behind us and I looked back to see Mr Jefferson huffing like he just ran a two-hundred-mile race. His chest heaved and he began to sweat profusely.
"Impossible!! You can't just show up and claim the company! You have no power again. You just have the title of being his son! Everyone still has to vote! How do you think you can win this?!" He yelled so loudly that I was sure they could hear him from every room in the company. He looked so angry and tense that I wouldn't be surprised if he had a heart attack at that moment and I wouldn't care.
Mr Winston ignored his outburst and turned back to the crowd. "I'm not forcefully claiming the position. I'm a candidate just like everyone else on stage. And those who believe me can vote for me." With that, he slowly made his way to stand beside the rest of them with Mr. Jefferson tracing him with his bloodshot eyes.
Now it was my turn. I walked to the mic and gave everyone a cute smile but they were still dumb-struck from what happened to even pay attention. But I knew that what I was about to say would have their jaws on the floor and would probably have Mr. Jefferson in the hospital.
"If I may have everyone's attention," I said, adjusting the mic. I opened up my file.
"I'm McKenna Davis a lawyer in the legal team. I'm also Mr. Ace Winston's lawyer and I'm here to announce that Mr. Ace Winston has given all his company shares to Mrs. Rosa Winston... His mother." A sly smile appeared on my face as everyone's eyes widened once again. And I could hear Mr. Jefferson boiling behind me.
"Mr. Ace Winston owned thirty percent of the company shares which made him the largest shareholder and now all of that belongs to Mrs. Rosa Winston which makes her... The largest shareholder of the Winston company."
The whole room erupted into loud protest and complaints and I couldn't help but grin at the chaos. I looked back to see Alex having the same expression as me.
The largest shareholder holds the highest vote and Rosa being the largest shareholder meant Mr. Logan Winston was definitely going to win regardless because of her vote. It was Ace's first step in his genius plan. To have the company in the hands of someone he can control. The most important role I had was a success. The whole room was in chaos but I found peace and Rosa engulfed me in a hug which took me by surprise, I instantly hugged her back.
Files and papers were flung into the air in frustration and some people's arguments ended up in physical fights. From the corner of my eye, I saw Carl slowly make his way to the door and walk out in defeat without a word.
It was Ace's undefeatable plan.
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Lawdddddd
I loved writing this chapter so much I hope you all enjoyed reading it!
The song of the day and for the chapter is Empathy by Crystal Castles. It fits the chapter perfectly and is what I listened to while writing this masterpiece.
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