The Beautiful Billionaire

ESTELLE

“Do I really need both of you?” I asked why Lynx had to join us today. I thought Qamar was enough, but Linden went a little overboard with my security.

“It’s more than just me and Q,” Lynx confirmed. I couldn’t help but inwardly smile as I remembered how Linden got jealous of him.

“What do you mean?”

He tipped his chin to the side mirror.

I looked at the rearview and asked incredulously, “That Tahoe is for me? Why?”

“Boss doesn’t take your safety lightly.”

“Why? Am I in some kind of danger?” I asked both of them, but Qamar just went silent, too focused on driving, if I may say. “Qamar?”

“Yes, ma’am?” He briefly looked at me through the rearview as if avoiding my question.

“We could expect a reporter at your building, Ms. Bladwyn. Trust me. Sometimes it gets a little wild knowing your status.”

“But it’s too extreme. You and Qamar are already too much.”

“Ignore the SUV following us. You won’t even know it’s there.”

“Too late.” I glared at Lynx as I fished out my phone from my bag. I dialed Linden, but he didn’t pick up.

When we were close to the office, I suddenly felt nervous. Lynx, of course, didn’t miss through his eagle eyes. “I’m fine.”

“Just sit pretty, ignore those old men fighting. I have a few experiences with men greedy for power.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“Do tell.” I scoffed.

“Do you realize you’re talking about her father?” Qamar chuckled. I wasn’t even paying much attention that he was talking about Dad. Truth always hurt, but Lynx was right.

“I’m aware. Pointing out the truth would never go wrong.”

They were wearing comms. Well, that was first. Qamar began talking, probably to the guys behind us, as he parked the car.

“We’re taking Sirius to her meeting.”

“Who?” I asked. None of them seemed to hear me, but the door to my seat opened. I got out of the car, and I realized they were right. A few reporters and cameras were pointing at me, throwing questions, and those flashes blinded me.

“Please, the PR will release a statement after the meeting,” Lynx answered them while Qamar dragged me out of the crowd.

Micah met us in the private elevator. “My office had not stopped ringing, asking for your statement. And please, no social media.”

“I didn’t check. Honestly, I’m not even tempted,” I told her the truth.

Lynx’s phone rang. When he answered with the boss, I knew he was talking to Linden.”

“May I talk to him?”

“After the meeting, ma’am.”

“This is part of his extravagant plan, huh? Great.” I met my financial advisor and my legal team outside the conference.

“Whatever happens inside, don’t give up. We still have a few cards left. Good luck.”

“Thanks. I need that.” I picked up the file Micah gave me before I faced my jury.

Five shareholders were already there. Then my father and Weston joined us and sat next to each other.

“Good morning.” I took a seat before them and opened the folder. There was a sticky note with the word smile written in bold letters, and it didn’t definitely come from Micah. The first page in the file confused me. It was a brief background of everyone, including my father, Tyrion, and Klayton. What the hell?

“Are we going to start?” My father was still mad. His flaring eyes bore mine.

I breathed before I looked at them one by one. I hoped Linden’s plan would work. Otherwise, I would be going to my office to pack, and I wasn’t ready to give up my life’s work because I had made a colossal mistake. I still needed that chance to prove to myself that I could pull my company up once again.

“Of course. Should I talk first or you, Mr. Weston?”

When he gestured his hand, I started, “Whoever leaked that information, it doesn’t matter. It’s already out. We can still get back what we lost-”

“How?” Tyrion asked.

“Considering that you haven’t begun selling your share, that means you still have trust in the company- in me. It was just merely a mishap. Every startup, huge company or not, encounter setbacks and losses. But if you have lost your trust in my administration, tell me, help me here. Do you have plans?”

“It wasn’t just a setback. We lost-”

“I know how much the company lost, Dad. How about the credibility of the company? Those who quickly listened and trusted what was out there will buy the stocks again.”

“It’s not that easy,” he pointed out.

“I would love to see your plan, Ms. Bladwyn,” one of the shareholders asked.

“The products are still selling, the production hasn’t stopped, and our distributors haven’t backed out yet.” I checked what was on the file again. “You all, shareholders and investors, are still investing.”

“And after that, do you have plans?”

“The company will get what it lost last night. We will continue where we left off. Do you want to say something, Mr. Weston, go ahead. You have the floor.” I focused on Tyrion because he didn’t come here unprepared and had something startling scheme up his sleeves.

“After what you’ve shown us for the last months, you need to grow up and learn how to run a company, Estelle. Maybe attend a business school and take a master’s degree.”

I nodded. Of course. “How about you, Dad? You look like you have something to say.”

“He is right.” Of course. God, I wanted to roll my eyes. Why was not even surprised? He wanted this to happen. He wanted to belittle me in front of everyone, let me question my worth, doubt myself as he started his own plan. “You are too distracted by the world around you. You are still young. We can-”

I didn’t let him finish. Call it rude, but I needed to put these two greedy old men where they belonged.

My only focus and mission was convincing these five shareholders. “When I started this company, I had only five thousand dollars. It came first as ideas that sounded ridiculous. I mean, who would believe in my twenty-one years old fresh graduate? On the other hand, my mother thought it was a good idea. I asked my father to borrow me twenty-five thousand dollars, and he said no. I went to the bank. They said they said I needed a good business plan and collateral. So literally, nothing, my dreams crumbled down.”

“Your point, Estelle.” Dad’s face turned red as I was successful in getting on his nerve, and he knew where it was going.

“Eventually, you suggested to go to Mr. Weston. I signed the contract to prove that I could run a business. It works, isn’t it, Dad? Because I believe in myself, I have strong-willed and passionate about my dreams. I work hard for four years. Why these people.” I looked at these shareholders. “Why do they believe in me? I’m sure you have your influence, but money is money.”

“Just cut to the chase, Estelle, but we can’t risk another setback. I suggest electing a new chairman.” How predictable? I wanted to call Linden right now and say he was right.

I looked at them one by one, and they all had the same reaction on their faces- they agreed with Tyrion. I was more disappointed in my father that he wanted to kick me out of my position instead of backing me up. I will never forget what he did today.

“I’m electing your father, Gustav, Estelle.”

“My father over me? He’s already the chairman of CTEC. Does he still have time for this? What if I get more votes?” I swallowed hard. I felt like I could feel my heart bursting out of my chest. I grabbed the bottled water and drank it in front of them. I didn’t care if they knew I was nervous, and I’d been observing Tyrion and Mr. Wilson as if they were reading each other’s thoughts.

“Then you will still be the chairman.”

“No. I want more.” I returned Tyrion’s intense gaze. It was now or never- my only chance to take full control of Star LLC.

“This is not a negotiation, Estelle. This is business. Nothing personal.” Yes, you and my father are just both plain narcissists.

“Great. Now that you mention personal. I want you to void the contract we signed four years ago and sell your shares.”

“Let’s say I agree. But I guarantee you. You cannot win,” he pointed out, but I would take my chance.

“Let’s say I believe in second chances.” I grabbed a blank page and a pen and gave it to him. “If my father will win. I’m selling my share. I know this is my life’s work, but I can build another one since I now have a background in building a company from scratch, more than most of us here. I’d say, let’s say, we put it into writing. Shall we?”

“Your confidence is admirable, Ms. Bladwyn,” another shareholder said. “But you don’t have to act drastically.”

“He wants me out of the chairman position this instant. So be it. Let’s start voting. You can just raise your hands, which is in favor of my father to be the chairman of Star LLC.”

I could barely breathe. My heart felt like thrashing around inside my chest as Tyrion raised his hand, then my father, and then Mr. Wilson. The tension was killing me, making my skin crawl. I wanted to get out, pee, and stay in the restroom until I got the result.

When the rest did not follow, I finally let go of the breath I’d held for too long.

“Who wants me to stay as the Chairman?”

“What the hell are you doing?” Tyrion still tried to convince the rest, but they began raising their hand one by one.

“I’m giving her a chance, Mr. Weston.”

That was three over four, five including me.

“Looks like I’m staying. I want the contract agreement void on my desk on Monday, Mr. Weston. You may contact the brokerage if you’re not selling directly to Star LLC. Nice doing business with you. Unfortunately, you made the wrong decision. See you, Around Mr. Weston.”

“You think you’re smart? You, all of you.” He pointed at us one by one. “This will be the downfall of this company. I’m glad to sell my share at an affordable price. I’m still a billionaire and have my own company.”

The door went wide. Micah smiled and spoke, “Sorry for the interruption.” That was all she said. Then someone just walked in. Oh my God. It’s Striker. Striker Cade. This man knew when to make an entrance.

“I heard you’re selling your share, Mr. Weston. My company, Braddson-Cade LLC, is interested in buying your share. You say at an affordable price?”

Holy shit.