“And lastly,” Ronald’s lips quirk with a small, relieved smile. “Levi Astor. With the plurality percentage of 43.5%. Congratulations, Mr. Astor.” He looks at me, eyes triumphant. “You’re the next elected President of Astor Holdings.”
What the fuck? How?
Of course, I know how. Logically, at least. But if we lost Daniel Penner’s vote, then—
The next few minutes blur past me. I can no longer register the uninvited, professional hugs and the pats on my back that I can’t seem to care about. Even Matthew and Gracelyn politely congratulate me.
Just then, my phone pings in my inner coat pocket. The need to talk to Cece is so visceral that I find myself walking away from everyone without a glance.
Before I can pull my phone out, I hear Daniel’s tense voice behind me. “Congratulations, Levi.”
I turn, watching him with an expression that’s a mix of venom and reluctant understanding. “Thanks, Daniel. Guess this wasn’t an outcome you expected.”
He frowns just as Taewon sidles up to me.
“I couldn’t let your last name win, son. You understand that, right?”
Taewon speaks up. “If you think that’s all he is, then I’m deeply concerned about your IQ, Mr. Penner.”
Daniel’s expression flattens as I try to curb my smile. “Gracelyn would’ve been the right choice,” he grits out.
I don’t even get the chance to get another word in when Taewon’s dark chuckle interrupts us. “Really, Daniel? You mean your future daughter-in-law?”
I turn my head toward Taewon slowly, forcing my face not to show an ounce of surprise. We both ignore Daniel’s weak glare as he walks off. Leaving Taewon, smirking at his back.
“Daughter-in-law?” I ask after a few seconds.
Taewon rolls his eyes. “It was a gamble. I saw his son, Laurence, hanging around Gracelyn at a restaurant a few days ago. Guess I was right, eh?”
I huff out a laugh, shaking my head. But then I sober up quickly. The questions running amok in my head resurface. “How… how did I still win? I’d have guessed after Daniel—”
“Remember those ‘unknowns’ we considered inactive?” Ronald joins us, grinning widely as he hands me a glass of champagne.
“You mean… Eric, Spencer…” I trail off when my memory fails me.
He snorts over the rim of his own flute. “There were seven of them. All sent out a remote vote. Combined… well, they were able to offset the difference Daniel left.”
“Who are they?”
I ignore Taewon’s question. My mind is racing as I fish my phone out. Somehow, whatever message I received a few minutes ago seems like the answer I’ve been looking for.
And sure enough—
Sebastian Blackthorn: You can thank your girlfriend for this *wink emoji*
A startled laugh escapes me, and I find myself leaning against the wall behind me for support.
Sebastian Blackthorn: Oh and feel free to buy those shares off me. My team was confused why I was using their name to buy shares in a random, small, Canadian company. They’d rather have equity in Blackthorn.
Fucking asshole. Random? Small?
Well, compared to Blackthorn Security, sure.
But my laugh doesn’t cease. Not even when Ronald and Taewon throw me a cautious, confused look like I’ve grown two heads.
Before I know it, I’m racing toward the Wentworth office.
To Cece.
