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Saddler smiled. “You’re more than welcome, Wilder.”
The board was silent.
Wilder scanned their blank faces. “I, too, am excited, as well, but I’m afraid the rest of the board doesn’t seem to share that excitement. They were about to vote to remove me from office.”
“Oh?” Saddler appeared perplexed.
“Wilder misunderstood the nature of this meeting,” Amberth cried, rising from his chair. He walked closer and offered a hand. “I’m Amberth Harris. We’re very excited at the prospect of Wilder leading your new project as well. We’re proud of our brash, young—and progressive—CEO. We were simply meeting to determine how we could support him in his time of need.”
“Wonderful,” Saddler replied, placing a palm on Wilder’s shoulder. “I’d hate to search for another builder before we even get started. Glad I won’t have to now.” He turned to face Wilder. “I’d like to schedule a meeting with you and your executive team as soon as possible. With your focus on your omega right now, it’s not a rush, but as soon as you can comfortably free up a few hours.”
“I appreciate that. I’m sure we can get something on the books soon,” Wilder said, relief flooding him.
“Good to hear. If there’s anything we can do to help in his recovery, don’t hesitate to ask. I have many talented friends. If he needs a specialist or any specialized care, reach out to me. We definitely want you and yours to thrive. We think there's a lot of potential in our partnership together.”
“Thank you. I can’t wait to see which direction we go,” Wilder added.
“It’s been a pleasure coming in and meeting you, gentlemen. I’ll leave you to resume your meeting.” Saddler gave a wave before walking toward the door.
Vaughn met Wilder’s stare, a broad smile on his lips, before trailing Saddler out.
Once the door closed, Wilder eyed the board. After glancing at his father briefly, he scanned their shocked faces.
Amberth grumbled under their breath. “Don’t think this has completely salvaged your position here. We’re going to be following you closely. We’ve invested a lot of money in this company, and we refuse to allow it to slip away.”
Warden scoffed. “Amberth, you’re no longer a member of this board. Remember?”
“There’s no reason to continue with this transaction.” Amberth dramatically ripped Warden’s check into pieces. “You can do the same with that contract.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” Warden said, smiling.
Amberth’s face grew white as a sheet. “You… you did this on purpose. You knew… didn’t you? You son of a bitch,you knew!”
Wilder glanced his father’s way, seeing the broad smile growing even wider, an evil glint to it.
“What’s done is done,” Warden replied. “Now your shares are mine. You can go.”
“You haven’t heard the last from me.” Amberth stormed out, slamming the conference doors behind him.
“Years ago, I sold thirty-nine percent of my business for a chance at growth. I allowed you in so you could prosper with us. When Wilder was moving up, I gave him ten of my own in order to bring him onto the board.” Warden stared at each of the board members, one at a time. “Amberth had twenty of those thirty-nine, making him the second largest shareholder.” He drew out another contract from under the one already signed. He scribbled his name across the bottom before sliding it Wilder’s way. “I’m now splitting those twenty with my CEO.”
Wilder met his father’s gaze.
“In a bid to keep him as the head of this company and have him move forward with our new venture with the Green Trust.”
Wilder eyed the document.
“All you have to do is sign, son,” Warden said. “And your ten percent becomes twenty.”
Wilder continued to peruse the contract before lifting his father’s pen. He signed his name to the document and slid it back over.
“You’ve opened the door to billions ofrenosin potential projects and substantial profits. They’ve made it clear you are the man they want leading this company,” Warden replied. “I think you more than deserve it.”
Warden scanned the board’s faces. “If you still want to vote, we can have a vote… but I can assure you that Wilder will be here, whether you like it or not.”
“Do we have a voice at all now?” one of the older board members asked.
“You can always voice your concerns,” Warden said. “But if you’re unhappy, my checkbook is right here. I’ll buy out anyone who’s ready to walk away.”
