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When Stavros saw what was on the screen of Damen’s phone, he shook his head in stunned amazement. “You took a risk on those stocks? You must have been fucking crazy.”
“It was a calculated move.”
“Everyone knows that those stocks were a wildcard—-”
“Because of its previous owner.”
The meaning behind Damen’s words sunk in, and Stavros looked at his friend with renewed respect. “You bought the company and turned it around yourself. And now, you’re a billionaire, which means even if you lose this case, it wouldn’t matter.” He gestured to the courtroom. “Why all this if the outcome didn’t matter anymore?”
“The company only went public this morning.”
“Does Mairi know you’re a billionaire again?”
Damen shook his head. “No.” He had not told his wife he was a billionaire once more because everything had changed. If being a billionaire had allowed Damen and Mairi to meet, it was the opposite now. Being a billionaire meant she would no longer need to pity him. It meant freeing her, and Damen wanted to avoid that at all cost.
The judge came to a decision in just three hours, the outcome neither what Esther nor Damen expected. “Although we can now rule the evidence presenting Damen Leventis as incapable of exercising his responsibility as head of the company invalid, the evidence presenting Esther Leventis as similarly capable is insufficient.”
The judge paused, looking at the defendant and plaintiff. Seeing their unbending expressions, he sighed and continued, “Of course, I also see the impossibility of mother and son jointly managing the company. It is an unfortunate pity, but their personal relationship is outside my jurisdiction. What I can ensure, however, is the future of Leventis, which we all know can affect the thousands of individuals it employs. As such, with the additional powers duly vested in me by both sides, I have decided that sole ownership and management of the company be determined by way of voting.”
Esther started breathing again at the judge’s last words.
“When I say voting, I do not mean that only members of the board would be considered. In this case, every shareholder and employee will be considered as well.” The judge lifted his gavel and banged it down on his table. “Case dismissed.”
Chapter 20
Chaos erupted in the courtroom, and Damen and his team were showered with congratulatory messages. Esther Leventis’ furious shrieks at her attorneys tempted Damen to look her way, but he forced himself not to. He was not done with her yet, but now was not the right time to make her fully realize the consequences of her actions.
When he finally managed to step out of the courtroom, he immediately searched for his wife, but he could only find Drake. “Where is Mairi?”
Instead of answering, Drake asked, “You won?”
Damen briefly explained the judge’s decision.
“Your mother’s in control of the board, which means you need the support of the rest – the employees and stockholders – to vote for you.” He paused. “A tall order, with how Esther has portrayed you to the media.”
Damen was about to tell the other man he did not need any kind of support considering his newfound wealth, but Drake was speaking again.
“You have nothing to worry about in that score.” Drake gestured towards the crowd that had formed at the other end of the hallway. “Mairi’s been campaigning for you the entire morning.”
Damen shook his head, bemused. “Excuse me?”
“Go see for yourself.”
Slowly, he walked towards the crowd. The nearer he got, the louder and faster his heart beat because Mairi’s voice was becoming clearer and clearer. Another few steps and he was close enough to see his wife surrounded by the press, a bunch of cellphones and portable microphones pressed towards her.
“I know you may think you have no stake in this, but you do. I know many of you may think this is simply a power struggle between two wealthy individuals, but it’s not. My husband isn’t working hard to reclaim his position as head of Leventis only for himself. He’s also doing it to have the power to help those unnecessarily and unfairly affected by his dispute with your current CEO.”
“Damen cares about you – his employees. People who don’t know him may think he’s ruthless. That he’s irresponsible. But if you have worked for my husband, you should know the truth. My husband is a good man, a fair employer, and he takes his obligation towards his people seriously. I know that many of you are being paid less than what Damen himself has promised because of the new internal policies in the company. Those changes are some of the reasons why Damen wants to be back in Leventis. He’s fighting for you, and I know, if we support him, we can help him and make our choice matter in this battle.”
The smile that touched Mairi’s lips after her speech took his breath away, and what she said next nearly knocked him sideways.
