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"Thank you, Matthias. It's good to see you too."
Then, surprising everyone, Damien leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. "We're all very glad you could make it, Luna."
Everyone busies themselves as I tear up.
I was wrong, the best gift Kingsley could’ve given me wasn’t just three sisters, but three brothers as well.
Fifty-Three
Kingsley
Forty-two years and itcomes down to this.
To today.
I was barely eighteen years old when my grandfather called me into his den, poured me a Scotch and told me that one day, when he was ready to pass it on, I would be the CEO of Baxter Enterprises. I’d cradled that drink, and that responsibility in both hands, like I’d been handed a crystal ball into what my future would hold.
It has steered me straight ever since.
I just had never expected that the day that it would happen, he wouldn’t be here.
I don’t sleep the night before, despite Luna lying soft and warm next to me, where she belongs.
Initially, I thought about asking her to stay home for the CEO vote the day after the Baxter Ball.
The CEO vote has always been planned to be held on the morning of the second day of the celebrations, so that the new CEO could be announced at the afternoon festivities at the jubilee.
I thought about asking her to stay home because I’m worried that, as the subject of many of the things that are going to be discussed, she might not want to hear it, but then I remember, she's earned her right to be there. She's strong and intelligent, and she made her own decisions about stepping in the line of fire to save me. She deserves a front row seat when I do the same for her.
So I give her the choice, if she wants to be there, that I’m not going to take that chance from her. She's earned the right to stand beside me, in the best and worst moment of my life.
If I'm protecting anything for her, it's the spot for her.
She doesn't stay home. I never thought she would.
She waits outside the boardroom with the my brothers’ partners, and I’m glad for their support.
This time we’re the very first to arrive at the boardroom.
I count the chairs, knowing that we'll need a few extras.
Over the next half hour, one by one, the board of directors members file in. Some come over to shake my hand, preemptively offering their support, some just give me a cursory nod, knowing that at the end of today, they will have gone against my grandfather's dying wish, to vote for me come my time.
Gerry is the last of the office board members to arrive.
He sits down with as much fanfare as he can, first going around the table shaking everyone’s hand, thanking them for being here. Five people don’t take his offered hands, we wouldn’t be caught dead. If he walks away after today with the vote, I’llaccept the board’s decision, and congratulate him on doing what it took to secure the majority of the board’s support. But until then, he can sit his ass down, and listen to what I’ve still got to say.
Once he finally sits down, we start.
Leonard, our Chairman, stands, his face serious.
"I call to order today's board meeting with the special order of business, voting for the next Baxter Enterprises CEO. However, due to special circumstances regarding allegations at our previous meeting we reconvene today to also discuss the allegations regarding Miss Luna Pham and Kingsley Baxter and the sharing of privileged information to Farmington, Inc. and The Hamilton Group.
As there have been some new developments, I would like to update the board with the following information:
Following the release of the article in Commerce insider, Miss Luna Pham released a response claiming responsibility for the sharing of privileged information as well as refuting her relationship status with Kingsley. Baxter Enterprises also released an official statement refuting the expose’s allegations. Since then both Baxter Enterprises, as well as Farmington and Hamilton Group have withdrawn their bids for the contract due to public scrutiny.
Now, I would like to please open the floor to any members who would like to ask any questions or answer to the claims.”
