A Moment Like You (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #2) - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,90
you won’t receive the money I promised,” he threatens me though his voice is less threatening.
“You can keep it,” I suggest. “What makes you think that this scene will make me change my mind?”
What the fuck is Martina thinking? I glare at her and then at Sophia. She shakes her head so lightly no one would notice but me. Okay, she wants me to behave. There’s something happening here, and I better trust her.
“I refuse to sign that document,” he says pointing at the coffee table. “You can get yourself someone else to witness to this nonsense. No one is taking away my company. If this man can’t do what his family demands, that’s not my problem. I’ll sue.”
Grabbing the paper from the table, I realize it’s Martina not wanting to continue the three-month trial. I look at her and then at Sophia.
“Henry, I’ll walk away from this deal today, only if you promise to manage Edelstein Electronics just the way you do with Merkel. Also, by promising to offer me a job once I finish college,” she requests.
Her father laughs, “I said you were cut off after your thirty-second birthday unless you marry him.”
Sophia grabs one of her usual big binders and a drive, handing it to me. “Here are all the financial reports, tax returns, and bank statements for the company and the affiliates. Mr. Everhart is at the offices of Edelstein Electronics, ready to take over the company. However, Ms. Edelstein will only hand you the company if you meet her demands.”
“You can’t do this to me,” her father says. “That is my company.”
She waves a paper and says, “You signed this agreement, practically selling me to this man. If I decide to do things my way, you lose your company. Surprise, Daddy. As my thirty-second birthday present from me to you, I am leaving you without a cent. Let’s see how you and my dear brothers manage.”
I look at Pierce who shrugs and says, “It’s legal, and you don’t lose anything.”
Scanning through the document, I see that she’s asking to recover part of the company in ten years, or, if she decides to do something else with her life, to pay her half the value of said company. Whatever is better for her at that time. I shake my head and that’s when my phone buzzes.
I want to ignore it, but I see that Sophia is texting.
Sophia: Take it as it is. She doesn’t want to own it now. She’s afraid they might try to force her to give it back. We can see the options on how to compensate her later. For now, give her the power she needs.
“Is this what you want?” I ask Martina.
She smiles and answers. “Yes, if you don’t mind giving me a salary so I can pay for school. I’ll use my trust fund for my expenses. Sophie is teaching me how to budget.”
“Then let’s do it,” I agree and sign the contract they gave me.
“Your grandfather would be disappointed in you,” Owen says in such a way that for a second, I’m afraid of what Cyril would think.
“I loved the old man, but I’m disappointed in him for trying to dictate my life. This should be a lesson to you and your sons. Stop playing with your children’s lives, but I guess there’s no point in saying it when you have lost your company.”
“Surely you don’t think this is legal,” he changes his tone. “What kind of man just snatches a legacy out of an entire family?”
“I wonder what you’d have done if I was the one dissolving this,” I ask.
“Well—”
“He was already planning on how to split Merkel,” Martina interrupts him.
“Shut up. You don’t know what you are talking about. I raised you, you owe me, and this is how you repay me?”
She signs the paper just as Blaire and Leyla arrive to sign as witnesses. Pierce calls Everhart who has a security team at Edelstein Electronics ready to escort the main executives out of the premises. They shut down the system and freeze the bank accounts in case anyone tries to touch anything. It’s all so well coordinated and executed I’m in awe. I glance at Sophia who has a wide smile on her face.
“You can’t do this to me,” Edelstein protests, and that’s when Vance appears with Julian.
“Sir, your business in this town has been terminated. If you don’t mind, we’re going to escort you to the airport.”