Chapter 06
1302 Words
BLAIR'S POV
After my announcement, silence settles over the room. A few board members exchange long, uncomfortable looks, the kind people give when they’re waiting for someone else to speak first.
My gaze stays on Oliver, on the anger carved into his face and the argument I know he’s dying to make.
Mr. Philip is the one who finally speaks first.
He clears his throat. “Well,” he says slowly, folding his hands on the table, “we’ve all heard what you’ve said and we understand it. At least… in theory.”
My jaw tightens.
“However,” he continues, drawing the word out, “I don’t believe this is a decision you’re meant to make on your own.”
My lips twitch. “I’m sorry?”
He offers a thin, patronizing smile, glancing at Oliver before turning back to me. “Mr. Oliver was the CEO of this company for more than five years. Five very significant years, I might add. So decisions of this magnitude typically involve consultation and discussion with us where you present reasons for your choice.”
He leans back in his chair. “Replacing a CEO isn’t something one simply announces.
Following proper procedure would have been the… most responsible approach.”
Oh. He’s one of Oliver’s supporters. I glance around the table and catch a few nods from those who agree with him and the sight sends a slow burn of anger curling in my chest.
“I should have consulted you?” I tilt my head slightly. “Mr. Philip, what exactly is your position in this company?”
He hesitates. “As someone who has been in this business world for a very long time, long before you inherited this company from your father, I feel obligated to speak up.”
There it is.
“If news of this… hasty replacement gets out,” he continues, “our competitors could easily use it against us. And frankly, you’ve broken the trust this board has in this establishment.” He folds his arms. “What happens when you wake up tomorrow and decide to fire half of us?”
“Mr. Philip,” I snap, though my expression remains calm. “You should be very careful with what you say. This company is mine, and I—”
“I’m sorry,” he cuts in, no longer bothering to mask the coldness in his tone, “but your father founded this company.” His eyes flick toward the others, seeking approval. “If he had treated it the way you’re treating it now, do you honestly think any of us would still be sitting here?”
A few people nod and a few don’t.
“Your actions,” he finishes, “might very well bring this company down.”
“Enough,” Mr. Lawrence snaps, glaring at him. “Have you forgotten who you’re speaking to? Have you completely lost your mind?”
I exhale slowly.
These are the board members Oliver carefully put in place, one by one, replacing the old ones. I glance at him and a small smirk spreads across his face, like he’s enjoying this a little too much. This is exactly what he wants, for the board to turn against me.
But no matter how this plays out, one fact remains unchanged. I own this company.
“Mr. Philip.” I straighten in my chair, meeting his gaze head on. “I understand your concerns and I do believe I should have consulted the board before making my decision.”
His eyes widen slightly in surprise that I agree with him.
“I’m taking over as CEO because I’m getting divorced,” I continue. “And just as I can no longer trust that man in my home, I cannot trust him with this company.” I stack the files neatly in front of me. “Now that I’ve explained my reasoning, I don’t believe there’s anything further to discuss in this meeting.” I look around the table. “At our next session, I’ll be introducing new clauses and implementations aimed at strengthening the Turner Group as a whole.”
I stand. “That will be all.”
I hold Oliver’s gaze for a beat longer than necessary before turning and walking out of the room.
“Does she really think it’s that easy?”
“We shouldn’t allow this.”
“Have we completely lost our rights as board members?”
“Oliver, this is insulting.”
Their whispers trail after me as I leave and it’s very clear that my ex-husband has been poisoning what my father built and right under my nose. And right now, he has far more allies than I do.
If I’m going to take full control of this company, I’ll have to weed them out. One way or another.
“Blair.”
I pause mid-step, my jaw tightening. I take a slow breath before turning around and of course, it’s Oliver.
He approaches at an unhurried pace, closing the distance between us.
“Don’t you think you’re making a mistake?” He asks.
“Since you’re no longer CEO and only a shareholder, your access to certain parts of this building will be restricted,” I tell him coldly. “Collect your personal belongings from your office and leave. Do not touch any private files belonging to the Turner Group.”
He scoffs. “You’re really going through with this? A divorce?” His lips curve into a smug smile. “Why? Because of Skylar? You’re being selfish toward Hailey, our daughter.”
I laugh. “So now you remember she’s your daughter? You acknowledge you have a family?”I step closer, jabbing a finger into his chest. “You’ve been selfish toward her for years so now, I’m protecting her from you.”
“You’re punishing her,” he snaps, then smiles. “You’ll see. When she starts crying for her daddy, what will you do then?”
I wet my lips. “You think she can’t survive without you?”
His eyes flare in response.
“Listen carefully,” I say. “I’ll make sure she grows up knowing exactly who you are. A man who never deserved her affection or her admiration. So don’t worry about us. Focus on your new family.”
I straighten. “My lawyer has already sent you the divorce papers. Sign them and return them on time.”
With a scowl, I start to turn away.
“I won’t be signing anything,” he declares.
I pause, then slowly turn back to face him.
“If you think I’ll let you deny me access to our daughter, then you have no idea what you’ve started,” he continues, his voice hard. “I won’t let you win.”
I shouldn’t be generous with this man. I should break him down, piece by piece.
“You have custody two days a week,” I respond. “Don’t test me, or I’ll make sure you don’t see her at all.”
He steps closer, until there’s barely any space between us, his breath warm against my face.
“I know you think I’m still the Oliver you met,” he murmurs. “The man you had to beg your family to let you marry because I wasn’t rich enough or powerful enough.” He chuckles. “I’ve changed over the years, Blair. I’m not that man anymore.”
His eyes darken. “Push me and I’ll break you and your entire family.” He tilts his head. “I’m ready for this fight, more than you think.”
He nods once, then turns and walks away. I watch him go, my fingers trembling with rage and I know deep down, he isn’t bluffing.
- Writer
