Chapter 4
That night, I met up with Michael Bennett.
He showed up with two guys, and the moment he sat down, he gave me a sly grin.
"Miss Stone, didn't think you had a knack for playing the stock game," he said.
"If I didn't, I wouldn't bother meeting you."
Michael was acting all high and mighty.
"I've got 5% of the shares. It's a decent chunk. Jonathan made me a generous offer."
"Does he even have the money?"
Michael's grin faded.
I slid a share purchase offer across the table.
"Sign it today, and I'll give you 10% above market price."
He didn't even reach for the offer.
"Miss Stone, what makes you think you can just take over Blue Ridge?"
"Because I already own 62% of the shares."
Michael's hand shook, and a bit of coffee splashed out.
"Did you just say 62%?" he blurted out, eyes wide.
"You heard me right," I replied, cool as ever.
One of his guys leaned in and whispered something in his ear.
Michael locked eyes with me.
"Who's backing you?"
"Are you signing or not?" I asked, my tone icy.
His face darkened.
"Does Jonathan know about this?"
"He'll know soon enough."
Michael picked up the document, then set it down again.
"I'll sign, but I want a seat on the board."
"Fine."
"And I want to keep my VP position," he added.
"That depends on what you can do."
He shot me a look. "Miss Stone, don't forget. If it weren't for us old shareholders, Blue Ridge wouldn't even be standing today."
"Without cash, Blue Ridge won't make it past next week."
He had no comeback.
"Mr. Bennett, the winds have changed. You can either stay on the boat or sink. It's your call."
Ten minutes later, he signed the papers.
My phone rang.
It was Jonathan.
I picked up.
He didn't even bother with pleasantries. "Did you mess with Blue Ridge's shares?"
I watched as Michael signed the papers.
"Mr. Grant, you're quick on the draw," I said, my tone cool.
"Evelyn, what the hell are you trying to pull?" he snapped.
"Just taking back what's mine," I replied.
"Blue Ridge is mine!"
"Used to be."
He snapped, "Don't kid yourself! You think you can just change the company charter because you scooped up some shares?"
I replied, "See you at the shareholders' meeting tomorrow, then."
He paused.
"You actually have the guts to show up?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You're just some woman in the jewelry business. What do you know about running a corporation?"
I shot back, "I don't need to know how to run it. I just need to know how to replace the ones who do."
He fell silent.
Michael handed the papers back, far more respectful now.
"Miss Stone, see you tomorrow," he said.
I stood up.
He suddenly asked, "How are you tied to Summit Capital?"
I didn't bother to look back.
"You'll find out tomorrow."
The next day, Lily was the first to message me.
"Evelyn, the Grant family is having a dinner tonight. Mrs. Grant wants you to come over and talk," she wrote.
I replied, "I'm busy."
She sent another message: "Jonathan will be there too. He says this is your last chance."
I deleted it without a second thought.
Ten minutes later, Summer walked in holding an invitation.
"Ms. Stone, the Grant family sent this over," she said.
I opened it.
Inside, it said: "If you don't show up, you'll face the consequences."
I tossed the invitation straight into the shredder.
"Bring the car around," I said.
Summer looked surprised. "Didn't you just say you were busy?"
"I'm going to see exactly what kind of consequences they're talking about," I replied.
The Grant family dinner was packed. Over twenty people were there.
When I walked in, Margaret was holding the baby, showing him off to the relatives.
Lily was sitting right next to Jonathan, looking every bit the lady of the house.
Jonathan saw me and stood up.
"You're here," he said.
I didn't say anything.
Margaret gave a mocking laugh.
"Look who finally decided to walk through the Grant family's door," she sneered.
I pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Didn't you invite me?" I shot back.
One of the relatives spoke up, "Evelyn, you two were married once. Don't make a scene."
"Who's the couple here, exactly?" I asked.
The relative was left speechless.
Lily quickly jumped in, "Evelyn, everyone's just trying to do what's best for Jonathan."
"So you admit I'm not here for him, huh?"
Her eyes welled up with tears.
Margaret was quick to defend her.
"Evelyn, stop picking on her!"
I picked up the coffee, then set it back down.
"Alright, let's get to the point," I said.
Jonathan sat back down.
"Hand over your shares to me. And as for the money from the houses, I won't come after you for it," he said, acting like he was doing me a favor.
I almost burst out laughing.
"Oh? And what exactly are you planning to hold me accountable for?"
"You're pulling a hostile takeover of Blue Ridge, and it's destabilizing the company."
"I spent real money on these shares, and now you're calling it hostile?"
Lily pleaded, "Evelyn, Blue Ridge means everything to Jonathan. If you want something, we can talk it out. Just don't use the company as leverage against him."
"I want him to pay up," I said.
Margaret's expression turned icy.
"How much do you want?"
I turned to her.
"How much can the Grant family afford right now?"
She choked.
Jonathan said, "Evelyn, I know I wronged you. But you can't bring personal grudges into the company. What about the thousands of employees?"
I shot back, "Did you ever care about them when you used my property to cheat your way into a loan?"
He clenched his glass.
Lily said softly, "Jonathan was just desperate."
"So being desperate gives him the right to steal?"
Margaret couldn't hold back anymore.
"Stop calling it stealing! After five years living under our roof, you owe us every cent!" she snapped.
I pulled out my tablet and played a video.
On screen, it was her, right there in my studio, saying those exact words.
"A divorced woman should keep her head down and know her place.
"You couldn't give him a child, so what's wrong with Jonathan finding someone who can?"
The room went dead silent.
Jonathan turned to Margaret.
"Mom, did you really say that?"
Margaret looked flustered.
"I was just angry."
I put my tablet away.
"Jonathan, listen up.
"I don't owe the Grant family anything.
"And Blue Ridge isn't yours alone."
He stared at me.
"Who's backing you?"
Someone knocked on the door.
The Grant family's butler came in.
"Mr. Grant, several Blue Ridge shareholders are here. They say it's urgent."
Jonathan shot to his feet.
I stood up, too.
"Well, looks like the family dinner's officially over," I said.