“Dear CEO,
This is to inform you that a meeting with all shareholders is to be held on the seventeenth of this month. Your presence is required.
Thanks.”
The message sent a jolt through me. My heart raced as I processed the words. The reality of being the new CEO was sinking in faster than I could handle. I stared at the screen, unsure of what I was feeling.
“Kate,” I called, my voice slightly shaky. She had just stepped out of the bathroom, towel drying her hair.
“What is it?” she asked, looking concerned.
“I just received a message about a meeting with all the shareholders. It’s scheduled for the seventeenth of this month. They want me there.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s in just a few days!, wait is today not fifteenth, that means it’s next tomorrow. Are you ready for this?”
“Not even close,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “I don’t know what to expect or what I should even say. What if they don’t take me seriously?”
“They will. You’re Mr. Beaumont’s choice, and that means something,” Kate reassured me, stepping closer. “You need to prepare. Let’s go over what you want to say and what questions you might have for them.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. “Okay, I can do this. I need to know more about the company, the shareholders, and what they expect from me.”
“Exactly! And you have those documents to help you. Let’s dive in,” she encouraged.
We settled back down at the table, opening the envelope once more. As we sifted through the pages, I felt my heartbeat raise.
What if i do this all wrong?
And they laugh at me just like they did before, I’ll end up being the laughing stock again..
What will be Emma’s reaction if she finds out, will they even understand?
They’ll probably assume the worse..
I have to rise to this challenge, I believe this is an opportunity to redeem my broken image, I know my father choose to cut me off because of the incident, I’m going to show him I’m not as bad as he thinks, this isn’t just for myself but for my children aswell, if I ever decide to introduce them to Ray it shouldn’t be assumed it’s for his money.
After making up my mind it was as if ideas on what to do flood into me..”Alright, let’s make a list of priorities for the meeting,” I told Kate, grabbing a notepad. “First, I need to understand the current status of the company. What are its strengths and weaknesses?”
“Good start,” Kate replied, jotting down my points.
“I also need to know the shareholders themselves? Who they are, and what are their interests?”
“Right,” she nodded writing it down.
“I need to know who I’m dealing with. Maybe I can reach out to them before the meeting to introduce myself.” I continued, searching through the papers if I can find contact information.
“That’s a great idea! You could send out an email or even set up one-on-one calls,” Kate suggested. “It’ll show them you’re proactive and ready to take charge.”
“My point exactly..” i said pausing a bit.”I think I should give Mr Patrick a call , he can help me with that, he seem like someone who knows Mr Beaumont alot, he should be able to get me the numbers or emails of the shareholders.”
I picked up my phone checking the time, it was already too late. “I’ll just do that first thing tomorrow morning, for now let’s sleep.”
“Woohoo! Didn’t realize how tired I was, I’ll just give Aiden a call before going off…” Kate said bringing out her phone cheerfully.
“Aissh lover girl, see how red your cheek are just talking about him..”
“That’s not true,” she rolled her eyes bringing her hands to her cheek.” I don’t know what’s taking him so long to put a ring in my finger.. we’ve been dating even before Mia and Mason were born, look at how big they are now, and still no progress.”
“I totally understand how you feel sugar, maybe he’s just taking his time. Or you could just ask him what his intentions are for both your futures.”
“I think that’s what I should do..” she replied, running her hands through her hair.
“Thank you very much Kate, I don’t think I would have been able to think straight without you here…”
“Aiiish, don’t mention it, what are friends for..”
We both went to bed that night, and the moment I woke up I gave Mr Patrick a call, he assured me he was sending a secretary to the mansion who will put me through and give me the informations I needed.
The secretary arrived around 9am, she was a young lady, around the age of twenty four.
She’s a slime 5, 6 with big brown eyes and curly hairs.
She introduced herself as Juliette and said she was working under Mr Beaumont secretary as an intern, but got retained as a staff last year.
She came really prepared with pictures of all the shareholders and the parts they play in the company..
“Who is this man..” I asked raising a picture of a black man to show her.
“Ooh, this is Monsieur Gerald, he’s African and has contributed greatly in the company, he has a total of eight shares in the company, and was pivotal in developing our eco-friendly Seine River Cruise Boats initiative.”
I nodded, impressed. “What’s his background?”
Juliette consulted her notes. “Monsieur Gerald has extensive experience in sustainable energy and tourism. He’s well-respected in his field and has fostered key partnerships with environmental organizations.”
“Wow, that’s really nice..” I said picking up another picture.
We went on to all the shareholders and by the end of the day I was convinced I’m prepared to meet with them.
“Who do you think can be trust worthy, like in terms of having my best interest and that if the company at heart..?” I asked Juliette as she packed up her things to leave.
“Well, they are all trustworthy people, have never met Mr Beaumont in person, but from what I got to find out from my superior, he doesn’t just work with anyone, he does a background check on you to make sure you’re reliable. So you can definitely trust the members of the company, you can just try to get closer to one or two. But you can only make that decision when you see them yourself.”
“Alright Juliette, thanks for today.”
“I’m only doing my Job ma’am.”
“I know, but you did a great one and I really appreciate.”
She smiled and bowed lightly before taking her leave.
While she was talking, I recalled the letter the judge gave to me yesterday, cause of everything going on I had totally forgotten about it.
I quickly went in search of it and pulled it out…
It read..
“My dearest Nora,
As you read this, I’m no longer by your side, but my faith in you remains unwavering. I know the responsibilities I’ve entrusted to you may seem daunting, but I believe in your strength and resilience.
There’s much you still don’t know, but one truth I want to share with you is that Raymond McLaren is not entirely a bad person, have worked with him in the past and i know he values his family more than anything.. We all stumble, Nora. Forgiveness, especially for your children’s sake, will bring healing. They deserve to know their father, a childs childhood is never complete without the presence of their father.
With your newfound position, you’ve gained the power to stand tall, free from the judgments of others. Use this platform to find closure and reconnect with your roots. Return to Boston, and reach out to your father. Heal old wounds and forge a new path.
Above all, prioritize your happiness, my dear. You’ve brought so much joy to my life, and I want that for you always. Remember, I love you and will always cherish the memories we shared.
Keep shining, Nora. Keep spreading love and kindness.
With eternal love and support,
Mr. Beaumont”
My eyes teared up from reading the letter, Juliette wasn’t wrong about him doing a background check on people.
All along I thought I was keeping my life from him, meanwhile he knew all about me already.
I sat in stunned silence, the letter trembling in my hands, his words pierced my heart..
I don’t think anyone has ever had this much faith in me.
As I wiped away the tears that had formed in my eyes, a sort of determination wash over me. Mr. Beaumont had believed in me, and I couldn’t let his faith go to waste.
I would honor his memory by stepping into this new role.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts. The letter was not just a farewell; it was a call to action. I needed to embrace the responsibilities he had entrusted to me, not only for myself but for my children as well.
With renewed purpose, I tucked the letter safely back into the envelope and placed it on the table. I had a meeting to prepare for, and I was determined to make the most of it.
I drafted emails to the shareholders, introducing myself and expressing my eagerness to meet them. I wanted to establish a connection before the meeting, to show them that I was committed to taking the helm of the company.
I also reached out to Mr. Patrick, seeking his advice on how to navigate the upcoming meeting, he made some suggestions which was really helpful.
Later that evening, as I tucked the kids into bed, I couldn’t remove the thought that I need to work hard for them both…
“Mummy, are you okay?” Mia asked, her small hand grasping mine.
“Of course, sweetheart. Why do you ask?” I replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“You seem sad,” she said, her innocent eyes searching mine.
I smiled, trying to mask the weight on my heart. “I’m just thinking about some important things, but I promise I’ll be alright.”
“Okay,” she said, snuggling deeper under the covers. “I love you, Mummy.”
“I love you too, my little ballerina,” I said, kissing her forehead.
As I closed the door to their room, I took a deep breath and reminded myself of my purpose.
The next day very early in the morning before the meeting, I met with Mr. Patrick at a nearby cafe to discuss my strategy for the meeting. He was supportive and offered practical advice, helping to ease some of my anxieties.
“Remember, Nora,” he said, leaning forward earnestly. “You have every right to be here. You’re not just filling a position; you’re taking over a legacy. Own it.”
Finally, the time of the meeting arrived.
I had returned to the house immediately after my meeting with Mr Patrick.
I took a deep breath as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my blazer and smoothing my hair. I had chosen specifically chosen a navy blue blazers for the occasion, I wanted something that screams respect and authority.
I was already informed a car is coming to pick me to the location, with my heart pounding in my chest, I gathered my notes and headed out the door.
As I stepped out of the mansion, my eyes widened in astonishment. Parked before me, gleaming in the morning light, was a sleek, crimson Ferrari 488 GTB. Its polished surface seemed to radiate power and sophistication, leaving me breathless. “This… this can’t be my ride,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.