Chapter 9 – The Offer From O Gray Future Corporation

• STEVEN
• I was outside the office complex when Boss walked out, and I opened the car door for him before going in through the other door. The chauffeur ignited the engine and drove off. The other cars carrying the company’s directors followed behind.
• “Miss. Tilda is supposed to come with you, Boss,” I observed.
• His gaze became stormy. “I will handle this alone,” he replied. “What did you find out?”
• “It appears Miss. Tilda pawned a family heirloom before she travelled,” I began. “She visited the pawn store in Midtown, however, she didn’t reclaim the ring.”
• He maintained his cold gaze. “You were supposed to give her enough money before she left.”
• “I would have, Boss. But she left in so much hurry and wouldn’t take anything,” I replied.
• He frowned. “You should go retrieve the ring, Steven. Tilda may lose it soon,” he ordered.
• “Alright, Boss. Should I send it to her?” I asked.
• “No, Steven, bring the ring to me,” he replied.
• I remained quiet for a while. It was obvious that Boss was getting Miss. Tilda’s intention wrong, and if he should carry on this way, he would further drift apart from her.
• The night she had left, I saw the naked fear in her. It was as if someone was after her life, and she needed to escape immediately. Her leaving had nothing to do with Boss. But then, it was even as if she was scared of me and wouldn’t say a word to me.
• Until now, we haven’t been able to find out who was behind that night, but we believe her ex-husband, James, knew something about it.
• “I don’t think she recognized you, Boss,” I said.
• A sharp pain cut across his gaze at once. I was helpless. Ever since Alicia left, Boss had never felt this way about anyone, and even now, his feelings remained unrequited. If only Tilda knew the truth, perhaps it would have made a difference.
• “If you want, I can go to her and tell her everything. I am sure she will come to understand you better,” I offered.
• He picked up his phone which had started to ring.
• Tilda is going through a lot presently, and with Boss by her side, she won't have to suffer anymore. She will recover all her ex-husband stole. If only she knew how much Boss cares for her.
• The call ended and he turned to me. “You must stop coming to the office complex Steven. For now, I will keep my identity hidden from Tilda.”
• I nodded. Perhaps this will be for the best.
• JAMES
• My heart lifted as I listened. Oscar Gray had arrived with his officials, which meant he was unaware of my lack of capacity. Strange, considering he was a man known for his strict adherence to due diligence.
• Still, I was eager to get this over with. Once the documents were signed and the merger finalized, there would be no turning back for either party. If my fraud was discovered later, it would simply be a case of caveat emptor. Besides, there was no one to challenge the transaction. My directors were mere puppets, too spineless to contradict me.
• “We have taken the time to review your offer, Mr. Grant,” Oscar Gray said in his usual intimidating manner. “However, after careful perusal...”
• I immediately cut in. “There should be nothing left to discuss, Mr. Gray. This merger benefits all parties involved. Let’s proceed with the signing and finalize this deal. Petals Tower remains a thriving business, still listed on the stock market. We are simply seeking collaboration with O. Gray Future Corporation to better navigate the competitive corporate world.”
• Oscar Gray nodded. “And I must commend your wise choice, Mr. Grant.”
• I smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Gray. I know a good business deal when I see one.”
• “As do I,” he agreed. “Which is why O. Gray Future Corporation is proposing an acquisition.”
• I froze, my gaze unfocused for a few seconds. I had heard of Oscar Gray’s ruthlessness, but I never imagined he would extend it to me—not when all I wanted was peaceful co-existence.
• “Do you have any reservations regarding our offer, Mr. Grant?”
• His voice snapped me back to reality.
• “No, Mr. Gray,” I muttered, forcing my emotions into check. Then, with firm resolve, I added, “But Petals Tower will not accept an acquisition of any sort.”
• He furrowed his brows, his gaze literally shooting at me. Yet he seemed unaffected. “I will make this offer one last time, Mr. Grant. Choose wisely.”
• I met his gaze, unwilling to be intimidated. “No, Gray. It’s either a merger or nothing.”
• O. Gray Future Corporation needed this deal as much as I did. He had no right to place me in a chokehold. Who did he think he was? Turning a cordial business negotiation into a battlefield. Yes, he may be a titan in the corporate world, but that didn’t give him the right to trample on whoever crossed his path.
• Petals Tower was mine, and I had every right to handle it as I saw fit. Not even Oscar Gray could make me cower.
• Contrary to my expectations, he merely grinned and retrieved a document from one of his directors, handing it to me.
• “And what is this, Mr. Gray? I already stated that we will not consider an acquisition. This contradicts every one of our prior correspondences,” I said, dropping the document on the table.
• “It may be wise to go through it now, Grant. O. Gray Future Corporation has withdrawn its offer, and we will hereby take our leave,” he replied.
• Without any hesitation, he and his directors stood up and walked out of the meeting hall.
• “Good riddance,” I spat.
• Seething, I picked up the phone and dialed Kristie, who had been eagerly awaiting the outcome of the meeting. We must consider other prospective companies and cast O. Gray aside.
• “Hello, honey! Is everything finalized? I knew it would be quick!” she giggled.
• “No, Kristie. That idiot came here for an acquisition,” I growled through gritted teeth.
• “An acquisition? That’s impossible! Why would he leave us with nothing?”
• “He left some documents,” I muttered, flipping through the pages. “Let’s see how much he thinks Petals Tower is worth.”
• Moments later, my breath hitched. My eyes widened.
• “Oh no,” I gasped.
• “What is it, James?” Kristie asked, concern lacing her voice.
• My heart pounded as I stared at the document’s contents.
• “We’re doomed,” I whispered. “He… he knows everything.”