Chapter 36 - Tell me Everything

The day started like any other at the office, with the incessant hum of ringing phones and the rhythmic clatter of keyboards. I strolled in leisurely two hours late. Only because I only really had one thing in mind to do. I finally had the opportunity to look at the candidates that Alex sent me and I was shocked to see that Michael had somehow made the list. Michael?! Michael Pritchett my cheating ex fiancée?!

I found it unbelievable and decided to confront Alex immediately. There must have been a mistake somewhere.

I hadn't been directly involved in the selection process, but I knew that Michael couldn't be the next CEO. When I saw his name, it jumped out at me like a neon sign, sending a jolt of shock through my veins.

So I left as early as I could to go to the office, telling Jace he could wait in my office while I confronted Alex.

I stormed into Alex's office, my irritation barely contained. "Alex," I snapped, "what is Michael doing on the list of CEO candidates? Are you out of your mind?"

Alex looked up from his paperwork, his expression bored, almost as if he didn't care that I was angry. "Good morning to you too Cleo. Well I considered various factors, and Michael Pritchett is a strong contender. He has the experience and skills necessary for the position."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Experience and skills?!  Please! I was the one who begged for him to be hired by my father in the first place. He was in the company because of me and now Alex wanted to make him CEO? After all he did to me?!

"Experience and skills? I don't know what games you're playing but this is the stupidest of them all. Making Michael the CEO is a big mistake. He shouldn't even be on this list."

Alex leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. "Cleo, I know your history with Michael is making you biased, but I want you to look at this from a neutral point of view. Michael has a good track record. He has been a CEO before in his parents's company. Personal feelings aside, he's a good match for the position."

My frustration bubbled to the surface. "Personal feelings aside?! Did you somehow forget that the Pritchetts are now bankrupt?! Is that what you don't remember? This is not about personal feelings, Alex. It's about the future of my father's company. And I won't stand by and watch you put Michael at the helm and have him ruin everything that my father has built."

Alex sighed, his patience clearly wearing thin. "You forget your place here Cleo. Who are you to talk to me like that?! You don't even have a real position in this company. I only told you out of courtesy."

"It's my decision as the chairman to pick the CEO and I have to consider what's best for the company."

I clenched my fists, desperately trying to keep my composure. How could Michael be on the list?! And if they had truly fought like Mabel had said, why was Alex even defending him?!

Did Michael know something?!

It was possible that Michael knew all of Alex's dirty little secrets and this was only a way to keep Michael quiet for the meantime.

I had to play my cards right.

I shook my head.

"Best for the company? Michael is a snake. He'll slither away the moment he finds a better opportunity. I've known him for longer than you've known him, trust me, I'm speaking from personal experience."

Alex's gaze hardened. "Cleo, if you have nothing useful to say leave my office. I'm fucking tired of you."

I took a deep breath, frustration and anger coursing through my veins. I had to at least sow the seeds of distrust now, so they would grow.

"You don't know this, but Michael promised to tell me everything you did and forced him to do if I promised to get back together with him. He said it was a way of helping me and showing me how much he still loved me."

I lied.

Alex's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "What are you talking about?"

"He called me,  he said he has some dirt on you, he must have been angry about you kicking him out. He promised to spill everything if I got back together with him. Now is that really the kind of person you want as CEO?" I practically spat out the words.

I enjoyed seeing the look of confusion on Alex's face, the way he furrowed his eyebrows as he was deep in thoughts. "Cleo, are you sure about what you're saying?"

"I'm absolutely sure," I retorted. "Michael is very good at games. He's playing a game with you right now, and if you make him CEO, I can't wait to see how he would betray you."

Alex sighed, his conflicted emotions momentarily surfacing, then he looked up and glared at me. "And you? Why would you care if he betrays me? I don't believe you."

I shrugged. "Oh I don't care about you Alexander. I only care about the company. And I wouldn't want your stupid decisions to get in the way of it's success."

Alex stood up, his tone firm. "Very well then. I'll walk you out of my office. In the meantime, I'll let you know that Michael remains a candidate."

A fool.

That's what he was.

A big fool.

I thought as I rolled my eyes.

"No need." I murmured as I stormed out of his office, frustration and anger coursing through me. How could he be so blind to the threat Michael posed? I vowed to myself that I wouldn't let his decision stand.

Michael would never be the CEO of my father’s company.

...............

Jace and I arrived home together, early too. My encounter with Alex had ruined my mood and seeing Michael's face after that had rubbed salt into my injury. The sleek smile on his face told me that he was up to something, I could only wonder what it was. I hurried to the living room as I collapsed on the sofa, eager to eat and get some rest. A staff came to take my purse upstairs while Jace stood loyally next to me.

"We haven't talked since that time."

Jace said quietly. I resisted the urge to look at his captivating eyes.

What did he want from me?

Or what did he want me to say?

"I don't have anything to say Jace."

Was I worried about the threat? Yes I was. Did I know who sent it?

No I didn't. All I knew was that the person was from the Magia clan.

My mind suddenly remembered someone. Someone I hadn't really thought of.

"Jace," I began, "I need you to find out more about Deborah Anderson. She's Alexander's mother. She's from the Magia clan."

"Alexander?! Isn't that your brother?!"

He asked and I nodded.

"He is. It's complicated but she is from the Magia clan. When you told me about the Magias the other day I connected the dots. It just dawned on me that she could be a suspect."

Jace nodded, his expression serious. "I'll get right on it. You can count on me. But what's the plan? What kind of information are you looking for exactly?!"

I sighed, tapping my pen against the desk in contemplation. "I'm not sure yet, Jace. I need to consider all the variables, weigh the risks. I need to know who's after me, if this is a threat worth worrying about in the first place."

Just as Jace was about to respond, Nicholas walked in. His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene – Jace and me, engrossed in conversation. The two of them, they didn't get along, it was plain to see.

"Excuse me, Jace," Nicholas said with forced politeness, his jaw clenched. "I need a word with my wife."

Jace shot me a look, waiting for me to dismiss him. I nodded my head and he left the room. Nicholas approached me, his jealousy evident in every step.

"What were you talking to him about?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

I sighed, feeling the weight of his suspicion. "Nothing much."

Nicholas sighed, obviously frustrated.

"I heard some parts of your conversation, it didn't sound like nothing."

He replied.

"Jace is just helping me with some research, I wanted him to do some research on Alex's mother for me."

Nicholas's eyes bore into mine, searching for any sign of deceit. "Cleo, I don't want us to keep secrets from each other. You know we're in this together. What have you been talking about with Jace?"

I took a deep breath, reaching for Nicholas's hand. "Nicholas, I didn't want to bother you with it. I already told you to find my uncle, so I thought I could handle this on my own and Jace has valuable skills. He's just helping me, that's all."

His features softened, and he squeezed my hand. "You're not bothering me. Never. You should always tell me when anything is going on. I'm here to help and protect you."

"I know, Nicholas," I whispered, looking into his eyes. "But sometimes, I feel like I need to spare you from the burdens I carry. I feel like I shouldn't rope you into all of this..."

He shook his head, a determined glint in his eyes. "No. I knew what I was getting into with you and I'd never run from it. I want to share everything with you – the good and the bad. Trust me, I can handle it."

"I just want you to tell me everything."

A mixture of emotions swirled within me – gratitude, love, and a tinge of fear. I nodded, my resolve solidifying. "Okay, Nicholas. I'll tell you everything."