Chapter 11 Chapter 11
~ELEVEN~
The Norex building looked different at night—darker, more intimidating, like a fortress waiting to pass judgment on us. I sat in the passenger seat of Declan's car, my hands trembling as I stared up at the towering structure.
"We can still turn back," Declan said softly, though we both knew that wasn't really an option.
"No," I said, my voice stronger than I felt. "We face this together."
He reached over and squeezed my hand. "Whatever happens in there, I want you to know something. These past few days with you—they've meant more to me than I thought possible. You're not just the mother of my children. You're someone I care about deeply."
My heart swelled at his words. "Declan—"
"Let me finish," he interrupted gently. "I know the timing is terrible. I know we barely know each other. But I need you to know that whatever the board decides tonight, my feelings for you won't change."
I leaned over and kissed him softly. "Mine won't either."
Rick appeared at the car window, knocking urgently. "They're waiting. We need to go now."
We got out of the car and walked toward the building. With each step, I felt the weight of what we were about to do. We were going to stand in front of the board of directors and confess everything—the one night stand, the pregnancy, all of it.
The elevator ride to the top floor felt like it took forever. Rick briefed us on who would be in the room.
"There are twelve board members total. You need seven votes to maintain your position as CEO," he explained to Declan. "Your uncle Richard already has at least four votes guaranteed—his own plus three of his allies."
"So we need to convince the other eight to side with me," Declan said.
"At least seven of them," Rick corrected. "This is going to be tough, Declan. Some of these people are very traditional. The fact that Anita is your employee and pregnant—"
"I know what it looks like," Declan cut him off. "But it's the truth, and that has to count for something."
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into the executive floor. The hallway was silent except for our footsteps on the marble floor.
As we approached the boardroom, I could hear voices inside—raised, angry voices.
Declan paused at the door, turning to face me one more time. "Last chance to change your mind."
I straightened my shoulders. "I'm ready."
He pushed open the heavy wooden doors, and twelve pairs of eyes immediately turned to us.
The boardroom was exactly what I'd imagined—a long mahogany table surrounded by leather chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, and an atmosphere thick with power and money.
At the head of the table sat a man who looked remarkably like Declan, but older and harder. His uncle Richard.
"Ah, Declan," Richard said with a cold smile. "So good of you to finally join us. And you've brought your... employee."
The way he said 'employee' made it sound dirty.
"Her name is Anita Blake," Declan said firmly, pulling out a chair for me. "And yes, I asked her to be here."
We sat down, and I felt every eye in the room studying me. Some faces showed curiosity, others showed disapproval, and a few showed outright hostility.
"Shall we begin?" An elderly woman at the table spoke up. This was Margaret Chen, the longest-serving board member. "Mr. Richard Harris has called this emergency meeting to discuss concerns about Declan Harris's fitness to serve as CEO of this company."
"That's putting it mildly," Richard interjected. "I'm here to present evidence that my nephew has been abusing his power, engaging in sexual harassment, and putting this company at risk of massive legal liability."
"Those are serious accusations," another board member said. "What evidence do you have?"
Richard pulled out a folder and slid several photographs across the table. I felt my stomach drop as I recognized them—they were pictures of Declan and me. Leaving the doctor's office together. Him carrying my bags into the apartment. Us standing close together in the parking garage.
"These photos show Declan Harris engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate employee," Richard said. "Miss Blake was hired just days ago, yet here they are, clearly involved in a personal relationship."
"Where did you get these?" Declan demanded, his voice tight with anger.
"That's not important," Richard waved his hand dismissively. "What matters is that you've been using your position to take advantage of a vulnerable employee. That's textbook sexual harassment."
"That's not what happened," I spoke up, my voice shaking but clear.
Everyone turned to look at me.
"Then please, Miss Blake, enlighten us," Richard said with false politeness. "Tell us exactly what did happen."
I looked at Declan, who nodded encouragingly. I took a deep breath.
"Mr. Harris and I met before I started working here," I began. "We had a one-night encounter at a club. We were both intoxicated, and we made a mistake. The next morning, I found out he was going to be my new boss. Neither of us knew beforehand."
Murmurs rippled around the table.
"And the pregnancy?" Margaret Chen asked gently.
"Is a result of that night," I admitted, my cheeks burning. "I found out a few days ago. We're both still processing it."
"How convenient," Richard said sarcastically. "You expect us to believe that you randomly slept with Declan the night before starting work here? That it was all just a coincidence?"
"It's the truth," Declan said firmly.
"Or it's a well-crafted lie to cover up the fact that you hired someone you were sleeping with," Richard countered. "Either way, it shows poor judgment and puts this company at risk."
"The company is not at risk," Declan argued. "Anita and I have maintained professional boundaries at work. What happens between us personally is not the board's concern."
"It becomes our concern when it affects the company's reputation," another board member chimed in. "If this gets out to the media—"
"It already has," Richard interrupted, looking pleased with himself. "I've received calls from three different reporters today asking about the CEO's pregnant mistress."
My heart sank. This was exactly what we'd feared.
"Who leaked the story?" Rick demanded.
"Does it matter?" Richard shrugged. "The damage is done. The best thing for this company is for Declan to step down gracefully before this becomes a bigger scandal."
"I'm not stepping down," Declan said, his voice like steel.
"Then you leave us no choice but to vote," Richard said. "All in favor of removing Declan Harris as CEO—"
"Wait," Margaret Chen interrupted. "I think we should hear more before we vote. Miss Blake, you said you're pregnant. Does Mr. Harris know this?"
"Yes," I nodded. "He's known from the beginning."
"And what are his intentions?" she asked, her sharp eyes moving between us.
Declan reached over and took my hand in front of everyone. "My intention is to be a father to my children and to support Anita in every way possible."
"Children?" someone asked. "As in plural?"
"We're having twins," I said quietly.
The room erupted in whispers.
"This is absurd," Richard stood up, his face red. "This is exactly the kind of irresponsible behavior that proves Declan is unfit to lead this company. He can't even manage his personal life—"
"My personal life is none of your business," Declan cut him off. "And for the record, Uncle Richard, I know exactly why you're so eager to have me removed as CEO."
Richard's expression shifted slightly. "I'm acting in the company's best interest—"
"You're acting in your own interest," Declan said. "You've been trying to get control of this company since my father died. You thought the inheritance clause would work in your favor, but now that there's a chance I'll meet the requirement, you're scrambling."
"Inheritance clause?" Margaret Chen frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Declan looked around the table. "My father's will states that I must produce an heir within five years of his death or forfeit controlling shares of the company. That deadline is in three months. My uncle has been counting on me failing to meet that requirement."
"This is irrelevant—" Richard started.
"It's completely relevant," Declan interrupted. "You're not concerned about the company's reputation or sexual harassment. You're concerned about losing your chance to take over."
"That's a serious accusation," another board member said.
"One I can prove," Declan said. "Rick, the documents."
Rick pulled out another folder and began distributing papers around the table.
"What is this?" Margaret asked, scanning the pages.
"Evidence that Richard has been secretly buying up shares of Norex through shell corporations," Declan explained. "He's been positioning himself to take control the moment I'm removed. This emergency meeting isn't about protecting the company—it's about a hostile takeover."
Richard's face went from red to purple. "You can't prove any of that—"
"The paper trail is right there in front of you," Rick said calmly.
The board members began examining the documents more closely, their expressions shifting from confusion to understanding to anger.
"Is this true, Richard?" Margaret demanded.
"I was making legitimate investments—"
"Through hidden shell companies?" another board member challenged. "That's not legitimate. That's deceptive."
"This doesn't change the fact that Declan has been engaging in inappropriate behavior with an employee," Richard tried to redirect.
"Actually, it changes everything," Margaret said coldly. "It shows that your motivations for calling this meeting are suspect. And frankly, Richard, I'm more concerned about your secret stock purchases than I am about Declan's personal relationship."
"I agree," another board member said. "If Declan and Miss Blake met before she was hired, and if they've maintained professional boundaries at work, then I don't see how this is a company issue."
"But the media attention—" someone started.
"Can be managed," Margaret said. "We've dealt with scandals before. This isn't even close to the worst thing that's happened in this company's history."
I felt hope starting to bloom in my chest.
"So we're just going to ignore the fact that he got an employee pregnant?" Richard said desperately.
"She wasn't his employee when it happened," Margaret pointed out. "And from what I can see, Mr. Harris is taking responsibility for his actions. That shows character, not a lack of it."
"I move that we table this discussion," another board member said. "I don't see sufficient evidence to remove Declan as CEO."
"I second that motion," someone else added.
Richard looked around the table, realizing he was losing. "You're all making a mistake—"
"The only mistake was calling this meeting in the first place," Margaret said sharply. "All in favor of tabling this discussion?"
Hands began going up around the table. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
"Motion passes," Margaret declared. "This meeting is adjourned."
Richard stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "This isn't over," he said, glaring at Declan.
"Yes, it is," Declan said calmly. "And Richard? You're removed from the board effective immediately for your deceptive stock purchases. Legal will be in touch about your violations of the company bylaws."
Richard's face contorted with rage, but he stormed out without another word.
As the other board members filed out, several stopped to shake Declan's hand or offer quiet words of support. Margaret Chen was the last to leave.
"Mr. Harris," she said, her expression softening slightly. "I hope you understand that while the board supports you, you'll need to be very careful going forward. The media won't be as understanding as we are."
"I understand," Declan said. "Thank you, Margaret."
She nodded and turned to me. "Miss Blake, congratulations on the pregnancy. Twins are a blessing, though I imagine quite overwhelming."
"Very overwhelming," I admitted.
She smiled slightly. "You'll manage. And for what it's worth, I think you handled yourself well tonight. That took courage."
After she left, it was just the three of us—Declan, Rick, and me.
"We did it," I whispered, still not quite believing it.
"You did it," Rick corrected, grinning at Declan. "That move with the shell corporations was brilliant."
"I've been investigating Richard for months," Declan admitted. "I knew he was up to something. I just didn't expect him to make his move this soon."
My phone buzzed in my purse. I pulled it out and felt my blood run cold.
It was a text from Patricia Turner, Jake's mother: You think you won tonight? Think again. I have evidence that will destroy both you and Declan Harris. Meet me tomorrow at noon at the address I'm sending, or I release it to every media outlet in the state.
An address followed—some warehouse on the outskirts of town.
"What is it?" Declan asked, noticing my expression.
I showed him the message, and I watched his jaw clench.
"This is a trap," Rick said immediately. "You can't go."
"But what if she really has something?" I asked. "What if there's evidence that could hurt us?"
"What evidence could she possibly have?" Declan asked.
My phone buzzed again. This time it was a photo.
It showed Jake and me from two months ago, having dinner at a restaurant. We looked happy, in love.
The caption read: Proof that you and Jake were together when you conceived. The babies are his, not Declan's. And I'll prove it unless you do exactly what I say.
My hands started shaking so badly I almost dropped the phone.
"That's impossible," I whispered. "Jake and I hadn't been intimate in months before that night. These babies are definitely Declan's."
"But if she spreads that lie, it could cause problems," Rick said grimly. "Especially now, right after we just survived a board meeting about your relationship."
Declan took the phone from my trembling hands and stared at the photo.
"We're going to that meeting tomorrow," he said quietly.
"Declan, it's obviously a trap—" Rick started.
"I know it is," Declan interrupted. "But we're going anyway. Because we're going to end this, once and for all."
"How?" I asked.
He looked at me, his dark eyes intense. "By getting her to confess. On recording. And then we're going to make sure both she and Jake never bother us again."
"That's risky," Rick warned.
"So is letting her keep threatening us," Declan countered. "We either face this now, or we spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders."
I knew he was right, but the thought of walking into a trap terrified me.
"What if something goes wrong?" I asked quietly.
Declan pulled me close. "Then we handle it. Together."
As we left the building and drove back to the apartment, I tried to calm my racing heart. We'd survived the board meeting, but now we were walking into something potentially much more dangerous.
When we got back to the apartment, Declan immediately started making calls—to his lawyer, to a private investigator, to security specialists.
I sat on the couch, my hands on my stomach, thinking about the two tiny lives growing inside me.
"I won't let anything happen to you or our babies," Declan said, sitting down beside me after finishing his calls.
"I know," I said. "But I'm still scared."
"So am I," he admitted. "But we're going to get through this."
He kissed me gently, and for a moment, I let myself forget about tomorrow's meeting with Patricia Turner.
But that moment didn't last long.
Because my phone buzzed one more time.
This time it was a video message from an unknown number.
With shaking hands, I pressed play.
The video showed Jake, bloodied and bruised, tied to a chair in what looked like the same warehouse Patricia had sent as the meeting location.
"Anita," Jake's voice was weak, desperate. "She's crazy. She's going to kill me if you don't—"
The video cut off abruptly.
I looked up at Declan, my heart pounding.
"We have to call the police," I said.
But even as I said it, another message came through: No police, or he dies. Tomorrow. Noon. Come alone, or I start sending pieces of him to you.
Declan's face had gone pale. "This has escalated beyond anything I expected."
"We can't just leave him there," I said, even though Jake had hurt me, threatened me, abused me. I couldn't let him die.
"We won't," Declan said firmly. "But we're not playing by her rules anymore."
He pulled out his phone and made one more call.
"Who are you calling?" I asked.
"Someone who specializes in situations like this," he said cryptically.
As he spoke in low tones to whoever was on the other end, I watched the video again.
Jake looked terrified. And despite everything he'd done to me, I felt a pang of sympathy.
Nobody deserved this.
When Declan hung up, he turned to me with a grim expression.
"Tomorrow, we're going to that warehouse," he said. "But we're not going alone, and we're not going unprepared."
"What are you planning?" I asked.
"To end this nightmare," he said. "Whatever it takes."
As we went to bed that night, I couldn't shake the feeling that tomorrow would change everything.
Either we would finally be free of the threats and danger.
Or everything we'd fought for would come crashing down around us.
I fell asleep in Declan's arms, his hand protectively on my stomach where our twins were growing.
But my dreams were filled with warehouses and threats and the sound of Jake's desperate voice begging for help.
When I woke up the next morning, Declan was already dressed, standing by the window with his phone to his ear.
The look on his face when he turned around made my blood run cold.
"What happened?" I asked, sitting up.
He lowered his phone slowly. "Patricia Turner was found dead an hour ago. Murdered. At the warehouse."
"What?" I gasped. "But how—"
"And Jake is missing," he continued, his voice tight. "The police just issued a wa
rrant for his arrest."
"For her murder?"
"For her murder," he confirmed. "And Anita, there's more."
"What?"
He held up his phone, showing me a news article that had just been published.
The headline made my world tilt: "CEO Declan Harris Under Investigation for Murder: Did He Kill His Rival's Mother to Protect His Pregnant Mistress?"