Chapter 44 You’re Pained She Moved On
The boardroom was already full when I walked in. My black leather shoes echoed softly against the tiled floor. A few heads turned. I caught the subtle scowls on some faces as they rose from their seats out of respect or fear.
I didn't care.
I walked straight to the head of the table and sat down without a word.
Derek was already there, sitting near the window like a sulking dog. His eyes were locked on me like he wanted to attack.
I just smirked back at him.
Gabriel stood behind me in silence, holding the iPad.
Mr Holland—our father—sat on the side, his gaze sharp. He cleared his throat. "We'll begin now that everyone's here."
I leaned back and dropped a folder on the table.
"First order of business—Martin, Collins, and HR's little leak? All gone. Termination letters are in here. No appeals."
Collins's eyes sank. Martin sat stiff, blinking fast like I'd poured him cold water.
Derek rolled his eyes. "You've only been back five minutes and you're firing people already?"
I didn't even look at him as I flipped through the papers. "I've been back long enough to clean up a few mess left behind my back."
"You don't even have full authority to—"
"I have enough," I cut in. "More than you."
He sat up straighter, jaw tight but he didn't refute that. Technically, he was well aware that I could drop him off his position if he mouthed off too much.
I kept going.
"Departments three and four are merging because of the too many overlaps and wasted budget. Bottom 20% cut. The company is trimming fat, starting today."
A few of the board members shifted in their seats. Others looked to Mr Holland, like he'd do something or step in for them.
He didn't.
He knew not to.
Derek leaned forward. "You think all this makes you ready to run the Holland Group again?"
I finally looked at him. "I don't think. I know."
He scoffed. "You know what? You're so arrogant and nonchalant. You were supposed to follow the agreement or back off as CEO. But you didn't and now you show up, firing people?"
I raised a brow. "And do you have proof that shows that I didn't follow the agreement?"
"You were told to get a woman. Settle down. Prove you're ready. Instead, you went for Vanessa."
I smiled.
So that was it.
"Did you sit on your brain, or left it where you shaved? Because if you didn't, you would have known that Vanessa is a woman. Who was I supposed to go for? A man? And it just so happens that I found myself attracted to your ex-wife. Not my fault."
Laughter broke out on my side of the table. Even a few snorts from people who were supposed to stay neutral.
Derek's face turned red.
"That's not funny," he snapped.
"It's hilarious," I said, leaning forward. "Especially when you bring this topic up again and again like you're pained your ex-wife quickly moved on with someone better. Be mad at yourself for not being capable."
"She doesn't count," He spat. "She was mine. That's not what Dad meant when he gave that condition."
Mr Holland raised a brow. "The condition was to get married, Derek. That's it. He met the requirement."
"She was mine."
"Was," I said, cutting in before our father could respond. "As in past tense. She's mine now."
"You don't deserve her," Derek muttered.
"And yet, I have her."
He stood suddenly, angry. "This is bullshit. She was never meant to be part of the deal. You're just using her!"
I gazed up at him, smirking. "You mad I married her, or that she said yes?"
He didn't answer.
One of his little rats, Collins, spoke up. "This doesn't change the fact that Ryker's methods are aggressive. He can't just restructure and fire people without—"
"You don't work here anymore," I said without even looking at him. "Why are you still speaking?"
Silence followed after my words.
Martin tried to join in too. "We should vote on—"
"No," I said, louder now. "We're not voting. You had your chance to lead as a director but you failed like a bad project. This company needs results, not weaklings playing politics in suits that don't fit."
I looked around the room.
"I'm not here to play nice with anybody. I'm here to take over. And the ones who don't like it? You can leave now. Or wait until I personally walk you out."
My father didn't say anything. He just leaned back, arms crossed, watching me with those intent eyes.
Then he nodded once in approval.
Meeting adjourned.