Chapter 21 21
Roman's Pov
The chaos worsened when we arrived at the office.
As predicted, Dominion Industries stocks plunged to record lows, and with the media frenzy, the company was sinking to the brink of ruin in less than twenty-four hours.
My plan was simple. In order for DI to remain solvent, it needed capital, quickly, and I had plenty of capital to buy it out over the weekend before it fully collapsed.
The tight turnaround meant my team and by team, I meant Maisie and the others, would be working around the clock to get everything in order.
Xavier would be desperate to even sell the company to a Candy heiress if she had enough money to buy out the company.
“Talk to me.” He barked as he took quick strides to the company's emergency staff meeting.
“Rumour has it the SEC is going hard on this one.” Jennie, the chief of staff, matched his pace with ease. “We’re going to need more evidence to exonerate our ass or all our investors will pull out!”
“For fuck’s sake!” He cursed. “How did this happen?!”
He took a seat at the head of the table and reached for his lighter. “Give me the numbers.”
Jennie gave a rundown of the situation at hand but Xavier was barely paying attention.
“Sir.” Jennie called him. “What’s your verdict?”
An intern burst through the door. “Sir, your wife is calling.”
“Alpha, you have to make a decision right now.” I said, pretending to be caring but deep down, I was reveling in his misery.
I wanted to see him crash and burn before my eyes. I wanted him to feel the same way I felt when he denied running my brother over with his car in court — the pain, the rage, the agony. I wanted him to taste it the way I did.
Xavier dragged his hand through his hair as if fighting an inner battle with himself. Suddenly, his body began to jerk. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he dropped to the desk.
He fainted.
“Alpha Xavier!” The rest of the team rushed to his side while I stood there in silence.
I didn't expect this to happen.
The embezzlement crisis had bulldozed its way through lunch.
Most of the employees contemplated quitting. Others gossiped about Xavier and the scandal whenever they could.
“Alpha Xavier caught in an embezzlement scandal? No wonder the company's dwindling.”
“I bet he took the money to find his wife's lifestyle. I hear she's got an ostentatious lifestyle.”
“The boss hid this truth from us and now, investors are pulling out.”
“This crisis isn't doable. We've gotta start looking for another job.”
“It's doable,” I said, cutting in smoothly into their conversation.
Most of them looked away while others dipped their coffee. This was the breakroom, the gossip zone of the company. I rarely hung around here so they're probably wondering what I'm doing here.
“M - Mr. Jason…” the blonde talking earlier stuttered shyly.
“Do you all really believe your boss would do this?” I asked them.
Of course, he did, but I was only doing it to look like the ‘good guy’.
“But there's a lot of evidence against him. What would people say?” A middle-aged man said.
“They would say a lot but…” I turned to them. “... we're the only ones who can save our company.”
“How do we do that?”
I leaned forward. “We sell to the highest bidder.”
Convincing everyone at the company was easy. Now, they would have no choice but to contemplate letting Clyde buy us out. If Xavier refused the offer, they would protest against him.
It was five so I had to turn in for the day.
I took the elevator and jabbed at the button for the lobby.
When the doors parted, I walked to my car.
Before I started the car, my phone rang.
It was Maisie.
I knew what she wanted to say and braced myself.
I answered and out on my airpods. “Yes?”
“Why am I finding out about this now?” She was upset.
“Can we talk at your place?” I asked as I drove out of the garage.
“Fine.” She said then ended the call.
Damn, I'm in big trouble.
I started the car and drove to her apartment.
An exhale escaped me when I knocked on the door.
A few seconds later, Maisie was standing in front of me.
The wig was gone. The contacts and suit were gone too. It was her, all natural.
A sliver of her pale skin peeked out from under her cropped gray sweatshirt while matching terrycloth short shorts clung to her hips and thighs. An endless expanse of smooth, golden brown legs ended with bare feet and red-polished nails.
My throat ran dry. I yearned to run my hands up her body, to hear her sigh with pleasure as I explored the sleek contours of her curves.
She was dressed for bed, with not a stitch of makeup on her face or jewelry adorning her limbs, but she glowed so brightly it reached the darkest corners of my soul.
Oblivious to my quick scrutiny, she crossed her arms over her chest and asked. “What the hell happened earlier?”
“Actions and consequences,” I said with a low drawl. “May I come in?”
“No,” her frown deepened. “I should throw you out.”
“Not until you hear the rest of our new plan.” I took a step closer till I stood in front of her.
“New plan?” Her brows furrowed.
“Yeah,” my hand found her cheek. “We become Xavier's saviour as well as his sweet damnation at the same time.”
She heaved a deep sigh and opened the door wider for me to enter.
As soon as I was settled in the living room, I echoed everything I’d already deduced and told her the new plan.
Maisie looked up at me then back to the file. “You really know how to cover your tracks. This plan is generic.”
My lips curled in a smile. “I'm glad you like it.”
“But…” she paused. “Do you have to live here?”
I had mentioned how Xavier followed us home and our new living arrangements.
“If we don't want to create suspicion, it's the only way.” I explained.
“I guess it's reasonable.” She rushed and rose to her feet. “Any update on Xavier?”
“The Pack doctor says he's fine now. I just had a mild concussion. Kylie and Howard are with him now.” I said.
Maisie nodded. “This plan is even more dangerous than I thought but we'll make it work.”
I joined her up. “It will work. Cole's tightened his own end and so do we. Dominion Industries will be ours by tomorrow.”
“Xavier wanted a partnership and that's what we'll give him. A fake one.” She grinned.
“And guess who's taking the fall for spreading the embezzlement scandal?” I grinned back.
She chuckled when she realized who it would be.
“Xavier will call him a traitor and maybe even erase him,” I slid my hands into my pocket. “When Gavin goes under, I walk in his place. His downfall is my opening.”