Chapter 29 CHAPTER 29
Xavier’s POV
Becoming CEO was never in my plans. Much less becoming the CEO of my step father's company. But it was an offer I couldn't reject. It was the only way I could make sure that Evelyn became mine.
Moon’s enterprise was refurbished in a matter of minutes. We became XR’s technologies, focusing only on the technological aspect of the company. I held the folder bearing the new logo under my right arm as the phone in my breast pocket vibrated. I knew it was evelyn calling but I couldn’t pick. The plan had been to distract her, to make her wait for me hoping I would meet with her to settle the company’s issues while I presented our billion-dollar idea to the board of Greywood Industries.
I sat across Alpha Michael, and he didn’t recognise me. A lot of people didn’t know me. I was after all not a son of Trent Moon. It was a good thing now, because he would never suspect anything until I took Evelyn from him.
Rosaleen joined us a few minutes before the meeting started, looking radiantly happy in a deep-red suit and her hair slicked back like those models in business papers.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” she said, then she leaned closer to me. “Did you take care of her?”
I nodded.
The board members arrived within the period of five minutes to nine and five minutes past nine. Ten men and one woman, each of them in gray suits or blue. A much older man who I recognised as Alpha Raymond joined us later on.
Rosaleen gave a smooth presentation, sending the board members clapping. They loved the project. They had many questions but they were largely thrilled. Alpha Raymond gave the loudest applause.
“Beautiful project, Roaleen,” he said, his face a bit red with excitement. “Greywood Industries looks forward to supporting this project.”
She smiled and introduced me to him. "My partner.”
His handshake was firm. “This should do both companies great. But XR… I have never heard of you before.”
“Actually,” Rosa cut in. “they were recently acquired. Everything is written in detail in the proposal.”
He nodded. “I’ll be seeing more of you then."
Alpha Michael didn’t say much. I wasn't sure if he was pleased or not. He seemed distracted. “Good job, “ he said to Rosaleen, patting her shoulders as she left. He totally ignored me. Perhaps he recognised me, I wasn’t sure.
Rosaleen beamed. “We did it!” She pulled her seat closer to me. “It’s not written in ink yet, but they seem to have really bought it. Thank you for doing this with me.”
I nodded slowly.
“Remember you don’t have to mention Roman yet,” she continued. “We’ll handle it as the project progresses. For now we need to get a team working and Roman would fund that. In a couple of months, we’d be counting our profits.”
I was thinking about Evelyn Moon. “Are you sure this partnership would get her out?”
“That is the entire reason for this. I want her gone. So do you and Roman. And we get to make some money while at it.”
It sounded decent enough. My phone had not rung in a while.There were more than ten calls from her.
“I hope we can keep doing business,” I said, rising to my feet. She walked me to the elevators. “I’ll keep you posted." she said and turned away
The lift was just arriving and I hit the button and I stopped. It. The doors whirred open and I stepped in. I didn't see her on time. I saw her brown hair first packed up loosely, then the bandage around her ankle.
“Xavier..” her eyes were opened wide in shock, and I saw the questions in her eyes.
“‘What happened to you?” I asked first.
“Why are you here? I waited for you at the lounge for two hours.” Her eyes traveled curiously over my suit. It was probably the first time she was seeing me in a three piece suit. “And why are you all dressed?”
“It’s nothing serious,” I said, trying to brush her questions off. “What happened to your ankle?”
"I tripped," she snapped.
“You shouldn’t come to work.” I was hoping the doors would open and I would bolt out before she forced the answers I couldn't answer out of my mouth.
“What did you mean by you are selling off my shares,Xavier?” she pressed. “I told you we should co-own the company."
I gritted my teeth. “We can’t, Evelyn. It was hopeless. I did what was best for the company. And our family.”
“You did?”
I grunted. The lift whirred and the doors opened. I stepped out and she limped after me. “What did you do, Xavier?”
“I sold your shares like I said yesterday, “ I said, facing her. “They weren’t even worth much. Moon’s enterprise is gone.”
I knew her head spined at my words. I loved to see her struggle, to come back to me. I couldn't wait for it.
“Xavier -” Her voice broke. “How could you do that? I told you, i begged you. Who did you sell it off to? Alpha Roman?”
“It’s best you don’t know, Evelyn.”
I turned away but she continued limping after me. “Xavi!”
We were drawing attention in the lobby. I stopped and she caught up. “What do you want, Evelyn? I don't want this but you were the one who went off to marry that poster boy."
She creased her bows. “How’s that got to do with you going behind my back and selling my father’s company?’
“Oh, it has, Evelyn. No one wants you here.”
“What are you talking about, Xavier?”
She was clueless. I felt a little bit of pity for her. “Rosaleen is partnering with our AI arm for Greywood."
Her face went pale. “What did you say, Xavi?”
But she didn’t wait for me to repeat myself. She turned away and scrambled for the lift.