Chapter 33
Unraveling Schemes
Damien
(Flashback_Six months ago)
The day had started well enough, I'd just come out of the shower, the cold stillness of the house another Stark remainder of Elena's absence.
Forget it, I snapped at myself in self reproach. She was gone and that was it. End of story.
I'd just worn my trousers when my cell phone beeped suddenly, snapping me to the present.
My eyes narrowed when I saw Clara's name flashing on the screen.
Clara never called me if it wasn't important, what was so important she couldn't wait for me to get to the office first? I wondered, glancing at the clock.
"There's an emergency, Sir," Clara's voice was on edge and her words instantly made my nerves tense.
"What happened?" I demanded, I put the phone on speaker and sped up my dressing.
"The stocks we launched just last week are plummeting, and…" Clara hesitated, "There's something you need to deal with right here."
I felt a ball of ice freeze up my insides. "I'll be there in twenty minutes," I ended the call immediately, springing to action.
"Get me to the office," I yelled as I entered the car. "Fast," I strapped my seat belt on.
What could've happened I wondered, unable to keep my thoughts from wandering. The issue must've been serious for Clara to call on me with such urgency.
I felt the atmosphere shift as I strode into the office, my mind was a storm of thoughts, each worse than the other.
"What happened?" I asked Clara who was standing in front of the elevator, she looked strained and on edge.
"It's bad, really bad," Clara turned on her heel and flicked on the television before picking up a file and passing it to me.
"Stock prices dropped drastically this morning," she explained.
"25%?" I felt the ground shift beneath me and my eyes narrowed.
"That's not all," Clara interrupted. "We're down by about 25% and investors are pulling out," she spoke quickly, gathering up some files.
"How?" I whispered, my eyes scanning through the report. "How'd this happen?" I couldn't understand, the stocks had been doing well last week.
"Well," She hesitated, swallowing nervously. "We believe it's connected to a new stock share system, they're flushing us out."
I stopped in my tracks. "What new system?" I asked, my mind racing.
Clara hesitated, her eyes complicated. "It's Victoria," she said finally. "She's behind this."
Victoria? I felt the blood drain from my face as Clara's words echoed in my mind.
Damn her! I cursed under my breath, a surge of anger flooding into me.
Calm down, calm. I murmured under my breath, it was times like now I needed to remain calm. I knew that better than anyone else.
"Where are the directors?" I asked, dropping the file on the desk.
"They're already in the boardroom," Clara said, she looked like she was about to say something but she thought better of it.
"Let's go," I strode out, walking towards the boardroom. It was just a floor down. I could already hear raised voices and words as I neared the boardroom.
The room fell silent when I walked in, I frowned as I glanced around the room. Some directors weren't present, probably running late I thought.
"What's the situation?" I asked, walking to the front of the room.
One of the directors, Jansen, got to his feet. "It's a mess," he began, taking off his glasses. "We weren't prepared for this, what's more, the company behind this…" Jansen coughed awkwardly, not finishing his statement.
A wave of murmurs filled the room and the others acknowledged his words. I didn't say a word, it was obvious what he was getting at. Most of them in this room knew or had heard bits about my background.
"This dip started last night," I began, turning to flick on the projector and I pointed at the charts that appeared. "It started here," I pointed, turning back to face the room.
"Why wasn't I informed then?" I asked, staring coldly at those present.
"Victoria worked through her own channels," Clara came up to me and whispered in my ear. "This wasn't a random act."
Hmph! I felt Clara's words hit me like a punch to the gut but I frowned, keeping my emotions to myself.
'Well played Victoria,' I thought, well played.
I suddenly glanced at Clara, she'd remained standing in front of me.
"Is there anything else?" I asked, I glanced around the room before bringing my gaze back to her. My heart skipped a beat when I saw how serious she was.
"Here," Clara passed me a file, it was abnormally thick. I wondered what could be inside the file.
I didn't bother with the eyes on me and I opened the file.
What! My eyes widened as I took in the sight of the documents, the list of names.
All resignations. All the directors that weren't here had all sent in their resignation letters.
"Victoria employed the bulk of them," Clara dropped another bombshell, "She offered them positions and I guess, a better deal." Clara's expression tightened, "Luther was the first to leave."
What! Clara's words slammed into me, knocking the breath out of me.
Victoria again. I clenched my fists tightly, this wasn't a random action, she must've planned this for quite a while.
To think I'd even let my guard down towards her.
The timing couldn't be a coincidence, now, just weeks before Father's return.
Brutal.
"Everyone needs to put their heads together," I raised my head and glanced around the room. I couldn't guess what was going on in their heads, only heavens knew if any of them were planning to jump ships after this meeting.
"I want a course of action on my desk ASAP!" I snapped, before walking out of the boardroom.
I was in a daze all the way back to my office, I hadn't even realized Clara was talking to me till she tapped my shoulder.
"Sir, what's the next line of—"
"Just leave me be," I cut her off, my voice sharper than intended.
Clara nodded and walked out without another word.
I sighed, covering my face with my hands. The company that I'd tried my best to fix up was crumbling beneath me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
I didn't know how long I sat there, my mind a mess of thoughts. The silence was suddenly broken by the sound of my phone ringing.
My eyes narrowed when I saw the name flashing on the screen. Why was she calling me? I wondered, staring at the screen in surprise.
It was Jane.
Jane was my godmother, I'd saved her years ago when she'd been kidnapped. Our bond had grown close since then.
"Hello?"
"Damien," she greeted warmly, her voice calm against the storm in my mind.
"It must be tough," Jane chuckled, her mood a stark contrast to mine. "I'm impressed by how you've handled things," Jane's words stunned me and my mouth fell open.
Impressed? Was she flattering me? I wasn't surprised she was aware that I was in charge of the company. There weren't a lot of things that could escape her notice.
"Why are you really calling?" I asked, moving straight to the point, it wasn't like Jane to call me to trade pleasantries. And I was sure she knew that the company was a huge mess right now.
"Well," She paused for a moment before delivering the bombshell. "I want you to come manage Harrington Enterprises."
I froze. "What?" I thought I'd misheard.
"I've seen what you're capable of these last few months," Jane chuckled. "I need you Damien, you'll constantly be done in by people around you but with me? I'm offering you a fresh start."
I fell silent as her words echoed in my mind. It hadn't escaped my notice how she'd subtly alluded that she knew about Victoria's hand in the company's slump.
"Think about it," Jane said. "I'll be waiting for your response Damien," the line went dead.
The offer hung in the air as I lowered the phone. Jane's words replayed in my mind, a stark contrast to the chaos Victoria had caused.
I had to make a choice.