by L. B. Reyes
When we arrived, David was ready to see us and we immediately met in his office. I didn't want to be there, once again afraid that Evelyn would think wrong, but she didn't, insisting that I be there.
She explained everything she had planned in detail, leaving both David and me in awe of how quickly she had thought of everything. Evelyn had everything planned to a tee. Once she was done, she sat back, raising an eyebrow.
David poured me a glass of whiskey and one for himself, both of us needing it after the onslaught of information Evelyn had just given us.
“So,” she said, standing up, “do you guys think this is doable?”
I glanced over at David. She was trusting our judgment and frankly, I had no fucking clue what to do. David was to be our advisor and whatever he said was what we would do.
David sighed, running a hand over his face. “I don't see why not,” he said. Evelyn grinned, clapping her hands together as she stood up. “But you know all hell will break loose right?”
“I know,” she said. Her smile didn't falter however, she crossed her arms over her chest, irradiating confidence. “I'm ready for it.”
CHAPTER 32
Evelyn
Dealing with large amounts of money isn't as easy as one would think. I was thankful to have David's vast knowledge at my disposal, it made things easier to understand and decisions easier to make.
“Are you ready?” Nathan asked, leaning against the door to my room. He whistled, raising his eyebrows as he took my image in.
I'd straightened my hair into a half up, half down do and was wearing a blue blouse with a pencil skirt and a white blazer. I had to make a good impression.
“Is this okay?” I asked nervously. “Or should I wear a dress? I don't really know if this is appropriate, Nate.”
He smiled warmly, cupping a cheek in his hand while the other rested on my waist. “As your boyfriend, I have to say that I really much rather have you naked in my bed,” he said, grazing my lips. “But, I have to say Miss Evelyn Carson, you look like you’re about to take over the world.”
I sighed, relieved.
“Let's go,” he said. “We've got a meeting to get you to.”
I slid my hand in his, hoping that everything would go as I planned.
***
Nana left a lot of money. A lot of money. The life insurance combined with money that my grandfather had given her years ago, left me well off, enough so that I could live lavishly for as long as I wanted. No one in the family knew the amount of money that she had, and for good reason. Had they known, they would have been all over her for her money. My grandma didn't want that. She was wise.
As she explained in another letter that she left with David, she hid her wealth and lived modestly in order to see who truly cared for her without hidden interests. Though the answer wasn't one she wanted, she saw the truth.
My family had thought of her as just an older woman that they could either call occasionally or place in a nursing home. They never really took her into consideration and she noticed it…she accepted it. What made me even more proud of Nana after reading that last letter was realizing that she wasn't bitter about it.
So I knew I had to do right by her.
My righteous and thoughtful grandmother would have done anything to right the wrongs my mom and Hannah had done against others; fraud, taking money from families who were trusting their businesses to them. There's a reason she'd gathered that information.
I had to do something about it.
The thing about money hungry people is that you can get them to do anything for money. I used that to my advantage.
I bought off several shareholders of the company, making me now the owner of fifty-six percent of the company. I was in the majority. I held the power. I called the shots.
They didn't know that, though.
I'd bought the shares with an alias and was for the first time going to meet with everyone. That being said, I was terrified. I'd learned as much as I could in the past weeks, my education taking a bit of a backseat with everything going on and that's not something that I wanted. This confrontation would be one that would define the future of the company, my family, and my life. All hell was going to break loose and I was to be in the middle of it.
It was only going to be temporary. I couldn't picture myself staying in Pennsylvania or running a company for the rest of my life, I just wanted to fix the mess they had all made.
Nathan took my hand in his, placing a kiss on the back of it as he drove. “You'll do great,” he comforted.
I smiled at him, leaning my head on his shoulder. He'd been so apprehensive when it came to discussing anything regarding what Nana left me, he thought I'd doubt him. What he didn't realize was that he was the only one I really needed by my side. He made me feel like I could conquer the world.
“They're going to lose it,” I sighed. “Is David on his way?”
“He's just waiting for us,” he replied. “Baby, I believe in you, okay? You can handle this and more, and you'll do it flawlessly.”
“I hope so,” I said, closing my eyes.
The drive was much, much shorter than I anticipated. Nathan parked in the designated spot and immediately took my face in his hands, kissing me deeply. My lips parted, letting him in and I leaned into his touch, letting him comfort me in a way only he could.
“Blow their minds,” he murmured.
I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, straightening my back and lifting my head high.
We entered the large and obnoxiously fancy building, meeting David inside. The receptionist frowned when she saw me. I hadn't been there in years, so it was no surprise she could hardly recognize me.
She didn't say anything, probably because I was a Carson and she assumed that I was as arrogant as Hannah.
We entered the elevator and I closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the wall.
“Tell me why you can't be in there with me,” I breathed.
I could almost picture Nathan shaking his head. “Baby, I can't be. I don't have anything to do with the company, and I really don't want anything to do with it either. I'm here for moral support.”
“Don't you just want like, point zero one percent?” I asked desperately.
Both David and Nathan chuckled, laughing at my misery.
“I'll be out in the lobby waiting for you, okay?”
The doors of the elevator opened. It was time.
With a single nod, Nathan wished me luck, with his intense electric gray eyes telling me how much he believed in me.
David and I walked past the large meeting room where my sister, my mom and my dad already were sitting. There were other people there, people that I hardly recognized that I would have to speak in front of. Nerves were starting to get the best of me.
“Stop it,” David whispered. “If you're going to do this you can't freak out. Get it together, Evelyn.”
I glared at him. “I can see why Jenna says you’re an ass.”
“My daughter—look, I'm trying to help you, but you have to get it together. They can't see you about to lose it or they'll think you're a joke. Is that what you want?”
“No,” I said, now in front of the door. “No, that's not what I want.”
“Okay. Then take a deep breath and get this show on the road. Can you do that?”
I did as he said, nodding and turning the handle of the door. Everyone stood immediately out of respect to their new boss, however, shot a confused look to my mother and sister when they realized the youngest Carson was there.
I smiled.
“Good morning, everyone,” I said.
“Evelyn, what are you doing here?” Hannah hissed, walking over to me. She looked furious and embarrassed, my parents looked like they were about to scold me.
“I'm here for the meeting, sis,” I replied, analyzing the room. I could do this.
“Please excuse us,” my mom said, also approaching me. She forced a smile, taking hold of my arm.
“Evelyn, we're in the middle of something, can this wait? The new buyer will be here in a few minutes and we can't have your little nonsense now.”
“The new buyer is here,” I stated.
“What?”
Everyone looked our way, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
“David, show them the papers please.”
He nodded, setting his briefcase on the large wooden table as he opened it. He handed the paperwork to my sister and my mom and distributed copies to the rest of the men sitting at the table. For a few minutes, there was nothing more than the rustling of papers filling up the room. A few of the men nodded as they realized that all the paperwork was in order while some of them smirked, clearly amused at the family drama unfolding in front of them.
“What the hell is going on?” Hannah asked in disbelief. “What have you done?”
“I've made my first grown-up decision.” I winked. “Now, could you all take a seat and can we all settle down so we can get this meeting done and over with?”
“No, we need to talk—”
I interrupted Hannah before she could finish. “Your boss is asking you to take a seat. If you're not going to comply then you know very well where the door is. Your choice.”
“Evelyn—”
“That goes for you too, mother.”
They bit their tongues.
And I controlled my laughter.
For the first time since I was born, I had the upper hand. They hated it. I loved it. Once everyone was sitting, they focused their attention on me. David took a seat in front of me, a proud smile on his face. I cleared my throat and began.
“I am Evelyn Carson, as you all know, and though we could go through all the introductions, I won't bother because I know for a fact that many of you by the end of the week will be gone.” Hannah stiffened, shock covering her features.
“I know things have been run a certain way for years, and it seems to have been working except for the small fact that it's been illegal. That will no longer be tolerated. This company from now on will be run with both honesty and respect towards our clients. If you don't agree, feel free to walk out the door and hand over your shares or do it the hard way and go to jail. Choice is yours.”
I clapped my hands together for dramatic effect. “I want a rundown of all the financial accounts by the end of tomorrow. I don't care if you have to be here all night getting them ready. Don't try any shady shit with me, I have people that will notice if you have tried to cover something up. I will find out and you will end up in jail anyways so, best to avoid it. I want a list of all current clients and everyone's salary to ensure that everything is fair and that there is no one receiving more money than they should or less than they deserve.
“From now every decision made has to be approved by either myself or David; nothing happens without my approval and what I say goes. Do not lie to me, do not try to get on my good side. I don't trust any of you until you've proven yourself trustworthy, family included.
“Just so we're clear, I will repeat I want a rundown of every department. Is that understood?”
One of the men raised his hand to speak. “By tomorrow?”
“Yes, you understand,” I said with a smile. “Any questions?”
No one spoke up, all of them looking too overwhelmed as they processed everything that had just happened.
“Okay, at the back of the package you were just given there's a document you each have to sign which is your new contract. I need it signed right now if you agree to comply to the new policies and regulations, along with providing the necessary documentation and complete honesty. If you don't sign, then start clearing up your office because you're fired, and if you don't follow through with the contract, there will be consequences.”
Most of the men signed without hesitance, my father included. My mom and sister, however, didn't. They were furious that I dared to take over their company.
“That goes for you two as well,” I said, raising an eyebrow.
“We need to talk,” my mom said.
“There's nothing to talk about,” I replied. “You either agree or you don't.”
“I'm your mother,” she hissed.
“Not here, you're not. And not outside either so make up your mind or don't, but I don't have the patience to wait.”
“Are you serious?” Hannah asked with disbelief.
“Did I stutter?”
Not left with another choice, my mom and sister signed the paper, slamming their pen on the floor. I noticed they were about to shove the contract in my face so before they could, I tsked them with a smile.
“With class, ladies. We don't want to fuck up our perfect family appearance, now do we?”
“This isn't over,” Hannah declared.
“I know, sis. It's barely starting.”
CHAPTER 33
Evelyn
The next few days were like the quiet before the storm. David brought in the person that had been chosen by my grandmother, Kimberly Driskel, as another sort of advisor because, frankly, I had no fucking clue what I was doing.
Only twenty, in school, trying to manage a company and handling more money then I'd ever seen in my life, I was struggling just to stay afloat.
Nathan and Carter were always reminding me to eat because, apparently, my health had also taken a backseat.
People were fired from the company, and even though I knew that my sister had been the one calling the shots, she'd covered everything up well. She had others mark their approval so that her hands were clean. It fucked other people's lives up, including her coworkers. They were taking the fall.
It was all so time-consuming and overwhelming that I couldn't catch a break. My relationship with Nathan was being strained, things were tense between us.
“You need a break,” Nathan said, running a hand through my hair. We were alone in the house; my sister had gone out with a lawyer, probably regarding the divorce. She was barely home now and I'd found out through Jenna that she was spending nights at a hotel.
Jenna was doubling as a spy.
Whenever she had the opportunity, she'd find out as much as she could about my sister; where she was, who she was with and what she was doing. I told her to drop out and put a business with her as a detective. She was considering it.
“C'mon, baby,” Nathan murmured, pressing a kiss on my temple. “You've been working on all that paperwork all day.”
“And I still have that project for philosophy,” I groaned, running my hands over my face.
When I met Nate's eyes, he frowned and shook his head.
“All right. I don't care what you say, Evelyn, you're taking a break.” He snapped my computer shut, causing my mouth to open in shock. He was angry at me.
“What's your problem?”
He scratched his stubble covered face. “My problem is that you are drowning yourself in all this. I get it, there's shit to do but I won't let you kill yourself for it, Evie. Take a fifteen-minute break. The work will still be there when you get back, I promise you it will.”
“You know I have to get this done,” I countered.
Nathan glanced up, looking at the ceiling. Something happened then, disbelief covered his features and then familiarity. I didn't understand it.
“What did you say?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.
“I have to get this done,” I repeated.
He pressed his lips together, his gaze unwavering from my face. Studying me like I was someone he didn't know, someone he didn't recognize. Finally, he shook his head, picking up his keys from the counter.
“What are you doing?” I asked, standing up.
“I need a break now,” he hissed.
“A break?”
“Yes, Evelyn, a break. The thing you haven't taken in weeks. I need it now. I can't be here or I'll say something stupid that I'll regret.”
“What is your problem?” I asked, now feeling beyond irritated.
There had been distance
between us the past few days, but generally, he was supportive. The man in front of me was frustrated; nothing like the usually calm Nathan I knew.
“Let's just discuss this later,” Nathan said in an even tone.
“No,” I refused, walking up to him.
He laughed humorlessly.
I couldn't believe this was happening. Our first fight, our first real argument and I didn't even understand why it was happening.
“Evelyn, please let me cool down or I will not be held responsible for what I say.” He gave me a pointed look, one that told me not to test him before he set the keys down and made his way upstairs.
I was fine, left standing in the middle of the dining room without a fucking clue as far as what was going on until I heard the door of a bedroom slam shut.
“Oh, hell no,” I muttered, rushing upstairs.
I opened the door to his bedroom only to find him taking off his shirt, throwing his head back in exasperation when he saw me.
“Evelyn, give me a fucking minute,” he said in a calm tone.
“No. Just tell me what your problem is! I don't understand why you're so pissed, Nathan.”
He forced a smile and shook his head in disbelief.
“You don't get it,” he snapped. “You're smart, Evelyn and this doesn't take a genius to figure out.”
“Well, you're acting like a child.”
“And you're acting like Hannah,” he snapped. Nathan groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I told you to leave me alone, Evelyn.”
That was more offensive than being called a bitch. I could tolerate that, but being called the very thing I was trying not to be set me off.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I hissed, taking a step toward him. Nathan took a deep breath in an attempt to control himself.
“What harm can a fifteen-minute break cause you, Evelyn?” he asked, stepping towards me. “Hm? Fifteen minutes for you to fucking chew on something, I don't know! You have hardly been eating. The doctor told you you're anemic and you've refused to fucking eat and rest since your grandmother died.”
