The Hidden Heir's Revenge

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE MEETING

Alex woke early the next morning to another text from Vincent.

“Blackwood meeting confirmed. Noon at The Sterling Club. I'll have someone there.”

Alex deleted the message and got dressed. Today would be interesting. Thomas was meeting with Jonathan Blackwood, the man he had wanted to marry off to Nora. Whatever they discussed, it wouldn't be good.

Downstairs, the family was already at breakfast. The tension from yesterday hung in the air like smoke.

"Good morning," Alex said, pouring himself coffee.

No one responded. Thomas glared at him over his newspaper. Derek smirked into his eggs. Only Nora looked up, but her face looked confusing to Alex. 

"I'm going out today," Alex announced. "Job hunting."

"Another waste of time," Thomas muttered.

"We'll see."

Alex finished his coffee and left. He caught a taxi to the Meridian Tower, where Vincent was waiting with files and fresh intelligence.

"The surveillance is in place," Vincent said. "We'll have audio and video of the entire meeting."

"Good. What else?"

"TechVision is ready for your visit. Lucas has no idea the company changed ownership. He thinks everything is normal."

"Perfect. I'll head over there this afternoon."

"Also, the Davis debt acquisition is proceeding smoothly. We should have control of all seven creditors by end of week."

Alex nodded. Everything was falling into place exactly as planned.

At eleven forty-five, Vincent's computer chimed. A live feed appeared on the screen—interior of The Sterling Club's private dining room.

Thomas Davis sat at a table, looking older and more tired than Alex had ever seen him. Five minutes later, Jonathan Blackwood arrived.

Blackwood was everything Thomas wanted in a son-in-law. Tall, handsome, impeccably dressed. Born into wealth, raised to expect the world on a platter.

"Thomas." Blackwood shook his hand. "Good to see you."

"Jonathan. Thank you for meeting."

They ordered drinks. Small talk about business, the economy, mutual acquaintances. Then Thomas leaned forward.

"I need your help."

"I assumed as much. What's the situation?"

"My company is in trouble. Serious trouble. I need a significant capital injection within thirty days or I'll lose everything."

Blackwood sipped his scotch. "How significant?"

"Two hundred million."

Blackwood's eyebrows rose. "That's quite a sum."

"I know. But I have assets. Real estate, investments, the company itself. It's all worth far more than the debt."

"Then why not sell?"

"Because it would take too long. The creditors want their money now." Thomas's voice dropped. "I'm desperate, Jonathan. I wouldn't be here otherwise."

"What are you proposing?"

"A partnership. You invest the capital, I give you forty-nine percent of the company. You would make your money back within two years, guaranteed."

Blackwood considered this. "And Nora?"

Thomas hesitated. "What about her?"

"Last time we spoke, you mentioned she might be available soon. Has that situation changed?"

"She's still married. For now."

"But you're working on it."

"The marriage is ending. It's just a matter of time."

Blackwood smiled. "Then here's my counter-proposal. I'll give you the two hundred million. In exchange, I want sixty percent of your company and an introduction to Nora once her divorce is finalized."

"Sixty percent? That's—"

"Take it or leave it, Thomas. You said yourself you're desperate."

Thomas's face tightened. He was trapped and he knew it.

"I need time to think."

"You have until Friday. After that, my offer expires."

The meeting ended shortly after. Thomas left looking defeated. Blackwood stayed behind, ordering another drink and making phone calls.

Vincent muted the feed. "He's going to accept."

"Probably," Alex agreed. "But he won't get the chance."

"Because we'll own his debt first."

"Exactly." Alex checked his watch. "I'm heading to TechVision. Keep me updated on any developments."

The taxi dropped him at TechVision twenty minutes later. Marcus was waiting in the lobby again, looking nervous.

"You sure about this?" Marcus asked.

"Completely sure."

They took the elevator to the third floor. Lucas was in his office, barking orders at someone over the phone. When he saw Alex through the glass, his face went purple.

Lucas slammed down the phone and stormed out of his office.

"I told you yesterday to never come back here!"

"And I told you things change."

"Nothing has changed! You're still unemployed, still worthless, still…"

"Still the owner of this company."

Lucas stopped mid-sentence. "What?"

"TechVision was acquired three days ago. I'm the new owner."

The color drained from Lucas's face. "That's impossible."

"Check with HR. You should also check with legal. Check with anyone you want. I own this company now. Every desk, every computer, every employee." Alex stepped closer. "Including you."

Lucas looked around wildly. Other employees had stopped working, watching the confrontation.

"This is a joke. Some kind of sick joke."

"No joke. I'm here to evaluate operations. Starting with management." Alex pulled out his phone and dialed Vincent. "Send the documentation to TechVision's HR department. Right now."

Sixty seconds later, Lucas's assistant approached nervously.

"Mr. Lewis? HR just sent this. They said it's urgent."

She handed him a tablet. Lucas read it, his hands shaking. The document confirmed everything—acquisition complete, new ownership structure, chain of command.

"No," Lucas whispered. "No, this can't be real."

"It's very real. And effective immediately, you're demoted. You'll report to the new VP of Technology, who I'll be hiring next week."

"You can't do this!"

"I just did. You can accept the demotion or resign. Your choice."

Lucas looked like he might throw the tablet. Instead, he turned and walked back to his office, slamming the door behind him.

The whole office burned in whispers. Marcus stared at Alex in shock.

"You actually own this place?"

"I actually own this place."

"But how? Where did you get that kind of money?"

Alex smiled. "That's a long story. Come on, let me buy you lunch. A real lunch, not cafeteria food."

They left the building and found a restaurant nearby. Over sandwiches, Marcus kept shaking his head.

"I don't understand any of this. Three days ago, you couldn't pay for Nora's hospital bill. Now you're buying companies?"

"Like I said, things change."

"That's not an explanation."

"It's the only one you're getting right now." Alex's phone buzzed. It was Vincent.

“Thomas just called an emergency family meeting. Four PM at the mansion. He's telling them about Blackwood's offer.”

Alex : “Perfect. I'll be there.”

He looked at Marcus. "I have to go. I have a family meeting to attend."

"Alex, wait. Are you in trouble? Is this money legal?"

"Completely legal. I promise you, everything I'm doing is legitimate."

"Then why all the secrecy?"

"Because some revelations need the right timing. Trust me, Marcus. Everything will make sense soon."

Alex paid for lunch and caught a taxi back to the Davis mansion. He arrived at three forty-five PM, just as the family was gathering in Thomas's study.

Catherine saw him first. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here, remember?"

"This is a private family meeting."

"I assume it's about Nora's future. Which makes it my business."

Thomas emerged from his study. "Let him stay. I want him to hear this."

They entered into the study. Thomas sat behind his desk. Richard and Catherine took the chairs. Derek leaned against the wall. Nora sat by the window, looking confused. Alex remained standing by the door.

"I'll get straight to the point," Thomas began. "Our family is facing a financial crisis. My company is drowning in debt. Without immediate intervention, we'll lose everything within thirty days."

Catherine and Richard's face went pale. Derek's ridiculous smile vanished.

"I've been negotiating with potential investors," Thomas continued. "Jonathan Blackwood has made an offer. Two hundred million in exchange for sixty percent of the company."

"Sixty percent?" Richard said. "Father, that's—"

"I know what it is. But we have no choice." Thomas looked at Nora. "There's one more condition. Jonathan wants an introduction to you once your divorce is finalized."

Nora stood up. "Excuse me?"

"He's a good man. Wealthy, successful, from a good family. He would be perfect for you."

"I'm not a business asset you can trade!"

"You're my granddaughter and you'll do what's necessary to save this family!"

Alex had heard enough. He stepped forward.

"She won't have to. Because Thomas, you're not going to accept Blackwood's offer."

"And why not?"

"Because by Friday, you won't need his money. You'll have bigger problems to worry about."

Thomas stood. "What are you talking about?"

Alex smiled. "You'll see. Eleven days left, Thomas. Then everything becomes clear."

He left the study leaving them confused. 

When he got outside, his p

hone beeped. It was Vincent again.

“All seven creditors have been acquired. We now own Thomas Davis's entire debt. What are your instructions?”

Alex responded. “Wait. Let him sweat a few more days. Then we'll make our move.”