Page 56 of Vows In Corruption

Anger rolls through my body as I look the grin on Peter’s face spread wider. The fucker is enjoying this. From the looks of it, I’m not the only one that is pissed off, Gerald is too.

“What the fuck are you on, Pete? I’ve read the company guidelines top to bottom, there is not a single thing about a fucking marriage clause.”

Sure I read them years ago, but I’m positive I would have remembered something that fucking absurd.

Without even thinking, I search for Ella. She was by the window when Gerald was speaking but when I look over, she’s not there. Instead, she is standing a few feet away from me, looking up at me with a single question in her eyes.

Not even a month working together and we already know how to have silent conversations and know what the other wants.

I send a nod her way and right away she starts typing on her phone, trying to find this damn clause.

Peter moves away from the table and goes to stand at the head of the table next to Gerald. From the looks of it, Gerald doesn’t look all that happy with Mr. Hill either.

“Looks like you didn’t read deep enough, because it’s there and it specifically states that in order to hold the title of CEO the candidate must meet all requirements, one of them be married at the time that the title is handed over.”

I try to think back to when I read the guidelines. So much pops into my head, expect for that. Did I skip over it? Did I miss it completely. Why the fuck can’t I remember that damn clause?

I’m not the only one that can’t remember either, because Henry read those guidelines for times than I did. And if there was something in there regarding a damn marriage clause, he would have pointed out.

My plan to get this company into my hands was meticulous, I did everything that I had to from the second I turned thirty and if I had to get married to get what the fuck I wanted, I would have done it way before Gerald told me he was going to retire.

“This fucker is pulling shit out of his ass,” Elliot spews out, narrowing his eyes toward Peter.

“I would watch your mouth kid. You’re only here because of your daddy. You deserve to hold a seat on this board.”

I don’t have to look over at my nephew to know that there is anger in his eyes and that I need to place a hand on his shoulder to stop him from storming across the room and beating the ever living shit out of Peter.

“Calm down.” I mutter into Elliot’s ear.

Peter is already causing a scene, we don’t need to to create another one.

Or worse, one of us landing in jail.

Everyone in the room starts inserting themselves into the conversation. The majority of them saying that we should just hold the vote and forget about the clause while others start siding with Peter and saying that Gerald needs to pick someone else to be his replacement.

As everyone starts to argue about what we should or shouldn’t do, I look for Ella. Right away, she looks over at me, as if she sensed that I was looking for her. Looking at her, I don’t even have to ask her what she found. Her facial expression tells me everything that I need to know.

There is in fact a marriage clause.

I was so close to becoming CEO and in a matter of seconds it was fucking gone.

Fucking hell.

“Everyone quiet down.” Gerald yells out, bringing the arguing to an end. “Has anyone checked? Is there indeed a damn clause that prevents Bennett from taking my place.”

Ella lets out a sigh and her shoulder drop as she answers his questions.

“Yes, sir.”

“When was it dated, Ms. Vincent?” Henry asks, because there is no way either him or I missed that piece of information.

Ella looks like she is about to cry, as she answers him. “Three years ago, sir.”

Three years ago.

Before I started putting my plan into fruition to convince Gerald to retire.

A year before my parent’s will said I was able to become CEO.

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