Page 65 of Always Been You
“I don’t know what you were discussing before I arrived, but it doesn’t matter,” I say, my voice steady, carrying through the room with a quiet authority that leaves no room for argument. “Because as of this moment, you are no longer the CEO of the Ansah Group.”
George’s expression flickers, his jaw tightening as he leans forward while the others in the room just look around, trying to grasp what's going on. “You don’t have the authority to—”
“You were barely clinging to that seat as it is,” I cut in, my tone sharper now. “Your financial mismanagement, the fraud, the corruption—it was only a matter of time. But let’s say, hypothetically, your record wasn’t in shambles.” I tilt my head slightly, watching him pale. “Even then, you still wouldn’t have a say in the company.”
The doors open.
Two uniformed officers step inside, their presence commanding instant silence.
Right on time.
George pushes back his chair, half-standing. “What the hell is this?”
“This,” I say smoothly, retaking my seat as the officers approach, “is the consequence of your own actions.” My uncle’s gaze darts around the room, searching for an out. But there isn’t one. He sees it now. That’s the thing about men like him; they only realize they’ve lost when it’s too late to run.
Across from me, Lawliss slides a stack of documents across the table, straight into the hands of one of the officers. She’s calm, methodical, and her movements precise. But I catch the satisfaction in her eyes. She’d been waiting for this moment, too.
I expected this meeting to be more of a fight. I imagined a battle of words, a final exchange, but now that we’re here?
I realize I don’t care enough to waste another breath on him. I thought this moment would feel different. That I’d want to watch him squirm, make him beg, maybe even say something to let him know exactly how badly he lost. But as he sits there, pale and shaken, while the officers read him his rights, I feel nothing. Just a quiet, steady sense of finality.
My parents can finally rest in peace. The weight I’ve carried for over a decade is gone.
But if I’m being honest with myself, I should have done this sooner.
If I had told my grandfather that my uncle’s greed wasn’t just about money or property, maybe he would have put an end to him before now. If I had spoken up when Andrei pulled me aside all those years ago, asking if I was okay, maybe things would have played out differently.
He gave me money, no questions asked, just trusting that I needed to leave and start over somewhere far away. Maybe if I had told him the truth, I would have found this peace earlier. Maybe I would have had Lawliss all along, but I don’t regret it.
My attention shifts to Lawliss again, watching the way she crosses her legs, completely at ease, like we didn’t just set fire to a man’s entire empire.
Damn, I love this woman.
The officers haul George to his feet, the cold snap of handcuffs locking around his wrists filling the room. His eyes dart to me, filled with something between fury and desperation.
“Why are you doing this? Who are you? What the fuck is this? He keeps shouting as the officers move him out of the conference room.
I don’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. To think I wasted my time on trash like him is beyond me. Jeez, he was never worth my time to begin with.
The tension in the room lingers, but I’m already done here.
“Meeting adjourned.” I turn my attention to the CFO, Grace. She’s been one of the few competent ones here, held back only by the idiot leading this company into the ground.
“You,” I say, pointing directly at her. “You’re the interim CEO.”
Her eyes widen, flicking between me and the now-empty doorway where George was dragged out moments ago. She swallows hard but nods quickly, her expression morphing from shock to determination.
“Any questions?” I ask.
The only response is a murmur of agreement, some quiet nods, and a few shifting in their seats. No one dares challenge me.
Satisfied, I remove my suit jacket, draping it over my left arm before turning to Lawliss. I offer her my hand, and she takes it without hesitation, her fingers slipping between mine like they belong there.
“We’re leaving,” I say, my tone leaving no room for argument.
Josh follows a step behind as we walk out of the conference room, the sound of George’s protests fading into the background. The second we’re outside, Lawliss exhales, her grip tightening around my hand.
“That’s done,” she murmurs.
