Page 360 of Tormented Billionaire Romance Series

“So Verne,” Grace says, giving just the right amount of eye contact, “Zach tells me you have a gorgeous vacation home just outside of Sao Paolo, Brazil. I’ve never been there, but I’ve always been interested in the culture. How have you experienced Brazil?”

We still need to work on her posh talk a little, but she is captivating as she speaks.

Verne looks around the table and then to Grace, saying, “Give it to you straight, I ain’t experienced a whole lot about it. Built the thing five years ago went there once to pick the site and once to see it after it was done. Some of the locals been tryin’ to get the place torn down cause they said I built it in a rainforest, but what do they think I was tryin’ to do?” he says, wheezing laughter.

I’m still nervous, but Grace manages to maintain her smile as she finds out I wasn’t joking about the solipsism I’ve had to deal with from these people.

“It must be lovely there,” Grace says, leaning forward, but just enough to show her interest.

Verne shrugs and says, “I suppose.”

“And just how is a handsome man such as yourself still single?” Grace asks and I can hardly hold back my amusement.

He waves his hand dismissively. His face is a little red. With that, Verne is disarmed.

By the time we’re to the third of five courses, Grace has everyone eating out of the palm of her hand. She’s a natural negotiator, and the best part is they should be very wary of what’s happening right now, but they’re not. All of them are resting back in their seats, smiles and laughs galore. I’m glad nobody brought a date, or this would get really awkward. Fortunately, nobody in the room expected a straightforward evening, and it looks like nobody wanted to have their significant other around when things invariably turn.

By the time we’re finishing up the fifth course, I grab my wine glass and tap it with a fork. It lets off a dull thunk.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I say and drink the whole glass down. Naturally, seeing me do this, a few of the board members laughingly take their own drinks. Mine, of course, is grape juice, but they don’t know that.

What I need here tonight is a tentative yes, or at least an indication there won’t be any sort of obstruction to what I have in mind. Even with the contract that removed me from my position, the board hasn’t taken care of everything. Still, if they all get their lawyers on this before there’s some credible indication they’ll do what they need to do, then tonight’s a waste of time. I just need something I can hold them to when they try to fight this.

After wiping my mouth, I tap the glass again with the fork.

Eight people laugh and Grace just rolls her eyes. That’s the difference between a drunk audience and a sober audience.

“Well,” I say, “we’re about to bring out dessert, but before we do, I just want to tell you how pleasant it’s been having you all here. I know we’ve had our ups and downs, especially recently, but there’s no reason we can’t be civil with one another.”

“Hear, hear!” Handler shouts.

Yeah, they’re drunk.

“Now, I know I said earlier the night didn’t have to be all business, but if you’ll indulge me one brief aberration, we can get right on to dessert,” I say.

Eight people, though drunk and charmed, all seem to clench up at the same time.

“Don’t worry,” I say. “I have no interest in trying to get back in with Stingray.”

They relax, but not much.

“I know I don’t have rights as chairman of the board, but I would like to propose someone as my replacement as chief executive,” I tell them. “Why don’t you come on out?” I call toward the front room.

It’s supposed to be this shocking reveal that has everyone so flabbergasted they crumble without a fight, but as Jacque is making his grand entrance, the toe of his shoe catches the floor just wrong and he barely stops himself falling completely.

Jacque’s three steps further into the room when he removes his suit coat and lets it drop to the floor. He’s loosening his tie as he says, “I told you, Niko, I hate these stupid clothes.”

Yeah, that’s right, board. Tremble in fear.

“Why did we have to do this all dramatic anyway?” he asks. “You know I hate talking in front of people.”

This is why I was CEO instead of Jacque. He’s more of a free spirit than a businessman. At least that’s the bullshit line he’s been feeding people forever.

Reeves says, “As confidence-inspiring as all this is, you’re forgetting that Mr. Snodgrass—”

Grace nearly chokes on her wine. “I’m sorry,” she says, covering her mouth, “please continue.”

“As I was saying,” Reeves continues, “though Mr. Snodgrass—”

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