Page 99 of Unwritten Rules

Instead, I rotted away at my aunt’s house, waiting until she kicked me out.

“Since we are all here today, I’d like to honor your mother’s memory. Her leadership and ferocity shaped this company into the powerhouse it is today. Without her, we’d all be out of a job.”

All the men nodded in response.

I tried to shove down the lump forming in my throat as everyone bowed their heads to show respect. Maybe today was a bad day to realize I needed to grieve my mother properly. I never visited her–at least, not yet.

She was waiting for me to come talk to her.

A few beats later, he spoke up again. “First steps as our new CEO! We have a crucial meeting to schedule with you and Augustus Vaughn, head of Chamberlain Industries. I know he will want an immediate audience after hearing the news that you will be acting in certain roles until your full succession as CEO of Montgomery Group.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What shall this meeting entail?”

Someone at the overly large table leaned forward. “Vaughn is looking to expand into some of our prime real estate holdings. A verygame changingpartnership for us moving forward.” Real subtle. He was insinuating what I already knew in the least conspicuous manner–I’d seen toddlers do a better job.

So, he knew. Now, who else?

My eyes glanced across the room and settled back on Evans as he spoke up. “That is Mr. Caldwell, legal counsel.”

“I see,” I said, my mind racing in anticipation of the major life change I was in for. “Will there be coaching for this meeting, or will I be showing up with my pants down?”

He slipped and a small smile appeared on his lips, appearing proud of me for starting off strong. “From what we’ve seen, he’s grown less patient over time, but is still a shrewd businessman with... unconventional tactics. He’s likely to gauge your resolve.”

Unconventional tactics? Could these guys be any less obvious? I wondered when I would have the opportunity to talk about it or if it’s an “everyone knows but doesn’t say”type of ordeal.Who did I ask about the rules of the game?

“Your mother always stood firm in her ground during talks with Vaughn.” Legal Council Man chimed back in. I already forgot his name. “He’s likely to expect the same from you as her successor–and daughter. They had a fruitful relationship we continued to manage over the last handful of years, but it’s time for you to come into play.”

A metric ton of weight settled onto my shoulders. The overviews and tutorings that James took me through started making sense in my mind and I was ready to use them. “Understood. I’d like a full briefing on our holdings, recent acquisitions, and any history between our two companies.”

The men around the table looked to each other before shuffling around to pull out tablets and computers, seemingly ready to dive into the details. Or childproof them.

If I was going to be the CEO of Montgomery Group, I needed to be fully educated enough to hold any secrets above other people’s heads on top of the intricate inner workings of my company.

This was my new normal and–as much as I wanted to fight it–I had to be prepared for whatever would come my way. The company was becoming clearer to me through my continual readings, and Augustus Vaughn most likely expected another Maria.

Mr. Legal Counsel exchanged a knowing glance with Evans and I could easily read into what it meant. Again, these men sucked at subtlety. “Before we head into the meeting with the details you’ve requested, I would like to speak on aprivatelegal matter with you.”

Evans nodded at him. “If I could have non-essential personnel leave the room for this.”

I tried to pay attention to body language to pick up on some cues. A few seemed relieved to put away their belongings and exit the room and others appeared completely unbothered by the request.

Sitting in my chair, inspecting my manicure, I hoped to mimic the unbothered look. “I’m here and now most of the board has been kicked out.”

Legal Counsel and Evans took their places at each side of me while I was at the head of the table. They each pulled out tablets, looking hesitant to start speaking.

They didn’t know I knew that they knew.

What a fun predicament.

“Your mother and Mr. Vaughn–”

I cut him off. “My mother supplied properties for Chamberlain Industries to operate in drugs and arms overseas and sometimes in country.”

Both of them went wide eyed. They must have assumed I knew nothing and wanted to ease me into it. Evans coughed a bit from hearing me speak so bluntly. “Well, yes. For this meeting it is imperative you approach with caution and not plain speak. He may assume you are aware of former–and current–arrangements and speak in a vague manner to avoid suspicion.”

I cut back in. “He may just expect a carbon copy of my mother. From what everyonekeepstelling me, she was ferocious, no? I get that I’m green behind the ears from her not disclosing anything to me, but that’s not an answer we can get from her, now is it? So, stop treating me like a baby and tell me–in plain speak–everything about their relationship.”

The people closest to me kept me ignorant for so long like I’d never find out the reality of the shit the rich and wealthy got into. What theelitesgot into.

---