Page 81 of The Producer: Aaron

The murmur of approval that rises around the table fills my chest. Everyone wants a bigger slice of the cake, especially Warren, who has crossed his arms as grin spreads over his face.

“Are you here to get an offer? Of course, after closing the streaming division, your percentage will not be worth much since the company is worth less. Still, we can certainly make you a good price.” His condescending tone makes me taste the victory I have at hand.

With a feeling of calm in my chest that makes me feel almost light, I say, “No, I’m here to get you to sign the waiver of your right of preemption on selling my shares so I can sell them to whoever I want.”

The silence that falls in the room is almost absolute, at least until Warren bursts out laughing, and the others follow him with perplexed smiles.

“The girl must have fried your brain if you think you’re coming here thinking that we will accept such a thing,” he says amusedly. “Who do you think you are dealing with? Inexperienced idiots you can command to do what you want? Your father was right not to leave the company in your hands. You would have sent it into bankruptcy.”

Once his words would have hurt me, but now the conviction that I can do something great on my own gives me the push to launch the counterattack.

“I imagined you would have said that. After all, you are not stupid. That’s why I had a psychiatric evaluation done on my mother, which determined that she is not even able to take care of the most basic needs for her survival, much less make decisions for a billion-dollar company,” I say, giving everyone a copy of the papers the doctors gave me.

Their eyes focus on the words in front of them, and their expressions become severe as the reading goes on.

“You had a psychiatric evaluation done on your mother without me being present? I’m her lawyer. It’s not legal what you did,” her lawyer yells at me from the other side of the table.

I turn to him with a smile that fills my face as I hand him the papers my lawyer has drawn up together with those the judge has provided me.

“Unfortunately for you, you have no power in this matter. This is the order from a judge who declares that you took advantage of a disabled person. There is evidence that you got prescriptions for drugs through your doctor friend, who will be banned from working in this country. There is also the testimony of my brother Evan who was present when my father ordered you to make sure my mother never contacted him. You helped him to isolate her from family members who want nothing but the best for her, aggravating her condition. A lawyer has already been appointed by the judge who will replace you in managing her life and assets with my and Evan’s advice.”

I see him bleaching in front of me without being able to give voice to anything that could change his situation. He has been doing whatever he wanted for years because he has always been first in my father’s service rather than my mother’s. Now that he no longer has anyone to protect his dirty business, he has to come to terms with the reality of his twenty years of crimes.

The silence is total. None of those present dares to argue because they realize that they didn’t consider someone who has really worked for the good of this company a threat. They always thought I was just a pawn of my father’s, a rich son who finds his job served on a silver platter. They have consistently underestimated me and treated me as a privileged person who doesn’t deserve the place he occupies. They’ve never seen the efforts and passion I put into bringing forward something I believe in.

“We will have our lawyers on your back. We will appeal this ruling and drag you to the bottom,” Warren threatens. Gone are the bold smiles and his arrogance.

“Of course, go ahead. Meanwhile, my brother and I have full control of forty percent of our mother’s shares and will challenge every single decision you put to the vote. We will oppose everyproposal until you can no longer lead this company where you want. The stocks will sink before you even get to court for a lawsuit.”

I see the concern making its way into the expressions on their faces as they cast glances at Warren. He has always influenced their decisions. Everyone has always lowered themselves to kiss his feet; even now, they are subdued.

“Who to say that if we sign you will not do everything possible to put a spanner in the works?” he hisses between his teeth.

I shrug. “No one can guarantee it, but if you don’t sign, you are certain I will do it. You are old enough to assess the risk.”

I lean back and watch them fry in their chairs inside their thousands of dollars suits. They are torn, but they don’t need to contact their lawyers to understand that this matter could quickly become a bloodbath in which everyone loses money.

Warren is the first to take the papers and sign them, followed by all the others. I send a message to my lawyer waiting for me outside the door to formalize all the steps, and when Warren sees him, he shakes his head.

“I see that you have prepared for this ambush. You are your father’s son.”

I raise my shoulder and smile though the comparison hurts. “It is you who have always underestimated me.”

***

Tim Harold’s mansion is one of those tacky ones that dot the Hollywood Hills. He was never one who had good taste when furnishing his properties, but on the other hand, he was always one of my father’s fiercest competitors. His broadcasting company has always been the one we have to compete with for any award. That’s why when he comes to open the door, he issurprised to see me.

“Do you need a job now that your old man is dead?” he asks without even thinking of giving me his condolences. He’s not one of Hollywood’s ass-kissers. He’s one of those used to having his kissed.

I laugh and shake my head. “No, I have other plans. But it’s true. I came here on business.”

I see the interest making its way across his face, but he shows no sign of letting me in.

“What do you think of owning thirty percent of the Steel Broadcasting Company? Class B shares, no voting rights, but still a good chunk of the cake when it comes to dividends.” I don’t mince my words.

He studies me for a few moments with his impassive face.

“I heard the rumor that your old man hadn’t left you the company, but I didn’t want to believe that he had done such a thing. Do you want to take revenge on him?”

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