Page 113 of Unravelling: Aria & Crispin
A quiet murmur rippled through the room as the side door opened.
Alice, who had slipped out unnoticed, stepped out first.
She was followed by a beautiful golden-eyed woman, luminous in her pale pink suit, the swell of her belly unmistakable. A delicate antique brooch gleamed at her collarbone, and her gaze swept the room, taking in all the unfamiliar faces, as well as the familiar ones before settling on Crispin.
Gasps and confused murmurs filled the room as the occupants tried to digest this new development. They had all heard through the grapevine of the exotic cleaner who had led Crispin astray, but none were aware she was pregnant.
Simon rose halfway from his seat, his face turning red with anger. "What is this? This is highly irregular!"
Alice paid him no mind. She stepped aside and gestured to the empty chair beside Dorian before sitting in an empty one next to Aria. Aria settled herself into the chair before leaning forward slightly.
Crispin met her eyes briefly and found them steady. He had a moment of clarity when he thought of the different paths this love of theirs could have taken. Most of them would not have ended in what was about to happen in this boardroom.
"Four percent," Aria said, her voice as clear as a bell, "to retain."
She had practiced saying that at least a hundred times since she read Ophelia's letter.
Simon scoffed. "She has no standing-"
But Aria was already producing the notarised documents from the file in front of her, her hands trembling slightly as she passed them to the chairman.
Dorian spoke up, "Ophelia Hornsley transferred her shares to me before she passed. These documents were finalised last night once we got her lawyer out of bed for the final paperwork."
The chairman examined the envelope. There was a pregnant silence, then a firm nod.
"These are valid," he said. "The vote will stand."
A ripple went through the room like a shockwave.
Crispin leaned forward, his tone sharp but calm. "Which brings the count to thirty-seven percent to retain."
Simon stiffened. "And thirty-seven percent to dismiss," he said with a hostile snap. "It's a deadlock."
Marcus leaned forward, smug. "Her votes are moot until they're reviewed further-"
"There is no need for further review," Aria said coldly looking him in the eyes.
The chairman blinked, visibly unsure. "We may need to contact the abstaining members and-"
A soft voice interrupted him, "That won't be necessary."
Chapter 59
Aria
All eyes turned to Alice.
She hadn't moved. Her eyes were on her lap, hands folded neatly. Then, slowly, she looked up.
Cobalt blue eyes stared back. So, like Crispin's. So, like their father's, only now sharpened to razor point with intent.
"Twenty percent," she said, "to retain."
The room erupted into chaos.
Simon bolted upright. "You have no right! You cannot vote; there's a year left before-"
"Before I come into my inheritance?" Alice said, voice dry.
