"Who do you think you are to interfere in family matt…"
While Eliza's father was still speaking, Alrik grabbed him by the elbow and with a quick manoeuvre, he twisted so Gregory had no choice but to free Eliza to prevent his bone from breaking.
"What kind of animal are you? I will have you arrested for assault!" He snapped as he cradled his bruised elbow.
"If that's the case, father, then I will sue you before you get the chance. After all, you grabbed me first. That's assault, and my husband was only trying to protect me." Eliza spoke up.
"You're my daughter, so I can treat you however I damn well please."
"Not anymore, father. Suddenly you all are so interested in reminding me that I'm a part of this family, when that wasn't the case just days ago. It's too damn late.You have two choices. Either you wait and watch me settle up with the board, or go back to the other room and wait for my guests."
She turned away from him, and his face turned red at her dismissal, while she continued to address the others in the room like he was no longer there. After standing there for several seconds while still being ignored, he finally stomped his foot and left the room.
"Now that the nuisance has been handled, any questions?"
The board members were silent for several seconds, then Mr Blake spoke up.
"This all seems legitimate, but we still need to carry out investigations. Then your claim to the shares will be reviewed by an independent team, and after that, we'll decide if you have the rights to them or not. All of this will take some time before you can exert any form of control over this company."
"Do whatever investigations you feel will give you validation. I don't care and I'm not afraid because I have nothing to hide. Everything was done legally. But I don't have the luxury of sitting on my hands while you drag your feet with a delayed review. I'm exercising my right as the majority shareholder today. As of this moment, I am taking over as CEO of this company and I advise you to support that decision without arguments. Remember that I'm the reason Crestview is even interested in a partnership. I go, they go."
They began to murmur among themselves, and even her grandfather's supporters began to waver. They all know that the company would make profits in tens of millions once the partnership is signed, so they needed her. Yet, they were trying to avoid Henry Pratt's wrath when he figured out that he was outvoted.
"We only have a few minutes before the Crestview Executives get here. So what's the verdict?" She asked, and Alrik smirked.
He knew she had them right where she wanted them, and watching them squirm because of his wife was so amusing.
"But what of Francis? If you take over as CEO, then what will he do?" Mrs Higgins asked.
Eliza had always suspected that there was something going on between the older woman and her brother, despite the fact that Mrs Higgins was married with a son almost Francis' age. But without proof, she preferred not to toss around careless accusations.
"Honestly, I don't give a damn. He's not competent anyway, so I can't trust him with anything important. Create a fancy position for him, so he can keep being lazy and earning a salary to fund his wasteful lifestyle. That should appease him, though I'm sure he'll protest just to spite me. But we all know I'm the best candidate for this position. You should all be glad I'm not going for my grandfather's position as Chairman. But that's only because I have no energy for daily board room bickering. I prefer to focus my time and strength on actual work."
"All in favour of Eliza taking over as CEO, say I." Alrik said, and there was a brief moment of hesitation, then a chorus of "I" and hands raised.
"Ninety Percent positive votes. It's settled then. Don't worry about official documentation for the position change. It's already been handled, all that's left is the official announcement. Have a nice day, ladies and gentlemen, while I go sign us a multi million dollar deal. " She smirked and turned to leave, with Alrik right behind her.
"You look so sexy when you're putting them in their place." He whispered to her as they walked to the other meeting room, and she chuckled.
Her grandfather was about to start another round of arguments and complaints, but at that moment, Gaya arrived with her team.
"Ms Mackson, welcome back." Eliza said with a smile as she stretched her arm for a handshake.
"I have the contracts with all the specified terms. All that's left are the appropriate signatures."
"I trust you made the necessary changes I sent to your team via email?" Eiza asked and the others were confused, because they weren't aware of any other changes to the contract."
"Yes. Your new position as CEO of this company was duly noted. And because of that, the executives decided that no other signature is needed except yours, since you're running the company now. The others will only be present and indicated as witnesses." Gaya responded, and Elisa noticed how red her family members were getting.
They must be dying inside to cause trouble and protest what they just heard, but they would never dare speak up with Crestview Group Executives present. They didn't want to lose the partnership.
"Once we're done signing the contracts, I have reporters from various media firms waiting for a short press conference to make the announcement."
"That's fine with me. I'll use the opportunity to announce the other companies on the shortlist for partnership. Yours is the first to be signed. Our CEO has a soft spot for you." Gaya said with a straight face.
With Gaya's military training, no one would ever guess she knew Alrik, or that she was referring to him, due to her straight face, and calm gestures. Elisa smirked, because now she knew that the famous mysterious CEO was her husband.