Template placeholder with Chapter 246
Chapter 246:
The next morning, at the Flynn Group.
Seeing Amelia waiting in the conference room, Ricky suddenly realized the meeting might have something to do with her. He blurted out, “Why are you here instead of taking care of your responsibilities as Mrs. Stewart p>
“Amelia was promised sixty percent of the company’s shares once she married. That’s the reason for today’s board meeting,” Dalia interjected before Amelia could speak.
Ricky’s mood immediately soured after he heard that. He couldn’t hide his resentment for Dalia, though he was powerless to drive her out of the company. With years spent at Katrina’s side, Dalia had earned the respect of nearly everyone at the Flynn Group. After Katrina passed, business partners stuck by Dalia, which explained why she still had a seat in the company even after the old executives were forced out. Firing Dalia would likely send those business relationships crumbling, and Ricky wasn’t willing to risk that.
Ricky brushed off Dalia’s comment and looked straight at Amelia, schooling his expression even as irritation simmered inside. “Owning those shares is really the same as staying on the board. Since we’re family, I don’t see why you should need them p>
Before he could finish, Amelia interjected, “Those shares were my mother’s to begin with. I’m just claiming what she left for me. Why are you saying this? Don’t tell me you never meant for me to have them in the first place, Dad p>
𝖮r𝘨𝖺𝗻𝗂𝘻e yo𝘶𝗋 𝗹i𝗯𝘳𝖺r𝗒 on
Ricky had no intention of handing over the shares, but he couldn’t say that out loud, especially not in front of so many people. Forcing a polite answer, he said, “That’s not true. I always planned for you to have them. It’s only that p>
“You’re saying you’ll let me have the shares, then, Dad p>
Once more, Amelia cut him off. He stared at her with hostility, as if she were not his daughter but his enemy. Her firm resolve left him no room to refuse. At last, he nodded, surrendering the sixty percent to her.
With his reluctant nod, Amelia placed the contract on the table.
Wyatt had instructed Lucian to have everything ready the night before. He had wanted to come with Amelia, but she had chosen to face this alone, so he helped only with the paperwork.
By the terms of the original agreement, the board would oversee the sixty percent, and the shares themselves needed only Ricky’s sign-off for Amelia to assume control.
Refusing to back down, Ricky stared at the contract and tried again. “You don’t have any experience running a business. Owning those shares won’t do you any favors. You’re better off letting the board manage them while you collect the annual payout p>
That last sentence made Amelia think of something. “Dad, speaking of payout, what happened to mine from the last two years p>
A flicker of hesitation crossed Ricky’s eyes. He then answered calmly, “Business has been tough lately. So about those dividends p>
“Let me guess. There are none,” Amelia said, cutting in. “So how does letting the board hold my shares help me at all p>
Ricky wanted to make one last attempt to talk her out of it, but Amelia didn’t give him the chance. “Dad, everyone in Kretol knows my mother left me sixty percent of this company’s shares. Don’t you think people will talk if it looks like you’re taking your own daughter’s inheritance p>
The jab struck a nerve. Without another word, Ricky grabbed the pen and signed with such force that his signature pressed clean through the page. Unfazed, Amelia checked to be sure his signature was valid before adding her own.
With the paperwork complete, the sixty percent officially became hers. Sliding the contract back into her folder, she heard Ricky say, “You’ve got what you came for. You can go now p>
“Not so fast, Dad. There’s still something I need to discuss,” Amelia said.
Ricky said nothing, his eyes sharp and on guard. Amelia continued evenly, “I want to join the company p>
“What would you do here? Aren’t you still working at the Stewart Group?” Ricky interjected before she could finish, his gaze cold.
It wasn’t the transfer of shares that bothered him. As long as his grip on the Flynn Group held, he believed Amelia wouldn’t be able to cause him trouble.
But the thought of her joining the Flynn Group unsettled him so deeply that his whole demeanor shifted.
Watching Ricky’s reaction, Dalia offered a sly smile and said sarcastically, “Mr. Flynn, why are you reacting like that? Amelia is Katrina’s only daughter, and Katrina founded this company. Logically, Amelia would inherit it eventually. Plus, she now holds the largest stake. Isn’t it only right for her to join the company p>
“No way! I don’t agree!” Ricky exclaimed, not even bothering to find an excuse. “I won’t let you do this, Amelia p>