"No hospitals!'

"Do you have anything to say?" The chairman asked. The meeting had been going on for a while, and the disagreement was still not resolved. 

The plan was to build an amusement park. The biggest park in the entire country. They didn't want to rely on investors alone because they wanted the company to have the upper hand in everything. They were to source funds from within the company, and some of the shareholders were suggesting laying off some workers, while others adamantly wanted to bring in large investors.

Everyone waited for her input. Some were not looking forward to what she was going to say because they knew her all too well. She was skilled at locating investors and resolving major issues that threatened the company's survival, but when it came to giving her opinion on financial matters, they dreaded her advice.

She massaged her temples and gently took off her glasses. The light made her wince, but after blinking a few times, she adjusted and fixed the stationary mic on the table in front of her.

"No employee will be laid off," She started and saw the frowns and glares sent at her. 

"I think everyone here has enjoyed a lot of benefits from the company. You can donate up to 80 percent of your monthly allowance for the next few months. I'm sure the other 20 percent is enough for—"

"WHAT NONSENSE!" A man interrupted. 

"I'm not done talking." She replied calmly, ignoring all the murmurs of disagreement that were increasing every minute. She had noticed that the men in this company were very good at disrespecting women. They were allowed to talk but as soon as a woman says something, they want her to sit down and shut up, even going as far as interrupting her rudely, and no one would say anything about it.

"When the project is finally successful, we have to focus on the company, and instead of giving the employees a bonus during the festive periods alone, I would suggest their salaries are raised while those of the shareholders need to be adjusted—"

"OUR FUNDS SHOULD BE CUT DOWN AND GIVEN TO MERE EMPLOYEES?" Her stepmother's brother, Partick, asked, standing up.

"YOU WILL NOT TALK ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES LIKE THAT!" Grace slapped her hand on the table angrily. "They work their asses off and do their best for this company. All you do is wear mismatched colours and prance around like a clueless prince. Do you think you would have been here if it weren't for your big sister, Mr. Bernie?" 

"ENOUGH!" Carla interjected angrily. 

"20 percent of your allowance is 10 times higher than what the employees here earn monthly. If you are smart, you will accept that this is good for everyone. As soon as the park is established, your profit will grow 20 times and you'll earn according to your investments." She flashed a fake smile at everyone. "And I happen to have access to financial records. Past. Present. And future records." 

She looked at Vincent, who was fuming in anger. If looks could kill, she would have died. 

When their disagreement grew heavier and people were throwing words at Grace, who was giving them a 'whatever you say' look. Eventually, another meeting was scheduled to be held the following week. As soon as the chairman stood up and dismissed them, Grace stood up, gathering her things to head out. Her head felt a hundred times heavier and everything was beginning to spin.

"Can I have a word with you?" Her father asked quietly. 

'Why did you choose this? There are a lot of things you can be and I will support you. Why do you want the company? You can go to any country you want and do whatever you want...' 

Yes, those had been her father's words to her. Even after years had passed, he continued to try to discourage her from aiming for his position. And she didn't want to have that kind of conversation with him anymore. 

"No. You can't." Even if she was mad at him, she said it quietly so people wouldn't hear.

"You don't look okay." He noted but she quickly turned and left the boardroom.

She tried to keep her eyes on her surroundings as she headed towards her office, but the headache and eye pain were not helping plus she could hear people approaching her and one of them was Vincent. She didn't want to deal with them now. Thankfully, she caught sight of a familiar figure when the elevator opened. It was just him inside. 

"O43..." She called weakly. 

"Miss Anderson! Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes wide with panic as he reached to carry her bag and the document in her hand. 

She stumbled into the elevator and quickly pressed the button that would lead them to their floor before the others could catch up.

 "You don't look fine, miss Anderson. Should I cal–"

"I... think I am going to pass out." She said breathlessly. "I... want to... trust... you to t-take... me... to my off-ice... safely without... anyone noticing. Can... I?" 

How was he supposed to do that? He was slightly panicked seeing how badly she looked, and even though he wasn't sure he would succeed in that mission, he nodded.  

"If... you touch me inap-propriately... I..."

"I swear, I won't do anything. Should I call an ambulance?"

She shook her head. "No hospitals." 

That was going to cause a lot of ruckus and scandal. By the time she woke up, news outlets would have finished distributing the news that she was 5 months pregnant for a strange man and planning to elope to another country.

"But... HEY!" He dropped her bag and the document to catch her when he noticed she had passed out and was falling.