Chapter One Hundred and Twelve - Fighting for Mel

My father-in-law, called the impromptu board meeting to order on behalf of Adian.

"Good day, ladies, gentleman!" Ryan greeted us, while I nervously tapped my fingers on the glass table top of the boardroom that is linked to the CEO'S office. Adian's office.

As Ryan conducted the opening remarks, I listened realizing that this, being in charge thing is not who I am.

Adian's hands softly clamps down on my tapping fingers, then my right foot automatically started tapping the floor.

"Really?" Adian leans forward and whispers, with a smirk directed at me.

I always felt like this before a debate, but today it's not about credits for an exam, I stared down the end of the glass table where Mel sat beside Caleb, head bowed, appearing as uncomfortable as she claims to be.

"You're up!" Adian whispers softly as I stared at the notes I scribbled down just before the meeting, but looking around the bland expressions that were now focused on me, I feel lost. Then I reminded myself, this is not just about me, but about another person, just like me.

Taking a deep breath, I felt as if I am standing on a stage in front of the entire student body to argue for a trophy.

Lifting my head, looking around the table making eye contact with every board member present, nodding at uncle Allan.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman!" I paused, aware that I still haven't captivated my audience. FUCK!

Everything I learnt at school went out of my head!

"I.. I uh.." I stutter my eyes on my notes, realizing this isn't school and I'm not trying to pass an exam!

Smiling, I glance briefly at Mel, straightened myself, standing poised and confident ready to do battle with the man and woman who forced me to call this meeting.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentleman, thank you for attending this impromptu meeting!" Chuckling lightly, "I can honestly say that being a SullaKnights, will forced me to call many more meetings like this to justify myself against the haters out there" I paused taking a deep breath, suddenly wishing I had the sides of a podium to hold on to, while I hear light chuckles around.

"If I'm being attacked, I can throw it over my shoulder as I have been doing since I was fourteen. Let me assure you that I can kick some serious ass if I have to, but today it's not about me." I took another pause staring at Mel and I remember Emmy and the other kids that the elites prefer to keep down!

Frowning, I looked around the table, resting my eyes on the top of my husband's bent, whose head is bent concentrating on the pencil he twiddles between his fingers.

"Today it's about the advantages that is taken on persons when they don't fall at the feet of others who consider themselves to be their superior." Breathing in, I continued, "Which brings me to the purpose of this meeting. I have made a decision that is being opposed and threats are being made to undermine Sullaknights, if I don't comply with Corporate Terrorists. I refuse to start my career, at this firm, under these conditions. For this reason and this reason only, I have decided to make an early stand or as we say, put my foot down."

"I hired a woman, whose estranged from her husband of three years. The said woman's husband started a company two years ago and during this time he started an extramarital affair with a woman, whose now a board member of Knights Foundation." I paused, resting my palms flat on the glass table and I felt Adian's hand cover mines, giving me a gentle squeeze.

"Because I have hired this woman to work by my side, threats have been made by her estranged husband and his mistress to undermine Sullaknights by accusing her of fraud, hence suggesting that Sullaknights isn't stable and we're working with thieves." I stopped, now looking at the confused faces around me.

"I can assure you that I stand by her side and should any issues arise because she is working with me, it should be brought to this table and not behind my back." I tapped my pencil, "any questions?" I asked.

One hand raised and by the expression on the man's face, I sense that he has already been compromise and that gives me a chilly feeling. From the corner of my eye, I see Adian sit up straight, heads turned towards the man, whose name I don't know.

With a smug smirk, he focuses directly at Mel, "I am aware of this woman," he says, finger quoting the word woman, and I know for a fact that even her husband refused to hired her because of her as he calls it, her sticky fingers," he says again using quotes.

Mel flinches at that comment but I am determined to fight for her. If I don't we both lose!

Smiling, "go on" I said encouraging him to continue. He's seems surprise that I am not intimidated by what he is insinuating. I cannot allow him to see I am thrown off by the fact, they already reached out to a board member.

Sitting down, "that's all I have to say." he says, his smug smile returning.

Looking around the table, "anyone else?" I continued with the open floor.

Standing up again, the man looks furious, "aren't you going to deal with my take on the matter?" he says between clench teeth.

Adian pushes his chair and stand up, facing the man, "Gomez, I will not tolerate that tone in my boardroom. If you have a problem bring it, because what you just contribute to this meeting so far is plain ole gossip and I assure I know exactly what position you were in, when you were fed those lies." Adian stands, challenging the man, I now know to be Gomez.

Gomez nervously nods at Adian.