Book 2: Chapter 43

What could I expect? I was just a rookie against these experienced magnates. No matter how I explained it to all of them, no one would agree that Mr. Ian had ill intentions against the company.

"When can I meet this, Mr. Ian?" I asked in a frustrated tone. It had already been an hour since the meeting started, but he still did not arrive.

"He is currently trouble-shooting in one of our companies. Ever since Mr. Grey's resignation spread around, we are already facing lots of problems."

Just as I got this answer, Atty. Evarez phone buzzed out and rotated on top of the glass table. He tilted his face and glanced at me before he stood up to answer the call. Not even a minute passed when he came back with an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Ian sends us his apology. He could not make it today."

No one seemed to appear frustrated more than I was. They were just chatting casually and even throwing jokes as if they were not leaving the company. I bet all of them would then be investing at Riddance Corporation. And I could only guess that Mr. Ian would then announce a company merger to save TAG Corporation.

I looked at Mr. Louie, the only investor who declared that he would be selling his share to Eric. His glasses were so dark and thick that I could not read his expression. Marveling at his mysterious behavior, I called up his attention.

"Mr. Louie, why aren't you selling your share to Riddance Corporation, instead?"

"I have already given my word, Dr. Grey. And our papers are almost ready."

I lifted my eyes and glanced at Atty. Evarez with a questioning gaze, but he returned my gaze in a calm expression. I was almost tempted to give in to hysteria, but I knew I could not hold their decisions. That was their money, anyway. It was such an irony to know that these people looked at this business as if they were into a mere child's play while I was dying with remorse. I failed not only my grandfather but also ruined the image of the legendary Anita Grey.

When everyone went home, Atty. Evarez chose to stay. And just as I expected, he tried to talk to me about selling my share to Mr. Ian and make him rule over the company. I felt so small at that moment, being too powerless to defend the company that my forefather worked so hard for. I didn't listen to everyone's advice, and instead, let impulse and emotion rule my decision.

"You know, Dr. Grey, I don't trust Mr. Louie. Ever since he came to the company, he seemed to be very aloof. No matter how I tried to talk to him about selling his share instead to Mr. Ian or to you, he never budged."

"How long is he in the company?"

"About a years ago."

"What else is your opinion about this situation?"

"He is Mr. Martela's man. Mr. Martela is trying to penetrate the business through Mr. Louie because he already knows your real identity."

I froze for a moment, my mouth hanging open. But why was Eric receiving a threat from Mr. Ian?

"Atty. Evarez, can't the board of directors stop him?"

Atty. Evarez's expression dropped, and he slowly shook his head.

"Sadly, the selling of share to another investor is not stated in the company's articles of association. It's too late to change them now. When Mr. Thomas and Mr. Sean ran the company, no shareholder would ever think of transferring his share to somebody else."

My goodness! How could I face my ancestors if ever there would be a time of reckoning?

"Then how did you meet Eric, and why do you suspect him now?"

Atty. Evarez did not answer me. He reached out for his leather briefcase and pulled out a brown envelope. That mystery in his action sent out my heartbeats into a race again until it abruptly stopped when he laid out the sheets before me.

"Marriage annulment of Sean and me?" I exclaimed, my eyes growing large. "When is this happening? I didn't sign any paper!"

"Adultery should have been your ground for annulment application, right?"

"No! This can't be happening. I admit I was planning to file a divorce, but I haven't even talked to a lawyer yet!"

I then understood that there was a conspiracy. If Eric was into this, he was not alone. I didn't think his personal motive could suffice. If this were not about a conspiracy, the investors would not have come up with such a rushed decision to sell their shares to Mr. Ian. Fortunately, they were all aware of this—except me.

"That director of the Civil Registry who offered to facilitate your marriage license was a fake person."

I gasped loudly, and my knees started to tremble. Someone was preventing our marriage from happening!

"How did you know all these?"

"I sent someone to investigate on behalf of Mr. Grey."

I stared at Atty. Evarez without blinking. Those pieces of incidents started to fit together in my mind making me realize that someone had wanted to take over the company. But who?

"What will be happening to the company?" I asked, my lips were already quivering.

"It's easy, Dr. Red. Marry Mr. Martela, and both your shares combined will be enough to keep the company running."

"Does it mean that this Mr. Ian is the conspirator's accomplice so that they can fully take over?"

"I can't disclose anything I am also not sure of. But if you ask me, I think it would still be best to trust the BOD's choice."

I slumped in my chair, my strength leaving me. All of a sudden, my vision blurred, and the surroundings start spinning. It was slow at first, but then it went faster that all I could do was brace myself from falling down the chair. Then, I felt a gush of sticky fluid from my vagina, and I knew it was blood.

This was what I feared so much. Ever since my depression from learning that Sean was having an affair with Calla, the surprise of being the heiress to such massive wealth, the deception, the conspiracy—all of these were more than enough to shed the life of a helpless fetus inside my womb.

"My baby!" I started to wail from the top of my lungs, pouring out the pain of losing the only reason for my existence.

I didn't know what happened next. Everything went black, and I lost consciousness.