Page 14 of Bliss with a Billionaire

Mitchell nodded as he rose along with Mike. “Let me know what you come up with, and I’ll run new numbers to see where we’re at. Try to stay positive. You’re not out yet.”

Yet. It was likely only a matter of time now. Even the most liberal estimates logged this as a loss for him. And he had only hours to fix this. By the day’s end, the company would no longer be his, most likely.

He drummed his fingers on the desk as he stared at the list, preparing himself for another long set of hours begging for help.

He tossed it down on the desk before he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and toggled to Julia’s text message.Lydia got her twenty-five percent. Board meeting tonight at seven. I probably won’t see you until after.

He waited for a few minutes, hoping she’d answer and offer him something to latch on to, but nothing appeared. She must be busy with Kyle. At least, that was his hope. He worried Lydia had showed up at the hospital again to gloat about her latest conquest.

With no helpful words from Julia to get him through, he began placing his calls, explaining his side, making promises, and reassuring people. He checked off two of his maybes, but two others refused to give him their definitely support.

With a sigh, he put question marks by their name, his mind adding up the percentages in a race to a majority.

He was nowhere close to a sure win. He slumped in his chair as his phone rang. With a desperate hope that it was Julia, he snatched it only to find Mike’s number.

“Mike? Good news, I hope?”

“Sorry, probably not.”

“Please don’t tell me that she’s gotten another five percent,” he said with a disgusted sigh.

“DG Industries stopped buying at twenty-five percent. But we’ve got another development.”

Grant pinched his eyebrows tighter as Mike continued. “We’re tracking another company that’s quietly amassing a significant portion of stock.”

“What?” Grant barked out. “What company?”

“Julex,” Mike answered. “They’ve emerged from nowhere, aggressively buying up shares. This is a coordinated strike, likely exploiting loopholes we hadn’t anticipated. Their sudden involvement could not only swing the vote, but set a precedent for hostiles takeovers.”

“How much do they have?”

“They’ve bought five percent in an hour and show no signs of slowing.”

Grant’s stomach twisted into a tight knot. “This has to be her. She’s buying under another company, probably for legal reasons.”

“That would put her at thirty percent and climbing.”

Grant hung his head, his chin touching his chest. “Keep an eye on it. Let me know what develops.”

Grant poked at the end call button with a disgusted sigh as he tossed his phone onto the desk. If Lydia had over thirty percent, his chances of maintaining CEO were dwindling. He summoned the energy to make the last few phone calls he had, but even with their support, he likely couldn’t win.

A text update from Mike put Julex up another five percent. He huffed out a sigh as he realized Lydia now owned over one-third of his company.

Julia finally returned his text.Sorry, settling Kyle at home. Where are you at with your stock buyback?

He chewed his lower lip as he stared at the message. His stomach flipped as he typed back his response.We stalled at nineteen. I think she’s buying with another company. She has over a third.

His display died before she answered, and he slid his eyes closed before he discarded the device on his desk and crossed to his wet bar to pour himself a bourbon.

He settled in his chair and nursed it, the realization that he was spending his last few hours in this office suddenly apparent.

The sun sank below the horizon and the lights–lights provided by Harrington Global–blinked on across the city. He stared at them until Evie knocked lightly at the door. “Mr. Harrington,” she said, her voice just above a whisper, “the board is ready for you.”

He slid his eyes closed, gathering himself. He’d still fight, but he was prepared to lose. As he rose, he checked his messages, hoping to find something encouraging from Julia, but he found nothing.

It wasn’t a surprise. There was nothing to say. She could do the math as well as he could. They were on the losing end.

He adjusted his cufflink after sliding on his jacket again and striding from the room. Mike Donovan waited for him outside of the boardroom. He leaned closer as Grant stood outside of the double doors. “Julex amassed twenty-five percent before closing bell.”