Page 44 of Her Greek Inheritance
Chapter 17
The Moustakas Shipping Boardroom later that evening…
Leo stood at the head of the table. His father had declined to attend this meeting. Leo couldn’t blame him. Witnessing the company he’d spent his life building fall into the wrong hands was simply too painful. All of the board members were in attendance, as well as Petrinaand Leo’scousin Timon.
Timon was an unwelcome addition. He was his aunt’s son. Leo had never met a more irresponsible human being. The young man was recently released from his second rehab center, having developed a taste for drugs of all kinds in his late teens. At the age of twenty-six, he should have been a productive member of society. Instead he was nothing but a disappointment.
His uncle, serving as the acting director in Vasil’s absence, called the meeting to order. “Gentleman and ladies, we have come to this special board meeting to decide the fate of Alexi Moustakas’ stock certificates. Leo, you were charged with getting them transferred back to the family. Please tell the board the status of this endeavor.”
Leo glared at his uncle. The man knew full well what the status of the stock certificates was and had called this special meeting hoping to force Leo to conform to his will. He took a breath and looked around the room. “As you are aware, Gemma Larsen received the stock certificates from Alexi upon the occasion of his death. She is currently recovering from a near fatal incident, brought on by Petrina Pappas.”
Shocked expressions and muttered exclamations swarmed around the table.
Petrina surged to her feet, her expression outraged. “Lies! He tells lies! I tried to befriend this American whore and this is how I am repaid?”
Leo had endured enough. He pushed the intercom button in front of him. “You can come in now.”
The doors to the boardroom opened and two security guards appeared. “Miss Pappas, you must come with us now.”
As the guards advanced on Petrina, Leo’s uncle stood up, stunned. His face turned a deep purple color. “What is the meaning of this? Take your hands off of my goddaughter this very instant!”
The lead security guard turned. “Sir, I’m sorry to inform you that your goddaughter has been summoned to the police station for further questioning about the incident that took place with Miss Larsen.”
“This is ludicrous!” his uncle screamed.
The entire room erupted.
Leo slammed his hand down on the table to gain their attention. “Fine. Petrina may stay until this situation is resolved, but she will answer for her crimes.” He gestured towards a chair in the far corner. “Take her there and make sure she stays quiet.”
He turned his attention back to the actual board members. “Miss Larsen is aware that the stock certificates now belong to her.”
“Is she prepared to sign them over?” his uncle demanded.
Leo shook his head. “No one has asked her to and no one will. They are hers as my brother wished.”
Several senior board members looked ready to have heart attacks.
One of them finally found his voice. “Leo, the original deal was that you would either recover the stock certificates or marry Petrina, securing her uncle’s stock as your own. We understand that Petrina is no longer suitable as a wife for you... But we feel that as the head of a company, we would be best served if you were forced to settle down.” The man looked at his fellow board members and then baldly stated, “Therefore, you shall either marry this American to secure her stock votes, or convince her to sign them over to you.”
Leo was furious with their narrow-minded options. “Neither option is acceptable.”
The man continued as if he hadn’t heard Leo speak. “You’ve had ample time to complete the task set before you. One of the two conditions must be met by the end of the week.”
“Or what?” he challenged them.
His uncle spoke up. “Or Timon will immediately receive my share of stock, giving him a controlling interest in the company.”
Leo was aghast. “You would jeopardize the entire company to get your way?”
“In a heartbeat.”
Leo looked around the room, shaking his head. “I was hoping you all could see reason, but since you can’t…I request that you distribute my shares and hope like hell Timon doesn’t run this company into the ground before the year’s out.Theós!”
His uncle stared at him. “You would give up all of your wealth and claim to your family fortune for a female?”
Leo nodded. “I would. I will not be involved in coercing her to do anything. She is a Goddess among women, a truetheá.I will not disrespect her any more than I already have.”
The room grew silent. Leo waited to hear the board members respond to his statement. There was murmuring amongst them.