My shoulders slumped as I huffed out a breath, “I did get married, you know how shitty that ended.” I stated as a matter of fact. “I am still having trouble with the said family. Do you really want me to go through that again? All over?” I’ve made a promise to myself after divorcing James that I will never marry anyone again-romance and dating is entirely out of the question as well. But here we are, my father asking me to go back to the hell hole that’s married life.
He sighed as well, sitting up as he reached his hand out to meet mine. “Not all men are bad,” His voice softened up. “I’m certain you’ll find a good man. Surgery or not, I will die one day. Do you really want to stay alone?”
“I have Amy.” I tried to reason.
He gave me a deadpanned look. “She’ll marry and have her own family one day.”
“I have Anderson then,” My gaze flicked to the assistant that still had his gaze pinned to the TV, but the stiffening of his shoulders upon my mention of him showed he’s listening in. I then met my father’s gaze. “He is single, and living his life as well.”
“He’s as old as I am, and might wind up dead earlier than me.” Though my father’s words were facts, I could still sense the humor in his tone. When he saw my shoulders slump, he sighed as well, then continued. “What I am trying to say is, you can’t rely on us, and those around you. Find someone for yourself,” I looked away, not wanting his words to get to me because I’ve made up my mind-at least, till he added. “plus, I won’t leave the company in the hands of someone single.”
“What?!” I snapped my gaze to his so fast, I nearly had a whiplash. Oh, hell no.
Chapter Thirty-Seven “Shareholders’ Meeting”.
Isabella Montague.
Montague Group’s main Head quarter is in England. However, due to the massive growth as it expanded into the American market, another head quarter akin to the England one was built in America-though it comes second of course. It oversees the activities of all the subsidiaries of Montague Group in the States, and that is where the meeting will be held.
The Montague Group 36th Shareholders’ meeting was set to start at exactly 11:00AM, no waste of time whatsoever. As such, thirty minutes’ prior, cars were already pulling up in front of the massive building, stock holders trooping out of their vehicles and making their way in as they were welcomed with the highest hospitality.
My own car pulled up at exactly 10:40AM, twenty minutes to the set time. I intentionally decided to arrive at that moment, unwilling to spend more time with the people there than necessary. Twenty minutes is enough time for me to go in and greet those that matter, before the event kicks in full force.
And as the car came to a halt, I took in a small breath as the door was opened for me, and I am instantly welcomed by the flashes of camera from the reporters there. You would think since it is a closed door meeting considering the importance of it, the information would be keep under the lid.
Quite the opposite. Someone tipped the reporter’s off about the meeting, and considering this involves who would take over one of the conglomerates, of course they would make an attempt in order to get the first news, but it is already known whom it had all simmered down to.
Sebastian Montague. Alexander Montague. And, Isabella Montague.
One of the three siblings of the Montague Group will step out of these doors as the new Chairman-or Chairwoman of the conglomerate, of course, the information would hit the news and make it all fly off the chart.
My heels made contact with the ground first, before I emerged from the car, instantly blinded by the flashing lights. Luckily, I had thought to put on my shades, so the flashes won’t cause any harm to my eyes. From the corner of my eyes, I watched as Amy stepped out of the passenger’s seat as well, before coming to stand beside me, and together, with me leading, we trudged into the massive building-unbothered by the flashing cameras and questions thrown from the reporter looking for something to write in their articles.
Inside, I was welcomed by the staff at the entrance, tasked with welcoming with all the stock holders that make an appearance. However, upon noticing me, they seemed to have become more proactive, offering wide smiles as if that would make the day magically better. Truth be told, they are simply lobbying around hoping to be on the good side of whoever emerges as the winner, and I don’t blame them. Only, I have too much on my mind that they were the least of my concerns.
I maneuvered my way around to the ground hall set out for the meeting, where almost all the shareholders, interacting with each other and discussing about what is about to unravel. Those that noticed my presence-almost all of whom I had met over the past few days in hopes of getting them on my side, only to get turned down, offered me smile, while others simply followed me with their gazes.
I ignored them, spotting familiar faces I am interested in and then making my way towards the small group, Amy still in tow. Once I had reached the front seats, my lips slanted into a small smile upon reaching my target. “Dad.” I called out softly.
My father turned around from the little group he was conversing with, and the minute his gaze met mine, he offered me a wide grin. “Vivien.” He extended his arm out, holding me in a small embrace which I had returned. “Are you ready?” He inquired, his smile never wavering. If this was on a normal occasion, I wouldn’t be worried, however, there has never been a time where my father’s smile is unsettling like at this moment.
Still, I flashed him a smile of my own. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” I know what I have, and I am confident in it. My father, no, I am not so confident in him about this.
Especially not with that chuckle of his that followed as he nodded, “Very well.” He grinned, then turned around to the small group he was with. “Gentlemen, you remember my daughter, Isabella Vivien?”
The small group of old shareholders-the one I haven’t been able to get a hold of, or more like I have no tried because it is a hopeless case, they are on my father’s side no matter what, nothing will sway that-stared back at me with small smiles, a cordial, and professional ones.
“Of course.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.