Chapter Twenty-One

In the opulent, glass-walled conference room of RX hotels, the atmosphere buzzed with impatience. The board members and shareholders, clad in crisp suits, sat around a long, polished table, their eyes flickering to the clock as the minutes ticked by. Mae's absence had already stretched ten minutes past the meeting's scheduled start time, and murmurs of discontent rippled through the room.

"Caleb, where's your daughter?" one shareholder grumbled, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Is she going to keep us waiting just because she knows we can't move forward without her?" another added.

"She's on her way," Caleb replied, his tone steady but tinged with the frustration of the situation.

"Where's Ethan?" Alex inquired, glancing at the empty seat beside Caleb.

"He went to fetch Mae," Ella answered, arms crossed with a faint smirk on her face.

"Caleb, we can't keep sitting here like this, waiting for someone who clearly doesn't respect our time," one of the shareholders snapped just as Mae breezed into the room.

"You all are such hypocrites," Mae's voice cut through the tension. "Do you not spend your days idly while other people do all the dirty work? What's wrong with making you wait a bit for once?"

"Caleb, control your daughter," another shareholder muttered.

"She does whatever she wants," Caleb said, a weary edge in his voice.

Ethan entered quietly, taking his seat beside Mae, who stood confidently at the head of the table. The room fell into an uneasy silence.

Brooke's eyes lingered on Mae. She looks even more stunning than I remember, she thought, feeling an unexpected pang of anxiety. Her mind flashed back to high school—Mae had always been a force, a wild card that no one wanted to mess with. Brooke hoped, for her sake, that Mae hadn't dug too deep into the past.

"I've been away for just three months, and in that time, you've managed to screw everything up," Mae began, clapping her hands with mock delight. "I have to admit, I'm impressed you all lasted this long without me. Quite an achievement, really."

"Are you mocking us, Caleb?" one shareholder hissed.

"Just listen to her," Caleb urged, eyes focused on his daughter.

Shaun, sitting across the table, was already on edge. "Stop acting like you're here to save us. Your family made the mess in the first place."

Mae raised an eyebrow, her tone icy. "And what mess exactly did my family make?"

"Your brother took a lot of money from the hotel and disappeared."

"Where's your evidence for this 'theory'?" Mae challenged, crossing her arms.

"He went missing the day after a large sum went missing from the hotel," Shaun pressed.

Mae tilted her head, considering the claim. "Sometimes I wonder what your father saw in you that made him think handing over his company was a good idea? What do you think huh?"

"Don't insult me, Mae," Shaun snapped.

"Then don't insult my brother."

"We didn't come here to watch you two bicker like children," one of the shareholders muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Then let's get to the point," Mae said coolly, cutting through the tension. "You came here to see if your little cover is blown yet."

A murmur ran through the room. "What are you talking about?" another shareholder asked.

Mae leaned forward. "I have a deal for you. If I can prove my brother's innocence, you're all going to invest in my next project—but at a loss."

"At a loss?" Alex asked, incredulous.

"You can't prove he's innocent," one of the shareholders said, shaking his head.

Mae smiled, unfazed. "That means we have a deal, right?"

After a moment of tense silence, Alex spoke up. "Fine. It's a deal. But if you can't prove it, then you'll forfeit your shares in the company."

"Deal," Mae agreed without hesitation.

"Mae, don't—" Caleb started, but she waved him off.

"Don't worry, Father. I'll make them regret ever doubting Michael." She turned to face the room, her expression unwavering.

"Do you have any evidence?" one shareholder asked, narrowing his eyes.

Mae grinned. "According to all of you, Michael gave the approval for the transaction, right?"

They nodded, slightly confused.

"But did you ever stop to think why he gave that approval, or what he was actually approving?" Mae pressed.

Just then, Becca entered the room with a stack of files, distributing them to everyone. Mae motioned for them to look through the documents.

"What's this?" one of the shareholders asked, flipping through the papers.

"You were all so eager to blame someone, while I did a bit of digging," Mae explained. "Those files contain a list of items Michael had intended to buy—advanced technologies for the hotel. Voice recognition, augmented reality watches, facial recognition, all of it."

The room grew silent as they read through the pages.

"He went ahead with the purchase after I left, and Becca helped him. You see, only the three of us knew about this project. The missing money? It was meant to pay for these technologies."

"What does this have to do with the money?" one shareholder asked, still unconvinced.

Mae glanced at Becca, who silently distributed another batch of files.

"These files show the project Michael and I were working on together. The money was supposed to pay for the tech upgrades—something he was planning before he left. But someone screwed up the transaction and sent it to the wrong account."

A gasp rippled through the room.

"Are you telling us that the missing money was a mistake?" another shareholder asked, his tone skeptical.

"I've got a little surprise for you," Mae said with a sly smile. "Ivan Reynolds, the CEO of SMART Technologies, should be calling in right about now."

A video call flickered to life on the wall-mounted screen, revealing a man with neatly combed coffee-brown hair and piercing ice-blue eyes.

"That's Reynolds!" one of the shareholders murmured.

Mae's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Ivan, can you hear me?"

"I can, Mae. Been a while," Ivan said, his voice warm.

"Everyone, this is Ivan Reynolds. Ivan, these are the shareholders of my father's company," Mae introduced, her eyes flicking to the room as they exchanged curious glances.

"Hi, everyone," Ivan said, waving casually.

"Ivan, I need you to tell everyone about the discussions you had with Michael recently. Since he's not here, they'd like to know what's been going on," Mae prompted.

"Well, Michael came to me last month wanting to upgrade the hotel with new technology," Ivan began. "He ordered a lot of things—voice control devices, augmented reality watches, the works. We were planning on installation next month, but we haven't finalized the details yet."

"So, Michael made a purchase from you?" Mae pressed.

"Yes, but—" Ivan started, only to be interrupted by Shaun.

"Did he pay you for it?" Shaun demanded.

"I don't disclose my client's information," Ivan replied diplomatically.

"It's fine, Ivan," Mae said smoothly. "Tell them you haven't been paid yet."

The shareholders exchanged uneasy glances.

"You're trying to prove something that can't be proved," Shaun sneered.

Mae shot him a cold look. "If you turn to the last page of the files Becca handed out, you'll see that Michael authorized the payment to SMART Technologies. But someone messed up and sent the funds to the wrong account."

The shareholders flipped to the final page, eyes widening.

"What does this mean?" one asked, disbelief in his voice.

"It means someone here is responsible for the mistake that caused you to lose hundreds of millions," Mae replied.

The room fell into tense silence. The fear in the eyes of a few shareholders was palpable.

Brooke, quiet until now, felt her heart hammering in her chest. She knew this moment was crucial—she couldn't afford to be found out.

"I think you all need to make a choice," Mae said, her tone shifting to one of authority. "If you want my help, you're going to have to sign over two percent of your shares to me—and the CEO position."

"You can't be serious," one shareholder scoffed.

"I'm serious," Mae replied, her voice calm and unyielding. "I'm not asking. If you want my help recovering that money, this is the price."

"You're out of your mind," another muttered.

"I'm not forcing anyone," Mae said, Becca handing out the papers for them to sign. "You make the decision. But remember, the money you lost is the profit from the last quarter. You can figure out how to recover that loss on your own, or you can accept my terms."

As the shareholders read through the contract, the room fell into a heavy silence. One by one, they picked up their pens.

"If we do this and you can't get the money back," one of the shareholders asked, his voice tight, "what happens then?"

"Then you can have my family's shares," Mae replied, a wicked grin forming on her lips.

"You're confident for someone so young," another said, his voice dripping with skepticism.

Mae chuckled. "You'd be surprised what I'm capable of."

The papers were signed, one by one, and Becca collected them with an efficiency that made the shareholders squirm.

"Now that the deal is done," Mae said, standing tall. "I'll keep my promise. The money has been returned—with a thirty percent interest rate."

Gasps echoed around the room as the shareholders read through the documents.

"How did you manage that?" one asked, barely able to comprehend the situation.

"I have my ways," Mae said, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied smile.

"What about the thirty percent?" someone asked.

"It's a gift from the company that screwed up the transaction," Mae said casually. "Don't ask questions. Just know it worked out in our favor."

The room went silent, the weight of the revelation settling in. Mae had not only saved her brother's reputation, but she had also turned the situation in her favor, and she wasn't done yet.

"By the way," Mae added as she stood to leave, "I now hold the most shares, which means I call the shots around here. The next time you think about slandering my family name, remember this moment."

"I like her," Alex thought, watching her with a newfound respect.

"Meeting adjourned. All board members, please stay behind," Mae said as the shareholders stood and filed out of the room, leaving Caleb, Alex, Shaun, Ethan, and a visibly rattled Brooke behind.

"Do you mind?" Mae asked, gesturing to Ella and Brooke.

Ella immediately rose and left, but Brooke stayed rooted to her chair, eyes darting nervously toward Mae. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was the next target.

Without a word, Brooke quickly stood and exited, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

"That was... impressive, Mae," Alex said with a smile, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

"Thanks, Uncle Alex," Mae responded sweetly, her tone light but carrying an edge of satisfaction.

Shaun, who had been seething quietly, couldn't hold it in any longer. "Father, why are you praising her? She just blackmailed them. There was nothing impressive about that."

"And yet, she accomplished something you could only dream of," Alex retorted, his voice carrying a sharpness that left Shaun silent for a moment.

"Father!" Shaun's voice rose in protest, but Alex didn't budge, his gaze steady.

Ethan, who had been quietly observing the interaction, turned his attention to Mae. His expression softened as he took her in—she was four months pregnant now, yet she moved with the same fierce confidence she always had. She had just manipulated the most powerful shareholders of the country's best hotel with an ease that was nothing short of extraordinary. Ethan had underestimated her strength, but now, watching her, he couldn't help but be in awe. 

She was everything a man could ask for: beautiful, intelligent, capable. Yet, despite the admiration, a deep resentment churned within him. He hated her, but he couldn't ignore the pull he felt, the deep ache in his chest. His heart still clung to the idea of her, even as his mind recoiled. He was falling in love with someone else—her best friend, who was nothing but an ambitious pawn in Shaun's game. He had to wonder what would become of their fractured relationship after the babies were born. Mae had already moved on, already set her sights on someone new, and right now, she couldn't stand him. Ethan's thoughts spiraled—he couldn't bear the idea of their children growing up in a house where both parents loathed each other. 

He needed to make things right with Mae, but the truth was, he couldn't get past the resentment he felt toward her.

"Ethan, are you okay?" Alex's voice pulled him from his thoughts. The older man was eyeing him with concern.

"I'm fine," Ethan replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Mae, you look pale. You've also put on weight," Caleb remarked, his words laced with his usual bluntness.

"Dad, you're at it again," Mae whined, rolling her eyes as she playfully waved him off.

"No, Mae, I mean it. You've gained a lot of weight," Caleb insisted, his tone more serious than before.

"Caleb, stop treating her like she's still a little girl," Alex intervened, his voice firm.

Mae glanced at her uncle with a grateful smile. "Help me tell him, Uncle Alex."

Shaun, who had been quietly simmering in the background, finally stood up, a scowl on his face. "I'm leaving," he said curtly, making his way toward the door.

"Bye," Mae said, her voice casual as she waved him off without a second glance.

As the door clicked shut behind Shaun, Caleb turned his attention back to Ethan. "Ethan, are you taking good care of my daughter?"

Mae grinned, answering for him. "Ethan's taking good care of me, Dad."

"You look different, Mae," Caleb said, his gaze lingering on her.

"Of course, I look different. I'm married now," Mae replied, her smile a mixture of pride and defiance.

"I know, but..." Caleb trailed off, as if unsure of how to express his concern.

"But nothing, Dad. I'm fine," Mae cut him off, her voice firm yet affectionate.

Caleb sighed. "Fine, I'll let you be for now."

"Dad, I really have to go. I've got something important to do," Mae said, glancing at her watch.

"Okay, you can leave," Caleb said, offering her a warm smile.

"Thanks, Dad," Mae said as she leaned down to kiss him on the cheek. She then turned to Ethan, her smile softening. "Love, I'll see you at home. Don't stay out late again, okay?" she said, pressing a kiss to his lips before walking toward the door.

Alex watched her leave with a smile. "She's still an amazing young lady."

"Yes, she is," Caleb agreed, his gaze following her as she disappeared down the hallway.

Ethan, who had been watching Mae leave, stood up from his seat. "I also have to go," he said, his voice a little strained.

"Okay, Ethan. Make sure you don't work late tonight," Alex said, his tone a touch more authoritative.

"I won't, Father," Ethan said, offering a brief nod before he walked out of the room.

"They're a perfect match," Caleb murmured as the door clicked shut behind Ethan.

"Yeah, I'm so happy that she found someone she loves so much," Alex agreed, his voice soft with affection.

Caleb nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Seeing them happy makes me happy."

"Yeah," Alex replied, the two of them sharing a moment of silent understanding, watching as the door swung closed.