Chapter 20

I straightened my suit and said "Let's get this over with," as I entered the boardroom. The FBI agent's visit, the bug in my office, and Victor's threats were still weighing heavily on me. But I wasn't ready to tell anyone, not yet.

I looked at Emily, who was seated at the head of the table next to Jack. I could feel the strain beneath her calm appearance, even though she appeared cool. She put on a brave front, but I could tell she was still getting used to the fact that this wasn't her world. The fact that several board members obviously weren't impressed by her attendance didn't help either.

"You ready for this?" Quietly, I asked her.

Emily's eyes were steady when she greeted mine. "I have to be."

Jack signaled the beginning of the meeting by standing. "We appreciate everyone's presence today. We're here to discuss the new roles within Monroe Enterprises. As you know, Emily Clark, Henry's daughter, has been named a major shareholder, and today we'll be formally introducing her as a key member of the leadership team."

As Jack spoke, I sensed the tension building in the room. The board members looked at each other, their faces difficult to read, but the conclusion was obvious. Some of them were old-school, loyal to my father's legacy. Furthermore, it wasn't ideal with them to bring in a small-town schoolteacher like Emily.

An older man with a keen eye reclined back in his chair, one of the board members. "Miss Clark," he began, his tone polite but laced with condescension, "we're all very curious to see how someone of your... background will handle the pressures of this company. Teaching children is a completely different world, isn't it?"

There were a few giggles in the room. As I saw Emily's face, I clinched my jaw. I saw her grasp tighten on the chair's armrest, but she didn't flinch. I intervened before she could reply.

"Her background is irrelevant," I stated rudely, my voice piercing the room. "What matters is that she's here now, and she's part of this company. So if anyone has a problem with that, they should probably reconsider their position on this board."

All eyes turned to me as the room fell silent. I didn't give a damn. Let them make the judgment. Let them think what they wanted. I refused to allow anyone to degrade her in my presence.

A woman sitting close to the center of the board cleared her throat. "Of course, Mr. Monroe. We're all just... concerned about the transition. Henry established this business with specific values..."

With a harsh tone, I interrupted, "And those values are still in place. I fully support Emily since she is just as capable as anyone else here. That's all you need to know."

Emily gave me a brief look, her face a mix of surprise and thanks. I nodded subtly to let her know that I was on her side. It was the least I could do.

Jack, sensing the tension, quickly steered the meeting back to business. "We need to talk about a few crucial issues pertaining to future developments. We'll be collaborating closely to make sure the transition goes smoothly when you take on this responsibility, Emily."

I continued to watch the board members as the meeting went on. I wasn't in the mood for their games today, but their subtle jabs and disapproving looks weren't missed. I had enough on my plate with Victor hovering over me and the FBI breathing down my neck.

I was worn out by the end of the meeting. Mentally, not physically. It was eating away at me to keep everything I knew about Victor, the FBI, and the surveillance hidden. I wanted to warn Emily, but I was reluctant to do so. Not quite yet. She was already overloaded.

Emily muttered as we left the conference room, "Thank you for defending me back there. I appreciate it, but I could have handled it."

As we moved down the hallway, I said quietly, "You don't have to put up with their shit. I'll deal with them if they go too far."

Her face softened as she looked at me. "You know that you're not as horrible as you act."

I gave a scoff. "Emily, stop thinking I'm a nice guy. I'm not."

Although it didn't reach her eyes, she smiled. She was obviously still adjusting to everything, including the new responsibilities and the changes. I wasn't making things any easier by keeping her in the dark, and it was a lot.

"Dinner tonight?" In an attempt to change the topic, I asked.

After a moment of hesitation, Emily nodded. "Yes."

We sat at a private restaurant later that night, away from the business and the prying eyes of the media. For a moment, it appeared like we were just two individuals trying to get a handle on the tumultuous condition of our lives, and the discussion was not so heated but rather more easygoing than before.

Checking out the fancy restaurant, Emily said, "I never thought I'd be in a place like this. It's so different from Willow Creek. I feel as though I am living the life of someone else."

After getting a taste of my drink, I answered, "You'll get used to it. Have faith me, this world is as bogus as it looks. All you need to do is play the game."

Emily looked into my eyes, looking for anything. To you, is that all this is? A game?"

Unsure of how to respond, I hesitated. Was it a game? Or had I spent so much time stuck in it that I had lost the ability to differentiate.

My phone buzzed on the table before I could reply. I felt a cold come over me as I looked down.

I don't want Emily among the board.

It was Victor who sent the message.

I was unable to breathe for a moment. Since our last "meeting," Victor had been silent, but I knew better than to assume that he had forgotten. And now he was making demands, demands that targeted Emily.

Trying to keep a straight face, I slipped the phone back into my pocket. Emily appeared to be too preoccupied to notice.

However, my thoughts were racing. Since Victor didn't make empty threats, it was obvious that Emily was in danger if he didn't want her on the board. Real danger. And I was clueless about how to keep her safe without alerting her to the chaos that was brewing behind the scenes.