At least half of the board members, including Dr. Tramell, immediately spring to their feet in disgust and outrage.
But I was expecting this.
I am more surprised, and pleased, that the other half remain where they are. Some are still reading through the file, appearing genuinely shocked and appalled. Others simply seem intrigued or at least, interested enough to see where this is going.
“Sit down,” Lionzio’s bellow freezes the Alphas who are readying to leave.
The hairs rise on the back of my neck.
Lionzio doesn’t need a gun to sound dangerous.
His rage burns through the bond.
“Thank you,” I say, quietly. “Either you accept this — and me as the company’s new owner — or I present this information to the authorities and allow them to take every single member of you down along with the hotel.”
“Nonsense,” Dr. Tramell blusters.
But the other Alphas have paled.
“You must have known that this was going on. You have a duty of due diligence.”
“You still can’t force this.” Dr. Tramell shakes his head. “There are twelve of the wealthiest Alphas in the world in this room, along with your eminent Head Alpha. Who are you? A pack of Rejects, a whorish rock star, and a whole bunch of nobody Alphas. No court would believe you over us.”
“You’d take that bet?” I press, as my heart beats faster.
Piper and Zero are scanning the people at the table carefully, ignored because they’re not Alphas.
Big mistake.
Zero and Piper gesture secretly at certain Alphas.
Icarus’ eyes gleam darkly, as he nods.
It has never been about convincing the board. It has been about pretending that we needed to in order to pick out the rotten apples that would ruin the barrel, even if we manage to oust Maya.
Because Hatton had already lined up a shady buyer for the diamond and established a company for our shares. At least, he did using Icarus’ name because the laws are still unequal, and an Alpha needs to sign off on business documentation.
The majority of Omegas can’t even work.
I am about to create the most revolutionary company in America.
What Hatton established, using Icarus as a cover but in Dad and my names, has been enough to make this vote unnecessary.
Enough to have the secret company that bought up the shares in my name and Dad’s — because I insisted that we did this together — give us the control.
Mrs. Heverbook barks a sudden laugh. “Well, here’s my winter entertainment, and I thought that you were amusing enough when I watched you on stage. I never thought that I would see the day when an Omega dad and daughter attempted a boardroom coup. Let me give you a piece of advice: Maya Frost is your Head Alpha and CEO. She will most likely kill all of you if she finds you here. I am feeling generous; call it the spirit of the season. Leave now and start behaving, then I won’t tell her about this naughtiness. I have always envied Maya, you know. You may be older than the normal Omega I would go for but you really are pretty, pet. I could show you what it is like to have an Alpha be gentle with you.”
“Such a kind and generous offer,” Dad drawls, biting his lip like he’s considering the offer. I know that he’s acting. I struggle not to laugh. “This weak, stupid Omega is grateful.”
Mrs. Heverbrook’s sharp expression immediately becomes sugary sweet. “Sometimes Omegas just forget their place andoverreach. I find that a gentle hand leading them back to the right path works better than a harsh one. I know that your Alpha doesn’t agree with that. How about we agree to meet up, and you could show me howgratefulyou are?”
To my shock, it is Papa who immediately twists on Dad’s knee and growls at the Alpha. “Don’t touch him.”
“It’s okay.” Dad’s eyes are hard, as he soothes down Papa’s tense neck. “She won’t because I am removing her from the board, effective immediately.”
This time, there is uproar around the table.
Inside, I am soaring.
