Page 59

It terrified her.

But she pushed her fear away on a gentle exhale, resting in the moment, listening to a small voice whispering from the back of her mind, speaking a quiet truth it never had before… I want to stay…

16

CHARLOTTE

Her office door cracked open, blonde curls appeared first as Lilah peeked in.

“Knock, knock?”

Phone held between her ear and shoulder, she motioned for Lilah to enter. She skipped across her office, bypassing the chairs to perch on the edge of her desk.

“No, Spencer. We’ve already agreed on the timeline. You’ve signed documents committing to such. In fact, the acquisition is more or less complete because of those very documents. We won’t be postponing the announcement so you can feel better about yourself during the convention.”

Lilah’s smile faded at the sound of Charlotte’s clipped tone.

She continued listening to the soon-to-be former CEO of a once up and coming animation studio.

“Your company in its current state is failing. This is why you’re selling it to me.”

Delilah raised an eyebrow but looked intrigued. Charlotte threw her a wink.

“Miss Davenport, surely you can see how this would be good for team morale. A sign of stability for the staff in this time of change.”

“Pray tell, what would you be presenting? Does your studio have a project releasing I’m unaware of? Because that would be in violation of the rather binding agreement.” Charlotte’s voice remained cold and unamused.

“No! There isn’t anything like that. I simply⁠—”

“Wanted to protect your own ego. Go out with one last hoorah. But Spencer, I’m not interested. What interests me is using the convention to announce the changes to the public. But prior to that, we will inform your company. What’s important is my soon to be employees know they have job security and the company will be moving in a good direction.”

“Fine.”

“Excellent,” Charlotte cooed. “Now I really must be going. Feel free to call me should you have any other questions.”

She placed the phone back in the cradle without giving him a chance to respond.

Lilah stared at her, mouth agape and awestruck. “How? How’d you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Be so badass and not let him take even an inch!”

“Ah. Well, he doesn’t deserve an inch. He led the company in a bad direction, forcing him to consider this current direction to avoid massive layoffs. Also, he signed a legally binding contract. I have to think about what’s best for both companies. He’s only thinking about what’s best for him, or rather his ego,” Charlotte explained, watching as her sweet sister took in the information.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that. I’m not always good at standing my ground.” Lilah admitted, looking at the view out of the office window, defeated by the prospect.

Charlotte rose, grabbing her purse and slipping the straps over her shoulder, brushing a strand of pale blonde behind an ear. “May I ask you something?”

Lilah slipped off the desk, looking up at her. “Duh!”

Charlotte knew to tread softly, understanding Lilah struggled to feel like she measured up. Which in all honesty, she didn’t. And she wouldn’t. Not while she was forcing herself to follow Charlotte’s footsteps instead of living her own truth.

“Do you want to? Do you want to have phone calls where you have to verbally castrate some poor man because he failed at something and his pride is hurting?”

“I mean, I could.”

“But do you want to? Would you ever find fulfillment?”