Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier) novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99 

One phone call shattered Lily’s hopes. Her hand froze in midair, her face calm and unreadable as she watched him. 

“Eat by yourself. I have some work to finish.” 

Xavier sensed something was off, but he assumed it was just her worries over Hayden’s situation. Pocketing his phone, he glanced at her one more time before turning to leave. The door closed as he rushed out. He climbed into his car, anxious to be with Sarah, who needed him. 

In the kitchen, the pot was still boiling, the pasta turning to mush as the water bubbled. Lily turned off the stove without taking a single bite and headed upstairs. Her lips twisted into a self- mocking smile. 

How could she have thought Xavier might actually be a caring husband–someone she could confide in about her worries and fears? Just one bowl of pasta, and she’d already allowed herself to fall for it. 

The situation was tense at Nova Group. The shareholders were divided, with only half remaining loyal to Xavier. 

Sarah, who’d been handpicked by Xavier, was the point of contention. Now, the dissenting shareholders were banding together, demanding her dismissal. 

The scandal was big enough that a crowd of reporters had gathered at the company’s entrance, broadcasting live. 

Xavier drove straight into the underground garage, where Timothy was already waiting by the elevator. 

“What’s the status?” Xavier asked as he entered the elevator. 

Timothy kept his head down respectfully, giving a brief report. “The shareholders are saying Ms. Lynde hasn’t been fulfilling her duties and that it’s irresponsible for someone in her position to treat her job so lightly. They’re pushing to have her dismissed.” 

As the elevator ascended, the atmosphere grew thick with tension. Xavier adjusted his cufflinks as a cold smile formed on his lips. 

“They’ve crossed the line.” 

Timothy said nothing more, aware of Xavier’s growing temper, especially in light of his recent issues at home. The shareholders had picked a risky time to provoke him. 

Getting out of the elevator, Xavier walked directly into the conference room. Standing to the right was Sarah, dressed in a light beige business suit, maintaining a calm front despite being cornered. The moment she saw him, her eyes reddened with emotion. 

“Mr. Fulton, we’ve already finished the vote,” began Lawrence Timberland, the head of the dissenting group of shareholders. He spoke with an air that suggested he intended to challenge Xavier directly. “The majority have voted for Ms. Lynde’s dismissal, so-” 

“Your shares entitle you to dividends–nothing more,” Xavier cut him off coldly. “Company decisions are not yours to make. If anyone’s unhappy with that, they can hand over their shares. “He didn’t spare them an ounce of respect. 

Since taking over two years ago, he’d run things in ways that had left some shareholders dissatisfied. But his strong returns had made it hard for them to openly oppose him–until now, their first real opportunity. 

The shareholders know that he wasn’t like Shane. He was more ruthless in many aspects. 

The room fell silent at his ultimatum. No one, whether they held a few million or a few billion in shares, was willing to part with their stake. 

“Anyone else have something to say?” Xavier’s icy gaze swept across the room.