(Daniel's POV)
He could not believe this was happening right now. He looked at his watch. The ceremony started in less than thirty minutes and they were about twenty minutes away. How was this going to look? he pondered internally. Late to his own wedding, a wedding he doesn't even want to happen. He felt the frustration and anger building in him. 'How could you do this to me Dad?' he silently cursed the heavens. He just couldn't wrap his head around this whirlwind that the last five weeks had been. Everything had been going well. Daniel had been running Delaney Pharmaceuticals since his father passed away from a heart attack almost five years prior. The first two years without his dads guidance and presence were really rough. Everything kind of fell into a slump for a while. But he managed to pull it back together to honor his father's legacy. The last eighteen months everything was propelling forward and they were working on a break through cancer treatment that was safe, effective, and very low cost so every insurance company could cover it. Daniel was very proud of this accomplishment. They were only three months away from being approved for human trials. Then out of left field he was summoned by the board and everything changed. Daniel vividly remembered that day. He was in his office running the numbers one more time before leaving for the fundraiser to raise funds for the next round of trials. He heard the distinct click, click, click of his assistant Corinnes heels on the granite floors getting closer. Before she was even able to turn heel into the office Daniel called out ," I know, I know Corrine, I am leaving in just five minutes, I swear!"
She strode in her body language tense causing Daniel to pause and look up.
"No sir, that's not why I've come. The board is down in the meeting room. They want to see you. Now."
This was quite odd. Usually there was at least 48 hrs advance notice for board meetings because many members frequently traveled to attend to affairs. Something must be wrong. His brow furrowed.
"What do you think it could be?" Corrinne asked sensing the gravity of the situation.
"I'm not sure." Daniel replied standing from his chair and making his way to the door. Had something gone terribly wrong in their newest trial? If it had, wouldn't he have heard about it first?
"Grab your notepad and follow me." He beelined for the elevator while his assistant hurried to her desk and then shuffled to his side, trying to tuck the hair that had came loose back in place. A battle she was always fighting with her tightly wound blonde curls.
They stepped into the elevator and Corrinne hit the number 9. The elevator began to move down. It clunked into place and with the familiar ding and the doors parted ways. They walked silently through the hall and approached the glass walled room and just as Corrinne had said all 9 board members were sitting at the table awaiting the C.E.O's arrival.
Daniel opened the door and allowed Corrinne to enter before he followed suit. He walked to the table opting to stand and looked directly at the head of the board.
"Phil what is the meaning of this? Has something halted the trials?"
Phil was a tall portly man, bald with a huge mustache.
"No, no, nothing of the sort. The trials are currently still in play. However it has been brought to the boards attention that you may be subject to termination in the near future. "
Daniel's face contorted into a mixture of disbelief and rising anger. Phil worked with Daniel's dad for almost twenty years and he can just sit there and casually talk about terminating him when he's done nothing wrong.
" What is this about? Why would I be terminated? The board cannot terminate me except for very specific reasons outlined in the bylaws of my father's will." he bellowed" Embezzlement.... reckless endangerment...."
"Violation of a marriage clause...." another voice piped in. Daniel looked around to see who had said that. His eyes landed on Griffin who sat in a chair leaned back, his suit neatly pressed and an oily smile spread from to cheek to cheek. Daniel stared at him intently.
"What the **** did you just say?" Daniel directed to Griffin. Daniel and Griffin had a bit of a history. They had two different sets of ethics, mostly being that Daniel had some and Griffin didn't. He believes in profits not people.
"It's true." Phil piped in to divert the situation.
"What's true?" Daniel questioned bewildered.
"It was brought to our attention that your father had a marriage clause in his final will and testament pertaining to your title as C.E.O."
"That is ridiculous! I would know if such a thing existed Phil!" The anger was flowing through Daniel. This cant be happening now, now that they are so close to their biggest accomplishment! This must not be true.
"I understand your feelings on this." Phil countered. "We were all shocked. We found out less than 24 hours ago. We have investigated the situation and found that there is indeed merit to it. Perhaps you should contact your attorney, verify the validity and we shall reconvene in 72 hours." He looked around at all the other board members who looked highly uncomfortable with the situation at hand. "All board members in agreement with reconvening in 72 hour)ls say aye!" The chorus of ayes that came were deafening and without another word the board members left the room. In no time at all it was just Daniel and Corinne standing there.
"Corrinne, tell Albert I'm on my down so we can head to the fundraiser."
"Sir, dont you want to figure this out?" She asked concern evident on her face.
"Of course I do, I'll call the attorney on my way. I'm sure this cant be so."
"I hope your right, because if not. with your dating life we're screwed." Corinne sighed as she headed to the elevator.
Daniel headed down and Albert was waiting out front by the car.
"Good evening sir," Albert greeted as he opened the door for Daniel to get in. "Directly to the fundraiser? "
"Thank you Al, yes please."
Daniel pulled his cell out of his pocket and held down the number 5 on his speed dial, but after several rings it went to voicemail. Damn, it's after 4:30. No one would be answering any phones now but David should still be in.
"On second thought Albert, let's make a small detour to Gilley, Gilley and Schmidt."
"Yes sir."
Once there Daniel went into the lobby. As Daniel approached the desk, the security guard stood from his chair. He was a middle aged man with peppered hair clean cut, even his facial hair was perfectly symmetrical. He was wearing black slacks, black undershirt and a burgundy blazer. His demeanor was enough to tell you he was security, but the squared up nametag and badge were there for anyone who didn't pick up on that.
"Sorry but the firm is closed for the night." The man firmly stated crossing his arms in front of him.
"Call David Gilley, tell him Daniel Delaney is here to see him it's an emergency. I guarantee he'll send me up."
Security man looked at him with skepticism, but finally after a few moments he let out a defeated sigh and picked up the phone on the desk.
"Mr.Gilley, it's Rader, yeah I'm sorry to bother you but I've got a...." he looked at Daniel.
"Daniel Delaney. " Daniel said once more.
"mr. Daniel Delaney and he says it's an emergency...mmhmmm.... uhm yes sir."
Rader put the phone back on the desk.
"Go right up, Mr. Delaney."
He didn't need to be told twice and promptly beelined to David's office not bothering to knock as he helped himself in. Not that it mattered much as David was sitting alone doing yearly reviews.
"Daniel, what seems to be the matter?"
"The board is trying to have me removed as C.E.O over unfounded allegations."
"Allegations over what?" David asked perplexed.
"They said I've broken the terms of Dad's will."
David's face became solemn.
"How so?"
"A marriage clause. But they're wrong. I would have known. It is completely unfounded. What do we have to do to prove that it's not true?" Daniel asked his attorney, ready to fight for his position at the company his father founded and built up. This was the legacy for their family, not for someone to come and sweep it out from under him.
"We don't. " David replied.
"We don't?! Daniel responded shocked. The anger rising again.
"It's not unfounded Daniel. It's legitimate. The marriage clause is real and I know this to be so because I executed your father's will."
No, Daniel couldn't believe it. He could feel his heart pounding in his head." Then why did I not know about this?" He asked through gritted teeth.
"I-I dont know." he stammered. Almost 2 and a half years ago I sent an addendum to you. Your father instructed it be sent out exactly 2 and a half years after his death. No one was allowed to see it until you read it yourself. It was sent to you by certified mail and we received the signature confirmation that you received it, which now I am assuming is a forgery, though I must say they did a phenomenal job. It looks just like yours."
"Well is it binding if I hadn't seen it?" Daniel asked leaning against the desk. His mind going a million miles an hour on how he would escape this.
"Well technically, no. After you, or well the forger signed, I opened my copy of the addendum and materials. The verbiage states the time frame were to start after you read understood and signed the addendum."
"Well then this is perfect!" Daniel become momentarily enthusiastic. "We can just go to the courts and appeal this."
"I'm just going to upfront with you Daniel. I knew your father a long time and he and you became like family to me. I dont want to crush your spirits but the timeframe left to fulfill the marriage clause does not leave us enough time to fight this. Meaning we would be fighting it after they remove you as C.E.O. The chances of overturning that are slim to none. Whoever has done this to you has really thought his timing through. "
"How much time do I have?"
"The 5th year anniversary of when you took over."
"That's my birthday and that's less than 6 weeks away."
"I know."
"So what the hell should I do! Just let them take the company MY father built from me?"
"No, I'm not suggesting that at all. What I am suggesting is that you fulfill the marriage clause before the timeframe is up. Get married. It's the easiest way for all of this to be done and for you to still maintain your position at your company. "
"What do I do? spin a girl out of thin air? I haven't dated since Dad died and I took over."
David walked over to a large wooden filing cabinet"Well luckily your father thought a little bit ahead. He updated his will with all of this information almost a year before he passed. In it, he added these with the addendum. "
David handed Daniel a Manila envelope. He opened it and on the inside were darciers on 5 women.
"Well that's not creepy at all, Dad." Daniel mumbled.
"Yeah maybe it's a little weird, I'll admit. But those are all daughters of a group that do arranged marriages still. Maybe he thought you might need a little help, or maybe he knew someone might try to trip you up. Either way it's probably good that he did, with your situation and all."
Yeah. David was probably right Daniel thought.
"Anyway, I have a copy of the letter that came with the addendum around here somewhere. I'll find it and get it to you. in the meantime I gotta get going. Mildred will kill me if I'm late for dinner. Hell, I'm surprised she hasn't killed me yet, I was supposed to retire fifteen years ago" He chuckled as he slapped his hand down on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel gave a small smile.
"Alright, thank you David.
"No,problem. I'll keep in touch and call if you need anything. "
"Will do." and with that he Daniel made his way back to the car.
The entire next day he poured over darciers and researched every woman. The information in the darciers were outdated but it gave him enough to locate current information. One woman had passed away in a tragic boating accident. One was married. One's family seemed to be more into the underground businesses, something Daniel wanted to stay far away from. One was a girl named Kristina Owens, 23, Degree in political sciences. He wasn't really sure about that. He found politics to be hypocritical and didn't like to put himself on the front lines of political battle. Nice family though. Very pretty. Jet Black hair and deep blue eyes. The last girl was named Amelia Eden, 21, that just seemed to young to him, Degree in Botany. At least their conversation could have some common ground. Respectable family. Beautiful girl. Reddish brown hair, emerald green eyes. The next day he contacted the Eden's and the arrangements were made. Twenty four hours after that at the continuance of the emergency board meeting, Daniel announced his engagement with Amelia Eden. He carefully watched their expressions as he told them. A couple of the older guys that were friends with his father, including Phil, looked thoroughly pleased. The others disgruntled.
Now almost five weeks later he was pulling up to the church to marry a woman he'd never even met. Please let this go smoothly he thought to himself