Jay arrived at the Starlight Hotel feeling more at ease than he had in years. The recent changes in his life—the new car, the hotel ownership, and now his own security company—were surreal, but each shift seemed to fill a gap he hadn't realized was there.
As he entered the hotel lobby, a familiar face caught his eye. It was Amelia, the beautiful woman he had driven to an event just a few days ago. She stood near the grand staircase, looking effortlessly elegant in a fitted black dress, her phone held close to her ear as she seemed to be arguing with someone. Jay watched her for a moment, intrigued.
When she ended the call, her eyes drifted and finally met his, her expression brightening with recognition. She walked over to him, her usual confident stride faltering just slightly.
"Jay," she said with a faint smile, "fancy running into you here."
"Amelia," he replied, trying to keep his tone casual, though her presence seemed to pull him in. "Seems like fate keeps pushing us together."
She laughed, but it quickly faded. Her brows furrowed, and she looked as though something weighed on her mind. "Actually... I'm in a bit of a situation," she admitted, glancing at her phone. "One of my company's board members has just sold his shares to someone who's... not exactly a friend."
Jay frowned. "That sounds serious. Someone you know well?"
She nodded, her expression darkening. "Unfortunately, yes. He's an influential businessman who has been trying to undermine me for years. We have some history... and not the good kind. My secretary just called to tell me that he's planning to buy enough shares to push me out of my own company."
Jay could see the stress in her eyes, the fire that she was trying to keep steady despite the worry just under the surface. "Do you know where the meeting is happening?"
"Yes, it's downtown. They're meeting with the board now to finalize the transfer."
"Let me drive you there," Jay said, his voice firm. "You don't have to face this alone."
Amelia hesitated, but the determination in Jay's gaze seemed to reassure her. "Alright," she agreed. "Let's go."
---
The ride to the company headquarters was tense. Amelia was quiet, staring out the window, likely running through scenarios in her mind. Jay didn't press her, giving her the space she needed, but the presence of her struggle stirred something protective within him.
When they reached the headquarters, they hurried into the building and found the meeting room, where voices carried through the closed door. Jay opened the door for Amelia, and as they stepped in, the conversation abruptly stopped.
Inside, a tall, sharp-dressed man with slicked-back hair and a smug smile turned to face them. His gaze slid dismissively over Jay before he focused on Amelia with an air of mock surprise.
"Well, well, Amelia," the man said, his tone oozing with false charm. "What a coincidence. I was just discussing your... 'future' with the board."
"What are you doing here, Carter?" Amelia demanded, crossing her arms and glaring at him. "You've never had a real interest in the company until now. What's your game?"
Carter chuckled, glancing at the board members, who looked tense but remained silent. "Oh, Amelia, this isn't personal. It's business. You know how it works," he said with a sly grin. "But maybe a part of me is enjoying this. After all, you always made things difficult for me in the past."
Jay's jaw tightened as he watched Carter's casual cruelty, and he stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Amelia's shoulder. "Funny," Jay said coolly, catching Carter's gaze. "From where I'm standing, it seems like you're the one who's insecure."
Carter's eyes narrowed, looking Jay up and down. "And you are...?"
"A friend," Jay replied simply, his tone even but edged with authority.
Carter laughed, dismissive. "Well, I don't care who you are. This is business, and Amelia here has been slipping for a while. I'm just giving the company what it needs—a more 'suitable' leader."
Amelia straightened, finding her voice. "You're not just buying shares, Carter. You're trying to turn the board against me to settle an old grudge. I'm not about to let that happen."
Jay gave her a supportive look. "You've built this company from the ground up, Amelia. You're not alone in this fight."
Amelia's face softened as she glanced back at him. "Thank you, Jay."
But Carter merely smirked, leaning back as if enjoying the show. "Go ahead, Amelia, make your case. But I already own enough shares to call the shots. Soon, you'll be out, and your precious company will be mine." He looked at the board members and nodded. "Let's wrap this up, shall we?"
Jay looked around the room, quickly assessing the situation. Amelia's position was threatened, but if there was a way to leverage his resources, he was going to find it.
He turned to Amelia and said softly, "I have an idea. Let's talk outside for a minute." Amelia nodded, and they both stepped into the hall. Once the door closed, Jay's voice dropped. "Do you know if there's any way to halt his control temporarily? Maybe something to delay him long enough for you to regain your footing?"
Amelia thought for a moment, a spark of hope in her eyes. "There might be. If I can find support from another significant shareholder, I might be able to challenge his position."
Jay gave her a confident smile. "I can pull a few strings myself. You're not losing this company without a fight."