Second Chance Rival
“Tristian, what you fail to realize is that it doesn’t matter what you think. The only thing that matters is what I do.
“You’re being unreasonable, Grandfather. How do you expect me to behave?”
“Like a possible heir to my fortune which doesn’t include your bedhopping ways. Time magazine voted you the most eligible bachelor for the fifth consecutive year.”
“And sales skyrocket every time they do.”
“So does the media when they see you out with another model. For Christ’s sake, Tristian. Can’t you date a woman over the age of twenty-five? I’m sick and tired of the press making you out to be the man whore you are.”
“Again, that has nothing to do with my ability of taking your throne as CEO one day.”
“Alright, then how about this?” He grabbed the Forbes magazine and threw it on his desk.
There in front of my eyes was the woman I hadn’t seen or spoken to in twenty years. She was on the cover of the lucrative magazine with the title, “Everything Belle Montgomery touches turns to gold.”
“She’s made quite a name for herself, Tristian. Like you, she’s turned her family’s business into several successful companies, grossing multibillions with their revenue and stocks. I’d say she’s your biggest competition.”
“Grandfather…” I warned with a hard edge in my tone.
“You need to consider the possibilities. Just imagine what could happen if we merged corporations with our biggest adversary. A rivalry that’s been going on between her family and ours for over a century could finally be put to rest, and all it would take is two simple words expressed from your mouth and hers.”
“I don’t need to marry Belle to make that happen.”
“No, but it does sweeten the pot. The enemy becomes the ally. I couldn’t think of a better plan. Trust me, Tristian. We’ve been working on this strategy for the last year. It wasn’t an idea we ever took lightly.
“We?” I snapped, confused.
Right on cue, the door to his office opened, and I was instantly caught off guard. Which was another emotion I despised. For the first time in twenty years, Belle’s grandfather, Chance Montgomery, who was still CEO of Montgomery Enterprises, entered my grandfather's office and leaned against the door.
I couldn’t help but remember the last time were we all together in this office. The memories of that night played out in the forefront of my mind like they were happening right then and there.
Shoving away the thoughts, I clenched, “What is he doing here?”
“I’m here because we’ve already united forces.”
I contemplated his statement for a moment before I quickly realized this wasn’t a debate between my grandfather and me, but it was a fucking ambush by Belle’s grandfather and mine. One I willingly walked into, exactly like the last time.
My scowl shifted from the man I least expected to my grandfather. “What the hell, old man? What is this? Another one of your games?”
“This isn’t a game, Tristian. It’s a hostile takeover of our futures that solely depends on you getting Belle to say, ‘I do,’ to you.”
“I haven’t seen her in two decades. You both realize that, right?”
“Time only makes the heart grow fonder.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “You two are the reason we haven’t seen each other in twenty years. It waswhy I was sent away, remember?”
“Tristian, you know that’s not true. It wasn’t just Belle we were trying to get you away from. My reasons were much bigger than that and you know it, but look how well you turned out? It was the best thing I could have done for you. Who knows what would have been of your life if I hadn’t intervened?”
“Which only hurt Belle in the process.”
“Time heals all wounds. It’s water under the bridge.”
“Enough with the bumper sticker bullshit, Grandfather! What makes you think she’s even going to go for this?”
“For one, it’s your job to make sure she does. I know the power of your persuasion, Tristian. They don’t call you a ruthless bastard in the boardroom for nothing. Hostile takeovers are your forte, and they’re your favorite. Besides, getting her to marry you won’t be your biggest accomplishment.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, taken aback by what he meant with his unnerving statement. I didn’t have to wait long for an explanation.