Chapter 106
Unable to stand the suspense, Victor and I left the party and returned to the mansion.
After hurrying inside, we found Alex still awake and talking to Benson. He looked tired and surprised to see us.
“You didn’t have to hurry home right away,” Alex scolded. “I sleep off and on, both day and night. I’m just as likely to be awake at midnight as I am at nine o’clock.”
“We thought you wanted to speak to us about something important,” Victor said.
“It is important,” Alex replied. “But there's nothing that must be done tonight.”
“We’re here now.” I sat next to the bed and took Alex’s hand. “Please tell us what’s on your mind.”
Alex appeared to be exhausted, and his pale complexion worried me. Yet, determination shone bright in his eyes. I knew he wouldn’t rest until he spoke to us and was satisfied.
Alex took a shaky breath and tried to sit up. “Daisy needs to become fully acquainted with Wilson, Inc. I want her trained to take over for me as soon as possible.”
“Victor has already started teaching me,” I assured him. But the butterflies in my stomach began to flap their wings.
I was frightened of losing my father and of running a vast business. Still, I was terrified of the monumental changes forcing me to move ahead faster than I was comfortable.
“I will double my efforts at teaching Daisy everything she needs to know,” Victor promised. “She’s a fast learner and is doing well. Within a few months, I believe she can be ready to run your business independently.”
“No sooner?” Alex asked.
“It’s possible she could be ready sooner than that and run the company with a little supervision,” Victor replied.
Alex nodded and took Victor’s hand. “And you, Victor, have always been my choice to succeed me as leader of the United Association of Alphas.”
“Thank you, Alex,” Victor said. “You trained me well to take over when you are no longer with us.”
“I am growing weaker,” Alex said. “I don’t want to wait much longer to hand you the reins. Our werewolf government must be strong.”
I watched Victor’s mouth fall open in surprise. His eyes widened as Alex continued.
“ As soon as Daisy is trained to take over my company, I want the association to officially pronounce you their leader. I am too weak to continue.”
My eyes were just as wide as Victor’s as we stared at each other over Alex’s bed.
I was happy for Victor to be getting the position he always wanted, but it meant the end of our agreement. We both achieved our goals.
Victor was getting the leadership position, and William wanted to be my mate. Soon there would be no need to pretend we are engaged, and we could announce that we agreed to break up.
Of course, we would prolong our engagement a bit longer to make sure Alex wouldn’t know a thing about our fake engagement before… he left.
However, it still forced me to face the possibility that Victor could end our agreement any time from now on.
I felt panicked and sad at the same time. It was like knowing you were going to lose something that meant more to you than you thought it did.
I was confused too. I didn’t love Victor, and I’ve had a crush on William for a long time. Why did I feel sad about ending the fake engagement with Victor when it had been part of the plan all along?
I consoled myself with the knowledge that we would always be friends and concentrated on Alex. He could barely keep his eyes open.
“We can talk about this tomorrow,” I insisted. “You need your sleep, Father.”
“You should sleep, Alex. I will be here first thing in the morning,” Victor said. “We will talk more and make plans.”
Alex mumbled something that I couldn’t hear, and then he began softly snoring.
When I walked Victor out, both of us were unusually silent.
Finally, Victor patted my shoulder, “I will be here tomorrow.”
Right, he will still be here tomorrow.
Victor showed up the next morning while I had breakfast with Alex in his room.
“Come on in, dear boy,” Alex said. “Would you like something to eat?”
“Just some coffee would be great,” Victor replied.
Benson instantly responded and handed him a steaming cup.
Victor excepted the coffee and sat down in the chair next to mine.
“I thought Daisy and I could spend the day in your office,” he said. “Some things are better learned by doing them.”
“I agree,” Alex said. “Make sure everyone in the office knows she has my full authority on all decisions.” He had more of an appetite this morning, but he still seemed exhausted.
After I was finished eating, I kissed Alex‘s forehead, and Victor and I went to the CEO's office at Wilson, Inc.
I spent the rest of the morning reviewing the reports on the company’s marketing ROI (return on investment) or how profitable our present marketing campaigns were.
Victor instructed me to circle the campaigns that had a low or decreasing ROI, and then I sent an email to the marketing supervisor of those departments to schedule a meeting with me that afternoon.
“If the commercials and ads aren’t working, they must be replaced with something new, right?”
“Absolutely,” Victor said. “I think you have a natural ability for this work. You must have inherited it from your father.”
I flashed him a smile and opened the folder with the rent reports.
But Victor was right. Managing a large company like this one was an arduous task, but it wasn’t as scary as I had imagined it would be at first.
I wouldn’t be able to do it by myself for a while, but I felt confident that I would be able to learn everything I needed to know.
I was using Alex’s corner office. For some reason, many employees felt the need to use the bathroom across the hall and stare at me through the open door.
On some of the employees’ faces, I saw friendly curiosity. A few smiled and waved, while others gave me dark looks that were anything but friendly.
At lunchtime, I waited near the main reception desk for Victor to come out of the men’s room and noticed several older male executives gathered in one office.
They were staring at me and talking among themselves. I could tell from their tone and expressions that they weren’t happy I was there.
Why? I can’t believe my father ever gave them any hope of taking his place.
When they noticed I was watching them, one had the nerve to glare at me and slam the door.
When Victor came out of the men’s room, I told him what happened.
“How can they not like me when they don’t even know me yet?” I complained.
“I was afraid of this,” Victor sighed. “Don’t take it personally, Daisy. Older Alpha men can be very chauvinistic. One of the problems you’ll face is gaining their confidence when you are a young woman.”
I shook my head. “In this day and age, they don’t think a woman can run a business. Unbelievable!”
“Prove them wrong,” Victor said. “I know you can do it and do it well. But with these older Alphas, you must show them how capable you are.”
It was infuriating that I had to prove myself to a bunch of old Alphas.
“Why can’t I just fire them all and hire new executives that won’t give me a hard time?” I asked.
“Because they are experienced, the best at their jobs, and many of them are under contract,'' Victor explained. “You can’t fire them without paying them millions in severance pay. It would set the company back a lot of money.”
“And I’d have to find new executives with the right experience,” I said.
Victor pushed the elevator button. “You catch on fast. Give them a little time to adjust to you. I know you will win them over eventually.”
I rolled my eyes and mumbled, “The millions in severance pay might be worth it.”
“It sounds like somebody needs ice cream,” Victor teased as we stepped onto the elevator.
I gave him a grin, “I think I’m going to like having you as my mentor. What are we doing tomorrow?”
Victor winked. “It’s a surprise. But I think you’ll like it.”
