Chapter 13
Back in Kingston City, Allison had officially become the majority shareholder of Winters Group
With her father’s shares and the assets once held by Alexander returned to her name, she now sat at the head of the boardroom table-
for the first time.
And they hated her for it.
The men seated around her looked more like wolves than executives.
Predatory smiles, sharpened words.
“You should’ve stayed quiet, sweetheart,” one of them sneered. “You had the money, the name. Why come back to this mess?”
“Rockwood just died and you’re already cozying up to the Vanderbilts. What, they not paying your bills anymore?”
“Honestly, wouldn’t it be easier for you to just keep the Vanderbilt CEO happy in bed, instead of stressing over board reports?”
Laughter rippled across the table, cruel and loud..
“Women like you shouldn’t be in boardrooms. Especially with that… reputation. You’re going to tank this company.”
“Your father never ran the company properly. And you? You’re just a spoiled daughter with a nice dress.”
“Take your dividends and go. No one needs you micromanaging us.”
“You’re even more useless than your father ever was.
Allison stayed still
These men had grown arrogant during her father’s absence. After her mother passed, William had stepped back entirely, leaving the company to coast on autopilot–and they treated it like their personal playground.
They thought the throne was theirs.
But they were wrong
“I’m the majority shareholder,” Allison said calmly, her voice steady. “That gives me every right to take over as CEO.”
Director Lewis leaned back in his chair, clapping his hands with a smirk. “We warned you. But you kids never listen until it’s too late.” The boardroom doors swung open.
Four bulky men in tailored black suits stepped inside–clearly private security. There was nothing subtle about their
presence.
“Gentlemen,” Lewis said smoothly, gesturing toward Allison. “Please escort Miss Winters out. Let her unwind a little. Get her a drink. Maybe snap a few flattering photos for posterity. Make sure her memory stays… sharp.”
He flashed a cruel, reptillan grin.
“And if she resists?” He raised a brow. “Well, you know how to handle that.‘
One of the guards reached out, grabbing for her.
“Don’t touch me!” Allison jerked back hard. “This is assault-
“What are you going to do?” one of the men scoffed. “Call Daddy? You’re just a pampered little brat playing dress–up in a boardroom.”
Before another word could be said, the doors slammed open again.
Quinn strode in, dressed in a jet–black suit that screamed money and menace. He didn’t say a word–just crossed the room in three long strides and wrapped Allison in his arms, positioning himself squarely between her and the guards.
“Who says she doesn’t have power?” His voice was cold as steel.
Cloper 13
Chapter 13
Back in Kingston City, Allison had officially become the majority shareholder of Winters Group.
With her father’s shares and the assets once held by Alexander returned to her name, she now sat at the head of the boardroom table-
for the first time.
And they hated her for it.
The men seated around her looked more like wolves than executives.
Predatory smiles, sharpened words.
“You should’ve stayed quiet, sweetheart,” one of them sneered. “You had the money, the name. Why come back to this mess?”
“Rockwood just died and you’re already cozying up to the Vanderbilts. What, they not paying your bills anymore?”
“Honestly, wouldn’t it be easier for you to just keep the Vanderbilt CEO happy in bed, instead of stressing over board reports?”
Laughter rippled across the table, cruel and loud.
“Women like you shouldn’t be in boardrooms. Especially with that… reputation. You’re going to tank this company.”
“Your father never ran the company properly. And you? You’re just a spoiled daughter with a nice dress.”
“Take your dividends and go. No one needs you micromanaging us.!
“You’re even more useless than your father ever was.”
Allison stayed still.
These men had grown arrogant during her father’s absence. After her mother passed, William had stepped back entirely, leaving the company to coast on autopilot–and they treated it like their personal playground.
They thought the throne was theirs.
But they were wrong
“I’m the majority shareholder,” Allison said calmly, her voice steady. “That gives me every right to take over as CEO.
Director Lewis leaned back in his chair, clapping his hands with a smirk. “We warned you. But you kids never listen until it’s too late.” The boardroom doors swung open.
Four bulky men in tailored black suits stepped inside–clearly private security. There was nothing subtle about their presence. “Gentlemen,” Lewis said smoothly, gesturing toward Allison. “Please escort Miss Winters out. Let her unwind a little. Get her a drink. Maybe snap a few flattering photos for posterity. Make sure her memory stays… sharp.”
He flashed a cruel, reptilian grin.
“And if she resists?” He raised a brow. “Well, you know how to handle that.”
One of the guards reached out, grabbing for her.
“Don’t touch me!” Allison jerked back hard. “This is assault-”
“What are you going to do?” one of the men scoffed. “Call Daddy? You’re just a pampered little brat playing dress–up in a boardroom.” Before another word could be said, the doors slammed open again.
Quinn strode in, dressed in a jet–black suit that screamed money and menace. He didn’t say a word–just crossed the room in three long strides and wrapped Allison in his arms, positioning himself squarely between her and the guards.
“Who says she doesn’t have power?” His voice was cold as steel.
Chapter 13
His glare locked on Lewis like a loaded gun. “It Allison wants something, she gets it. And if anyone here has a problem with that—try
- me.
Color drained from Lewis’s face. The boardroom fell into an icy hush
“M–Mr. Vanderbilt,” Lewis finally managed to choke out, voice cracking, “Surely you’re not going to risk going up against the entire board over her? We have backing from the most powerful families in the state-
“You want to band together?” Quinn arched a brow. “Fine Team up. Come at me all at once.”
He let out a humorless smile. “I’ll wait.”
Then he turned back to Allison, gently checking her arms for bruises, his touch surprisingly tender. Once he was sure she was unharmed, he straightened and turned back to the board.
“As of this moment, Allison Winters is the CEO of Winters Group.”
He pulled out a formal appointment letter, already signed and stamped.
“You’ll all sign it. Now.”
They obeyed–one by one, tight–lipped and silent.
As they did, Allison just stared at Quinn, her heart twisted in a tangle of confusion, awe, and something deeper she couldn’t quite name. Back in the car, she sat beside him, sneaking glances at his profile as the city lights slid past.
He caught her staring “Something you want to ask?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Do you really want to marry me?”
A slow, amused smile touched his lips. “You walked out of Alexander’s funeral in a wedding dress, remember? That’s wife energy if I’ve ever seen it.”
He reached for her hand. “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll file the paperwork. Ceremony too–whatever you want, however you want it.” The question almost slipped from her mouth–why?
But she swallowed it back.
Marrying him had been her mother’s dying wish. And now… it felt like the only anchor in her world.
She turned toward the window, her thoughts lost in a blur of city lights and emotion.
Then Quinn leaned in, his voice low at her ear,
“Frore now on,” he said, “you’ve got me. And everything Lown. The entire Vanderbilt estate is yours to command. Whatever you want, Allison—take it.”
A shiver rolled down her spine.
But before she could speak, the car slammed to a sudden stop.
Someone had stepped into the road–blocking their path.
