The judge paused, looking at the defendant and plaintiff. Seeing their unbending expressions, he sighed and continued, “Of course, I also see the impossibility of mother and son jointly managing the company. It is an unfortunate pity, but their personal relationship is outside my jurisdiction. What I can ensure, however, is the future of Leventis, which we all know can affect the thousands of individuals it employs. As such, with the additional powers duly vested in me by both sides, I have decided that sole ownership and management of the company be determined by way of voting.”
Esther started breathing again at the judge’s last words.
“When I say voting, I do not mean that only members of the board would be considered. In this case, every shareholder and employee will be considered as well.” The judge lifted his gavel and banged it down on his table. “Case dismissed.”
****
Chaos erupted in the courtroom, and Damen and his team were showered with congratulatory messages. Esther Leventis’ furious shrieks at her attorneys tempted Damen to look her way, but he forced himself not to. He was not done with her yet, but now was not the right time to make her fully realize the consequences of her actions.
When he finally managed to step out of the courtroom, he immediately searched for his wife, but he could only find Drake. “Where is Mairi?”
Instead of answering, Drake asked, “You won?”
Damen briefly explained the judge’s decision.
“Your mother’s in control of the board, which means you need the support of the rest – the employees and stockholders – to vote for you.” He paused. “A tall order, with how Esther has portrayed you to the media.”
Damen was about to tell the other man he did not need any kind of support considering his newfound wealth, but Drake was speaking again.
“You have nothing to worry about in that score.” Drake gestured towards the crowd that had formed at the other end of the hallway. “Mairi’s been campaigning for you the entire morning.”
Damen shook his head, bemused. “Excuse me?”
“Go see for yourself.”
Slowly, he walked towards the crowd. The nearer he got, the louder and faster his heart beat because Mairi’s voice was becoming clearer and clearer. Another few steps and he was close enough to see his wife surrounded by the press, a bunch of cellphones and portable microphones pressed towards her.
“I know you may think you have no stake in this, but you do. I know many of you may think this is simply a power struggle between two wealthy individuals, but it’s not. My husband isn’t working hard to reclaim his position as head of Leventis only for himself. He’s also doing it to have the power to help those unnecessarily and unfairly affected by his dispute with your current CEO.”
“Damen cares about you – his employees. People who don’t know him may think he’s ruthless. That he’s irresponsible. But if you have worked for my husband, you should know the truth. My husband is a good man, a fair employer, and he takes his obligation towards his people seriously. I know that many of you are being paid less than what Damen himself has promised because of the new internal policies in the company. Those changes are some of the reasons why Damen wants to be back in Leventis. He’s fighting for you, and I know, if we support him, we can help him and make our choice matter in this battle.”
The smile that touched Mairi’s lips after her speech took his breath away, and what she said next nearly knocked him sideways.
“I know how most people see me. I understand why people see me that way, and it’s really okay.” She bit her lip for a moment as she struggled to keep herself composed. “But what’s not okay is for your judgment of Damen Leventis to be clouded by your judgment of me. Damen Leventis is – was – and will always be the best thing to happen to your company. Don’t allow people motivated by their self-interest to take Damen away from you.”
When she paused, Damen was no longer able to keep still, no longer able to bear the distance separating him and his wife. Her impassioned words humbled him, and even when he had successfully pushed his way to the front of the crowd, Damen still couldn’t think of what to say.
Mairi froze at the unexpected sight of Damen standing before him. How long had he been there? Had he heard every embarrassing word of her testimony? She watched with wide eyes as he reached for her, and she bit her lip hard when he cupped her face with a tenderness that nearly bordered on reverence.
“Y-you won?”
His lips curved at the question, the words another subtle proof of her complete faith in him. “No.” When she looked shattered, Damen continued gravely, “Nothing I did inside made me win. It was here – what you did that will win me the case.” Gently wiping the stray tear that had leaked out one corner of her eye, he said hoarsely, “The judge decided to subject the company’s future ownership and management to a vote. He wants every vote tallied, not just the board members, but every shareholder and employee as well.”
Mairi started to cry, relief nearly sending her to her knees as she understood what her husband was saying.
“After your speech, sweetheart, who do you think would win?”
She sobbed, “Me.”
He laughed even as he pulled her close for a kiss, unable to wait for them to get to somewhere private. “I love you, my precious.”
She whispered back, “I love you, dreamboat.” More laughter mingled with their kiss as she spoke the words. Three words that were Mairi’s gift to herself because she wanted her last memory to be of Damen Leventis smiling. She would treasure this look of his forever.
And then his phone rang.
Mairi didn’t lose her smile, didn’t even feel the need to cry when Damen pulled away at the sound of it. It was fitting, after what she had decided.
Before answering Willow’s call, Damen told Mairi, “I have to take this call. I…need to talk to my attorneys, too. Is it okay if you go home first?”
“Sure.” She meant it. She no longer had any right to mind what Damen chose to do.
“Wait for me there?”
“Of course.” But this time, she lied.
Chapter Fifteen
She said: To wed a Greek billionaire, one must be very good at keeping what she’s caught.
He said: You make me sound like a damn fish.
She said: But a very gorgeous fish.
He said: Still a damn fish.
Proof of Mairi’s dejection was how she appeared unaware of the fact that it was taking the driver at least thirty minutes longer than he should to drive them home. When the driver became aware of the contemplative look Drake was subjecting him to, his fingers tightened nervously around the steering wheel.