Page 161 of See You Maybe
“We don’t have to figure it out now.” Olivia smiled, her eyes brightening. “We should celebrate. You are once again CEO of Bloom Communications.”
Oddly, Declan didn’t feel like celebrating, and Olivia picked up on his disquiet. “This battle with Chris… It’s over, right?”
“For the most part. We still have to overturn the will, but we're in a much better position now. I’ve already sent the lab reports and the recording to the lawyers representing the various charities who filed a challenge. It will take time, but it will happen.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Connecticut—Present Day
Declan paced over to the bar cart in the corner and poured them each a whiskey.
“Slainte.” He tapped his glass to hers.
“I also have someone setting up guardianship for Courtney, to have the marriage set aside. Within the next few days, I’ll have taken everything from him.”
Olivia studied him. Despite his words, Declan wasn’t as happy as she thought he’d be. Was it because of what happened this morning? “What will Chris do?”
“What can he do? Without the company, without my father’s money, he's toothless. I win.”
A wolfish smile crossed his face, but Olivia felt a weight settle over her chest. “You win,” she repeated quietly.
Taking his drink to his desk, Declan sat in his giant leather chair and typed into his computer. Various tones sounded, signaling that each of his siblings had joined the virtual meeting.
Olivia understood Declan’s confidence to some extent, but she didn't believe Chris would give up that easily. Not in a battle that had gone on this long. Declan filled his family in on what had happened at the shareholder meeting, but their focus was clearly on something else.
“And the bomb?” James’s voice was hard.
“Unrelated.”
“That’s not good enough.” James’s jaw flexed on the screen. “Your car exploded, and Brady had people all over us at dawn. You owe us a little more than unrelated.”
Declan glanced to where Olivia stood off camera. Tell them her eyes telegraphed. They are your family.
“Declan,” Cara’s voice pleaded.
“This is a secure transmission,” Wes added.
Declan looked torn, and Olivia stepped closer. He looked up at her, and then tugged her down until she perched on his lap.
Small squares showing the various members of his family covered the computer screen. Siobhan looked livid.
“It was a problem from the past, but it’s being handled.”
“What does that mean?” Anne worried.
“Alex Kovalyov is settling it for me,” he conceded. “I’ll tell you more later.” Olivia knew he would do everything he could to avoid it.
“You’re coming Saturday, right?” Cami asked, leaning close to the camera.
“We’ll do our best?—”
“Declan,” James snapped. “It’s Cami’s birthday. You need to be here.”
“I said we’d do our best.” Declan’s voice was cool.
Olivia poked his side. “We’ll be there. Send me the details.”
“Thanks, Olivia,” Cami smiled.