Chapter 2 Chapter Two: The Ultimatum
Chapter Two: The Ultimatum
As she made her way to the conference room, Savannah’s heart beat with a mixture of pride and anxiety. For months, she’d battled the expectations and subtle hostility of a board who saw her as nothing more than a figurehead. It wasn’t just business—her stepfather, Richard, had aligned himself with the board’s most regressive members. Their latest scheme: force Savannah into marrying a man of their choosing, thereby “protecting” the company from what they called “a woman’s unpredictability.” Savannah’s mother had taught her to fight for her dreams with grace and grit, and she was determined not to let them win.
The boardroom was tense that afternoon, filled with the rustle of papers and impatient coughs. Richard sat at the head, his eyes glinting with unspoken threats.
“Savannah, the firm needs stability. The board believes that merging your leadership with a suitable partner—someone with experience—would benefit the company.”
Seething inwardly. It was bad enough they’d went behind her back and began making preparations for HER future, but to sit here smug at the head of the council as if HE was the CEO….Savannah forced herself to suppress her anger as she addressed the board.
“I see……am I not proving myself to be worthy of leadership? Even after all the multi-billion-dollar deals that have been made on my behalf and MY designs. Still you all are wary?”
Stunned by her accusations, the board members immediately began to defend themselves.
“That’s not it at all Savannah! We’re aware of how capable you are! This is merely a formality! Your mother-”
“My mother ran this company for years tripling its profits, creating some of the most unique and beautiful designs, and gaining world renowned respect. Yet, instead of her board members giving her the respect and title she deserved….you all forced her into a marriage that served her ZERO purpose.”
Savannah’s ending words hit Richard like a slap in the face! The closeness he and Savannah once shared as father and daughter was long gone. Now, he was nothing more than a snake trying to slither his way into her company.
“Savannah! How could you say such a thing! I’m your-”
“You’re my what? You’re most certainly not my father…..haven’t been for a long time. And by all means….please correct me if I’m wrong. Other than appeasing the wayward thinking of this board…..how did my mother benefit from marrying you?”
Richard’s teeth grinded as Savannah challenged him head on! Over the past several years, she hadn’t shown him an ounce of respect. Once he brought Darma and Lacy home, their bond was severed! She never minced words, and she never hid the fact that she blamed him for her mother’s death.
Before Richard could respond, Boardman Stewart Dashell spoke up.
“Savannah….there’s no need to be rude. We’re all on the same side here and we all wants what’s best. Not just for the company….but for you as well! You’re almost twenty-three….you should be thinking about the continuance of your bloodline.”
Boardman Robert Carroll spoke next.
“Let’s just all calm down. Savannah….this is your company….we’re not trying to take it from you-”
“HA!”
Savannah let out a sarcastic laugh halting Robert in his sentence.
“Is that right? Then why is Richard Hawkins sitting at the head of the table as if he’s CEO. Was there an emergency meeting I was unaware of that voted him….someone who has ZERO connection to this company other than three percent shares as the new head?”
Richard’s face paled as his eyes filled with anger. Once again, she was belittling him in front of the board.
“Savannah that’s enough! Now you may not like it but I AM your stepfather! I was your guardian for over three years after your mother’s passing! How could you speak to me this way!”
Savannah stared at her stepfather unfazed, those three years he was referring too was nothing but the Lacy show. He paid zero attention to anything regarding Savannah. Suddenly, Boardman Dashell spoke again.
“Look….we’re getting off topic here! The reality is….we as the board already put this clause in place when it became clear you would be Sonya's successor. Now Savannah….you may not like it, but you HAVE to get married. Now we have some prospects lined up that we fill would be a great fit.”
Savannah clenched her fists beneath the table, her mind racing. The choice was clear: surrender to their archaic demands or chart a new path. Smiling, Savannah looked Dashell directly in the eyes causing him to shudder.
“Thank you for your concern,”
She replied, her voice steady.
“But if it’s stability and connections you want, I’ll find my own suitor.”
The board as well as Richard all gasped! SHE was going to find her suitor?!
Richard immediately panicked! He’d already chosen the perfect suitor for Savannah.
“W-Well that’s not necessary Savannah! I’ve already chose-”
“It’s not up for debate.”
Savannah stared at Richard directly in the eyes; she wasn’t dumb, she knew he had some type of angle. Before he could respond, boardman Anders responded.
“Forgive me for asking President Carter but considering how much you work…..do you even know who the latest eligible bachelors of Everpoint are?”
The world was made up of four regions, north, south, east, and west. Everpoint was the main capital of the east.
“I only ask because while we value the importance of marriage, we value who that marriage will be with even more. Choosing the RIGHT suitor is mandatory.”
Boardman Connors spoke next.
“Yes, with all due respect….how do we know you’re capable of choosing the right suitor….you’ve hardly spent any time with any of the high-society matchmakers in Everpoint.”
Savannah could feel her temper rising, these fools didn’t want to just force her into marriage, they wanted to control her entire outcome. Savannah laughed sarcastically.
“Wow…first I can’t choose when I get married….now I’m not even smart enough to pick my own suitor. Such gracious confidence this board has in the person that brought in over 7.5 billion dollars for last year’s quarter.”
The board members all looked nervously around the room, hints of guilt in their eyes. Dashell spoke next.
“T-That’s not what we were implying Savannah! We all know you are capable! We just want to make sure this is taken serious.”
Savannah scoffed.
“So you think I wouldn’t take serious my would-be husband?”
Before Dashell could answer, Richard intervened.
“Might I make a suggestion!”
Everyone’s eyes turned towards him.
“Kevin Alburn. Of the Alburn family. One of the more prominent families of the region. Also, he and Savannah practically grew up together and even dated for a while during high school! I’m sure Savannah-”
“Absolutely not!”
Richard along with the board members eyes all widened! Why was she so against marrying Alburn?
“Savannah…I don’t understand….Kevin is-”
“Kevin will not be my husband! Not now…not ever! Or have you forgotten that he now practically has your OTHER daughter’s name tatted on his ass.”
“SAVANNAH!”
Richard’s eyes widened with shock! How dare she slander his precious Lacy like this! But Savannah wasn’t backing down.
“Please Richard….let’s not play coy. Everyone knows the two of them are involved. I will not marry him. As I said before….I’ll choose my own ‘bride’.”
The board looked around nervously; was Lacy Hawkins and Kevin Alburn involved? Boardman Biebert spoke next.
“Richard…is what President Carter saying true? Are you suggesting she marries someone involved with your other daughter?”
Richard’s face became ashen!
“O-Of course not! Kevin and Lacy are friends! They practically grew up together! Savannah…. I think there has been a misunderstanding.”
Savannah rolled her eyes. She was done with this conversation.
“It doesn’t matter….I won’t marry Alburn. I’ll choose my own suitor. So if that’s all-”
“it’s not that simple Savannah.”
Boardman Connors spoke again as he placed a document on the table.
“You have to announce your engagement by your twenty-third birthday. If I’m not mistaken….that’s in less than two weeks….correct?”
Savannah’s eyes widened. She’d forgotten about that part of the clause! The board wanted her engaged by twenty-three and married within sixty days of that engagement. A sardonic smile appeared on her lips.
‘So this is why they waited until now….to back me into a corner completely.’
“Yes boardman Connors….my birthday is two Friday's from now. No worries…..I’ll have a suitor by then.”
Boardman Connors nodded; his face filled with skepticism.
“It has to be a suitor we all agree on Savannah. So why don’t we do this….you’ll have until your twenty-third birthday to announce your suitor….if we approve….then all is well. But if not….you’ll have two choices….either marry Alburn…or forfeit your right to become CEO.”
The clause the board created back when her mother was CEO; to ensure marriage, in order for Savannah to have a shot at being CEO, she would marry by age twenty-three. At the time, Sonya had no choice, she needed a board as well as their investments in order to help the company grow.
A dark smile appeared on Savannah’s lips.
“Very well. Gentlemen.”
Savannah turned to leave, her mind racing. She had to come up with a plan quickly or she would risk losing her parents company and everything they built.
