Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 13

Finished

Chapter 13 Shareholders

WILLOW

Rocco led me out of the boardroom before I could even process what had just happened.

The woman was already gone before I knew it. She didn’t even give me a chance to reply to her!

My legs felt like jelly as I followed Rocco down the quiet hallway. The walls were lined with framed photos–runway shows, celebrity endorsements, massive launch events, international magazine covers.

All of this… belonged to Fiorane.

Rocco stopped in front of a set of tall, double doors and pushed them open.

I took one step inside before stopping completely.

The office was massive!

It had floor–to–ceiling windows stretched across one entire wall, overlooking the city as if I were sitting at the top of the world. For a second, I honestly thought he had brought me into the wrong room.

“Is this… mine?” I asked slowly.

Rocco smiled.

“Yes, Miss Willow.”

He led me to the table, and that was when I saw the nameplate on top of the desk.

WILLOW FLORENCE

Below it were the words: Chief Executive Officer

It was really there.

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Chapter 13 Shareholders

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I walked toward the desk in a daze and sank into the chair. The chair spun slightly, and before I could stop myself, I leaned back and let it spin.

“Gosh,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “What did I even do to deserve this?”

The chair slowed, and I stared up at the ceiling for a second, trying not to laugh hysterically or cry.

“Are you okay, Miss Willow?” Rocco asked, concern heard his voice.

I pursed my lips and sat up. “No,” I said immediately. “I’m really not, Rocco.”

He tilted his head slightly, giving me his full attention.

“I made a fool out of myself,” I blurted. “It’s only day one, and I already have so many people who hate me.”

“I don’t even know half the people in that room,” I continued, frustration bubbling over, “but they all hate my guts. Just like that. Based on what? My age? My job? My appearance? The fact that my marriage failed?”

Rocco didn’t interrupt me. He let me talk, which somehow made it worse and better at the same time.

“I walked in there trying to be respectful,” I went on. “I told the truth. I didn’t pretend to be some business genius. I thought honesty would help.”

I shook my head.

“Apparently, that was stupid.”

“It was not stupid,” Rocco said gently.

I looked at him.

“It felt stupid.”

He didn’t argue. Instead, he walked toward the desk and placed a folder in front of

1. me.

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Chapter 13 Shareholders

The sound it made when it hit the glass surface snapped me out of my spiral.

“What is this?” I asked, frowning.

“These,” he said calmly, “are the names of those with significant shares in the company.”

I straightened.

Finished

“Many investors bought in because of how strong Fiorane is as a brand. They trust the company’s stability. Currently, you own fifty–five percent of the shares.”

My eyes widened.

“Fifty–five?” I repeated.

“Yes,” he said. “You are the majority shareholder.”

That number felt unreal. I knew how much of a big deal it was to have half of a company’s shares. Most shareholders don’t even go beyond the ten percent line!

“Twenty percent of the shares,” Rocco went on, “are scattered among smaller enterprises and individual investors. They range from 0.01% to 1% each. Most of them would not be able to let go of their shares easily.”

I nodded slowly, trying to absorb everything.

“While the remaining twenty–five percent,” he continued, “are held by the people in that room.”

I frowned as he continued.

“Most of them also hold shares in other companies. They are used to influence and power. They are not accustomed to being outranked by someone they perceive as… inexperienced.”

I swallowed and nodded.

“Okay,” I said quietly. “So they hate me because I’m in their way.”

“In simple terms,” Rocco said, “yes.”

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Chapter 11 Shareholders

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I took a deep breath and opened the folder. The first profile stared back at me.

I recognized his face instantly. It was the man who asked me if I was married and demeaned me when I said I was going through a divorce.

“Mason Hamm,” Rocco said. “They own multiple meat processing and export companies.”

I couldn’t help it. A small chuckle escaped me.

“Ironic, isn’t it?” he asked with a smile.

“Still, Mr. Hamm’s Meats are renowned all over the world.”

I glanced at the numbers.

“He has three percent shares,” I read.

“Yes,” Rocco confirmed.

Three percent. It didn’t sound like much compared to my fifty–five, but in a company like Fiorane, that three percent probably translated to a ridiculous amount of money and influence.

I nodded, forcing myself to take this more seriously.

“Okay,” I said. “Next.”

I flipped the page and immediately felt a shiver run down my spine. The woman’s face stared back at me from the file.

“Caroline King,” I read quietly. It was the woman who told me to step down this early. However, much more than that, she was a woman closer to me, even if I didn’t like it.

Rocco continued speaking, but his voice faded into the background for a second.

King,

Everything clicked into place in a rush.

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That was why she looked familiar. She wasn’t just some random executive. She was Serena King’s mother.

Goodness.

I couldn’t escape them even here.

Rocco’s voice pulled me back in.

“They hold the biggest modeling agency in the entire country,” he said. “They are an important partner of Fiorane, especially in brand campaigns and celebrity collaborations. They hold five percent of the shares.”

Five percent. One of the biggest individual holders in the room. No wonder she felt so comfortable tearing me down.

“So she hates me for more than one reason,” I said quietly.

Rocco didn’t deny it.

“She may view you as… inconvenient,” he said diplomatically.

I flipped to the next page. Then stopped. My fingers tightened on the edge of the folder.

My breath caught.

My heart started pounding for a completely different reason now. The name on the page felt like a punch to the chest.

“Why,” I whispered, “is he here?”

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