Shay's POV
The doctors finally moved Dad to his private room. He was still unconscious, but Dr. RaJ assured us that it wasn't a critical condition. Once he woke up, they would examine him again.
Mom put on a hysterical act, complete with crocodile tears and exaggerated concern for Dad's condition. I almost believed her myself. We stayed in the room for about twenty minutes before she told us to leave so she could be alone with him for a while.
I went downstairs to the hospital cafeteria to grab some coffee, and to my surprise, Shelby was there too. She sat alone in the corner, staring idly at the cup of coffee in her hands.
I thought she already went back to the office.
I approached her table and sat down in the empty chair across from her. Her eyes snapped up to meet mine before she rolled them to the side and leaned back against her chair.
"Dad should be okay in a few days, right?" she asked, scowling.
"Are you kidding? The man collapsedâhe's not going to get back on his feet in just a few days and act fine again. He needs to stay here and fully recover. I'll take care of the company myself."
Of course. This was yet another opportunity for her to gain control and have things her way.
"Why do I get the feeling that you don't want Dad to recover too soon, just so you can do whatever you want at work?"
She scoffed loudly and folded her arms across her chest.
"Excuse me?"
"I mean, this is your chance, right? He still hasn't decided what to do with Shawn's position yet, and I bet you'd do anything to prove you're capable of running the company on your own, just like Shawn did."
"I would hate to disagree with youâsince you know me so well," she replied with a smirk.
"Is being an executive director not good enough for you?"
She shrugged casually.
"Honey, you don't know anything about being an executive director. Wait until you're in my positionâthen you'll understand what it's like to always be the second option."
An idea suddenly popped into my head. I stared down at the brown plastic cup in my hands. It wasn't the best idea, but it wouldn't hurt to tryâespecially if it made her stop underestimating me.
"Yeah, you're right. I don't know anything about your job at the company... but I'd like to see how it works."
Her eyes narrowed into slits. "What do you mean?"
"I'd like to take over your position if Dad allows you to have Shawn's."
She burst out laughing.
"Are you serious? You really think it's that easy? It took me five years of hard work to earn this position. What makes you think you can just ask for it and get it?"
"You really think I can't do it?"
"Yes," she said bluntly. "I don't think you're capable of handling the work I do. But I'd like to see you try, little sis."
I clenched my fists under the table, then forced a tight-lipped smile.
"I'll prove it to you. If I manage to get good results for my SFO sales project this month and show them to Dad, I'll ask him to make me the new executive director instead of you. That is, if he hasn't already appointed you as the next CEO by then. Once I take your position and find out that your job isn't as hard as you make it seem, I'd say you were just too greedy for power and status."
I noticed her fingers tighten slightly around her coffee cup. Inwardly, I smiled in satisfaction. I finally had her where I wanted her.
"In a month, huh?" she asked.
I nodded. "In just a month."
The corner of her mouth quirked up as she shot me a cold gaze.
"We'll see. But if you fail and I get what I want, I expect you to clear out your office by the end of the month."
I chuckled, stood up from my chair, and walked out of the cafeteria without looking back.
I will succeed. Just watch.
OoO
I went back to work after leaving the hospital and attended another meeting before heading to my office. Somehow, I couldn't concentrate. Shelby's words kept repeating over and over in my head.
Frustrated, I picked up my phone and decided to call Chase for advice. His phone went straight to voicemail, so I waited a few minutes before calling again. This time, he finally answered.
"What?"
"Well, sorry if I called at the wrong time. I'll just call back laterâ"
He groaned in frustration. "No, wait! I'm available now."
"Then why do you sound mad?"
"I'm not mad... I'm just trying to get myâ I mean, this thing that rolled under my table. And I can't seem to reach it. Just keep talking while I try to get it out."
I stifled a laugh and cleared my throat, reminding myself why I called in the first place.
"If I want to become an executive director by the end of this month, what should I do first?"
Silence.
"First of all, that's not going to be easy. Trying to get that high of a position in less than a month? Impossible. Second, why do you want to become an executive director?"
I walked across the room and stared out the floor-to-ceiling window before answering.
"I have to. I need to prove my sister wrong and make her realize she can't always have whatever she wants."
"That's it? Why can't you just argue it out and see who's actually right instead of doing all this?"
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Right? Why didn't I think of that? If my sister didn't defend herself with excessive pride all the time, that would've been so much easier."
"Are you being sarcastic right now?"
"It doesn't matter, Chase. Look, this is important to me, okay? Shelby is trying to take over my brother's position because she's hungry for more power. Once she gets it, she'll have full control, and I'm not going to let that happen. Shelby always gets what she wantsâbut not this time. If I pull this off before the month ends, she'll finally get what she deserves."
Another long pause.
"Finally! Got it!" Chase exclaimed excitedly, probably because he managed to retrieve whatever was under his desk.
"Did you even hear a word I just said?"
"I got it. So, what's your first move?"
I turned around, sat back at my desk, and leaned forward.
"First, we need a good profit rate from my SFO project by next week. Let's try media advertisements or something similar. That way, we'll get a strong weekly report, and consumer reviews on our products will be great too. Once I submit the report to my father and he's satisfied with the results, I can request a promotion. Shelby's position will be first on my list."
"Right... but we have a small problem."
I frowned. "What problem?"
"The thing is, I can't help you with this. I have no clue how to get someone promoted in such a short time. I mean, I got my position on my ownâI didn't have to work against someone for it. I can't help because if you fail because of my advice, I'd feel bad, Shay. I'm sorry."
Crap. Well, there goes my first shot.
"It's fine. I get it. I'll figure out another way."
"I really wish I could help you," Chase said, then suddenly perked up. "Wait! I know the perfect personâan expert at this kind of thing."
"Really?"
"Yep. He's got the perfect method, and I know this because I've seen him do it before. He can easily help you get a strong weekly report on your SFO project, and I'd bet my car he could even help you take Shelby's position."
He sounded like the perfect guy for the job.
"Who is he?"
A long pause.
"Well?" I pressed.
"You might not like him."
"How would you know? You haven't even told me his name yet."
"Well... okay, fine! It's Jason. He's the perfect guy to help you."
Oh, you have got to be kidding me.
"Not happening."
"See? I knew you wouldn't like it. But hey! He knows the best way to handle this, and if you let him help you, you'll get exactly what you want."
"Have you forgotten what he did to me?"
"Nope. But I also know that personal matters shouldn't mix with business. Are you really going to risk failing just because of your personal issue with him?"
Damn it. He had a point.
"I can't even talk to him. How am I supposed to ask him for help?"
"Leave that to me. I'll convince him. Not that he even needs convincingâI know he'd take any chance to be near you."
I closed my eyes for a moment and let out a defeated sigh.
Just when I wanted him to stay away, now I needed him close to make this plan work.
What the hell is wrong with this goddamn universe?
"Alright, fine. I'll let him help. But if he's not useful in any way, you've bet your car, Evans. Prepare to hand over your keys if this whole plan goes to waste."
He laughed. "I've never lost a bet, sweetheart. And I'm always right."
We'll see about that.