**Chapter 11: The Fallout**
The room fell silent as Mr. Davis finished reading the will. The air thick. Everyone couldn't help the surprise on their faces, the contents of the will would obviously cause some changes.
The truth was that after the death of Henry Moreno, they had called a meeting to appoint Laila as the CEO but she had refused the position, saying that she still needed sometime to grieve and so she had appointed her husband Peter Morse as the temporarily acting CEO until she was ready to fully take on the position.
Laila was also very surprised at her father's will, but the conditions he had applied to his will came as a shock to her. She blinked her eyes and looked down as her eyes filled up with tears, she could guess her father's thoughts, her father had never liked Peter, but he had accepted him because of her, because of her love for him, but who would have known that her father knew Peter wasn't an honest person, he was just after her money but her father had suspected it, or knew it. So he made sure to write his will and include these conditions. These conditions were going to help her in future if Peter tried to take half her money for himself during divorce, with the will written like this, he made sure everything was for her and only her, married or not.
Peter felt a sudden cold rip through him. He couldn't believe what he had just listened to. His train of thoughts were similar to Laila's. He knew Henry Moreno had never liked him, but he had tried to push forward, to gain their trust, to accept him and it seemed like they did. Or so he thought. But who would have thought that he would do this? The old man had really outdone himself.
No, everything was shattered, everything he had worked for the past ten months. Peter couldn't help but feel caged, because this had come as a surprise, taking him unaware and unprepared, if he had to step down from his position now, he was just leaving everything he had done to be discovered, he hadn't covered up his tracks and although the fishy dealings he had done couldn't be easily discovered but he knew that with good focus and proper perusal, one would be able to find out what he had been doing.
His hands were tied-no, he suddenly stopped his thoughts. His hands were not tied, at least not completely, there was one way out, Laila. If Laila decides not to take over immediately, then he might just have a chance to cover up his tracks. But Peter's little hope was meant to be shattered.... Because as Laila's eyes locked onto Peter's, who looked stunned and uneasy but hers looked determined.
Her eyes, calm but cold, locked onto his that were steady, unreadable, yet heavy with something that made his stomach twist. Everyone in the conference room could feel the shift in the air. It was as though the late Henry Moreno himself had walked in to witness his daughter reclaim what was rightfully hers.
Christopher Davis spoke up, breaking the silence, "Laila, as the new CEO, you'll need to take the oath of office and sign some documents to formalize the transfer of ownership."
Laila nodded, her eyes still on Peter. She stood up, her movements calm and deliberate. "I'll do that, Uncle Christopher. I'd like to start by thanking everyone for coming. I know this is a difficult time, but I'm committed to continuing my father's legacy and taking the company forward." Laila inhaled deeply, shifting her gaze to the people in the conference room, straightening her posture. Her fingers intertwined on the table, calm and composed. "I do appreciate everyone's presence," her voice was steady but carrying a weight that silenced even the faint whispers around. "My father's will has made things clear. I believe there's nothing left to debate."
Peter's jaw tightened. He could hear the finality in her tone. For months, he had been the one in control, making decisions, signing deals, moving money discreetly under her nose. But now, with a few sentences from that will, everything was slipping through his fingers.
The shareholders and executives murmured in agreement, their eyes on Laila. Peter shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his smile faltering.
Laila continued, her voice firm, "As you all know, I've been away from the company for a while, but I'm back now, and I'm ready to take the reins. I'd like to start by reviewing the company's financials and meeting with each department head. Uncle Christopher, can you arrange that for me?"
Christopher Davis nodded, his eyes twinkling with approval. "I'll get right on that, Laila."
Laila's gaze swept the room, her eyes lingering on Peter. "I'd also like to have a word with Peter, please. In private."
The room fell silent again, the tension palpable. Peter's face paled, but he stood up, his movements stiff. "Of course, Laila. Let's talk." The both of them left the conference room together, walking into the nearest empty office.
"Laila," Peter started, forcing a gentle tone, "I know this is a lot for you. Maybe it's best you don't rush into-"
"Peter," Laila interrupted, her voice cutting through his like glass. Her gaze was sharp but polite. "I've had enough time to think. I'm ready to resume my position as CEO."
Her words landed like a gavel strike.
Peter's throat went dry. He swallowed hard, masking the tremor in his voice. "I understand, but perhaps we should schedule a transition period. There are… files, accounts, ongoing projects that might—"
"I trust you'll make the transition smooth," she said simply, her tone neutral, but her eyes daring him to protest further.
Peter's fingers dug into the palm of his hands, turning his knuckles white. Inside, he was unraveling. He could almost feel the walls closing in—the deals, the forged signatures, the secret accounts—all of it hanging by a thread. One wrong move, one curious glance from her, and everything could come crashing down.
Laila could tell what Peter was feeling, the fear of her taking over. Which would lead to her discovering his dirty deeds, she stared at him for a moment before walking up to him, she placed her hands on his cheeks, a soft gaze in her eyes. "Look babe, my father stated his conditions in the will, we had the excuse of not knowing the will so you were able to stay as the acting CEO. But now that we know the will, we need to respect it or else everything is gonna go to someone else." Peter knew that which made everything more difficult, he needed the money to stay under Laila.
He nodded his head, a sigh escaping, his tense shoulder's dropping in realization, his lips as he tried to smile at her. "I understand." Laila smiled back and they both turned around to return to the conference room.