2024-12-26 05:11:54It was a regular afternoon in the Harper Corporation. Somehow, word had gotten out about Roxanne's mission to find new investors or be made to leave her current husband and marry the Larsen's heir, so it was the current hot topic of discussion in the office.
"Did you hear the news about Roxanne?" One lady called to another from her cubicle.
"Oh yes I did. Such juicy information." The second lady replied.
"I really do hope she divorces that her good for nothing husband. I was lucky to see Seth Larsen once, he's so tall and handsome." The first one said, clasping her hands in front of her chest with a dreamy look in her face.
"That means you want our company not to get investors?" the second one chided her.
"If she marries Seth Larsen, the Larsen's family business will partner with us, so what do we need investors for? Don't forget they're a second rate family." The first lady reminded the second one.
"Oh well, you're right. But that's enough Roxanne drama, she's still our boss and won't like to see us lolly gagging about like this." The second lady said and turned to face her computer.
"Yes, let's get back to work." The first one replied and also returned to her workstation.
Meredith Harper, Roxanne's sister was in the building and happened to overhear the conversation between the two employees. Wity a mean smile on her face, she took the elevator up to the floor where her sister's office was located.
Without even knocking, she let herself into the office, making Roxanne look up from the paperwork she was handing.
"Hello sister," she said, dropping into the chair opposite Roxanne and crossing her legs.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Meredith?" Roxanne asked, shutting down her computer. She knew that her sister hardly came with good intentions, and that she was most likely here to cause trouble.
"I heard a few of your staff talking," Meredith began.
"And? Staff talk all the time." Roxanne deadpanned.
"But they were talking about you." Meredith continued.
Roxanne just fixed her with a plain look. She was aware of all of Meredith's antics, and she knew her in and out.
"Anyway," Meredith began, uncrossing her legs, "I'm only here with good intentions. People are talking, Roxanne. Why are you still with that wastrel of a husband? Even willing to sacrifice our family company all for him? A freeloader like him isn't worth it! What value has he added to us?"
Roxanne felt anger begin to rise in her chest."I won't have you walk into my office, insult my husband and make a joke out of my marriage, Meredith."
"What do you mean make a joke? Asher Griffin being married to you is the biggest joke in this city and everybody knows it. Which is why you should marry Seth instead. Divorce that loser and ally yourself with the Larsens who are a better fit for us all." Meredith scoffed.
Roxanne got up from her chair so quickly that it startled Meredith. She balanced her palms on her desk, leaned down and looked straight into Meredith's eyes, then said,
"We may be family, but some things I will not tolerate, Meredith. How I run my life doesn't concern you in any way. If you like the Larsen family so much, then marry Seth yourself."
Meredith also stood up and glared at Roxanne.
"Fine, sister. But let's wait and see where being so arrogant and selfish will lead you. Let's hope you don't become a laughing stock in the end. Have a nice day." Meredith said before leaving the office and slamming the door shut after her.
After Meredith left, Roxanne dropped back into her chair and sighed heavily. Since she agreed to that deal with her father earlier, news had spread very fast. She had sent out a few proposals that morning, but she wasn't expecting any tangible results.
Her husband had told her not to worry, but she couldn't help but worry. How exactly did he plan on helping her? The Harper Corporation was struggling financially, so finding investors willing to partner with them was proving to be a big problem.
As she was deep in thoughts, her secretary, a young woman burst into her office suddenly.
"Ms. Harper! Ms. Harper! You'll never believe it!" The secretary squealed excitedly.
"What is it, Rose?' Roxanne inquired.
"A delegation just arrived, and they said they're from the Garrison group! And they want to speak with you, to discuss the terms of a new partnership!" Rose, the secretary announced in the same excited tone.
Roxanne couldn't believe her ears. The Garrison group? The Garrisons were a high level second rate family, even higher than the Larsens in the social ladder. If she could seal this partnership deal with them, it would save her marriage and bring even more benefits to the company than the Larsens could.
She tried to keep the excitement in her voice to a minimum and look professional, before nodding to her secretary, "Bring them in, Rose."
Rose left and returned shortly with a group of people, two men and one woman. She recognised the man in the lead immediately, Liam Garrison. He was the younger brother of the current family head, Andrew Garrison, and had a stellar reputation as a very astute businessman.
"Good day, Mr. Garrison," Roxanne greeted, extending her right hand for a handshake.
"Mrs Harper-Griffin, a good day to you too." He gripped her hand in his, shaking it firmly but gently.
Roxanne felt warmth spreading through her as she heard his manner of address. Not many people recognised her husband or married status, so the fact that he did pleased her greatly.
It was in that good mood that she asked, "And how may I be of service to you and your associates this afternoon Mr. Garrison? Please, sit." She pointed to the chairs opposite her as she took her seat too.
"No cause for worry, ma'am, we come in good faith. As your secretary may have told you, we come bearing a proposal for a partnership." Liam Garrison began to say.
Roxanne was stunned. Hearing it from her secretary was one thing, but having it confirmed by a top level member of the Garrison family was another thing entirely. She just sat in an excited silence and listened as he explained the finer points of the contract.
"So, Mrs. Griffin, as the Garrison group has plans on expanding into the insurance sector, partnering with a trusted firm such as yours will helo build our reputation with the customers, as well as boost your company. So as you can see, it's a win win for both our companies." Liam Garrison explained.
Roxanne nodded, showing her agreement.
"In that case, shall we make it official?" Liam gestured to the woman who accompanied him, and she handed him a contract encased in a black leather folio. "If you sign here, here, and here," he pointed to three places across the papers, "it will be finalised by both our lawyers, and the partnership will take full effect in the next 24 hours."
Roxanne watched as he slid the file across the desk to her. She read through the contract, not finding any loopholes and seeing that it was genuine. Taking a pen from her drawer, she signed the contract.
Liam Garrison smiled as she handed the contract back to him. "I look forward to working with you, Mrs. Griffin. You'll receive your copy of the contract from your lawyers. " He extended his hand for a handshake with Roxanne.
"Thank you, and the feeling is mutual, Mr. Garrison. The Harper Corporation won't let you down." Roxanne shook the offered hand.
"Alright then. We'll remain in touch. Good day, Mrs. Griffin." Liam Garrison said, then stood up and left the office, followed by his associates.
As they left, Roxanne slumped down in her seat. She was in a state of shock. One moment, she was worrying about how to solve her problems, the next moment a solution came swooping in. Just like her husb and had assured her.
That led her to begin to wonder, just who exactly had she married?
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