FRAGMENTS OF THE BILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 11: POWER MOVES

Micheal, maintaining a calm exterior, sat across from Victoria as she provided a brief history of her family's fortune derived from crude oil. The Rockford family's rise had been fueled by the support of the Ashford family, establishing a mutually beneficial relationship.

However, the atmosphere shifted when Victoria, with a mischievous giggle, slid a set of documents across the table.

"What are these papers?" Micheal asked and she prompted him to take a look, as Micheal perused the termination contract between their families, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"This is a termination contract between our two families, of course there is clause stating that if I have to do this, I would have to pay 10 trillion dollars but that's not an issue as I have found a better business partner."

 The termination of a long-standing alliance was unprecedented, and he struggled to comprehend the motives behind such a move.

Unable to locate Reginald or even Valentine in the bustling room, Micheal felt a sense of urgency.

"What would you want to terminate our contract? Our family have had a good relationship for years." He questioned Victoria about the abrupt decision, emphasizing the benefits of their existing alliance. 

"During the week, one of the families came to me with a better offer, they offered me bigger buyers, better connections, transportation and security of the oil cargo for a small percentage of 15, rather your family who is collecting 35%" That was the selling point of their strategy. 

Micheal, sensing the fishiness of the situation, suspected ulterior motives. It didn't make sense that any power hungry family would offer that much for such a small percentage which meant that someone was targeting the Ashford family. Who would target such a massive giant? Counteracting her proposition, he introduced a bold move—blackmail.

Micheal calmed himself and his tone became cold as he spoke out, "miss Gold, you are a businessewoman, do you really believe that any family would do all this for a measly 15%" 

Victoria rose an eyebrow as she answered the question, "Of course it seems suspicious and too good to be true but we have checked their capabilities and they are able to hold their side of the deal." 

"Oh perfect then, you know my family holds a massive influence over the media worldwide. You could say we are the owners of the Media." 

"What does that have to do with your conversation?" She asked him slowly with a cautious tone.

"Oh miss Gold, I have heard all about your scandals which involves bribery and blackmailing presidents, it would be very bad for you if this news got out." Micheal said recalling what Valentine told him, Victoria tone shifted.

"You would only create problem for yourself too, those people you allegedly said I bribed are powerful people, even your family could have issue with them."

"Oh you are right, but let's talk about your biggest scandal, your cover-up story of the explosion which killed 2500 workers because you didn't want to confiscate that oil rig, so you blew it up." Micheal said coldly and Valentine expression changed along with her tone as she tried to defend herself.

"That was actually an accident, we didn't blow the oil rig for tha-" 

While Victoria tried to defend herself, Micheal seized the opportunity to assert dominance.

"But that's not what my Media would report on the world news, they will say that you killed all those people because you selfishly didn't want the government to take your oil rig." Micheal said staring into her eyes with dominance.

 The leverage of potential scandals hung in the air as he declared, "Continue your contract with us, and I will consider exposing you or not. But I know you will make the right choice."

With a winning smile, Micheal stood up and left Victoria fraustrated and dumbfounded at her table. The room, once filled with a facade of smiles and alliances, now held a tension that reverberated beyond their immediate exchange.

As Micheal navigated the crowded space, he couldn't shake the weight of the decisions he had just made. The delicate balance of family alliances and the intricate dance of power played out in unexpected ways. The challenge to protect the family's interests while unravelling the motives of those around him intensified.

"I can't believe, I just did that. Damn!" He whispered to himself, he was only able to blackmail her because of the little info Valentine gave him before he left with Victoria.