The Unexpected Billionaire's Revenge

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

James Garrick stared at the paper that lay on the table in front of him. He could barely believe his eyes. His business partner and benefactor, Pablo Hernandez was dead and he had passed down his chain of companies to a close friend. James Garrick was not new to the business. He knew what it meant. Pablo’s lawyer, Jeremy had already sent him a mail informing him of a meeting with the new boss at midnight where all the necessary documents would be signed. He knew that once again, he would have to be smart in his negotiations and make sure he got the new boss to inject funds into his company, Garrick Modeling agency.

He squeezed the paper and threw it in the dustbin.

“Should have waited till after we released the winter collection before he died,” James grunted. “I was really looking forward to the success of that show.”

“It can still be successful with the new owner,” Steve chipped in.

James turned to face Steve and sighed. Steve was his only son, and at twenty five, the only thing he did with his life was speeding around the town in a Maybach and following the sexy model, Selena Goldbridge. James knew that he had to start involving his son in the family business more often so he could get a hang of it.

“Have you thought about my proposal son?” James asked.

Steve sat up immediately and stared at his father. “There’s nothing to think about there, father. I can’t imagine that you own one of the most successful modeling agencies in the whole of America and yet you want your own son to work as a Junior secretary.”

“It’s a good start,” James shrugged. “With a good pay as well. You would be getting all the experience you need to run the company in the nearest future.”

“Thank you but I’ll pass,” Steve frowned. “I’ll do better as the manager or something.”

“The only thing you know about models is that they have a nice shape,” James frowned. “I can’t have you managing my company with your nonchalant attitude.”

“Then allow me live my life the way I wish,” Steve said.

James ignored him and walked over to the small fridge at the corner of his office. He opened it, took a bottle of wine and poured half a glass for himself.

“I’m trying very hard to make something for you son,” James said. “We came from nothing.”

“You have all the wealth in the world already dad,” Steve complained. “Why are you so concerned about me working my ass off when you’ve done it all already. Relax dad.”

James sighed. “Wealth is hard to acquire but easy to lose,” he said. “You’re good at spending. At acquiring, I’m not so sure…”

Someone knocked on the door interrupting their father to son conversation and Steve was only too happy that he had been interrupted. He knew his father very well. He could keep talking for hours!

“Come on in,” James said.

The door opened and Selena Goldbridge walked into the office. She saw Steve first and she smiled at him.

“Hey, I didn’t know you’d be here,” she said before turning to face James. “Good morning sir.”

“Good morning Miss Goldbridge,” James grunted. “Are you here for me or my son?”

“Oh I’m here to discuss a few things with you,” she replied turning her attention from Steve and back to James.

James frowned. Selena Goldbridge was beautiful. She was the face of Garrick Modeling agency and he knew it quite well. She was the reason their profit margin kept rising over the years but she was also the major problem in his family. She was distracting his son, Steve.

James never approved of their relationship but he couldn’t do much about it because Steve had made his mind up. It was her or no one else.

“What would you like to discuss with me?” James asked sitting down on his executive chair.

Selena sat on the chair opposite him. “My salary raise.”

James stared at her for a long time. She was out of her mind if she thought that she could walk into his office every week, demand a salary raise and get it. She had done it four times already in the last two months and James had honored her request only because he was scared of losing the services of such an experienced model. What she was doing now was outright theft. There was no way he was increasing her wages again.

“Things don’t work like that Selena,” James said sitting up. “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

“You should consider her request,” Steve shrugged. “She’s your best model isn’t she?”

James eyed his son and turned back to face her. “In case you were not aware, my benefactor, Pablo Hernandez died last night and he has passed the company to a friend. We don’t know who it is yet but I can’t imagine any man in his right senses would increase the capital he put into this company from the whooping twenty five billion dollars it is now…”

“I am well aware of his death,” Selena nodded. “That’s the reason I’m here. I want to be at the meeting tonight.”

“I see,” James grunted. “What for?”

“I believe I would be able to convince the new owner to increase the capital by a fine margin,” Selena smiled.

James stared at her. “What makes you think so?”

Selena smiled. “Never underestimate the charm of a woman.”

“And if you can successfully talk him into increasing the capital invested, I would increase your salary?” James asked.

“I would have 40 percent of the invested capital plus my salary,” Selena corrected. “You can keep the rest.”

James eyed the model sitting in front of him. She was young, beautiful, ambitious, and definitely too much for his son.

“Deal,” James smiled. “I would love to see this charm of yours. Be ready by eleven. My driver would be waiting to pick you up.”

“Sure thing,” Selena said and stood up.

“I would follow you then,” Steve said. “This is what you wanted right dad? To learn how things worked in the business world.”

“Of course my son.”

James Garrick smiled. He knew his son was going because of the model but he didn’t care one bit. He was going to kill two birds with a stone in one night.