Michael’s POV
The drive to Veridian Tower continued in comfortable silence.
I rested the unopened file Xero had handed me on my lap before shifting my attention to the city passing beyond the tinted windows.
Monday mornings were usually reserved for reviewing the week’s priorities, and today would be no different.
After a few moments, I looked toward Xero. "Regarding Lanard Business School," I began.
"Yes, Alpha." He immediately unlocked his tablet.
"Get in touch with Rachel Cliff. I want my schedule coordinated with theirs."
He waited patiently for me to continue.
"My responsibilities at Veridian remain the priority. Any lecture schedule they prepare must work around my existing commitments. I don’t want my classes overlapping with board meetings, overseas conferences, investment reviews, or negotiations."
"I’ll coordinate everything personally."
"I also want my weekends cleared."
Xero glanced up briefly. "You’ll still be returning to Los Angeles every weekend?"
"Yes."
He nodded before making another note.
"If urgent matters arise during the week, I’ll fly back when necessary. Otherwise, I’ll remain in Boston until the weekend. I don’t intend to let teaching interfere with Veridian’s operations."
"I understand."
The conversation ended there. Neither of us felt the need to say more.
Xero had worked beside me for years. Most of the time, he understood what I wanted before I finished explaining it.
Teaching had never been part of my long-term plans. Had Lanard Business School not persisted for months, I would have declined their invitation without a second thought.
Still, now that I had accepted it, I intended to fulfil the role properly.
Half measures had never suited me.
By nine o’clock sharp, I walked into Veridian Group’s executive boardroom.
Every director immediately rose to their feet.
The room housed sixteen executives, each overseeing one of Veridian’s global divisions. Technology, finance, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, logistics, construction, aerospace, real estate, hospitality, and several other sectors all reported directly to this board.
I acknowledged them with a slight nod. "Please."
Only after I took my seat did everyone else sit.
The meeting began without delay. The first presentation came from the European division.
Quarterly revenue had exceeded expectations, largely due to the successful integration of two recently acquired manufacturing companies. Profit margins had increased by just over eleven per cent, while operational costs continued to decline.
The next report focused on our renewable energy projects across Southeast Asia.
Construction remained ahead of schedule. Projected returns had increased. Risk assessments remained within acceptable limits.
From there, the meeting moved through logistics, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, investment portfolios, and international expansion.
Each director presented concise reports supported by data rather than assumptions. That was one of the principles Veridian had been built upon.
Opinions carried little weight inside this room unless they were supported by facts.
For the next two hours, projections were scrutinized, budgets revised, and strategies sharpened.
No one raised their voice or wasted a moment—every discussion centered on measurable results and practical solutions.
When the final report ended, I closed the file before me. "If there are no further matters, we’ll conclude today’s meeting."
Several directors began gathering their documents.
Before anyone could rise, I spoke again. "There is one additional matter."
The room fell silent at once, every gaze returning to me.
"I’ve taken an interest in Mercer Technologies."
A few directors exchanged brief glances, but none interrupted.
I continued calmly. "I intend to acquire it."
I delivered the statement as plainly as any other decision discussed that morning.
"I have no preference regarding the approach. Direct negotiation, market pressure, strategic investment, or any other lawful method—the mergers and acquisitions department can decide."
I folded my hands together on the table. "What matters is the outcome. I want Mercer Technologies under Veridian Group."
I allowed my gaze to move around the room. "As soon as possible."
This time, several directors nodded in understanding.
Mercer Technologies had become one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the country over the past few years. Its growth trajectory alone made it an attractive acquisition target.
No one questioned my decision. They were not afraid to because they understood how Veridian operated.
By the time a proposal reached this boardroom, it had already become a decision.
The discussion was never about whether something should be done, only about how best to accomplish it.
"I’ll notify the mergers and acquisitions department myself," I said as I rose from my chair. "Begin preliminary evaluations immediately and prepare a comprehensive acquisition strategy."
"Understood, Mr. King."
The response came almost in unison.
Without another word, I left the boardroom.
The executive office occupied the entire top floor of Veridian Tower.
As the elevator doors opened, the familiar quiet welcomed me.
Unlike the lower floors, where employees moved constantly between departments, this floor remained almost silent throughout the day. Only a handful of people had unrestricted access.
Xero followed several steps behind me.
The moment we entered my office, I loosened my tie before removing my suit jacket.
Without needing instruction, Xero accepted it from me and hung it neatly inside the wardrobe near the entrance.
Everything inside the office had already been prepared. Beth had delivered my morning coffee exactly fifteen minutes earlier, just as she did every day.
Steam still rose gently from the ceramic cup resting beside my computer.
I walked over to the desk and picked it up.
Out of habit, I paused long enough to inhale the aroma before stirring it once with the silver spoon. Only then did I take the first sip.
It tasted exactly as expected. Strong. Balanced. Unsweetened. Just the way I preferred it.
I had barely returned my coffee cup to its saucer when my phone vibrated on the desk. At the sight of the caller ID, my lips curved faintly.
I answered. "Morning, Rics."
"Morning, Alpha." Alaric’s familiar laugh carried through the speaker. "I saw a few clips from the Mercer Technologies opening over the weekend, and I have one question."
I already knew what he meant.
"You helped Emerald Hugo."
"I kept her from making a mistake."
Alaric chuckled. "That wasn’t my question."
I said nothing.
"The Alpha I know doesn’t involve himself in other people’s affairs."
"If she had struck Kelvin in front of that crowd, there would have been legal consequences."
"So you felt sorry for her?"
I looked out through the floor-to-ceiling window before answering calmly. "I only kept the situation from escalating."
Alaric sighed dramatically. "I’m never getting a real answer from you, am I?"
"No."
"I hoped you’d at least admit she caught your eye."
"She didn’t."
"Then I’ll stop asking."
"You should."
"I’ll let you get back to work." A laugh escaped him. "Are you coming to the club tonight?"
"I can’t. I still have paperwork to finish, and I need to prepare my lecture notes for Lanard."
"The teaching job still surprises me."
"It surprises me, too."
He laughed again. "Will you at least be at Friday night’s meeting?"
"Yes. Then I’ll leave for Boston the following morning."
"Then I’ll see you Friday."
"You will."
The call ended.
For a few seconds, the office returned to its usual silence.
Xero, who had remained quietly occupied with his tablet throughout the conversation, finally looked up.
"For your trip to Boston this Saturday," he asked, "would you prefer your private jet, or would you like me to confirm the first-class tickets Lanard Business School prepared for you?"
"My jet."
He nodded once. "I’ll notify the flight crew immediately."
After making a few notes on his tablet, he closed the cover. "If there’s nothing else, Alpha, I’ll finalize the remaining arrangements."
"Go ahead."
He inclined his head respectfully before leaving the office.
Once the door closed, I picked up the acquisition proposal waiting beside my laptop. But before I could open it, another meeting notification appeared on my monitor.
It was already close to eleven.
The investment review with our Singapore division proceeded exactly as scheduled and concluded shortly before noon.
After nearly three straight hours of meetings, I finally leaned back, hoping for a brief silence before my lunch appointment, when two gentle knocks sounded against the office door.
"Come in."
Beth entered with her usual composed smile. "Good afternoon, Mr. King."
"Good afternoon, Beth."
She stepped closer, tablet in hand. "Your lunch appointment will begin in twenty minutes."
"I’ll be there shortly."
"There is one additional matter," she said.
I looked up.
"This morning, Mr. Kelvin Mercer contacted the office requesting a private meeting with you."
A quiet scoff escaped my lips. Kelvin Mercer was getting ahead of himself. His event had served exactly one purpose. And it had nothing to do with him.
He had mistaken my attendance for interest. How unfortunate.
I looked at Beth as I picked up the folder waiting beside my desk. "His event only allowed me the perfect opportunity to see someone. Nothing more."
Beth understood at once.
I instructed without further explanation. "Reject him."
"Yes, sir." She inclined her head and left the office.
The door closed softly behind her, returning the room to silence.
I lowered my gaze to the documents before me, but my attention drifted to the unopened file Xero had handed me that morning.
It still sat on the corner of my desk, exactly where I had left it.
After a moment, I reached for it, picked it up, and opened the cover.