CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT: CLEANING THE COMPANY.

Kendrick’s POV

The morning light barely touched the skyline when I pulled up in front of Black Corporation.

Today, I was cleaning my father’s lapdogs from the company.

I walked towards the boardroom where everyone was already waiting for me. I came late on purpose as I wanted to make sure everyone was there before I arrived.

The boardroom was so quiet that the sound of the clock ticking on the wall felt deafening. Every director, every manager, and every executive sitting around the long glass table avoided my eyes because they knew what was coming.

I leaned back in the leather chair at the head of the table, my fingers lightly tapping on the table and I just stared at all of them coldly. Evans stood by the door, holding a stack of termination letters that would soon change a lot of lives.

The air was thick and the tension heavy, as I could see cold sweats trickling down the faces of some of the guilty people.

"Read the list," I ordered. My voice came out low, calm, and extremely cold.

He cleared his throat swiftly before opening the file he was holding. "Yes, sir,.. Mr. Thompson, Head of Finance, Mr. Glenn, Head of Public Relations, Mr. Sanders... "

I raised my hand to stop him, as I saw the name calling as a waste of time. "Skip the formalities, Just make sure they are out by noon."

He nodded quickly, sweat glistening on his forehead.

One of the older directors finally gathered the courage to speak. "Mr. Black, most of these people have been in the company for years. Firing them all in one day might... "

I turned my gaze on him and just one look was all it took to shut his righteous mouth up.

"Years of service mean nothing if loyalty lies elsewhere," I said calmly. "Every single person on that list was working for Raymond. They were the ones leaking information and manipulating numbers, I won’t have snakes running this company."

The silence in the room became suffocating as no one dared to reply.

I stood up slowly, buttoning my jacket with an unreadable expression. "Effective immediately, I want all their access revoked. Make sure security escorts them out. If they resist, call the police."

"Yes, Mr. Black," Evans replied.

"And send a copy of this decision to my grandfather. He gave me full authority to clean up this mess. I will make sure Raymond never steps foot in this company again."

There was a heavy silence. Then, one by one, the directors nodded. I left the boardroom without looking back.

As I walked through the hallway, I could feel eyes following me with a mixture of fear, awe and resentment.

It didn’t matter, this company was mine now, and I was going to make sure no one ever doubted that again.

When I stepped into my office, Curtis was already waiting. He was sitting on the couch like he owned the place, one leg crossed over the other and a smirk plastered across his face.

"Wow," he said slowly while clapping with a sneer on his face. "You really went all out, didn’t you? Half the senior staff fired in a single morning."

I walked to my desk and placed my phone down. "You have a problem with that?"

He laughed under his breath. "Not really, I just find it interesting that you didn’t even discuss it with me. You know most of those people were my allies too, right?"

I looked at him blankly. "Then maybe you should be careful who you call allies."

He stood up as his expression hardened. "You’re acting like some untouchable god just because Grandfather gave you control. Don’t get too comfortable, Kendrick, that seat you are sitting on doesn’t belong to you forever."

I smiled faintly. "Neither does your place in this company belong to you, Curtis."

He scoffed. "You wouldn’t dare."

"Oh, I would," I said quietly, leaning back in my chair. "The only reason you still have a job is because Grandfather said so. If it were up to me, you would be gone with the rest."

Curtis’s jaw clenched. "You think you can just erase everyone connected to father? You think that’s going to solve everything?"

"It already has," I replied coldly. "I don’t plan on letting history repeat itself."

He took a step closer to my desk, his eyes dark with anger. "You think you’re untouchable, huh? Acting all high and mighty just because Christy’s by your side now? And you have the backing of the Lancaster family? Let’s not forget, Kendrick, I met her first."

My smile faded instantly. "Watch your mouth."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction. "What? Did I hit a nerve? You think she loves you just because you are playing the protective hero? Let me tell you something, brother, girls like her fall for whoever gives them the most attention."

I stood up slowly, my eyes locked on him. "Try it then."

He blinked. "What?"

I stepped around the desk, closing the distance between us. "You said you met her first, Fine. Try to take her from me again and let’s see how far you get this time."

Curtis’s smirk faltered, just slightly.

I lowered my voice, as my tone turned sharp. "But I will warn you once, touch her, or even speak to her again the wrong way, and I will forget Grandpa’s wish, you wouldn’t know how you die."

His throat moved as he swallowed hard, but he didn’t reply.

"Now get out," I said calmly.

He stared at me for a moment longer, then grabbed his jacket and walked toward the door. Before leaving, he turned slightly and said, "One day, she will be mine and you will be left broken, just like Raymond."

The door slammed behind him.

I exhaled slowly, rubbing my temples. My patience was hanging by a thin thread.

I glanced at my phone and saw that Christy had texted me an hour ago.

Christy: Mom’s awake, the doctor says she’s recovering well.

Just reading her message softened me a little. She always has that effect on me, like sunlight through a storm.

I grabbed my jacket and left the office. I have had enough work for today, and I miss her already.

By the time I got to the hospital, Christy was sitting by her mother’s bedside, holding her hand and smiling softly. The sight hit something deep inside me.

"Hey," I said quietly as I entered.

She turned her head, and that smile of hers reached her eyes instantly. "You are here."

"Of course I’m here," I replied, walking closer. "How’s she doing?"

Her mother smiled faintly. "I have been worse. They said I can go home tomorrow."

"That’s great news," I said, placing a bouquet of lilies on the table beside her bed. "You’re looking better already."

She chuckled weakly. "You’re too kind, young man."

Christy squeezed her hand. "Mom, don’t start with the teasing."

Her mother smiled and turned to me. "Take care of her, Kendrick and that little one she’s carrying."

Christy’s cheeks flushed pink. "Mom!"

I couldn’t help but smile. "You have my word," I said softly. "I’ll protect them with my life."

Her mother’s eyes warmed, but there was sadness in them too. "You remind me of your grandfather. Strong and quiet, but always carrying too much inside."

I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded.

A few minutes later, she started to feel drowsy, so Christy tucked her in, kissed her forehead, and whispered something softly before stepping out with me.

We walked down the hallway, hand in hand. She was quiet, probably thinking about her mom and the baby. I tightened my grip on her fingers, just needing that small touch to remind myself that she was real.

"Are you hungry?" I asked.

She blinked innocently then smiled. "Starving."

"Good," I said, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. "Let’s go somewhere nice."

I decided to take her to XX restaurant and on getting there, I was extremely surprised to see my mother heading to a private room.

Without saying anything, I gently pulled Christy closer and motioned for her to stay quiet. We stopped right outside the slightly open door of the private room.

Then I heard Raymond’s voice and my pulse quickened.

I glanced through the small gap and saw him sitting across from her. Both looked tense and the air between them was extremely thick.

"I’m ready to sign the papers," Raymond said. His tone was rough and tired.

Lauretta leaned back, her expression cold. "Oh?"

I felt Christy stiffen beside me, She looked at me, confused. I just pressed a finger to my lips, signaling her to stay silent.

We stood there quietly, listening.

They talked about divorce, money, and property. It was all business. But then the conversation shifted and that’s when everything inside me stopped.

Raymond asked her why she came back.

Lauretta laughed softly. "Destroy everything? Raymond, everything was already destroyed long before I came back."

Then she said the words that ripped something open inside me.

"You mean the son I never wanted?"

My chest went cold as I just stood there frozen. .