In the evening, while Eleanor was reading a bedtime story to Freya, Ethan's secretary, Jack Brown, arrived to deliver the information regarding the four companies. She let her daughter continue playing in her room and went downstairs to meet Jack.
Jack was tall and broad-shouldered, with a strong presence that made him look more like a bodyguard than a secretary. As soon as Eleanor entered the living room, he stood up and greeted her with a respectful nod.
Eleanor accepted the folder from him and said, "I might need some help from you. My secretary, Teresa, recently returned from the States, and her network here is still insufficient for my upcoming plans. I hope you'll assist her and provide some guidance. I'll send your number to her later, and she'll call you."
Jack inclined his head slightly. "Understood, Ms. Raynor."
After sending him off, Eleanor went to her study to review the documents on the four companies. For the next half-hour, she meticulously read through the information, taking notes and formulating strategies for each acquisition.
Once satisfied, she picked up her phone and called Teresa. "I'm sending you some photos of the chairman of Sage Enterprise. Apparently, he's having an extramarital affair with another director's wife. By tomorrow morning, as soon as the stock market opens, I want his scandal to be on every news headline. Prepare our buyers… we need to purchase all available shares when the stock price plummets."
She paused momentarily before continuing, "Check your mobile. I've sent you Jack's number. He's Ethan's assistant, and I just spoke with him. If you need any assistance, he'll help."
Teresa's voice was firm. "Understood. I'm on it."
"One more thing," Eleanor added. "Contact Fortune Tech and inform them that I want to have lunch with their chairman tomorrow. If they don't agree, mention that I wish to discuss the matter of Annabel Miller. That should get their attention. Set the meeting at a restaurant near Heimdall Tower so that I can join easily from my office."
After finishing the call, Eleanor sent Ethan a short message: "Thank You."
She then returned to Freya's room, where the little girl was still immersed in her activities. Smiling, Eleanor joined her for some playtime, momentarily setting aside the ruthless world of business.
Meanwhile, across town, Ethan was attending a high-profile banquet, his usual stoic expression firmly in place. When his phone vibrated in his pocket, he glanced at the screen and saw Eleanor's message. For a brief moment, a rare smile played on his lips before it quickly disappeared. A few attendees who had caught the fleeting expression on his face wondered if they had imagined it.
***
The following morning, after breakfast, Eleanor entrusted Freya's care to a new nanny from the Blanc clan. Linda Blanc was a woman in her forties, slightly plump, with a warm and dependable demeanor. After a brief conversation, Eleanor found herself liking her.
Freya, however, didn't particularly need a nanny. Whenever her mother was working, she busied herself with games, books, or her favorite hobby… programming. She had shown remarkable aptitude in coding, and Eleanor occasionally taught her advanced techniques.
Thus, Linda's primary responsibility was to ensure that Freya ate and slept on time.
Eleanor had already enhanced the villa's security the previous day. The latest AI-powered surveillance system, developed by her own company, now monitored the household. Any security breach or anomaly would be reported to her instantly.
After finalizing household matters and giving staff instructions, Eleanor left for the Hyatt Hotel, where the acquisition process was set to take place.
***
In the Executive Boardroom of the hotel, Teresa was waiting alongside several lawyers. While no one knew the true identity of the new company or its owners, Teresa was recognized as its representative.
Outside the room, the representatives of the eight IT companies gathered, exchanging hushed speculations. They were all seasoned professionals in the same industry, but none of them could fathom just how much capital this mysterious company had to attempt acquiring all of them at once.
As curiosity and tension thickened the air, Teresa finally stepped out and invited them inside. Once everyone was seated, she addressed them calmly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have called you here today to finalize and sign our previously agreed-upon contracts. Since my boss is occupied with other matters, I decided to conduct all signings simultaneously. Please review the final contract and inform us if there are any discrepancies."
A lawyer from her side handed each representative a pre-written contract. While they were carefully going through the documents, a convoy of five black Range Rovers pulled up in front of the hotel. The doors of the front and rear vehicles opened first, and several bodyguards stepped out, positioning themselves strategically.
Then, from the middle car, a striking woman emerged, wearing an impeccably tailored purple business suit. She walked into the hotel with an air of effortless authority, her every movement exuding confidence and control. The bodyguards followed her closely, their gazes scanning the surroundings with practiced vigilance.
Inside the Boardroom, the company representatives were still discussing the contract when the doors suddenly swung open. A hush fell over the room as the breathtakingly beautiful woman entered.
Teresa and her entourage immediately stood up in deference, prompting the rest of the room to follow suit. Even those who had never met her instinctively recognized her as the boss.
Eleanor walked to the head of the long conference table and took her seat, her expression calm and unreadable. "Everyone, please be seated," she said in an even tone.
As the attendees settled back into their chairs, she continued, "I am Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor, Chairman of Heimdall Technologies Limited. If any of you have second thoughts or objections, now is the time to voice them. Otherwise, let's not waste any more time. Let's sign the contracts."
There were no objections. One by one, the representatives signed the agreements, while Teresa affixed the company seal to each document. A lawyer then distributed copies to the respective signatories. Since the terms remained unchanged from their earlier negotiations, none of them hesitated before signing.
Once the last contract was collected, Eleanor addressed the room again. "Teresa will now proceed with transferring the agreed-upon funds to your respective accounts. I expect all of your companies to relocate to Heimdall Tower by the end of today. From this moment forward, every employee, file, and asset under your companies belongs to me. Any attempt to sabotage or withhold company property will result in legal consequences."
She gave them a moment to process her words before adding, "My personnel are already stationed outside your company premises. Please inform your offices to cooperate. Anyone who refuses to comply will be terminated without hesitation."
Panic flickered across a few faces, and within moments, everyone was hastily calling their offices, ensuring smooth transitions.
When the commotion subsided, Eleanor leaned back slightly and continued, "Additionally, I invite all directors of the eight companies to join Heimdall Technologies. I acquired your businesses because I recognize your expertise and contributions to the industry. If you choose to stay, you will receive a 1% stake in the company. Your roles within Heimdall will be decided later. Those interested should contact Teresa by the end of today."
She turned to Teresa and asked, "Is everything ready for the show?"
Teresa nodded. "All set."
Eleanor's lips curved ever so slightly. "Then let it begin."
Teresa picked up her phone and sent a confirmation text. A few seconds later, she looked up. "It has begun."
Eleanor rose from her seat. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a pleasure doing business with you. As a parting gift, I've prepared a little show for you. Open the stock market app and enjoy."
With that, she strode out of the room, her demeanor as composed as ever.
As soon as she left, everyone scrambled to check their stock market apps. For a few seconds, nothing changed. Then, the stock price of Sage Enterprise plummeted. Within minutes, it hit the circuit breaker, leaving everyone in stunned silence.