After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 207

Elle's POV

I was lying on my bed, when my phone rang. The caller ID showed a number I didn't recognize, but something about it felt familiar.

"Hello?" I answered cautiously.

"Elle, dear." The voice on the other end was unmistakably authoritative, yet warm. It was Elizabeth Rayne, Brad's grandmother.

My heart skipped a beat. "Mrs. Rayne? How did you get this number?"

"Oh, darling, I have my ways," she said with what sounded like a smile. "I'm calling because I have some important news. Brad's brother, Lucas Rayne, will be returning home soon. We're planning a birthday celebration for him, and as Brad's mate, your presence is absolutely required."

I sat up straighter, confused. "Brad's brother? I thought Brad was the only heir in his generation."

"There's much you don't know about our family yet, dear. But don't worry about the details. Just focus on keeping yourself happy and healthy. The dress and jewelry for the event will be prepared for you – you just need to maintain that lovely glow of yours."

I touched my belly instinctively. "Mrs. Rayne—"

"Oh, before I forget," she interrupted, her voice taking on a more business-like tone. "I'm having some documents prepared for you to sign. Someone will deliver them shortly. Consider it an early gift."

"What kind of documents?" I asked, feeling increasingly bewildered.

"Your reward, so to speak." Elizabeth's voice was filled with satisfaction. "Since you're carrying a boy – our future heir – I'm giving you an additional five percent of the company shares as a first gift to my great-grandson."

The phone nearly slipped from my hands. "Mrs. Rayne, I... I don't understand. Why would you—"

"Nonsense, dear. You're family now. Just sign the papers when they arrive, and everything will be taken care of. I must go now – there's much to arrange. Take care of yourself."

The line went dead, leaving me staring at my phone in complete shock. Five percent of Rayne Group? That had to be worth... I couldn't even begin to calculate it.

When evening came, I heard the distinctive sound of helicopter blades approaching the cruise ship.

Sophia found me on the deck, watching as a helicopter landed on the ship's helipad. "Elle? What's going on?"

"I think... I think that's for me," I said, still not quite believing it myself.

A man in a business suit emerged from the helicopter, carrying a briefcase. He was escorted to our deck by the ship's crew, and he approached me with professional deference.

"Ms. West? I'm Robert Chen, representing Mrs. Elizabeth Rayne. I have some documents for your signature."

"Of course," I managed, though my voice sounded foreign to my own ears.

He opened the briefcase and withdrew a thick folder. "These are share transfer documents for Rayne Group. Mrs. Rayne has instructed me to ensure you understand that you're receiving five percent ownership of the company, along with the associated board membership."

I stared at the papers, the legal language swimming before my eyes. Five percent. Board membership. Voting rights.

"I... this is really happening?" I whispered.

"Yes, ma'am. If you could just sign here, here, and initial there..." He guided me through the documents with practiced efficiency.

My hand trembled as I signed my name, feeling like I was signing away my old life and stepping into something completely foreign. When it was done, Mr. Chen smiled professionally.

"Congratulations, Ms. West. Mrs. Rayne asked me to convey her warmest regards and to inform you that your documents are now officially in effect. You are now a member of the Rayne Group board of directors."

I watched in stunned silence as he packed up the papers and returned to the helicopter. The aircraft lifted off into the twilight sky, leaving me standing on the deck feeling like I'd just experienced the most surreal dream of my life.

"Elle!" Sophia's voice broke through my stupor. She was approaching with Abigail, both looking concerned. "What the hell just happened?"

"I... I honestly don't know," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Sophia, how much money is five percent of Rayne Group worth?"

Sophia stopped dead in her tracks. "Five percent? Elle, what are you talking about?"

"I just signed papers. Elizabeth Rayne gave me five percent of the company shares."

Sophia's eyes went wide, and she grabbed my shoulders. "Elle, are you serious? Five percent?"

"Yes, why? How much is that?"

Sophia let out a whoop of excitement. "Elle, congratulations! From now on, nobody can openly bully you like that anymore!"

Abigail had gone pale. "Elle, Brad controls fifty-five percent of the company. Elizabeth holds ten percent. The five percent you just received... it makes you one of the most powerful people in the company."

"But how much money is it actually worth?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it all.

Sophia's grin was massive. "Elle, you just became worth over a hundred billion dollars overnight."

My knees nearly gave out. "A hundred billion?"

"Actually," came a familiar voice from behind us, "that's a conservative estimate."

We turned to see Lester approaching, his expression serious but not hostile like before. He looked different – more subdued, less arrogant.

"Rayne Group's conservative asset valuation is around two trillion," he continued. "So your five percent is worth approximately one hundred billion. And that's just the monetary value."

He looked directly at me. "Congratulations, Elle. Mira is no longer your competition. You won."

Sophia nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! As a board member, Victoria Rayne won't dare target you anymore. She'll need to court your vote instead. And Mira?" She laughed. "Mira just became irrelevant."

Abigail shook her head in amazement. "I have to admit, Brad's strategy is brilliant. Getting Elizabeth to give you shares is like removing all the chess pieces from the board in one move."

I felt the pieces clicking into place in my mind. "This was all... Brad's doing?"

"Of course it was."

Lester cleared his throat. "Actually, Sophia, could I speak with you privately? I owe you an apology, and an explanation."

Sophia's expression hardened. "Lester—"

"Please." His voice was humble, almost pleading. "I know I don't deserve it, but... I was wrong. About everything. I don't understand love at all, and I hurt you because of my own stupidity."

Sophia studied his face for a long moment, then looked at Abigail and me. "Would you mind giving us some privacy? Maybe go... study the menu or something?"

"Of course," I said quickly, grateful for an excuse to process everything that had just happened. "Abigail, want to check out the dining options?"

"Absolutely," Abigail agreed, linking her arm through mine. "Let's give them space."

As we walked away, Abigail turned to me. "So, how are you feeling about all this?"

I shook my head slowly. "Honestly? My brain feels like it's short-circuiting. Yesterday I was fighting with Mira on this deck, ready to throw punches, and tonight I'm being told she's no longer a threat because I'm suddenly worth a hundred billion dollars?"

"It is pretty surreal," Abigail admitted. "The pace of change in your life has been... intense."