“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 162

**Chapter 34: The devil’s deal.**

James Watson sat at the restaurant bar eagerly as he awaited the arrival Adrianna Delgato. The past few days were like a distant dream. He’d convinced Harold Taylor to go into business with him securing Vanessa Taylor as the head designer! The day of the meeting, Harlod and Christian could hardly believe their ears.

*“Let me get this straight President Watson. You want to sign my daughter Vanessa on as head designer for Watts-Corp; and in exchange, we’ll be apart of the real estate merger between your company AND House Delgato?”*

James sat smugly as he nodded in confirmation.

*“That’s correct Taylor. After the competition, I’ll be announcing my company’s merge with HD. Naturally, because Vanessa is our lead designer, she’ll get to run not only that contract, but the contracts for Watts-Corp as well. Not to mention, your company will be in charge of the real estate development.”*

Both Harlod and Christian stared in shock! This type of merge would guarantee the expansion of Taylor-Corp into all four major sectors; and a chance to increase revenue into the hundreds of billions of dollars. Christian spoke next.

*“Please forgive me for asking President Watson, but why are you SO interested in my sister?”*

James looked at Christian with a slightly puzzled expression. Surely they would know better than anyone how talented the girl is. Was his proposal really that farfetched?

*“President Taylor, I take it you know how talented your sister is?”*

*“Indeed I do….but….she’s inexperienced. With this type of deal, I would have thought you wanted to poach someone like Elizabeth Bowen.”*

Harold's eyes darted over at Christian. Just what the hell was he doing! James expression became slightly annoyed. Hiring Bowen was most certainly his original plan, however, finding her proved to be beyond difficult.

*“I won’t lie, like many…yourselves included I’m sure; I wanted Bowen. But finding her has turned out to be more trouble than she’s worth.”*

Christian could understand this sentiment. Even he had grown frustrated with finding her.

*“And besides….your sister is beyond talented. What she lacks in experience, she’ll learned on the floor!”*

Harold smiled greedily, the potential was becoming endless.

*“Well! I think we have a deal Watson! Of course, we’ll need to broker some type of good faith contract until the signing of House Delgato.”*

James lifted his briefcase pulling out some documents.

*“I actually have a business proposal that should make all us happy. Why don’t we both offer each other thirty percent of our companies' shares. That way, even without Delgato; there will be a mutual contractual agreement between Watts and Taylor Corp.”*

Christian immediately panicked.

*“Thirty percent! Are you out of your damn mind! That’s rid-”* 

*“Wait a moment Chris.”*

Harold held his hand up indicating for Christian to be quiet.

*“Watson….that’s a pretty steep amount of shares. Why would you risk-”*

*“It’s not a risk Chairman! I’m sure you two own the largest portion of shares at Taylor-Corp correct?”*

Both Harold and Christian nodded.

*“Good! And I doubt your board plans on overthrowing you, so the majority is always in your favor.”*

Christian spoke again.

*“Okay….but what about you? You’re just the President…I imagine the largest percentage of YOUR company is to your nephew.”*

James smiled smugly.

*“That’s where you’re wrong President. You didn’t think I would come all this way empty handed. I’m not my nephew Taylor. I recently teamed up with several of my board members. Once I told them about my upcoming merger, they agreed to hand me their shares. I now have the larger percentage over my nephew.”*

Harold and Christian’s eyes widened in shock! Suddenly, Harlod began to laugh hysterically.

*“Hahahaha!!!! I like you Watson!!! You’ve got guts! Your nephew could learn a thing or two from you! Impressive!”*

Christian’s brows furrowed. Something about this deal just wasn’t sitting comfortable with him.

*“Wait a moment….if you sign over your shares, won’t your nephew notice the backdrop?”*

James was becoming annoyed with the son. *'Why the hell is making this difficult!'* With a slight chuckle, he answered Christian's question.

*“You worry too much President Taylor! Not if the shares are owned by the company. If you put the shares under Taylor-Corp and not yourselves directly, the shares will belong the company which means they will inadvertently belong to the Chairman. As for Taylor-Corp’s shares, I’ll secure them in the merger account. On paper, it'll just look like a finance merge between our companies.”*

Christian nodded his head. The plan definitely seemed foolproof. And once the mergers were over, Taylor-Corp would be able to monopolize in development. So then why was there such a knot in the pit of his stomach.

*“Brilliant Watson!! Simply brilliant!! Coming up with a business deal like this! It's a wonder they named him CEO over you! You’ve got yourself a deal!”*

Christian could hardly believe his ears! He didn’t think his father would agree that quick, before he could say anything; his father was summoning the company lawyers. James Watson also called his lawyers to the conference hall.

After the lawyers of each party thoroughly went over the documents; each party concluded the contracts were legit and in order. With a greedy smile, Harold Taylor signed over thirty percent of Taylor-Corp shares to the merger account; while James Watson signed over thirty percent of Watts-Corp to Taylor-Corp. Each of the men shook hands as Harold ordered his assistant to bring in some champagne.

*“A toast! To the real brains of Watts-Corp! CHAIRMAN James Watson!”*

Applauds erupted throughout the conference room, one person however was not in a celebratory mood. Christian. He wasn’t sure why, but there was something uncomfortable about this deal. And his father agreeing to it before speaking with either him OR the board had him silently seething. After the contracts were signed, James took his leave.

*“Let’s make a shit load of money Taylor!”*

*“Indeed!!!”*

Shortly after James and his legal team left, Christian immediately ordered everyone to clear out of the conference hall.

*“Everybody out now! I need to speak with my father!”*

Nervously, the legal team and assistants all began to exit the room. Harold, still reeling from the deal, was smiling brightly as he read over the transfer of shares. Christian made his way over to his father. His voice was low and filled with spite.

*“Father….we need to talk.”*

Harold turned to face his son, confused, he didn’t understand why he looked so gloomy after brokering a deal of a lifetime.

*“Smile son! We’re that much closer to monopolizing the four-”*

*“What the fuck dad!”*

Christian couldn’t take it anymore! What was the point in making him president if Harold wasn’t going to discuss in detail this type of deal BEFORE signing contracts.

*“What the hell is wrong with you!”*

*“What’s wrong with me! Why the hell would you sign that contract! You just signed over thirty fucking percent of our com-”*

*“It’s my company!”*

Harlod slammed the documents down on the table. He couldn’t believe how arrogant Christian was acting.

*“Let’s get something straight Christian! Taylor-Corp is mine! I’m the chairman! I make the decisions! You do what I tell you to do!”*

Christian took a step back. Completely flabbergasted by his father’s words.

*“Wow….and here I thought you were setting me up to become chairman… instead….you want me to be a yes man. Is that how grandfather saw YOU?”*

Harold’s eyes began to soften, slight guilt creeping into his chest. It's not that Harold didn't trust Christian; but unlike him and his father...Christian didn't take risks. Placing his hand on Christian’s shoulder, Harold spoke in a calmer tone.

*“Chris…you’re my son. My eldest. Of course I am poising you to one day takeover the reigns as Chairman. But do you understand that because of this deal…when you DO take over…Taylor-Corp will have managed to monopolize the entire four sectors; making us the largest real estate developmental company in the world!”*

Harold smiled proudly at his weary son. Of course he understood his reservations; but Christian still had a lot to learn.

Christian smiled as his face filled with skepticism at his father's arrogance.

*“Unless of course you just made a deal with the devil.”*

With that, Christian walked out of the conference room leaving Harlod confused. What exactly was the big deal. There was no real loss. So he signed over thirty percent….they also owned thirty percent of Watts-Corp. This was a win/win!

*‘That damn boy. He just doesn’t see it yet. This was the right call. You can’t take over the world being safe.’*

Harold thought to himself as he made his way back to his office.

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Adrianna walked over to the bar where James was sitting. She could practically smell his smugness in the air.

*“Hello James. You look like you’re in a great mood.”*

James smiled darkly.

*“Oh but I am! Thanks to you, the greatest business proposal maker in the entire fucking world!”*

Adrianna smiled cooly, she knew what this gloating meant. James had secured the deal between him and the Taylors. Sliding onto the stool next to him, Adrianna continued.

*“So….I take it you made some new friends?”*

James instantly nodded in agreement.

*“Indeed! Though I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your lovely genius!”*

Adrianna smiled while clapping lightly.

*“Congratulations President Watson. Looks like Watts-Corp just secured the deal of a lifetime.”*

James scoffed.

*“After this competition…It’ll be CHAIRMAN Watson.”*

Adrianna smiled with a hint of irony in her eyes.

*“I’m sure it will be.”*

James’ brows slightly furrowed. He’d expected Adrianna to have more energy than this. Not wanting to harp, he decided she must just be overwhelmed. Taking the contracts out of his briefcase, he handed the documents over to her. Adrianna picked up the documents, her eyes slightly widen before a sinister-like smile appeared on her face.

James smiled.

*“Congratulations, you have your star designer, and we own thirty percent of Taylor-Corp.”*

*“Very good indeed James. Well….pleasure doing business with you…Chairman Watson. Merry Christmas, I’ll see you at the competition.”*

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Adrianna went straight to Josie and Marlon’s condo that night. Josie, along with Marlon, Emily, and Joshua all stared in disbelief at the signed over shares.

*“I-I don’t fucking believe it.”*

Joshua looked at the signatures with pure amusement. Josie shook her head.

*“There’s no way Christian was completely cool with this!”*

Adrianna’s eyes squinted as if she were remembering something.

*“You know…that little fool did say something about the son being difficult.”*

Josie lightly chuckled. She knew Christian well enough to know he wasn’t thrilled about this type of deal. Suddenly, a sardonic grin appeared on her face. That was going to make this whole situation that much more delicious….knowing he would have an *‘I told you so’* moment.

Adrianna handed another document over to Josie.

*“That’s the best thing about thieving fools. They never read the fine print.”*

The fine print James neglected to read….. who the actual owner of that merging account was.

EBC. Elizabeth. Bowen. Corp.

*“Congratulations Ms. Bowen. You’re now the majority owner of Taylor-Corp.”*

Josie smiled with glee.

***Game. Set. Match.***