Chapter 809 The Power Shift
Hayley’s POV:
I said firmly, “Don’t forget–I landed that development site Sander Group needed for the second half of the year–and I didn’t spend a single dime. If that doesn’t prove I’m capable, then maybe, just maybe, you never wanted me back in this family in the first place, Freya.”
As soon as I made my point, the Sander Group executives, who had been staying quiet, finally spoke up.
“So it was Michelle who secured that property?”
“With that site locked down, we won’t have to…”
“Didn’t Freya say we needed to put that project on hold, and at the expense of the company, talk about profits for the next three years? Turns out she was trying to shut Michelle out.”
“We’re here to make money. Why the hell would we walk away from a sure thing? Mr. Sander, aren’t you going to say something?”
Put on the spot, Alan looked completely caught off guard. He glared at Freya, clearly at a loss for words.
Freya gave me a look full of spite, but there was nothing she could say. Her eyes dropped, and she fell silent, clearly embarrassed.
Watching the two of them squirm in front of everyone was deeply satisfying.
“Well, this just got interesting,” a voice rang out with a slow clap.
It was Truman, who’d been watching from the sidelines all along. He raised his glass and called out to the crowd, “Since Ms. Michelle Sloan is stepping into management, I’ll go ahead and make this public–I plan to route all upcoming investments from Winterbite Pack operations directly through Sander Group.”
Then he turned to me with a smug grin and leaned in. “How’s that? I helped you out again.”
I shot him a sidelong glance. “I would’ve made it happen even without you.”
He smirked. “Yeah, but with me, you don’t have to lift a finger.”
Truman straightened up, radiating that dominant Alpha energy, commanding the room without even trying.
But his last comment threw me for a loop. For a second there… he felt familiar.
Just for a moment, I thought of Benjamin.
But that feeling lasted only a second. Most of the time, I was just left with questions about him.
I didn’t buy for a second that a man like Truman would go out of his way for me just because he thought I was pretty–no strings attached.
No, I had a gut feeling–he was here for something else. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be simple.
Still, a partnership with Truman was like honey to bees. The moment he made that offer, the shareholders jumped at the bait.
Sure enough, they jumped at the chance to cozy up to him. “Ms. Michelle is young and talented! She should be in leadership!”
“I’m all for it. Let her step up and carry the Sanders’s legacy!”
“Sander Group needs some fresh blood anyway. It’s about time!”
One after another, voices filled the room–every single one of them in my corner.
Freya’s face went pale.
I wasn’t crazy about Truman’s overbearing vibe, but seeing Freya struggle to keep her composure? It made it all worth it.
Truman took the opportunity to flash a faint smile and turned to Alan beside me. “Mr. Sander, looks like it’s unanimous–Ms. Michelle will be representing your family in our partnership, yes?”
Alan gave a heavy nod, his face tight. I knew it. He still couldn’t see past the fact that I was just an Omega.
Not that I ever cared what he thought about me.
Truman pressed his lips into a smile and turned to me. “Well then, Ms. Sander, how about we find somewhere quiet to go over the details of our partnership?”
I narrowed my eyes at him, sizing him up. Then I placed my hand in his. “Lead the way.”
My inner wolf had been restless inside me all night from the overwhelming mess of scents in the room. With everything done and said, I had zero interest in fake smiles or small talk. A quiet spot sounded like a blessing.
I led Truman through the Sanders’ Residence into one of the smaller private lounges.
The moment we stepped in, I pulled my hand back and headed for the couch, sinking into the cushions as I started opening the gift he had brought.
He paused where I left him, let out a slow breath, and then followed, settling into the couch across from me.
I didn’t bother acknowledging him. I opened the box and found a sleek, metal flash drive inside.
I picked it up, held it between my fingers, and asked, “What’s this?”