Is this destiny?

Jasper signed the document which gives him the rights to vote instead of Ellie in her absence and all directors and shareholders present clapped. Well, everyone except for Mr. Stocker.

Mr. Stocker was observing the whole situation. He was upset that Norman left in such a disgraceful way. So, what if he didn\'t get those voting rights? That is no way for a man in a position of power to act.

He remembered how previous day Norman told him about Miss Young who managed to get interest of his son. Is this the same woman? If she is, how is it possible that Norman believed even for a second that she will give him her votes? And didn\'t Norman say that she is a gullible, clueless girl? No matter how Mr. Stocker observes this young woman, he can tell that her innocent smile is just a mask. Her eyes are sharp, and she probably planned all this just to embarrass Norman. Hmph! Serves him well when such a little girl can outsmart him.

Mr. Stocker is aware that Norman was never good when facing adversity. And considering how Jasper is naïve, Mr. Stocker is more than ever convinced that his son is the right person to take over K Industries. He maybe has only 6%, but he can rock the boat between other shareholders to create doubts in Jasper\'s leadership. Even with Ellie\'s support, Jasper still does not have more than 51% to solidify his place, and he depends on other shareholders to reach there. As long as Jasper does not have a definite hold on majority of votes, Mr. Stocker has a chance. And he can even use Ellie to hurt Jasper. When he spreads the news that Jasper got his bed-mate in the company, that will not fare well with others.

Mr. Stocker was in his thoughts, planning his moves while his gaze moved over each person present at the table. He didn\'t notice that the time is trickling away and that they are moving through items on the agenda.

Jasper standing up to announce that meeting is concluded surprised Mr. Stocker.

"Mr. Stocker, can you please stay behind so that we can discuss one thing?" Ellie\'s words surprised him. What a coincidence… he wanted to talk to Ellie as well! More interaction with her will give him a better insight into what kind of a person she is.

Mr. Stocker watched from his seat all other shareholders and directors approach Ellie to shake her hand and introduce themselves. But it didn\'t take long. After about five minutes it was only three of them in the room: Mr. Stocker, Ellie and Jasper.

"You want to talk to me?", Mr. Stocker asked when the last person left and closed the door behind him.

Ellie smiled amicably. "Yes. I understand that your time is precious, so I will go straight to the point."

She pushed one of two remaining folders toward him. "Please, take a look at the contents before we continue."

Mr. Stocker opened the folder and instantly paled. "What is the meaning of this?!"

Mr. Stocker\'s cry made Jasper flinch. He reminded himself that Ellie told him to play along and to enjoy the show. But he was curious, what is in that folder to make Mr. Stocker snap like that?

Ellie shrugged. "You tell me. You are on those photos. And documents there show the money flow. So even if you accuse me of staging the photos or altering them in any way, money trail is something you can\'t deny. You sponsored those… activities and even collected profits."

Ellie saw that he is frantically going through photos and printouts while trying to conceal the contents of the folder so that Ellie and Jasper don\'t see what he is looking at.

"Take your time. You have…", Ellie looked at clock above the door, "About five and a half minutes."

Mr. Stocker paused. "What happens after that?"

"Folder with identical contents is held by my associate who is right now in one of major publishing online companies. If by then I don\'t call him, that will end up in the hands of the press."

"You are bluffing!"

"Suit yourself." Ellie leaned into her chair comfortably. "Five minutes."

Jasper touched Ellie\'s hand with a pen to get her attention. "What do you want for lunch?"

She was surprised (for real). "Eh? You are taking me out for lunch?" They haven\'t eaten out since… they never had a proper meal out. It was always in privacy so that Ellie is not embarrassed when Jasper gets too close, or too handsy, or too touchy, or too Jasper.

Jasper was amused with her reaction. "You gave me your voting rights. That should be worth at least one lunch. Tell me what you feel like eating and I will make it happen. Or if you don\'t have any preferences, I will pick something."

Ellie\'s excitement was obvious. "Ah! Give me a minute to think. You caught me by surprise."

Jasper smiled. "I will give you… four minutes."

Ellie pouted for a second before complaining: "Not fair. That is how much Mr. Stocker has. I request at least two minute extension."

Mr. Stocker snorted. "Do I need to listen to you two… flirting shamelessly?"

Ellie rolled her eyes and looked at Mr. Stocker. "No. You are free to leave. But know that even if you leave, you have less than four minutes. And unless you sign this…" Ellie placed her hand on the last folder in front of her. "I\'m not making that call."

Mr. Stocker narrowed his eyes. "What is that?"

As a response, Ellie pushed the folder toward him.

"This is extortion!", he exclaimed as soon as he glanced at the document with a title \'Stock Transfer Form\'.

"You can call it extortion if it makes you feel better." Ellie was happy to see that the situation is finally sinking in for this loud old man. "But I see it as the condition for your filth not to end up in the media. You are free to believe that I am bluffing. And you are free to leave. It\'s all up to you, Mr. Stocker. Which one is it? You have about three minutes to decide. How many people will get to see your sick fetish which involves underage…"

"Stop! Stop!", Mr. Stocker panicked. He desperately wanted Ellie to stop talking.

"Pen, pen!", he extended his shaky hand toward Jasper.

He swiftly signed in three places which were already marked for him.

"Make the call!", he angrily said to Ellie when he pushed the folder with signed document to her.

Ellie glanced at the document and smiled before getting her phone.

"It\'s done.", she said as soon as the person picked up.

"You are a cunning woman.", Mr. Stocker said through his teeth while rage boiled inside him.

"It takes a cunning person to recognize another one, Mr. Stocker. With this, I believe you have no more business with K Industries. You are free to leave."

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