Chapter 68: First Move

Emerald’s POV

The rest of the week passed quickly.

Once I had taken control of the lawsuits through my family lawyers, I turned my attention to the other task Michael had given me.

The holding company.

I had initially thought setting it up would be straightforward. It wasn’t particularly complicated, but there were enough legal and financial details involved that I knew better than to try handling everything myself.

Fortunately, I had access to people who knew exactly what they were doing.

Through my family’s connections, I reached out to the appropriate legal and financial professionals and explained what I wanted.

I made it clear from the beginning that the company would be used primarily as an investment vehicle, with the immediate objective of acquiring and holding shares in Mercer Technologies.

I wasn’t interested in creating something elaborate.

I wanted a structure that would allow me to purchase and hold shares without making my personal position more obvious than necessary.

The lawyers handled the formal documentation while the financial advisers helped put the appropriate structure in place. I reviewed everything before approving it, asked questions whenever something wasn’t clear, and made sure I understood what I was signing.

I wasn’t going to put my name on something simply because someone told me it was necessary.

By the middle of the following week, everything was finally in order.

The holding company had been established, the necessary accounts and documentation were being finalised, and I could begin working toward acquiring Mercer shares through it.

I stared at the completed documents on my desk for several seconds.

For the first time since everything with Kelvin had fallen apart, I felt as though I wasn’t merely reacting to what had happened to me. I was doing something about it.

I grabbed my phone and stared at Michael’s name. I hesitated briefly before dialling, unsure of the reason.

Perhaps it was because this was my first time reporting back to him after completing the tasks he assigned. I didn’t want to seem like I was seeking approval, but I couldn’t deny that I was curious about his opinion.

Eventually, I pressed the call button. He answered after a few rings.

"Emerald."

I smiled faintly at the sound of his voice. "Hi."

"How are things progressing?" he asked casually. I replied almost immediately, "I finished the two things we discussed."

"Tell me," he said.

I leaned back in my chair. "I’ve taken control of the lawsuits through my family’s lawyers. They have gone through the evidence again, and they have found substantial proof connecting Maya to the people involved in framing me."

I paused before adding, "The financial trail also leads back to Kelvin’s bank account."

"Okay."

"I’ve also established the holding company you recommended. Everything is sufficiently set up for me to begin acquiring Mercer shares through it," I revealed.

"Good." His response was simple, but I could hear the approval in his voice, so I smiled.

"There’s one more thing," I said. "I’m going to have my lawyers approach Mr. Mercer."

"About the settlement?"

"Yes. I will have them present the evidence they have gathered and formally convey the condition we discussed."

"When?"

"As soon as possible. I don’t want to waste any more time."

"Good. Make sure they give you a complete report after the meeting."

"I will."

"Then we’re on the right track."

I smiled faintly. "That’s what I’m hoping."

We spoke for another minute before ending the call. Then I phoned the senior lawyer handling my case. He answered quickly.

"Miss Hugo."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Graham."

"Good afternoon."

"I want you to prepare a formal proposal for Mr. Mercer."

There was a slight pause before he responded. "What would you like the proposal to contain?"

I didn’t hesitate. "I want you and the rest of the legal team to present all the evidence you’ve gathered concerning the framing incident. The manipulated voice recordings, the altered messages, the CCTV evidence, and the financial records connecting the payments to Mr. Mercer’s account."

"I understand."

"I also want Miss Fox’s involvement clearly presented."

"Of course," he agreed.

I leaned away from my seat. "Once you’ve presented the evidence, tell Mr. Mercer that I’m prepared to withdraw the lawsuits against both him and Miss Fox."

"And your condition?" he asked.

"Three per cent of Mercer Technologies," I stated without mincing words.

The lawyer was quiet for a moment before probing, "Three per cent transferred directly into your name and not through the holding company?"

"Yes. Personally."

"Understood."

I instinctively nodded. "And make sure Mr. Mercer understands that this isn’t an opening for endless negotiation. This is what I’m prepared to accept in exchange for withdrawing the suits."

"I understand, Miss Hugo."

"Good. After you’ve met with Mr. Mercer, I want a full report."

"You will have one."

"Thank you," I said, then ended the call.

I remained in my seat, enjoying the silence that followed.

It was strange how calm I felt.

A few months ago, the idea of confronting Kelvin had been enough to make me feel angry and helpless at the same time. Now, I was sitting in my dorm room, instructing lawyers to negotiate directly with him over a portion of the company I had helped build.

I wasn’t asking him to give me anything. I was offering him a way out. That difference mattered.

I picked up my phone once more and called Michael. He answered almost immediately.

"It’s done," I told him. "My lawyers have been instructed. They are going to approach Mr. Mercer with the evidence and my proposal."

There was a short silence. Then he said one word. "Good."

That was all. Yet for some reason, I smiled. I didn’t know why that single word pleased me as much as it did.

Maybe because it meant I had done exactly what I said I would. Or maybe because, somewhere along the way, I had started caring about whether Michael thought I was handling this properly.

I pushed the thought aside. There were still too many things left to do. I wasn’t going to let myself get distracted now.

My first move had been made. Now, I would wait and see how Kelvin responded.