CHAPTER 4

Marcus Evans stared at the paper that lay on the table in front of him. He could barely believe his eyes. His business partner and benefactor, Fred Walters was dead and he had passed down his chain of companies to his new wife.

Marcus Evans was not new to the business. He knew what it meant. Fred’s lawyer, Jeremy had already sent him a mail informing him of a meeting with the new boss at midnight where all the necessary documents would be signed. He knew that once again, he would have to be smart in his negotiations and make sure he got the new boss to inject funds into his company, Evans Modeling agency.

He squeezed the paper and threw it in the dustbin.

“Should have waited till after we released the winter collection before he died,” Marcus grunted. “I was really looking forward to the success of that show.”

“It can still be successful with the new owner,” Audrey chipped in.

Marcus turned to face Audrey and sighed. Audrey was his only daughter, and at twenty five, the only thing she did with her life was shopping for the most trending clothes and following the handsome model, Michael Grant. Marcus knew that he had to start involving his daughter in the family business more often so she could get a hang of it.

“Have you thought about my proposal?” Marcus asked.

Audrey sat up immediately and stared at her father. “There’s nothing to think about there, dad.. I can’t imagine that you own one of the most successful modeling agencies in the whole of America and yet you want your own daughter to work as a Junior secretary.”

“It’s a good start,” Marcus shrugged. “With a good pay as well. You would be getting all the experience you need to run the company in the nearest future.”

“Thank you but I’ll pass,” Audrey frowned. “I’ll do better as the manager or something.”

Marcus frowned. “I can’t have you managing my company with your nonchalant attitude.”

“Then allow me live my life the way I wish,” Audrey said.

Marcus ignored her and walked over to the small fridge at the corner of his office. He opened it, took a bottle of wine and poured half a glass for himself.

“I’m trying very hard to make something for you,” Marcus said. “We came from nothing.”

“You have all the wealth in the world already dad,” Audrey complained. “Why are you so concerned about me working my ass off when you’ve done it all already. Relax dad.”

Marcus sighed. “Wealth is hard to acquire but easy to lose,” he said. “You’re good at spending. At acquiring, I’m not so sure…”

Someone knocked on the door interrupting their father – daughter conversation and Audrey was only too happy that he had been interrupted. She knew her father very well. He could keep talking for hours!

“Come on in,” Marcus said.

The door opened and Michael Grant walked into the office. He saw Audrey first and she smiled at him.

“Hey, I didn’t know you’d be here,” He said before turning to face Marcus. “Good morning sir.”

“Good morning Mr Grant,” Marcus grunted. “Are you here for me or my daughter?”

“Oh I’m here to discuss a few things with you,” Michael replied turning his attention from Audrey and back to Marcus.

Marcus frowned. Michael Grant was handsome. He was the face of Evans Modelling agency and he knew it quite well. He was the reason their profit margin kept rising over the years but he was also the major problem in his family. He was distracting his daughter, Audrey.

Marcus never approved of their relationship but he couldn’t do much about it because Audrey had made her mind up. It was Michael or no one else.

“What would you like to discuss with me?” Marcus asked sitting down on his executive chair.

Michael sat on the chair opposite him. “My salary raise.”

Marcus stared at him for a long time. He was out of his mind if he thought that he could walk into his office every week, demand a salary raise and get it. He had done it four times already in the last two months and Marcus had honored his request only because he was scared of losing the services of such an experienced model. What Michael was doing now was outright theft. There was no way he was increasing his wages again.

“Things don’t work like that Michael,” Marcus said sitting up. “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

“You should consider his request,” Audrey shrugged. “He’s your best model isn’t he?”

Marcus eyed his daughter and turned back to face Michael. “In case you were not aware, my benefactor, Fred Walters died last night and he has passed the company to his wife. We don’t know who she is yet but I can’t imagine any woman in her right senses would increase the capital put into this company from the whooping twenty five billion dollars it is now…”

“I am well aware of his death,” Michael nodded. “That’s the reason I’m here. I want to be at the meeting tonight.”

“I see,” Marcus grunted. “What for?”

“I believe I would be able to convince the new owner to increase the capital by a fine margin,” Michael smiled.

Marcus stared at him. “What makes you think so?”

Michael smiled. “For starters, I can make any lady fall head over heels for me.”

Marcus grunted and turned to face Audrey. “I can see that.”

Michael smiled.

“And if you can successfully talk her into increasing the capital invested, I would increase your salary?” Marcus asked.

“I would have 40 percent of the invested capital plus my salary,” Michael corrected. “You can keep the rest.”

Marcus eyed the man sitting in front of him. He was young, handsome, ambitious, and definitely too much for his daughter.

“Deal,” Marcus smiled. “I would like to see this charm of yours. Be ready by eleven. My driver would be waiting to pick you up.”

“Sure thing,” Michael said and stood up.

“I would follow you then,” Audrey said. “This is what you wanted right dad? To learn how things worked in the business world.”

“Of course my darling,”

Marcus Evans smiled. He knew his daughter was going because of her boyfriend but he didn’t care one bit. He was going to kill two birds with a stone in one night.