The Woman From Hell

Theo was the boss and president of the company, so his single vote counted for two. Delia already had two votes to win. She had probably contacted the others in private as well. If she had persuaded two or three of them, she would win. No wonder she looked as if her victory was certain.

Cindy and I both took our seats before Theo said, "Let's vote by secret ballot."NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

After he said that, he signaled Keith with his gaze to hand out the small notes.

"Shareholders, please write down your agreement or disproval on the papers and then palace them on the table. I'll collect them and count them." Keith glanced at me after he said that. His gaze expressed obviously that he wanted to say something to me. I tilted my head, not understanding.

I saw him sigh slightly before clearing his face of any expression.

What was he trying to say?

Picking up my pen, I wrote my answer on the paper and then folded it before putting it to the right of me.

Cindy was sitting opposite me. She had long written her own answer and was winking at me. I knew she must have written her disapproval.

After all, Delia had not yet gotten the marriage certificate with Theo, so there would be constant turmoil surrounding her. If she joined Grant Corporation, it would be detrimental to the company and may affect their reputation for many years.

Grant Corporation's reputation had already declined due to the turmoil surrounding our divorce. If Delia were allowed to be one of the company's shareholders at this time, the consequences would be disastrous.

After all the other shareholders had written their answers, Keith collected the slips of paper one by one and stood in front of the whiteboard with the words 'Approve' and 'Disapprove' already written.

He opened the first note and read out, "Approve." His voice was not loud, but it was clear enough.

Keith drew a line under 'Approve' on the whiteboard and then opened the next note.

"Approve."

He drew another line.

If both these votes were Theo's, the rest would be the deciding ballots.

Cindy's nervous expression was very obvious. Her features were wound tight. She looked really worried about those two votes of approval.

Then, Keith opened the third ballot.

"Approve."

It looked like the owner of this ballot had been successfully convinced by Delia.

I looked at Delia. She was wearing a delighted expression on her face at the moment as if the outcome had been decided.

I was feeling uneasy. Keith added another line under the approved section, his hand that was holding the black pen trembling a little. He probably did not want Delia to join either. The fourth ballot.

"Disapprove." The corner of Keith's mouth finally turned upward, and he quickly drew a line on the other side.

After opening six ballots, it was three to three.

Theo held two votes, so the last vote was crucial.

I noticed the hesitance in Keith's hand as he opened the last ballot. His expression was solemn, and his brows were tightly knitted.

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly dropped, andthe audience all focused on the result.

Opening the paper, Keith's features eased. "Disapprove." His voice was light and easy. "The final tally is four to three. With disapproves being the majority, Miss Owens is not permitted to be one of the shareholders." The smile on Delia's face froze. "W-What..."

There were still some who had been persuaded.

Cindy smiled as she looked at Delia with her brows slightly raised. "Looks like someone's schemes fell through."

"You!" Delia shot Cindy a sharp look. The arrogance that she had at the beginning was now non-existent.

"The voting is over. Meeting adjourned." After Keith announced this, the shareholders got up and left.

Delia snatched the ballots from Keith's hand. "I want to see who disapproved."

"It's a secret ballot. I'm afraid that won't be possible, Miss Owens. It would be simpler for you to ask the shareholders directly." I looked at her indifferently, my voice light.