CHAPTER 64
(VICTOR)
"Hi daddy!"
I feel a smile fill my face as I hear my little girls happy voice down the line.
"Hey, how are you?" I ask affectionately, and I am a little concerned when I hear a deep sigh.
"Things have been interesting here" Eva says somewhat soberly and I sit up and pay attention to the change in her tone. If that son of a bitch has done something to her I swear I will be on the next plane out to New York.
"Talk to me sweetheart, tell your old man what's wrong? Has Gideon done something?" I ask carefully and I hear a loud gasp from the other end.
"NO!" she exclaims loudly, and at that I immediately relax. I have tried to not jump to conclusions where Gideon Cross is concerned but despite our talk a while ago where I became certain there was more to him than met the eye and we agreed to draw a line, I still don't totally trust him. I know he is hiding something and I have every intention to find out what it is.
"Ana and Christian are in New York at the moment. So much has been happening I have no idea where to start to explain it all" she says.
I lean back and take a gulp of my coffee, "Well I have all the time in the world so take your time and tell me what has been happening" I say urging her to continue.
"You're not at work?" she asks instead and I roll my eyes at the question.
"No, not until later" I reply, and I wait somewhat impatiently for her to continue with her news. "You said Ana and Christian were in New York, that was nice for you to see your sister again" I prompt.
"Yeah, we were supposed to fly out to Seattle the previous weekend to spend time with them but unfortunately we had to cancel because Gideon has been having problems with work, well when I say work… he discovered that he had a mole who was passing information on his GenTen console to a competitor. A competitor who has a massive axe to grind" she says.
I think and I remember her telling me about a guy called Ryan something or other who has been a massive pain the ass for Gideon as he seems to believe that Gideon owes him for stuff that is ancient history, so I take a shot and ask if it is him.
"Is it that guy who is always needling Gideon, what's his name… Ryan Lanford?... Langham?" I say as I can't for the life of me remember his surname.
"Landon, and yes it is, but hopefully he won't be a problem anymore" she says confidently.
"Oh, why is that?" I ask and I hear a small mirthless laugh.
"Because my husband and brother-in-law are going to fucking destroy him" she says coldly.
My eyebrows rise at the tone of her voice, "That sounds ominous, do I want to hear this? They are not doing anything illegal are they?" I ask, concerned at what exactly they are doing and how it will affect my daughter.
She laughs again this time with more emotion, "No daddy, its fine honestly. You see after we bailed on going to Seattle, Christian explained to the family the reason why we weren't there. Apparently, Gideon had been talking with Christian about everything Landon has been doing. Well, Christian took it upon himself to look into Landon and LanCorp and discovered that due to Landon's incessant need for revenge he had made some stupid decisions and the company was pretty unstable. A number of shareholders were getting nervous and wanted out, so Christian bought up all the available shares – because that's what he does. He does mergers and acquisitions and helps companies that are struggling and makes them profitable" she explains.
"I see, but I'm guessing that wasn't his plan in this instance" I say as I realise what she is getting at.
I hear another sigh. "No, he was hoping to get a substantial hold within LanCorp and try and bring the company down from the inside…" she says. There is a pause, "Anyway, after Christian explained to the family what an asshole Landon is, I was talking to El and he mentioned it and he came up with quite a profound line of thought, I put what he had said to Gideon and that got him thinking about using the mole against Landon and making him destroy himself… you know, make out that there was some brilliant new technology and that the GenTen was being delayed to develop it as he knew Landon would wet himself over such information and try and replicate it".
"And as the company was in a dicey situation financially, Gideon was hoping he would make some bad decisions and effectively bankrupt himself" I say.
"Exactly! Then when he fucked himself, Gideon would twist the knife by launching the GenTen which would then effectively slam the coffin shut on Landon and LanCorp" Eva says. "So, Gideon called Christian to help him out with the ruse as he figured if Christian came to New York excited and eager to invest in this brilliant new technology, it would look more genuine. That was when Christian told him about what he was doing and they sort of merged the two plans together".
"I see and what was the outcome?" I ask carefully.
"LanCorp is going down" Eva says coldly. "Christian and Ana are still here but planning on going home soon now that everything is done, but Christian wanted to be on hand in case Landon went off on one as he did something quite dramatic, he managed to get controlling interest in LanCorp and basically liquidated the company from under him".
"Jesus" I mutter, slightly taken aback at that.
"He deserved it dad, he really had it coming you have no idea what a fucking asshole Landon been over the years" she says.
"I see" I say lamely. I have no idea what else there is to say to all that.
"Then, if that wasn't enough, we have been having issues with one of Gideon's barmy ex's. Remember Corrine? Well, she has surfaced again and is trying to get Gideon's attention, again. This time she has written a book, allegedly a work of fiction but when you read the story it is basically her relationship with Gideon and her ex-husband through rose-tinted glasses and how she would've liked things to have turned out. She tried to involve Ana by needling her for a meeting in the hope that she would publish it. Ana basically shut her down though and she has now thankfully disappeared again with her tail between her legs". Eva hesitates, "…and if that wasn't enough Gideon has also been dealing with some personal stuff with his family" she adds almost dismissively.
I pick up my ears at that, but don't comment on it. Eva has always been very guarded about what she says about Gideon's family and basically dismisses my questions with 'they are estranged'. I have been digging around and I have my suspicions about what it could be and the direction my mind is going with this with everything that has happened and what I have found out makes me feel physically sick.
"So, you've had a lot on your plate then?" I say.
"You could say that. But on a lighter note, Christian and Ana are joining us for the charity gala the day after tomorrow".
I pick up my ears at that information and a plan quickly forms in my mind. I want to find out if my suspicions are correct about Gideon but I also know I need to tread carefully. I close my eyes as the memory of finding out that my daughter had been repeatedly raped and made pregnant when she was just a child herself by her step brother fills my head. I had not handled that situation well and Eva had been upset that I'd found out.
A plan quickly forms in my mind, it would mean getting some leave but it would be worth it to find out if my suspicions about Gideon Cross are correct.
"Do you think Gideon would send a plane for me so I could join you… if you want me there of course?" I ask carefully.
I hear an excited gasp, "Oh daddy I'd love for you to come and see the charity work we do" Eva replies excitedly. "Are you sure though? I mean it is totally different from anything that you are used to?" she adds.
I think quickly, "It's only right that I support a cause that is close to my daughters heart plus I agreed to give Gideon a chance. I agreed to draw a line under his past behaviour and give him the benefit of the doubt. If I am to build any sort of relationship with my son in law it stands to reason that I should actively support him in his interests and endeavours. This would be a good place to start I think, so do you think I would be able to join you at this event?"
"Of course it would and thank you for making the effort Daddy, I'm sure Gideon will be thrilled that you want to come" she says excitedly.
"Good, I'd better go as I'll have to call the station and get my leave sorted out if I am coming to New York".
"I'll tell Gideon and I'm sure he will be in contact with you to give you the details of your flight and everything" she says.
"Thank you, what is the charity gala in aid of?" I ask.
I can't help but hear the pride in Eva's voice as she explains the details, "It's for Gideon's Crossroads foundation. He founded it and essentially, he funds the majority of its work personally as it is a cause so close to his heart. But we hold a fund-raising gala once a year, every year but it's purely for publicity purposes, rather than out of financial need as Gideon wouldn't let Crossroads fail".
My eyebrows rise at that, I have heard of the Crossroads foundation, it is a countrywide charity well known for its excellent work helping children and young adults who have been raped and sexually abused. It gets them the help and medical care they need and help to get them away from their abusers. As I think about this an uneasy coldness settles in my gut that my suspicions of why Cross is like he is could be correct. I think about it some more, and look at all the evidence I have. He is closed off and estranged from his family, the things he told me himself raised enough red flags to be suspicious. The more I think about it the more I come to the conclusion that Gideon has been sexually or physically abused in some way. He admitted he didn't have a lot of social skills as he had always only had to think about his own needs before he met Eva and as I think about it everything seems to fit.
"I'll say goodbye then, for now. I'll arrange my leave and I should be hearing from Gideon shortly about my flight?" I say.
"Yes, and thank you again for wanting to do this, it will mean so much to Gideon and it means the world to me that you are making such an effort to get to know him" Eva says hoarsely.
"No problem, I love you. You are my daughter and so I should support you and… your husband". I swallow hard as I say those words. I mean every word but I can't help closing my eyes and taking a deep breath as I say it as there is now that voice in my head which tells me 'but she isn't really your daughter is she?' which tries to butt in but I am adamant that it will always be unsuccessful in undermining the relationship I have with Eva.
"I love you too daddy, see you soon" Eva replies and those simple words quieten that voice like nothing else can.
oooOOOooo
Five days later…
(CHRISTIAN)
I won't lie I am seriously ready to go back home to Seattle especially after the events of the past few days. However, Ana and I are still in New York and I can see us being here for a while longer. We are still dealing with the fallout of my acquisition and subsequent liquidation of LanCorp. LanCorp is no more, the PhaseOne gaming system is no more. The business world is still reeling from the decisions I took and the ruthlessness of those decisions.
Everything came together so quickly and relatively easily Landon didn't see it coming and didn't know what hit him until it was too late, but nobody expected what happened as a result of that three days ago.
I turn my head and look at Ana who is still fast asleep beside me and my mind wanders back to the previous events …
"Ros, talk to me – is it done?" I say and a smile fills my face as I hear her response.
"Yep, all done and dusted. All the LanCorp shares that we have acquired have now been consolidated into GEH. The remaining board has been fired with the exception of Landon and he should be receiving the information shortly" she says.
"Excellent, I'll inform Gideon of this" I reply with a smug sense of satisfaction.
"Remind me never to get on your bad side" Ros says sardonically and I can't help myself and I let out a loud bark of a laugh at that comment.
"You should know how I operate by now Ros, you've been with me long enough" I reply.
"True, but sometimes your ruthlessness even astounds me, I am surprised that you went to such lengths for Gideon Cross though" she says.
"He is family" I say simply. "Since Ana and Eva discovered they were sisters it made him my brother-in-law and you know how I feel about family loyalty" I say.
There is a long silence and then I hear her clear her throat. "I do" she almost whispers" then in a louder brighter voice she continues, changing the subject and thankfully moving away from the personal tone the conversation was taking, "Anyway, have you received the PR media statement?" she adds.
"I have and I am reading through it right now" I say as I glance at my email on the laptop in front of me.
I quickly read the statement.
It is with a degree of sadness that Grey Enterprise Holdings announces the liquidation of LanCorp New York. The acquisition of LanCorp by Grey Enterprise Holdings was finalised after LanCorp got into severe financial difficulty. As a major shareholder in the company GEH stepped in to try and rescue the company. However, it appeared due to a series of reckless and questionable decisions the company was beyond help and it was not financially viable to provide a rescue package for the company. Unfortunately, there was no alternative but to liquidate and cut the losses the company was experiencing.
"It looks good to me, my only amendment would be to ditch the degree of sadness comment as there is no way on earth I am sad about what I did" I say after I have read the statement.
Ros laughs, "Yeah I thought that when I saw it" she replies.
"But apart from that it's good to go, tell PR to change it to Today Grey Enterprise Holdings announces the liquidation etc, etc" I say.
"Will do, and then I'll green light it. Is it to be released immediately or at a specific time?" Ros asks.
I think about that, "No time like the present" I reply.
"Consider it done" she says and then she sighs, "When are you planning to return to Seattle?" she adds after a moment.
"Good, and in answer to your question I'm hoping for us to return to Seattle tomorrow, we are accompanying Gideon and Eva to a charity gala this evening which is what has delayed our planned return" I say.
"Oh, is that something to do with the Crossroads charity foundation which Gideon founded?" Ros asks.
"It is" I reply simply. "If that is everything?" I add and Ros quickly updates me on the other projects in the pipeline and I am confident that in my absence GEH is in good hands.
When I have finished talking to Ros I go in search of Ana and find her in the bedroom chatting to Eva on the phone. I lean against the doorway and watch her as she is animatedly discussing my birthday celebration which she is planning. She spots me and her face goes red.
"Got to go, Christian is here" she says. She laughs as Eva has obviously commented on that and then after telling her that we will see her later she hangs up.
"Did you hear what I am planning?" she asks and I nod.
"I did, and how many times have I got to tell you that I don't like to make a fuss of my birthday" I say.
Ana stands and walks over to me and wraps her arms around me, "I know but this year is kind of special. You will be celebrating your birthday with your birth family; they are all flying in and Eva and Gideon are coming to Seattle as well to help you celebrate".
I think about that and realise she is right, my reasons for never wanting to acknowledge my arrival in this world no longer exist. I was wanted and loved and I ended up the way I did through no fault of my own or my birth family. A tinge of sadness goes through me though at the thought how my grandmother Betty won't be there. I am eternally grateful that I got to meet her before she died and she died knowing the truth about what had happened but I also feel a sense of sadness that the time we did get was so incredibly short – just that once, it wasn't fair. Thinking about that it seems churlish for me to be complaining about Ana wanting to make a fuss of my birthday. I hold her tightly and burying my nose in her hair I inhale deeply.
"Less about that, lets concentrate on what is happening this evening" I say and Ana grins at me.
"Victor is going to be there" she says and my eye brows rise in surprise at this unexpected news.
"Eva's father?" I ask and Ana nods.
"Yes, it surprised me too. The only thing I can think of is the fact that he likes to make a point of supporting the Crossroads foundation because of what happened to Eva and to be fair I think he has also now joined the dots and put two and two together after he and Gideon cleared the air. Eva said he has made a few cryptic comments about the purpose of Crossroads since we were all in California and has been asking odd questions. When Eva told him about this charity thing, he said he had some leave and asked if Gideon would fly him to New York so he could also attend. He said that he would like to show his support to the cause that is close to his daughters' heart".
"That will be nice for Eva" I say somewhat lamely and Ana nods.
"It will, although Eva is a bit concerned as this event is so far removed from her dad's everyday life".
"I'm sure Victor will be fine; he strikes me as a man who can adapt to any situation" I say confidently.
"So, until this evening what are we going to do with ourselves today?" I ask and Ana looks at me questioningly.
"You're not spending the day with Gideon again?" she asks and I shake my head.
"No, and as Eva will be busy with her father it appears we have the day to ourselves, what would you like to do baby?" I ask…
I smile as I recall how Ana had wanted to be a complete tourist that day. She had said she wanted to do what everyone else does who visits New York and of course I had willingly obliged her. My mind fills with the happy memories of that day but they fade as the events of later on start to invade my mind…
"Are you ready to go then?" I ask as Ana approaches me looking totally devastating. I discreetly adjust myself as she approaches and I am entertaining thoughts of taking her out of this dress.
"All ready, it will be nice to see Victor again – oh and Ireland and Christopher are going to be there tonight as well, now they know about everything they are determined to show support for Gideons foundation" she says.
I smile, "Yes I know, Gideon called me earlier, he is having difficulty at dealing with the levels of acceptance and support he is now getting" I say.
Ana stills, "What did you say to him?" she asks and I grin at her.
"I told him to bask in it and enjoy it" I say and Ana lets out a snort and shakes her head.
oooOOOooo
When we arrive at the hotel hosting the event our car pulls up behind the Cross Limousine.
"We couldn't have timed our arrival better if we had tried" I say and Taylor gives me a knowing glance through the rear-view mirror and with that gesture I know immediately he had obviously been liaising with Angus so we did arrive at the same time.
I see Angus climb out of the limo and hold the door and moments later Gideon appears and turning he holds out his hand to help Eva out. They are closely followed by Victor who looks more than a little bit uncomfortable in a tuxedo and then finally Christopher and Ireland emerge. Gideon totally ignores the massed media and glances at our car and smiles. I see Raul step out of the passenger side and climb into the driver's seat and ease the limo away. Taylor pulls into the spot vacated by the limo and climbs out to open our door.
"Thank you Taylor" I say as I get out, turning I hold out my hand to Ana and she gracefully emerges from the car.