Hey Everyone,

Sorry about the delayed updates I have been busy with work, holiday stuff and dealing with divorce lawyers. hopefully I can get back on a schedule here soon.

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Thank you to everyone who is reading and following I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 25

They arrived at the Agreste mansion and rang the bell. Rae jumped when the camera popped out.

"JAM Fashions," Marinette said, "we have a meeting"

The door opened and Marinette led the way. She greeted Natalie warmly and chatted as she led them to the office. As they neared the office Jordan noticed Marinette's posture change. She stood taller and walked with more confidence.

"Thank you, Natalie you are dismissed," Gabriel said after they walked in. Natalie quickly left.

"Mr. Agreste," Marinette greeted, " I believe you met Jordan during our last visit. This is Angela Mae another of our partners"

"Hello," Rae said sharing a look with Jordan

"Shall we get down to business?" Gabriel said

"Very well," Marinette said taking a seat and directing the other two to do so as well, "what can we do for you today"

"I assume from your friendship with my son that you know Ms. Tsurugi," Gabriel

"Yes," Marinette said

"I assumed as much," he sighed, "very well I will come straight to the point. I will allow your team to work with my production team as long as needed if you allow the girl and my son to invest in your company as equal partners"

"That is quite the offer Mr. Agreste," Marinette said, "it is however something we will have to take to our board before we can further"

"Very well in the meantime, I ask that you do not mention anything to my son or his girlfriend. I would like this to be a surprise" Gabriel said

"Okay," Marinette said, "if you could have Natalie call my assistant next week we will make arrangements to discuss details"

"Of course," Gabriel said, standing up and escorting them out. They got into the waiting limo and left. Ally asked what happened and where they were going.

"Head to the Liberty we can discuss it there," Marinette said

"Sure" Ally smiled before informing the driver where to go.

They arrived at the liberty and Luka walked out to meet them.

"That was quick" he smiled, "everything went okay?"

"He threw a hell of an offer at us," Marinette said wrapping her arms around him, "but now we need to discuss it"

"Sure Darling, need me to step out?" He asked

"That won't be necessary" Rae smirked, "she will tell you about later anyway. Jordan you should have Chloe get here as soon as she can"

"Already on her way," Jordan said flopping into a deck chair

"I will call Austin and Sabrina" Ally said, "anyone else?"

"I can text Alya and Nino" Marinette smiled, "Rae can you get me information on House of Gabriel. I am curious about his motives"

"Sure" Rae smirked

"Legal Rae," Marinette said

"That's no fun," Rae pouted, "Tanner is on his way also"

"Good," Marinette said softly as she leaned against Luka.

"Pain meds wearing off?"

"No it's okay" Marinette smiled, "just tired"

"We could put this off until tomorrow" Ally said

"No I want it out of the way tonight," Marinette said,

"Okay" Ally smirked

"Great, as soon as everyone is here, we can talk," Marinette said, snuggling into Luka's side. He smiled, wrapping his arms around her. Jordan offered to make a takeout run. Marinette agreed and sent

Luka with him. She called Juleka and Rose and asked them to come before she called Liza and Ace and asked them to come also.

"What about Audrey," Ally asked

"What time is it there?"

"It's what? Six here?"

"Closer to Seven"

"So it would be like 1 PM there" Ally said

"Go ahead and call her assistant and see if she is free," Marinette said, "if she is go ahead and set up a call"

"Okay," Ally nodded, walking away.

A little bit later Jordan and Luka returned with the food. Minutes later Tanner, Alya, Nino, Chloe, Austin, and Sabrina arrived. Ten minutes after that Rose, Juleka, Liza, and Ace arrived. Ally was still outside on the phone. She finally came in fifteen minutes later. She sat down helping herself to food. Marinette whistled, getting everyone's attention.

"Okay guys I need everyone's attention," Marinette said, pausing to wait for their attention. "So what is said stays between us here. Earlier today we had a meeting with Gabriel Agreste regarding JAM Fashions. Rae, you have been digging for the last hour and a half; What did you find?"

"Considering your and Jordan's suspicions about his extracurricular activities I did some extra research. House of Gabriel is beginning to decline in popularity. If it continues on its current trend it won't last five years"

"Extracurricular activities?" Liza said puzzled

"We suspect he is hawkmoth," Marinette said, "we are still trying to confirm that suspicion"

"Okay," Liza shrugged, "so what does house of Gabriel want with JAM Fashions?"

"It isn't the House of Gabriel brand that is showing interest...just Gabriel Agrest," Marinette said, "he wants to purchase shares of the JAM Fashion brand and in exchange will grant us access to House of Gabriel's production team"

"Is that unusual in the business?" Ace asked

"It is very unusual," Jordan said, "what makes us concerned is that he wants to make the purchase under Adrien and Kagami's names"

"Which is why they are not here right now," Marinette said, "It isn't technically illegal but it is frowned upon. We purposely didn't ask them here for that reason."

"Plausible deniability," Alya said

"Yeah," Jordan said, "I suspect Gabriel is doing it this to secure Adrien's livelihood if things go wrong or for when House of Gabriel collapses"

"That's why I asked for all of you to come," Marinette said, "if we include all of you as shareholders it looks less suspicious when we include Adrien and Kagami"

"That actually makes sense," Liza said, "what about those of us employed by JAM Fashion"

"That's easy to write off," Ally said, "and fairly common in the business. A Lot of times Employees will buy a share or two after signing employment contracts especially with fashion houses they like to work with or houses that they are close with owners. So having you sign as shareholders will not seem suspicious at all"

"Then let's do it" Alya smiled

"Are you sure?" Jordan asked

"Totally," Nino smiled, "what do we have to do?"

"Typically you would purchase shares," Ally said, "however I think we can simply fudge that part. What we need each of you to do is to sign a contract. We are going to fudge the dates and make them fall at different times and dates. That way it looks less like a plan and more like friends and family supporting the business. So we will stagger the dates and amounts making it seem more believable. Is everyone okay with that?"

A chorus of yes's rang out and Marinette smiled. Ally nodded and stepped off to the side. She called Audrey and informed her of the plan and got her approval.

"Audrey is in agreement with the plan and she says it would be a good idea to have a formal meeting at the office to make it look legit"

"Okay, sounds like a plan, does she want to be in the meeting?" Marinette said

"She says she would appreciate it,"

"Okay, what does she have available Sunday or Monday?" Marinette asked

"She says anytime after noon her time on Sunday and she has an opening between 8 and 11 Monday morning"

"Okay tell her 10 AM Monday. That will make it 4 pm here if that works for everyone?"

They all agreed to clear their schedules for that time Monday and Audrey confirmed it was added to her calendar.

"Okay I need everyone to stop in at the office this weekend to sign the paperwork" Ally said, "I will have it already so it will just need a signature"

They all agreed to stop the next day and Ally made a note to get the paperwork in order. Marinette leaned against Luka trying to fight sleep. He chuckled at her.

"Hey Darling, are you ready for bed?"

"No," she yawned

"Come on darling, let's get some sleep," he smiled, picking her up. She mumbled a protest.

"Get some sleep girl we will see you Monday," Alya said as she and Nino got ready to head out. Everyone bid Marinette and Luka goodnight and prepared to leave.

Luka chuckled as he laid her down and realized she was fast asleep. He wrapped his arm around her and was asleep minutes later. Juleka walked in an hour later to talk to them but when she saw them she just smiled and walked away.

The next morning Marinette woke up to an empty bed. She heard Luka singing down the hall and smiled. She got up and got dressed before walking out the door. She followed Luka's singing. She paused in the doorway watching him dance around the kitchen as he sang. She smiled as she watched him.

"Good morning darling," he grinned when he saw her watching him.

"Morning rockstar," Marinette smiled walking into the kitchen. He wrapped her in a hug before leaning down to kiss her. She giggled as they pulled apart.

"Are you ready for a fun weekend?"

"I can't wait," Marinette smiled, "so what is the plan?"

"Be patient woman," he teased, "you will find out after breakfast"

"Okay," Marinette smiled, "I have some assignments to finish but I figure it can wait till Sunday,"

"You sure?" he asked

"Yeah," Marinette smiled as she watched him finish making breakfast. They sat and ate breakfast talking about anything that came to mind.