The board meeting had started off unpleasantly, exactly as Erin had expected it to. Eric Bischoff had read out the results of the investigation into Hank's financial misconduct, using company funds to pay for non-disclosure agreements with multiple women, all allegedly revolving around sexual activity. Erin was at least spared having to hear any further details, as several board members spoke up to say that wasn't necessary.

"What is necessary, Hank, is that you need to go," Bischoff obviously took pleasure in saying. "Your presence as Chairman is now clearly and demonstrably harmful to the company. It would be better for everyone if we don't have to take a vote on it."

Erin made momentary eye contact across the table with Lucy Thorne. Both women were thinking the same thing: That son of a bitch had a big surprise coming his way very shortly, and it was going to be wonderful. Bischoff probably thought he had a shot at the top job himself if, or when, Hank resigned. Little did he know, everything had already been decided, and there was going to be no seat for him when the music stopped.

Hank was the one who got to drop the hammer on Bischoff's ambitions. "It's something I've already prepared myself for. Today, I'm going to sign over sixty per-cent of my WWE stock to Erin. This will obviously make her the principal owner of the company. I'm prepared to announce my retirement, not resignation, tonight after the markets close. This is on the condition that Erin will become Chairwoman in my place, and will also take on the role of co-CEO, along with Lucy. In practical terms, Erin will run the wrestling side of the business, while Lucy will run everything else, obviously answerable to Erin, and to the board."

Erin noted that while Bischoff looked like something had pissed in his coffee, the rest of the board either looked amenable to the idea, or like they already knew about it. It dawned on her that Lucy had been canvassing for votes to make sure the new arrangement was voted in. A vote against it was highly unlikely anyway, but getting the insurance was a smart move, and Erin was annoyed that she hadn't thought of it. Having Lucy by her side was indeed going to be useful. Erin knew wrestling. Lucy knew the cutthroat world of business.

"If that's what's going to happen, I don't see how I can remain a member of this board. I'll need to step down," Bischoff said.

"I think that would be best," Erin replied, allowing her diplomatic politeness to nonetheless convey exactly what she thought of the man.

"Very well," Bischoff said. He spent a few moments gathering his papers, said his goodbyes, and left the WWE boardroom for the last time. Erin felt so much better as soon as he was out of the door. She hadn't said a word to him in farewell.

For now, Hank was still in charge, so he was the one to get the meeting back on track. "Okay, it's time to vote. What we're voting on is that effective tomorrow morning, Erin Voight becomes Chairwoman and co-CEO, and Lucy Thorne becomes co-CEO."

A female board member spoke up, looking at Lucy. "Before we vote, can I ask what you're getting in return for this? I'm assuming it's not just a salary?"

"I'll be buying five per-cent of Erin's stock, once she's in possession of it," Lucy said. "It will make me the second biggest shareholder in the company."

"Makes sense," said the questioner. "I vote in favour."

"Everyone else, by show of hands," Hank requested.

Everyone's hands went up, some straight away, others slightly more hesitantly. Still, the result was what Erin had hopped for.

"Carried, unanimously," Hank announced. "Thank you, everyone. I'll announce my retirement this evening. Unless anyone has anything else, that concludes the meeting."

No one had anything to say. Erin had hoped someone might say something to thank her dad for everything he had done for the company, but she understood why they did not. His behaviour in having sexual liaisons with employees and using company money to hush it up had been appalling, and the board members were not emotionally attached to him as she was. The correct move for the company was to force him out, and that was what they had done.

There was some idle chatter as everyone made ready to leave. Erin led the way out of the room, with Lucy close behind. Out in the hallway, her new partner pulled her aside.

"That went well," Lucy said with a smile. "Must be hard for you with your dad stepping down though. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, thank you. Need to check if dad's okay, then I need to get to the airport and fly out for Raw. Do you need me for anything before I go?"

"No," Lucy said in a relaxed tone. "We can have a sit down tomorrow morning. I'm assuming you're going to tell the wrestlers today about the changes?"

Erin nodded.

"How do you think they'll take it?"

"Well, mostly," Erin said. At least that was what she hoped.

"Okay, well I'll talk to you tomorrow. Have a good day."

Erin tried not to smile too much at Lucy's upper class English accent. It was almost stereotypical. "You too."

With that, Erin went after Hank, who was further along the hallway, shaking hands with one of the board members who had chosen to say goodbye privately. Erin was grateful that somebody had. The two men parted ways just before Erin got there, giving her the chance to hug her dad, which seemed to surprise him, in a good way.

"This hurts, dad," she said, suddenly tearing up. Her dad running WWE had been a constant for her entire life. Now he was out, and that job was hers.

"Yes, sweetheart, it does. But I'll be fine, so will you, and so will the company. It's the end of a chapter for me. It gives me the chance to start a new one, with Mandy. Trust me, I'm going to be happy doing that. And now that you guys are getting along better, hopefully we can start to spend more time with each other."

Erin wasn't exactly excited to spend more time with Mandy, but more time with her dad was definitely a good idea. The unfortunate fact was at his age, she needed to make the most of him while he was still around. She had friends who had already lost both of their parents. "We'll do that," she promised.

"I'd better get to work, Erin. There's a lot I need to do. If any of the guys try to push you around later, show them who's boss. It's one thing to tell them you are. It's another to prove it."

Erin nodded. "I hear you." There were a lot of egos among the WWE roster, and likely some sexists too. Stamping her authority on them might not be easy, but she wasn't afraid to do it. She also needed to recruit a new Head of Talent Relations. She had a name in mind. There was no guarantee that the offer would be accepted when she made it though. Time would soon tell.

"Love you," Hank said, and gave her a kiss on the top of her head.

"Love you too."

They parted ways, and Erin headed for her office. When she walked in, she couldn't help smiling. Jay had been waiting for her. Just seeing him made her feel less stressed and upset. Instead, there were positives to focus on.

"Here you are," Jay said brightly, getting up from the expensive office chair behind her desk and coming over to her. "You're the boss now, huh?"

"Not quite," she said, grinning as he hugged her. "Dad's announcing his retirement after the markets close this evening. I'll officially take over tomorrow, along with Lucy." The smile faded from her face. "It was sad seeing dad go out like that after he's put his heart and soul into this place for half his life. But, having said that, it seems to me like he's actually looking forward to moving on with the gym and spa business with Mandy."

"She's given him something else to do with his time. In a way, it's good that he's with her. Don't kill me for saying that."

Erin sighed. "Maybe you're right. Either way, I've got no more time to think about Mandy Rose. We've got to get to Raw. The jet will be ready and waiting at JFK. Thank you for coming with me."

He kissed her on the lips. "As if I'd miss the day where you tell everyone you're the new boss. That is still the plan, right?"

"It is. I've also got to talk to Clem about her contract, and I want to check on Raquel and Z. It's one thing for them to say on the phone they're okay. I want to see it for myself."

"That's exactly why you'll make a great boss – because you care about people."

"I do. So, there's all of that to do, plus all of the creative stuff that I'd usually do anyway. To say the least, it's going to be a busy day. I just hope I can manage it all. Don't need it all blowing up in my face."

"Don't worry, that's not going to happen," he assured her. "I might have a bad arm, but I can still help you in the back. That's exactly what I'm going to do."

She kissed him. "Thank you. You truly are the best. Anything you can do to lighten the load is greatly appreciated. We'd better get going."

"Let's do it."

A/N: Erin and Lucy taking charge has now been approved. Erin's first job is to make the announcement to the roster. How do you think they will take the news?