Chapter 75: A Celebration Meal

Emerald’s POV

The following afternoon, I was in the middle of organising some paperwork for my holding company when my phone rang.

I glanced at the caller ID and saw Mr. Wilson Graham’s name.

I quickly put everything down and grabbed my phone. Swiping my finger across the screen to accept the call, I pressed the phone to my ear.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Graham."

"Good afternoon, Miss Hugo. I have an update for you regarding the settlement."

I straightened in my chair. "Go ahead."

"We have received confirmation from Mr. Mercer’s legal representatives. He has accepted your three-per cent condition."

I wasn’t surprised by this piece of good news. I had expected Kelvin to accept it eventually because I hadn’t left him any choice. But hearing that he had finally agreed to my original demand still gave me a deep sense of satisfaction.

"So the agreement has been accepted?"

"Yes. Both parties have agreed to the terms. We are now completing the formal documentation and carrying out the necessary verification for the transfer of the three per cent into your personal name. Once everything is finalised, we will forward the completed documents to you."

"Understood."

"There are still a few formalities to complete, but there should be no issue."

"Thank you, Mr. Graham. Please keep me informed."

"Of course, Miss Hugo."

I hung up, placed my phone down, and leaned back.

Three per cent was only a fraction of Mercer Technologies, but it was mine. More importantly, it was the first tangible step toward reclaiming the company I had spent years helping build.

I picked up my phone again, deciding to share the news with Michael. He answered after two rings.

"Emerald."

"Hi, Michael. I have an update."

"I’m listening."

"Mr. Mercer has accepted the three-per cent settlement. My lawyer just called to confirm it."

"Good." He responded almost immediately. "Now, we wait for the shares to land in your hands."

I smiled. "That’s exactly what Mr. Graham said. There are still some formalities and verification to complete."

"They will handle it quite all right."

"I know."

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Three days later, Mr. Graham called again. And this time, the news was even better.

The three-per cent agreement had been formally finalised, and the necessary documents had been executed.

He explained that copies of the completed paperwork would be faxed to me as soon as possible so I could keep them with my personal records.

I thanked him and ended the call.

I sat quietly for a moment, allowing myself to appreciate what had happened.

For weeks, Mercer Technologies had felt like something impossibly distant. Now I had secured my first personal stake in the company. It deserved a proper celebration.

And there was only one person I wanted to share it with.

I picked up my phone and called Michael. As soon as he answered, he asked, "Good news?"

"Yes." I nodded. "The agreement is officially finalized."

"Good."

I smiled. "You really don’t say much when you’re pleased, do you?"

"There isn’t much to say. You got what you wanted."

"I did." I paused for a moment before deciding to say what had been on my mind. "And on this note, I would like to treat you to lunch."

There was a brief silence, then his voice came through with a hint of amusement. "I hope the money you’re planning to use isn’t the same money you owe me."

I laughed the moment I remembered the four hundred and twenty-eight dollars he had paid when my card had declined at the supermarket.

I had almost forgotten about it if he hadn’t mentioned it.

"I didn’t know you still remembered," I said to him.

His low chuckle rang in my ears. "I remember things that involve money."

I shook my head, smiling. "Don’t worry. It’s not the same money."

"Good." His response made me laugh again.

After the conversation moved on, I still found myself remembering that he had once told me he would let me know when and how I should refund him.

I still hadn’t heard anything about it. I wondered when he intended to bring it up.

I didn’t dwell on the thought for long. "So, are you accepting my invitation?" I probed.

"Yes."

"Is there any particular restaurant you like here in Boston?"

"I’m fine with anywhere, as long as it’s private. You can make the choice."

"All right. I will let you know when I pick one."

After the call ended, I immediately opened my phone and began searching for restaurants.

I wanted somewhere elegant enough for the occasion, but privacy mattered more to me than anything else.

After going through several high-end and Michelin-recognised restaurants, I narrowed my choices down to a few. I checked their menus, looked through the available reservations and eventually settled on one that seemed perfect.

There was a table for two available on Friday at one in the afternoon, so I sent Michael a message.

"Will you be free on Friday at 1:00 p.m.?"

His response came almost immediately.

"Yes."

I smiled and proceeded with the reservation. A few moments later, I received confirmation, and then I sent Michael another message with the full details.

"I’ve made the reservation. We will be having lunch at... on Friday at 1:00 p.m."

His reply appeared shortly afterwards.

"Okay."

I was about to put my phone away when another message came through from him.

"Bring the documents for your holding company and the share-transfer documents."

I stared at the message for a moment before laughing quietly.

Of course. Even lunch to celebrate my first victory over Mercer Technologies had to come with paperwork.

I typed my response.

"Okay."

I placed the phone beside me and looked down at the documents on the table. A smile slowly spread across my face.

I didn’t even know why I was this happy.

Maybe it was because the three per cent had finally been secured, or probably because, after everything that had happened, I finally had something tangible to show for all the work I had put into reclaiming Mercer.

Or perhaps it was simply because I was going to have lunch with Michael.

I didn’t know, and for once, I didn’t feel the need to figure it out.