0005.

“Jerome, please, you have to reconsider ending the deal,” Debbie said, her voice desperate and pleading. “My parents are furious, and you know that it would be bad for your company if you don't change your mind."

Jerome sighed, rubbing his temples. He had been trying to avoid Debbie's calls, but she had been relentless. And now, she was playing the guilt card, bringing up his company. He knew that he couldn't let it fall, but he also couldn't abandon Stacy and their unborn child.

The doctor has already requested she start preparing to move to the hospital where she will be on life support until she gives birth. Things were already getting critical and it was taking a toll on Jerome.

“Debbie, I'm sorry, but I can't change my mind,” Jerome said, his voice firm. “I know this is hard for you, but I have to do what's right for my family. Stacy is very sick, and I can't leave her alone.”

“But Jerome, you don't understand,” Debbie said, sounding on the verge of tears. “If you don't go through with the deal, my parents will never forgive you. They'll pull their investments from your company and you might lose alot.”

Debbie was right, but he couldn't bring himself to abandon Stacy. “I'm sorry, Debbie, but I can't let you blackmail me into doing something I don't want to do,” he said, his voice firm. “I know this is hard for you, but I have to put my family first,” Jerome said and ended the call.

He straightened his tie as he walked into the elevator with Jerry, his assistant, who was holding a stack of documents.

“Sir, don't you think you should reconsider your decision?” Jerry asked, his tone tentative. “Debbie is only trying to help you and the company. You know how big of an opportunity this is for you, and you might regret your decision later on.”

Jerome sighed, his patience wearing thin. “I appreciate your concern, Jerry, but this is not up for discussion.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

As Jerome stood in the elevator, waiting for it to arrive at his floor, his mind was racing. He knew what was waiting for him when he reached the boardroom - a group of angry board members who were upset about his decision to back out of the business deal.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, checking the time. He was running late for the meeting, and he knew that would only add fuel to the fire. He sighed and shoved his phone back into his pocket, trying to compose himself before he stepped into the lion's den.

The elevator finally reached his floor, and he stepped out, walking briskly down the hall towards the boardroom. As he neared the door, he could hear the murmur of voices on the other side, growing louder and more agitated by the second. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation that was sure to come.

He pushed open the door, and the voices fell silent as he entered the room. All eyes were on him, and he could feel the tension in the air. He took a seat at the table, and the board members began to speak again, their voices raised in anger and frustration.

“Mr. Sky,” one of the board members barked, his tone aggressive and accusatory. “What is this we're hearing about you backing out of the deal?”

Jerome looked at the faces of the board members, each one of them looking at him with a mix of anger, frustration, and disbelief. He knew that they were not going to take his decision lightly, but he had to stand his ground.

“Gentlemen, I understand that you are upset,” he began, trying to keep his voice steady. “But I want to assure you that this was not a decision I took lightly. I understand that the company's interests are at stake, and I would never intentionally jeopardize them.”

“But you have, Mr. Sky, ” another board member interjected, her voice sharp. “This decision will have far-reaching consequences, not only for the company but for you personally. Have you considered the ramifications of what you're doing?”

Jerome met her gaze, unflinching. “I have, and I am aware of the potential consequences. But I stand by my decision. I believe it is in the best interests of all involved, including the company.”

“What are you doing, Jerome? Do you think this company is your playing ground? You think you can decide to break off a deal without consulting us?” one of his uncles who was a board member asked him.

“And who are you to think I cannot make decisions concerning my welfare without consulting any of you? I was the one who agreed on the business marriage at the start and I didn't need any of you. I was the one who told y'all about it and now I don't want it anymore,

It's a problem huh?” Jerome questioned them.

“Yes, it is a problem because we cannot lose such an opportunity to uplift our group of companies because of you. You have to do as the plan was from the beginning, you have to divorce that liability you call a wife,” his uncle barked.

“With all due respect uncle, don't you ever call my wife a liability, and to all of you, I would not tolerate anyone

Looking down on my wife. I will accept if any of you say anything to me but not her, never in your life,” Jerome said and stood up to start walking out of the meeting hall.

“We are not done with this conversation, Jerome. Where are you going?” his uncle asked in anger and stood up.

“I am done with it if you are here to insult my wife,” Jerome replied and continued leaving.

“Don't you dare take an inch further if you don't want an emergency voting to be carried out to remove you as the company’s CEO,” his uncle mentioned which made him halt.

“You know you being the heir of the company doesn't make it impossible for another to be the CEO, you haven't forgotten how much power and influence I have in this company right?” his uncle said and Jerome clenched his fist in anger.

He turned and walked back to his seat.

“What do you want me to do?” Jerome asked, looking at his uncle, he was the one only who could control him since he had much more power in the company than him.

“I thought you wouldn't come back to your senses, I thought you weren't afraid of anything,” his uncle let out as he joined Jerome to sit down.

He turned to his assistant who gave him some documents and he passed them over to Jerome.

“These are the documents required for the business marriage, I had them prepared after I got a call from Ms. Debbie's parents that you canceled the marriage deal,” he said and then threw a pen at Jerome.

“You have to choose now, between signing the document which means you will have no choice but to proceed with the marriage, or make us vote right now for a new change of CEO. You have just five minutes to do so,” his uncle said and asked the company manager to provide a ballot box for vote cast.

Jerome stared at the document in front of him, his mind racing. He couldn't believe that his uncle would threaten to use his influence to have him removed as CEO. It was an extreme move, and one that would have major consequences for the company.

He knew that his uncle was a powerful man, and that he had a lot of sway over the board. But to use that power against him, to try to force him to make a decision that he didn't agree with, was something he never expected.

Now he is being forced to choose either his company or Stacy, it wasn't between Debbie and Stacy anymore.

As Jerome thought of what to do, his phone started buzzing. He checked the caller ID, it was his driver who was supposed to take Stacy to the hospital.

He didn't want to take the call at first but changed his mind, sensing there might be an emergency at the hospital.

“Hello Boss,” the anxious voice of his driver said over the phone, and just as Jerome had sensed, it seemed there was an emergency.

“Is everything alright, John?” Jerome asked him, being alert.

“No boss, Mrs S–Stacy, Mrs S–Stacy,” he stammered.

“What happened to her?” Jerome asked in a panic, getting up on his feet which drew the attention of the board members to him.

“S–She got into an accident,” John dropped the bombshell and the phone slipped off Jerome’s ear, its screen shattering into pieces.