CHAPTER 28

Geneveive Tessa Robert

 

After several hours of reading through the proposals and sending rejection emails , I came across Kyle`s project proposal. Dad was impressed, but he didn't want to select Kyledue to due to our past. I had to remind Dad that our personal lives should not affect the family business, and I was also impressed with the project. It was better than most  of the proposals we had been checking.

The selection for the final three was actually easy. Kyle got a spot,spot, and two new companies had eyes for our all--inclusive STEM project for women and girls. 

I yawned, typing the mail. It had been a long day, but Dad ensured II took long breaks due to the baby. He didn't want anything happening to his grandchild or grandchildren like I  always chipped in.

After sending the congratulatory mail  to the three selected companies, II drafted a contract for Kyle King thatthat defined the terms and conditions for working with the Roberts family. Once the transportation project kicks off, he will pay ten million dollars for resources and miscellaneous expenses,expenses, which will be accounted for. If he misuses it, he will be asked to refund the family.

The profits will be shared according to how much the transportation business makes. makes. If there is no profit, any money invested by Robert`s family will be returned. There will be perks, bonuses,bonuses, and trips,trips, but they must be used wisely or the king's family will repay them.

I smiled, adding some other terms that I knew he wouldn't read. Kyle was an impatient man,man, but if he had Xavier with him, he would be careful.

I also made some corrections to the terms of payment before sending it to James. I needed my brother`s insight to be sure that the plan to start crumbling Kyke was on the right path.

After spending an hour booking tickets for the grand opening of the Robert`s Tech project, I closed my laptop and officially closed for the day. Dad has left me since we concluded the selection process. He mentioned an urgent meeting that needed his attention, but I was certain he used it as an excuse to watch a football match with James. I could hear their banter downstairs.

I walked into my room, pulling down my clothes,clothes, and my reflection against the mirror made me stop. The third month of my pregnancy, my baby bump was just a hard stump. Okay, I was adding weight in some places, but if someone looked at me carelessly, he or she wouldn't notice I was pregnant. It was good,good, though,though, because when I met Kyle King, I didn't want him to be suspicious but shocked that I was back with my family.

My baby. He or she was going to be loved more than I was loved by Kyle, and when he or she asked about Kyle, I was going to tell the truth, not lie that he`s dead or travelled like mom suggested.

I was going to protect my child from every harm and ensure  he or she had the best things in life. The best family to rely on and unending happiness. If it was going to be a girl, II would name her Hope, because getting pregnant made me believe in God and in life once again. If it were a boy, I would name him after my grandfather, Nicholas,Nicholas, because of the kind life my grandfather  lived and also because I had made a promise on his dying bed that I was going to name my first son after him.

If they were twins, I was going to name them Nicole and Nicholas. Nah, I won't follow the crowd and use the usual similar names for twins. Hope and Nicholas. If they were triplets,  I just had to wait till II saw the ultrasound results next month.

`Your dad  has been singing your praises since you guys completed the proposal selection. How was the experience?` mom asked, passing the bucket of popcorn to me.

 

Dinner was over, and James suggested we watch a movie together since it's been awhile  we did anything together as a family. I had welcomed the idea with a scoff, then slowly a smile and now I was happy to be with them.

I threw some popcorn into my mouth and said, `It was pretty cool and honestly, Dad`s the best teammate  ever. He welcomed my ideas and taught me a lot. I think I must have jotted down tons of ideas on how to build a successful  business from just listening to Dad.`

Mum chuckled. `Yeah, your dad can be a teacher when the occasion calls for it. Did he help with  the paperwork?`

I laughed. `You know your husband, mom. He hates paperwork and staring at the laptop screen. You can imagine the number of times I had to print out his mail for him.`

`When I told you Dad was old school, you thought I was joking. Now, do you believe it?` James grinned, evading the pillow Dad threw at him.

`Don`t agree to anything, dear. I am a tired old man who loves an easy life, and according to my optician, I shouldn't be staring at the screen for a long time.`

`Indeed, Dad,` I replied, drawing laughter from my mom and James. `Anyway, I need to tell you guys something important.`

I had spoken earlier to Vera about my plans and the contract. She had been pleased, but she insisted I inform my parents so that they could back me up in case Kyle tried any funny business. Also, it was their project, not mine, so they needed to know, so I don`t do anything that will make them angry.

`Okay. Is it about our grandchild? If you have checked the gender, right?` Mom asked, her eyes glowing with expectation. 

I answered first with a deep breath, then the words came forth, `No. It's about Kyle King.`

Dad replied, `Do you want me to revoke his selection? I still have doubts about it, by the way.`

Arghh! My parents and dropping into a conclusion before hearing the full story.

 

`No, Dad. I want him to be there because that's the only way I can strike him. I tweaked the contract to fit my purpose, but I need your guys' approval before we leave for Nashville next week. Please show him the contract, James.`

Dad hummed, collecting James`s phone. After reading it for a minute, he passed it to Mom. I could almost feel their judgement. Their hushed conversations also made it feel like I had made a terrible mistake. I had to remind myself that what I was doing was right. 

`Okay, we agree with the contract. I am surprised you could come up with something like this, though. Well done, dear. However, there's a condition.`

My jubilation paused. Why must there always be conditions with the Roberts?

`You won't be going to Nashville with us. I prefer you stay in the background so that he doesn't know who is behind this. You should also know that you're pregnant, and anything that would make you uncomfortable needs to stay far away from you.` Dad replied, settling near me. 

`I know you really want to destroy Kyle, but you need to be patient. If not for the sense I see in this contract, I would have disagreed. Tell me one thing, though: what happened to your shares? I heard a rumour from a friend who visited Nashville, but I trashed it because you didn't tell us anything.` Mom said, watching me closely.

Gosh! Gossips and their ways of spoiling people's surprises and special moments. I had to tell them the truth now, even though they just crushed my dream of returning to Nashville. I couldn't believe I wouldn't be able to see Kyle`s shocked face. That will be for another day.

I spoke up, `Firstly, I am not happy about Nashville`s decision, but I see the wisdom. Secondly, I am sorry I didn't inform you guys about what happened with the shares. Kyle technically hacked into my bank account and withdrew the money. Everything.`

`What?` Dad yelled angrily. `When did this happen, and why didn't you tell us?`

I breathed deeply, then replied, `It was a few days before Mom's birthday. I didn't want to disturb the plans with my troubles.`

`No, child. You should have told us. Wait, did James know about this?` mom asked.

James scoffed. `She didn't tell me anything, but I suspected something was amiss when she wanted to be in on the Roberts project. Honestly, if I had known about this, I would have flown to Nashville to teach him a lesson. I can't believe he had the guts to steal from you.`

`What kind of man does that?` James scoffed, asking no one in particular.