Chapter 120
Chapter 120:
Alexander entered, impeccable as always in a tailored suit despite the early hour. His expression shifted when he saw her face.
“You found something,” he said, closing the door behind him.
Victoria swiveled her computer screen toward him. “Herod Preston has been buying Kane Industries stock for the past six months.”
Alexander crossed to her desk, studying the financial data. “Through shell companies. Clever. Staying under the radar.”
“Clever?” Victoria’s voice sharpened. “He’s infiltrating my company, Alexander.”
“How much has he acquired?”
“Just over five percent, according to what we’ve traced so far.” Victoria stood, too agitated to remain seated. “He’s positioning himself for a hostile takeover.”
Alexander leaned closer to the screen, scrolling through the transactions. “Pequod Ventures. Ahab Holdings. Queequeg Capital… all literary references. Easier to track than he thinks.”
“This isn’t a literary analysis, Alexander.” Victoria paced behind her desk. “This is Herod Preston making his next move against me. Against my family. First, the Grid sabotage, now this.”
Alexander straightened, his expression serious. “Victoria, he can’t take Kane Industries from you. You personally own sixty percent of the company.”
“I’m aware of my stock holdings,” she snapped.
“And I’ve recently acquired ten percent,” Alexander continued, unfazed by her tone. “Which means that even if Herod managed to buy every remaining share, which he can’t without triggering SEC notifications, he would still be a minority shareholder.”
Victoria paused her pacing. She knew this. Of course, she knew this. She had structured her company holdings precisely to prevent hostile takeovers. But the sight of Herod Preston’s name connected to Kane Industries had triggered something primal in her—a mother’s rage at the family that had taken her daughter.
“It’s not about the stock,” she said finally. “It’s about his audacity. His… invasion. After what his family did to Sophia.”
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Alexander’s expression softened slightly. “I understand. But we need to think strategically. If Herod is buying stock, it means he’s planning for something beyond the Grid sabotage.”
Victoria moved to the window, watching the city come to life below. She knew Alexander was right. This wasn’t just about emotion; it was about chess moves, strategy, seeing ten steps ahead.
“He wants inside information,” she said. “Board meeting minutes. Financial projections. Access to shareholder communications.”
“Exactly,” Alexander agreed. “And he’ll use a proxy to request that information once he reaches the five percent threshold that requires public disclosure.”
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