Frank could feel anger boiling inside of him as he exited the company. He could feel the very vein on his forehead throbbed, threatening to pop. Who the heck did Nikolas think he was? How dare him call Sterling Holdings a sinking ship?
Dipping his hands into his pants pockets, he dialed the one person he knows could calm him down. The phone rang three times before she picked up.
"Hello, sweetie," Ivy's soft voice slipped through the speakers of his phone.
Frank growled. "He called my company a sinking ship! How dare that arrogant fool treat me this way?" His breath came in sharp bursts as he struggled to control the fury coursing through his veins.
"Hey, sweetie, my love, breathe," Ivy cooed, her voice soothing him. "Calm down."
Although Ivy's voice had a way of cooling him, he could still feel the heat of volcanic anger burning deep inside his chest. As He lifted his gaze glancing back up at the building. How dare he?
Frank Drew in a deep breath, as he exhaled through his nose. "I'm calm, baby. I'm just so pissed at that bastard," he muttered, finally able to get his voice back.
"I take it the meeting with Mr. Darkos didn't go as planned?" she asked.
"No, it didn't," Frank said furiously.
He stalked toward his car, got in, and started the engine.
"Where are you now, baby?" Ivy asked.
"I'm on my way back. I'll tell you everything when I get home," he replied.
"You just have to try to stay calm baby,we will figure it out together like we always do" she said encouraging him
Frank let ivy's words sink in as he steadied his breath,yes he was upset about what had just happened but one thing is for sure he and ivy would find a way out like they always did.
Putting the keys into the car "yes baby,we would figure it out,thanks baby." He said as he kissed the phone.With that, he ended the call.
Slamming his foot on to the gas, he sped past several cars, every muscle in his body vibrating with rage. How dare he sit there in his fancy office and call my company a sinking ship?
Frank knew that his company wasn't doing well at the moment. That was why they had been trying to rebrand. Just last year, two of his biggest accounts had pulled out when they were barely surviving. He had been forced to lay off several of their employees just to stay afloat.
His gaze fixed on the road as his eyes fell on the traffic light turning red, he slowed down his pace,lifting his leg gently from the gas,he raked a hand through his hair. As he struggled with his raging emotions roiling inside him. The meeting with Nikolas had been a complete disaster.
Although Nikolas hadn't outright refused the offer, but Frank could tell he was reluctant to have anything to do with Sterling Holdings. The bastard didn't have faith in them. And the worst part? They needed this investment from Darkos Industries. Without it, Sterling Holdings would definitely go down the drain.
stepping on the gas, as the traffic lights turned green,giving him the go ahead,Frank's mind drifted to Selene.
Exhaling deeply through his nose, he clenched his jaw. He had been thinking about her a lot lately,which was something he didn't like and though it bruised his ego to admit it, Selene had actually been the brains behind the Sterling holdings.
It had been five years since she left, and for the first year, he and Ivy had managed to keep Sterling Holdings steady. But then, everything started falling apart.
Several clients had pulled out over the years, and things weren't looking good,the company was going down fast.
Just this year alone, he had pitched ideas to multiple companies,Darkos Industries included and now, the future looked bleak.
"Shit!" He banged his hand on the dashboard. If only that stupid bitch Selene hadn't walked in on me and Ivy five years ago, my company would still be thriving.
Although he couldn't deny he was partially at fault, he still resented her. If only he and Ivy had been more careful, Selene would still be with them.
It had been five years, and yet they still couldn't fill the void she left in the company. Two years ago, in a desperate move, he and Ivy had tried making a deal with the Caper Group.A decision that only dragged them further under sinking the company's prospects. Now, they were stuck, looking for a miracle.
Frank still couldn't believe how everything had suddenly turned upside down after Selene left. The entire company had crumbled along with that fat bitch.
Although he hadn't heard from Selene in over five years,he still hated her guts.
They had tried reaching out to her two years ago after the Caper deal turned to shit, only to find out she had changed her contact.stupid wench. Now, he was stuck going from company to company like a door-to-door salesman, begging for investors.
He needed a plan,and he needed it fast.
Picking up his phone, he dialed his assistant's number.
"Hello, sir," Jamal's deep voice boomed through the speaker.
Frank pulled into his garage and exhaled. "Jamal, the deal with Darkos Industries might not go through," he said, his tone now calmer.
"I suspected that," Jamal admitted, breathing into the phone. "That's why I sent the proposal to his cousin, Austin Darkos."
Frank blinked in disbelief. He couldn't believe his ears Jamal, you genius. Hiring him as an assistant two years ago when Ivy suggested it had been the only good decision Frank had made since Selene left, besides proposing to Ivy, the love of his life.
Although Frank had his doubts at first when ivy suggested he hired her cousin,but Jamal had proved him wrong by his quick decision making that had helped the company survive this far.
"Jamal, you're a damn genius!" Frank exclaimed, ecstatic. "But how did you guess the deal would go south?"he asked still curious.
"Well, Mr. Darkos is widely known for his blunt and straightforward views," Jamal explained. "And honestly, Sterling Holdings hasn't been doing well since that bad deal with the Caper Group, right before you hired me."
Frank dragged a hand down his face, struggling to keep up. "So you're saying there's no possibility of convincing Nikolas Darkos to invest in Sterling Holdings?" he asked, still frustrated at the thought of losing Nikolas' money.
"I'm not saying that, sir," Jamal replied, his voice laced with disappointment. "But from what the media and his colleagues say about him, I doubt he'll invest based on faith alone. The man is stubborn he only trusts what he can see."his voice drenched in disappointment.
Frank knew Jamal was right. Even back in the office, when Nikolas had spoken about Sterling Holdings, it was clear that he thought investing was hopeless.
Still sitting in his car, Frank hesitated. He didn't want to go inside and dump more bad news on Ivy. "So how do we know the other Mr. Darkos will invest?" he asked, still skeptical.
"Leave that to me, sir," Jamal assured him. "I'll do the convincing. Mr. Austin isn't as tough as his cousin, so he should be an easier target. You just need to meet up with him to finalize the deal after I soften him up."
Frank's lips spreaded into a wide grin. "Ivy is going to be so happy with this news. Thank you, Jamal!" He hesitated for a moment, then added, "Also, I'm thinking about pitching the proposal to Mr. King."he said wanting to get Jamal's opinion before moving forward with it.
Jamal paused. "Selene's father?"
Jamal was the only other person apart from himself and ivy that knew what really happened on his wedding day five years ago, and although he had earlier suggested he propose the investment to Mr King several months ago.
Frank had been stubborn not wanting to involve Selene's father in his business but now with his back against the wall like a trapped mouse he had no choice than to go to the old man for help.
"Yeah. The man has always been supportive of me. Hell, he believed me over his own daughter five years ago. Getting him to invest shouldn't be a problem."
"Good idea, Mr. Frank! Mr. King is a highly respected member of society. I'm pretty sure If he invests, other investors will definitely follow," Jamal said, his voice buzzing with excitement.
Frank nodded, even though Jamal couldn't see him. "Okay, then. You handle the other Mr. Darkos, and I'll handle Mr. King."he said finally stepping out of the car.
"Then we can figure out our next move after," he added.
"Sure thing, sir. Don't worry, Sterling Holdings will be soaring high again in no time," Jamal said before ending the call.
Frank's heart swelled with joy at the new information he had just received. Finally, some good luck. Getting Selene's father to invest shouldn't be a problem.
Shutting the car door, he headed straight into the house, his heart warming at the thought of finally sharing some good news with his soon-to-be wife.