Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'
Chapter 418: Snatched It Back

Chapter 418: Snatched It Back

"Director Taylor, Director Lee, Mr. Owen!"

Everyone in the boardroom turned around. An assistant came rushing in, out of breath and looking excited.

"Mr. Brooks from XR Luxury Goods just called—they want to renew the contract for another year!"

The room went quiet for a beat, then lit up.

"Excellent, excellent!"

"XR is our biggest client. They must be renewing because of Mr. Owen’s reputation!"

"Quick, let me take the call so I can negotiate with Mr. Brooks."

"No, no—Owen should do it personally!"

Very quickly, Owen had the phone in hand, plastering on a flattering smile.

"Mr. Brooks, thank you so much for continuing to choose our company. I’ll personally handle everything this time, rest assured..."

Luke was getting irritated.

Seriously?

The whole company was already Owen’s turf—he was fighting uphill here. Now some luxury business was showing up out of nowhere to help Owen look good?

If he couldn’t take back the company, he’d fail Logan’s request.

If he failed Logan’s request...

Luke shivered.

Annoying. Seriously annoying. He couldn’t let Owen keep showing off—he had to—

...

"Is this Owen?" a voice suddenly asked on the other end of the line.

Owen thought Mr. Brooks was just confirming and replied obsequiously, "Yes, Mr. Brooks. What can I do for you—"

"Put Luke on the phone," Brooks interrupted.

Owen froze.

"I’m sorry, what did you say? Mr. Brooks, Luke is, uh..."

"This company belongs to Luke, doesn’t it?" Brooks’s voice turned frosty. "I heard Luke’s back now. You used to ’manage it for him,’ but now the real owner is here. What—did you think XR would keep working with you? Of course we want the real decision-maker."

...

Luke blinked, stunned at the turnaround.

Wait a second... XR knows who I am?

Owen clearly hadn’t seen this coming either. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He forced a nervous laugh.

"Mr. Brooks, yes, Luke is back at the company, but you might not know—he has no experience running things, he’s never handled a single project. This deal really should stay with me—"

...

"Owen." Brooks’s voice cracked like a whip. He tried to stay civil but finally lost patience.

"I only kept renewing with you for years out of respect for Reid Group. But why the hell did Reid Group keep sending you?! This year I heard Luke would be taking over, so I thought I’d give you one more chance. What, you think you’re the big shot here?"

Luke’s eyes went wide.

Owen’s throat seized up. He nearly choked on his own spit.

What the hell?! They’re specifically asking for Luke? How is this happening?!

...

"But Luke doesn’t even—" Owen tried to protest.

"Owen." Brooks cut him off coldly.

"I know Luke’s reputation isn’t great. I know he probably doesn’t know a damn thing about management. But let me tell you—even he’s still better than you. If I could stomach working with you for five years, why the hell wouldn’t I work with Luke?"

He didn’t even give Owen a chance to reply.

"Either hand the company over to Luke, or don’t bother talking to us at all. And by the way—I’ll tell Reid Group exactly why XR is pulling out. It’ll be because you, Mr. Owen, wouldn’t give up control just to pocket a few cheap benefits."

With that, Brooks slammed down the phone.

...

Owen’s face went ashen. His hand trembled around the receiver.

Luke blinked, realization dawning.

This was... basically a gift from heaven.

Okay... I don’t know why XR suddenly hates Owen, but who cares. This is perfect.

Luke’s lips curled into a bright, fake-innocent smile.

"So, big brother... what do you say?"

Owen looked like he wanted to strangle him on the spot.

What does he mean, ’What do you say’?

Luke was blatantly here to snatch the company—and he was asking him to agree to it?!

Luke didn’t even rush. "Looks like big bro isn’t willing to hand the company back to me. That’s fine."

Luke’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

"After all, Reid Group picked you as the heir. One company in the red won’t matter—everything in Reid Group will be yours anyway. We’re brothers. Even if you ruin my interests, I won’t hold it against you."

"But the other shareholders aren’t your family. If you make them lose money, tank the value of their shares... well, whatever. Mom and Dad love you best. No matter how many people you piss off, they’ll clean up after you."

He waved dismissively and started walking out.

"But I guess the XR deal is dead now. Who knows if you’ll find another client that size anytime soon. The shareholders will probably lose at least ten million each, minimum..."

The board froze. Their expressions changed instantly.

Shit! XR wasn’t just any client—it was their single biggest source of revenue.

Losing XR meant millions in real money going poof.

...

"Mr. Luke, what are you saying? The company is yours! This deal is your responsibility!"

"That’s right—Mr. Brooks from XR literally asked for you. Come on now, don’t hold a grudge over this."

"Here’s all the historic contract paperwork. Brooks’s team will be here this afternoon. Please, Mr. Luke, you’ll handle the negotiations for us..."

They surrounded Luke like he was the new golden boy, shoving Owen aside.

...

Owen’s face twisted, dark and murderous. He looked like he might explode.

Luke. LUKE!

That useless idiot I’ve been stepping on for twenty years just turned around and put his foot on my neck!

When the board finally filed out, Luke turned to find Owen glaring like he wanted blood. Luke’s voice was pleasant, but every word was a dagger.

"Bro, why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be on your way to HR to turn in your resignation?"

...

"You—"

"Oh, my bad," Luke said suddenly, eyes wide in mock realization.

"I forgot. This company was stolen, so you never even filled out proper onboarding paperwork. No need to resign, huh?"

Owen’s face went bright red, rage pouring off him.

"You think watching me like this makes you happy?!"

Luke blinked innocently.

"Uh, obviously. What part of my face says ’not happy’ to you?"

He sounded genuinely confused.

...

Owen almost choked on the rage in his throat.

"...You—"

He ground out each word between clenched teeth.

"Fine. Let’s see what you can do with the company. Don’t come crying when you bankrupt it!"

Luke looked at him like he was an idiot. The disbelief was obvious on his face.

"Bro. The company survived you running it into the ground for five years and still didn’t go bankrupt. That tells me it’s built pretty damn solid. Under me, it’ll be just fine."

He paused, voice dripping with faux concern.

"Seriously. Maybe try reading a book now and then. Fill that empty head of yours so people can’t tell at a glance you’re an idiot."

...

"You—you—"

"Hey, Human Resources Department? Yeah, my bro’s leaving. Send him 3000 as severance. Cool. Thanks."

Luke hung up and gave Owen a bright smile.

"Look at me being so generous—three grand severance pay! I’m honestly gonna cry!"

Owen passed out cold.

...

At XR Luxury Trading Company.

Mr. Brooks adjusted his glasses.

"Miss Selina, it’s all taken care of."

Selina looked satisfied.

"Logan, didn’t I say Luke could take the company back? Pay up—I won the bet."

Brooks turned to glance at Logan in the corner. Logan gave a small, amused smile.

"You cheated to help Luke, didn’t you?"