CHAPTER 139: ABOUT TIME

Georgia’s vision blurred as she stared at the company’s drained accounts. She blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall. Not now. Not in front of Melanie. She needed strength, not weakness.

Melanie, steady and composed despite her own worry, opened another window on the computer. "As you can see, the withdrawals were done in a matter of days, through multiple cheques. Some are disguised as payroll and other expenses, but the recipients aren’t our employees."

The words were a blur, a muffled echo against the roaring in Georgia’s ears. Her brain felt heavy, numb. She shut her eyes for a moment, drawing in a breath sharp enough to steady her trembling chest.

Melanie reached out and gently patted her back, her voice softer now, protective. "Tell me what to do, Georgia. I’ll stand with you, like I always have. We’ll get through this together."

When Georgia opened her eyes, a steel-like determination burned behind them. She pulled the keyboard closer, her fingers moving with controlled urgency. "Mel, I’ll cover payroll myself. Our people can’t suffer for this. Tell everyone their pay is on its way, and apologize on behalf of the bank.

I don’t want a single family worried over this. Then, call Mr. Patton, see if he can handle an emergency audit or recommend someone who can."

Melanie hesitated, her brows furrowing. "Wait, Georgia. Where will you get the money? Excluding you, Irene, and Frank, there are eighteen people on the payroll. That’s a huge amount of money."

"I’ll use my personal savings." Georgia’s voice cracked for the briefest second before hardening again. "It’s not much, but it’ll keep us alive for now. I can’t let this company collapse, not after my father and brother worked hard for it. I can’t let the employees take the hit."

A silence passed before Melanie nodded, her loyalty shining in her eyes. "Alright. I’ll do exactly what you said. Please... don’t shut me out of this. Let me help you carry it."

Georgia looked at her, her throat tightening. "Thank you, Mel. You’ve stood by my family even after my father and brother were gone... and now when it’s only me. I won’t forget that."

Melanie squeezed her shoulder with a warm smile. "This place is home, Georgia. And you—you’ve always treated us like family. That’s rare. Don’t worry about me, just focus on what needs to be done. I’ll handle the rest."

Georgia managed a small nod, watching as Melanie left the office with quiet determination.

The door clicked shut. Silence pressed in.

Her composure cracked. With a trembling exhale, she buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking as the weight of responsibility threatened to crush her. Her nails dug into her skin, but she refused to cry out loud.

’Focus, Georgia. One step at a time. Don’t fall apart now...’ she thought.

When she finally lowered her hands, her expression was raw but resolute, her lips parted as if she was gasping for air after drowning. She straightened, her body taut with resolve, and went straight back to work.

********

In front of the towering Knight Fleet Maritime building, Nick pulled his Aston Martin DBX707 to a smooth stop. The sleek engine purred to silence, drawing glances of admiration from those already gathered at the entrance. A valet rushed forward, while a few executives straightened their suits, anticipation painted on their faces.

The moment Nick stepped out, his presence commanded the space. Tall, composed, exuding a dangerous elegance that made heads turn.

"Welcome, Mr. Knight," one of the executives greeted with a reverent nod. "The Chairman arrived just moments ago and is waiting for you in the boardroom. Please, allow us to escort you."

Nick inclined his head in acknowledgment, his stride confident but measured. Though it was his family’s empire, the sprawling corporate labyrinth wasn’t his battlefield. He had only set foot inside a handful of times, and without a guide, he would have been adrift in its maze of steel and glass.

As the boardroom doors opened, Nick’s gaze swept the scene inside, his father, Benjamin Knight, seated at the head of the long table, surrounded by top executives.

"There he is," Benjamin’s deep voice cut through the murmur as he rose to his feet. His commanding figure turned toward the door, pride gleaming in his eyes. "My son, Nicholas Knight."

The words carried like a declaration, and in unison, the executives pushed back their chairs and stood. Their greetings washed over Nick, respectful, formal, yet filled with curiosity. Every man and woman measuring the heir who walked into the lion’s den.

Nick’s jaw tightened subtly as he approached, his father extending a hand that was less a gesture of affection and more a signal of power passed in plain sight.

Benjamin’s voice cut through the thick air of the boardroom, commanding attention as he urged everyone to take their seat.

"I have an announcement to make. That is why I gathered you all here." His gaze swept across the table before settling briefly on Nick. "There will be a rearranging of positions within the company. Starting today, my son, Nicholas Knight, will be officially joining Knight Fleet Maritime, and moving forward, there will be significant promotions and shifts across the board."

A ripple of anticipation spread through the executives. Benjamin allowed it to build before continuing, his heavy tone with power.

"The formal announcement will be in two weeks, during the gala hosted by the mother company, Knight Group of Companies. You will receive invitations this week. Some of you will also receive letters regarding your new roles.

As our expansion grows overseas, there will be opportunities and choices. You may decline, but declining will mean forfeiting your current role. You can be re-assigned to a different role, which will be discussed later."

He paused, letting the words hang like a storm cloud before dropping the thunder.

"And now, the main reason I called you here. As of today, Nicholas will serve as the new CEO of Knight Fleet Maritime."

The room erupted in low murmurs, gasps, and whispers—the collective current of disbelief and envy sparking like electricity.

*SLAM!*

That loud slamming of a hand on the table echoed off the walls, and one man shot to his feet.

Clinton Hayes, the nephew of Violet Knight and the current CEO of Knight Fleet Maritime. Who hated Nick since they were kids, and that hate just intensified more after The Chairman’s announcement.

"Why was I not informed beforehand?!" Clinton Hayes roared, palm pressed hard against the polished table. His eyes burned with outrage. "This is absurd! Outside of due process!"

Benjamin didn’t flinch. "Clinton, I will address you in my office after this meeting," he said coolly, before returning his gaze to the others. "The decision was finalized last night. But let me remind everyone—this was always inevitable. CEO positions within the Knight Group of Companies are reserved for my children. That has never changed and is written very clearly when I started everything from scratch."

The murmurs rose again, but this time the tone had shifted—resigned acknowledgment, the weight of the Knight legacy pressing down on them. Everyone knew it; Benjamin had made it law.

Nick could feel the heat of a dozen gazes pierce into him, some admiring, some envious, others dripping with venom. His attention slid to Clinton, who glared at him with open hostility. Nick met that stare head-on—cool, unyielding—and then allowed a slow, dangerous smirk to curve his lips.

Clinton’s jaw tightened, his knuckles whitening as his fists clenched. Rage radiated off him like fire.

’I won’t let you take what’s mine, you bastard,’ Clinton seethed in silence, his glare promising war.

And yet, Nick didn’t look away. He leaned into the hostility, feeding off the tension, the room thrumming with the dangerous mix of power, defiance, and the intoxicating allure of dominance.

The room grew thick with silence after Clinton’s outburst, the kind that pressed into the skin and made every breath feel heavier.

Benjamin’s jaw tightened as he leaned back in his chair, his presence radiating command. "Everyone," he said slowly, "you’d do well to remember who built this empire. And who has the right to decide its future."

Clinton’s glare never wavered. His nostrils flared, chest rising and falling with fury as he forced himself to sit again, but the tension in his body spoke louder than words—he was a predator denied his prey.

Nick felt the weight of his father’s authority filling the room, but beneath it, he sensed something else... A challenge. A test. Benjamin wasn’t just announcing him as CEO; he was watching how Nick would handle the wolves already circling.

Nick leaned forward, his voice calm, yet laced with steel. "If you have doubts about my capabilities, Clinton, I suggest you watch closely. I don’t plan on failing. This is my family’s company that we are talking about, and blood will always be thicker than water, don’t you agree?"

Benjamin’s lips twitched, the faintest trace of satisfaction flickering across his face.

Clinton’s knuckles whitened again, rage simmering.

This was the moment that Benjamin was waiting for. He had stayed silent for a long time, but now that the universe had answered his prayers, it was about time to train Nick for what he was born for.