Sure enough, Carla received a call from Harrison seven days later who informed her that Daemon intended to transfer some shares in Lierger Corporation to her and to have her return at once to attend to the paperwork.
Carla was most surprised as it was not the first time he had transferred some shares to her. When the company ran into trouble, he had taken back the shares to prevent her involvement.
Fueled by curiosity over Daemon's uncharacteristic gesture, she pressed for answers to why he might do such a thing. Harrison revealed that some of them were her mother's shares, which rightfully belonged to Carla. The rest had been the winnings of a bet placed between Zayn and Daemon.
Furious at the news, she demanded details but Harrison remained reticent by merely reiterating his reminder for her to attend to the share transfer paperwork.
After assuring him that she would get around to it, Carla called Zayn as soon as Harrison departed.
Seeing no way around her blunt questions, Zayn admitted to the wager.
Carla lost her temper and yelled at him.
Zayn gave a wry smile at her tirade. "You misunderstood my intentions, Wifey. I placed the bet to propel Daemon into action."
"He's like a brother to me!" she snapped. "How could you stand to make a dime on the pretext of helping him?"
"If I had lost, I would still be a man of my word by honoring the terms of the wager."
"You…"
"It's under your name now, " explained Zayn patiently. "We would be in a better position to provide assistance if Lierger Corporation runs into trouble in the future. Isn't that neat?"
Carla's eyes widened. "I did hear that they have some unresolved issues. As a result of this wager, I would be able to show up as a shareholder and see if there's anything we can do to help."
"Lierger Corporation is in urgent need of equity." Zayn had already done his homework. "Do what you do best, shareholder. Bring them some money!"
"But I have none!" Carla argued. "I'd given it all to Derila."
"No, you didn't. We still have some money! I'll make all the arrangements for you. You are to depart for Erihal tomorrow. Once you get there, I'll walk you through the next step."
"I can't wait!"
That afternoon, Benard showed Rodney into the house for Carla's signature on a document. She was aware that it pertained to the transfer of company funds.
Her fountain pen fell through her trembling fingers to the floor with a clatter at the sight of the number. "Is it all for me? Can Giblo Group manage without this sum?"
"I don't actually know, Madam, " Benard smiled assuringly. "Mr. Giblo was the one to have made the necessary arrangements. I'm sure he has everything under control."
"Mr. Giblo has instructed us to accompany you on your trip back to Erihal and to assist you wherever you might need, " Rodney added. "I hope you don't mind the pleasure of our company, Mrs. Giblo."
"You're coming along too?"
Benard nodded. "Of course! Mr. Giblo left instructions for us to appear before your family with as much pomp as possible."
"Nobody will dare to underestimate me with Daemon there!" Carla laughed. "I'm sure that it's common knowledge who my husband is."
"I'm sure they do, Mrs. Giblo."
After guiding Carla through the rest of the paperwork and making some vague plans for their trip, it was close to midnight when they finally departed.
Carla remained behind to straighten out her files and keep the children company before heading up to her bedroom. Before she stepped foot into the bathroom, Zayn appeared. "Mind if I hop in with you?"
"Hubby!" Carla squealed before turning around to embrace him with her cheek pressed on his chest. "I owe you a thank you."
"Oh? For what?" Zayn asked as he kissed the top of her head.
"It was after calling you this afternoon and saying all those mean things when I realized how carefully thought out your plan was, " Carla admitted sheepishly. "You must have known that you would win the wager with Daemon before you made it, didn't you? It was all for a legitimate way to help Lierger Corporation."
Zayn pinched her cheek affectionately. "Nonsense! I'm all in the business of making money. Didn't you once call me a cunning businessman?"
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