He had his own corporation to run, how would he do both?
Those would just be a few of many. He needed to show confidence. He needed to keep his head in the game. It wouldn't be easy considering Katherine would be at that table, so close to him, but still untouchable. She figured she was safe being surrounded by a crowd.
She figured wrong.
As he stepped off the elevator, he turned to the right. The path to the conference room was well memorized as he'd run the corridors as a child, his grandfather always happy to see him. He'd known from the time he could barely talk that he'd follow in his grandfather's footsteps.
The entire life had appealed to him. The suits, meetings, travel. All of it was fascinating. It had been a no-brainer for him to intern with the corporation. He'd learned a lot at the hand of the most brilliant man he knew.
Before he got too far, he heard something that made his step falter. Someone was with him. His heart increased as his instincts told him it wasn't someone he wanted to see.
He had two choices, either continue on as if he didn't know, or turn and face whoever was slinking around behind him.
A small smile formed on his lips. He'd never been one to run from a challenge. Joseph slowly turned, then the smile fell as he made eye contact with his uncle.
The man looked even worse than the last time he'd seen him. He'd always been distant, not caring to know his brother's family, but the look on his face at that moment was almost hard to describe.
It was void of emotion, only a gleam of hatred flashing in his eyes exposed his true feelings. It was obvious he wasn't happy Joseph had come. The man had figured his battle was only against Milton and that he'd have an easy victory.
Joseph's father was a great man, full of love and laughter. A corporate shark he wasn't. He'd decided years previously he didn't want to deal with the hustle and bustle of the city, so he'd moved to the land his grandfather had founded, a beautiful ranch. It was close enough he could stay active with his family, but far enough to do what he wanted.
Under his watch, the ranch was successful. He thrived in the environment. Benjamin had been proud of his son, not needing him to follow exactly in his footsteps, just wanting him to find his own place in the world.
Milton had stepped up when his father had become ill, not wanting his father's corporation to fall into the hands of his brother, who only wanted to destroy it, but Joseph knew Milton didn't want to work as the CEO. He wanted to be with his horses. That's when his father called him, and Joseph knew he couldn't say no.
"I hear you're trying to win the vote by seduction," Neilson snarled as he stepped closer.
Though, Joseph knew the man didn't care for him, he had no idea how much Neilson actually despised him. He wasn't even trying to hide his disdain for his nephew. Joseph was left speechless for a moment.
"You know that seducing one of the board members won't help you, right? Even if she is making herself quite … what's the word? Oh yes, accessible. That just shows how desperate you really are."
Joseph found his voice as anger consumed him. The man had no right to speak of Katherine in any manner, let alone turning it around and making her look like anything other than a lady.
How had his uncle even known he'd seen her? He must have people spying for him. That fit his character quite well, actually.
"Jealousy is an ugly color on you, Neilson. It's obvious you know you've already lost, so you're grasping at any straw you can," Joseph said, not allowing the rage to show in either his voice or face.
A burst of satisfaction rushed through him, seeing the rage on Neilson's face. Joseph knew how to deal with men like him. He just couldn't understand how someone so evil could be related to his late grandfather, or his father.
"You may have one of the board members eating out of your hand, but I own the rest. You won't ever get this corporation. You won't be allowed the reigns. I've worked them for years. You've had minimal success, but you know nothing," Neilson spat.
"I've been successful on my own, without the help from my family. Can you say as much for yourself? I know how to build a business, unlike you, who only knows how to tear one down," Joseph countered.
A lethal fury radiated from Neilson. It was so potent, the air nearly ignited. Joseph had no doubt that if the man thought he could get away with it, he'd kill him right there with zero remorse.
How long did it take a man to become that way? Was he born with it in him or did he develop it through his life? Joseph would never know, but he did know he wouldn't trust Neilson anywhere near him. His uncle would stab him in the back with a smile on his face and a skip in his step if given the opportunity.
"I've grown bored with this conversation, Neilson. We'll let the board members decide the outcome of who's more fit to run the corporation. When it's me, I'll take pleasure in watching you slink back to wherever it is you hide in the dark these days," Joseph said as he turned and resumed walking toward the meeting.