Ratcliff Global''s top-floor office had a wall of ss overlooking a city packed with skyscrapers. Joseph spun a pen between his fingers, his mouth curled in a smug,


    satisfied grin.


    "So, Matthew''s been transferred to the military hospital?" Joseph nced at his assistant, his tone light and openly pleased.


    The assistant nodded and handed over a folder. "Yes, Mr. Ratcliff."


    "A military doctor is following his case. Word is, things don''t look great. He had an acute attack of a gic illness. He''ll need a long time to recover. There''s no way he cane back to work anytime soon."


    "Out ofmission, huh?" Joseph let out a quietugh, tapping his fingers on the desk. "So he''s out of the running for chairman."


    He leaned back, eyes glinting for a moment. “Doesn''t matter that my grandfather lost all those years ago. In the end, Ratcliff Global is stilling back to my side of the family.” His gaze turned sharp. "Sebastian''s already been forced out, now Matthew''s stuck in a hospital bed. There''s no one left in thispany who can stand in my way."


    His assistant was quick to agree. "You''re absolutely right, sir. Everyone at Ratcliff Global is saying you''re the obvious choice for chairman."


    Joseph paused, then seemed to remember something. "Didn''t that old man leave Reese a chunk of Meyer family shares when he passed?"


    The assistant hesitated, then replied, "He did, but for some reason, the will hasn''t been made public yet."


    "You''re wondering if...?"


    Joseph nodded. "Reese is still Sebastian''s wife, and she''s close to Matthew. I need to figure out how to get those shares from her. Then I''ll have shares than Sebastian."


    Joseph''s lips twitched. "Too bad about de though. Even after getting kicked out, Sebastian won''t let go of it. He''s keeping it locked up tight, won''t share even a piece."


    His expression grew darker. "If I could just get the de system, the board would have to ept me."


    But for now, he''d have to prove himself another way.


    Just then, his phone rang. Bailey''s name popped up on the screen. Joseph shot his assistant a knowing look.


    "Speak of the devil." He pressed a finger to his lips and answered. "Mr. Meyer. What a surprise."


    "Joseph, sorry for the sudden call.


    There''s something I''d like to


    discuss." On the other end, Bailey


    frowned at Joseph''sid-back tone


    Still, thinking of what Reese had done, he pushed down his annoyance.


    "Go ahead, Mr. Meyer," Joseph replied, leaning back and spinning his pen.


    "It''s about the de project,” Bailey said, taking a slow breath. "I know Ratcliff Global is a key yer. The Meyer family would like to work together with you and get involved.


    Joseph''s eyebrows lifted, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.


    So Bailey didn''t realize that de was actually a private deal between Sebastian


    and ckOak, and had nothing to do with Ratcliff Global.


    Still, this could work in his favor. If he could use the opportunity to bring in more


    for thepany, the board would have to recognize his leadership.


    Joseph''s eyes narrowed with calction. "The de project isn''t open to just anyone, Mr. Meyer. If


    the Meyer family wants in, you''ll have to show you''re serious. What are you willing to put on the table?"