“Adam, you’re my acting CEO. Sullivan knows that.”
“Yes, but I don’t actually own this company, and that diminishes my decision power. Is Val’s project really worth the risk of striking a bad deal with Sullivan? Or the deal falling through?”
A chill ran down my spine. Clenching my teeth, I looked out the window. I wanted to grow the company to be a force to be reckoned with. Our investors required the same. To set up the company, I’d had no choice but to take outside investment, and I’d had to give away shares in exchange. I owned 49 percent, the rest was distributed among the various investors, and they wanted larger profits. I’d brought the company as far as I possibly could have, but I couldn’t bring it to the next level on my own.
I needed more funds, or a partner with access to a wider distribution network, which was what Sullivan was bringing to the table. More funds meant an IPO or bringing in even more investors, which I didn’t want because I’d have to give up even more shares and control. The partnership with Sullivan was my best option, which was why I needed the deal to go through. But this couldn’t be helped.
While Adam was a close friend, he didn’t understand how deep family ties went in the Connor clan. Explaining myself further wasn’t going to change things, and I didn’t care to do it anyway. Ultimately, I was in charge. Adam had to do what I decided.
“I’m needed here, Adam. I’m officially not on vacation anymore, so I can be contacted at any hour after today. I’m taking the time to reacquaint myself with Val’s company. I can give you ten minutes right now to discuss any urgent matters.”
Two things became clear within a few hours in Val’s shoes. One: she was more efficient than 90 percent of the people I knew. Two: she didn’t delegate jack shit. She oversaw everything from executive decisions to small operative details. Nothing escaped her sharp mind, or pen. Almost everything needed her approval.
“We need approval for the shipments—”
“The samples will arrive today. We need you in the conference room at two.”
“The budget still needs changing.”
“When is Val coming back?”
“She hasn’t replied to our e-mails. That hasn’t—”
I jumped in. “And she won’t be replying for the time being.”
I felt like I was on a baseball field, fielding balls left and right, with several hitting me straight in the face while I was busy with others. Val’s daily to-do list was busy enough for two people to hack away at it until their eyes watered. In the rare moments when I was alone in the office, I went over the budget for the department store line, but the constant interruptions made it impossible to concentrate. Val led an open-door policy I did not appreciate.
Her assistant stepped in just as I’d started making notes.
“Mr. Connor, we need you down in shipping. We—”
“No.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Look—Angelica, that’s your name, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I will not be available for the next two hours.”
Her face drained of color. “But—”
“No ifs or buts. I will be here in the office, but I don’t want anyone to disturb me.”
“Val called.”
Jesus. My sister was still in the hospital.
“Right. Until I tell you differently, you will not be taking my sister’s calls. I will also need you to prepare a briefing for me. Include every major topic along the value chain.”
Angelica looked at me like I was mad, but she nodded and left the office. I closed the door behind her, taking a deep breath. I needed to draw up a plan, a damn good one. And unlike Val, I needed silence to think things through.
The offices hadn’t been here when I was with the company. We had fewer employees, so we didn’t need an entire building anyway. Val was smart to move everything here when the company grew. It was far enough from her house to make commuting a pain, but land was cheap, so she’d bought it, saving a lot on rent.
I sat behind the desk, which Val had positioned in the south corner of the room. I could as easily glance at the door and out the window. Maddie’s garden stretched outside. Even from here, it looked like the calm-inducing oasis Val described. I rose from my seat, grabbed the laptop, a pen, and some papers, and headed out of the office.
A few minutes later, I stepped inside the small park. It was amazing. A wide cobblestone path snaked through the center, and several narrower ones sprung to the sides. Everywhere I looked, it was green, with the occasional speck of color. I didn’t know the names of the trees, but I recognized a few palm trees and ferns. I snapped a photo of it and sent it to Maddie, along with a text.