Van’s firm lips formed a straight line. “That’s up to you, too. They only need one percent.”
“Give them back a share?”
“It’s enough to keep them involved.”
Leaning against Van, I gave that idea some thought. Looking back up, I caught his sexy stare. “Will Lena be there tomorrow?
Van grinned. “She wouldn’t miss it. Let’s start thinking like the CEO of Wade Pharmaceutical. If Wade can work out a deal with Biogen regarding the research, where do you see Wade in five years?”
I lifted my legs over the arm of the chair, enjoying the warmth and security of Van’s lap and embrace. “I think we need input from the people who do the work, the chemists, logistical partners, everyone. If we sell the Alzheimer’s research, the budget going to that can be redistributed. If it’s sold, we also won’t have to go through the astronomical expense of clinical trials and FDA protocol. We still have the insulin.” I shook my head. “I read an article about the high costs of insulin. I know that the idea is to make money, but there are people who can’t afford their medication. They’re choosing between food and heat or insulin that they need to live. What if Wade can lower our costs on a generic of our own formula?” I looked up at Van’s expression, taken with the way he was listening to me. “We own the patent. The formula already has approval.”
“Making consumables less expensive isn’t exactly the typical business model. Producing products inexpensively and charging exorbitant prices is the way it works.”
“For whom?”
“Beautiful, the point is to make money.”
I stood, freeing myself from Van’s embrace. “Just listen. If we sell a higher volume of units at a lower cost?” I remembered something. “In the research I did in Chicago, I remember there being something about coverage—insurance and governmental. Wade needs to be the preferred pharmaceutical provider.”
“It’s complicated,” Van said. “This is where your parents’ knowledge would be helpful. Big Pharma spends billions if not hundreds of billions to win over providers from insurance companies to the government, all the way down to a local doctor. They spend that money so their drug will be used or approved for coverage.”
I took a few steps. “Maybe we could see where we can save and move money to lobbying. We could do a full evaluation on the manufacturing. Are we wasting money? Are we up to date? Could we cut costs with modernization?”
“You’re talking about utilizing machines that replace people’s jobs.”
Sighing, I went to the window. “Why is this so difficult?”
Van was up from his chair and coming toward me. “When you’re at the top, every decision has ripple effects. In that position, it’s up to you to make the best choices you can. Sometimes those decisions benefit the bottom line, sometimes the consumer, and sometimes the employees. No matter what, stand by it.”
I forced a smile. “See. There you go again. You have great advice and knowledge. Maybe I should write your memoir.”
“No, beautiful. You know where you belong.”
Julia
With Van’s hand in the small of my back and Albert at our side, we stepped into the elevators leading to the Wade Pharmaceutical’s executive offices. Van looked all GQ in his suit, and I was dressed for success with a blue skirt, matching jacket, and silver silk blouse. I planned to meet my mother on her turf looking as professional as possible.
According to my watch, it was still before ten in the morning, and the emergency meeting was set for eleven. My parents were our first stop.
Before we took off in Van’s plane, Van received a call from Lennox Demetri saying that while he couldn’t guarantee the outcome, the members of the Biogen executive board he spoke with would be interested in discussing a deal.
Lena also called, saying she’d be to Wade before eleven. The ten percent of stock Van sold her was now back to Van—and me. Then she shared that she’d reached out to a friend of hers, the vice president of a hotel chain—Dellinger Hotels based out of New York. According to Van, the Dellinger family carried a lot of influence in New York. Lena’s friend said that she’d make some calls. It was amazing how truly small the world of high finance was when it came down to who knew who.
It was exactly as Van had told me when I first started looking into his memoir—the one that would never be written.
Even knowing the risk of failure, I couldn’t help but be energized about the possibility of an agreement with Biogen, one that would allow Wade to remain a sovereign company. There was also a little bit of guilt in the knowledge that we were doing all of this behind my parents’ backs. Then again, they hadn’t been open with me, and I could justify what we were doing as a way to save Wade.
The elevator opened to the forty-seventh floor. The large entry was pristine and modern with high ceilings and minimal clutter. For a moment, I stopped and let the word above the receptionist’s desk sink in—Wade.The name was written in block lettering, much like my great-grandfather’s original brand.
“May I…” The receptionist smiled. “Ms. McGrath.”
“It’s Sherman now. My husband and I are here to see my parents. They’re expecting us.”
“Yes, of course,” she said, lifting the receiver on a phone. “Go on back. I’ll call Janie and let her know you’re coming.”
“Thank you.”
Van reached for my hand as we walked down the corridor toward my parents’ offices. “You can do this.”