“By not increasing our wages nor improving our company benefits, we are single-handedly giving up our best asset. Our employees are the hidden reason why we stand apart from our competitors, and it’s time we treated them as such. Therefore, I stand by my choice to increase wages and reinstate benefits to preserve the future of Dreamland.”
His father blinks.
Martha sits up with a smile. “In the past, you’ve mentioned only being interested in temporarily serving as the Director. What happens if we approve these plans and you change your mind again in a year, given the fact that you were the one to introduce cut wages and benefits?”
Damn, Martha. Sheath those claws.My eyes bounce from her to Rowan. I expect annoyance, but I’m nearly put into cardiac arrest by Rowan’s small smile.
“Another good question. The employees of Dreamland will be my utmost priority, given the fact that I plan on remaining here, serving as the Director for as long as they’ll have me.”
I almost fall out of my chair.What the fuck is going on here?Rowan’s gaze burns into my skin, drawing my eyes back to his.
The man next to Rowan’s father speaks up. “Are you no longer interested in becoming the CFO?”
“No.”
The same gentleman turns back to his companion and begins whispering.
Rowan’s father crosses his hands together. “Why should I vote yes and approve your plans when I can vote no and take your twenty-five billion dollars?”
“Twenty-five billion dollars?” I croak.
I think I’m going to be sick.
Martha looks over at me with a shy smile. “Here. Have some water.”
Seth Kane’s eyes snap from his son to me. He stares me down in the same kind of way that makesme feel like I’m being picked apart.
I gulp down half the glass in one go. Water sloshes out of the rim, splashing all over the table.
“The main reason I am interested in receiving my shares is because I want to retain enough power to make the best choices for my employees. Dreamland makes up twenty percent of our entire company’s revenue. I can be the kind of Director who works to push us to new limits while protecting our employees. Iwantto be the one. As I said earlier, I have created countless plans with the Creators that include expanding Dreamland beyond our one park.” He looks around the room at each person. “I have the slides ready to present if you need further evidence to support your decision to approve of my change. While I am interested in renovating the park beyond anything Dreamland has seen before, my first priority is the employees.”
WHAT?! Is this how board meetings usually go? I almost regret making fun of them when I first met Rowan because this isintense.
Rowan’s father raises his hand. “That won’t sway my decision.” His voice is flat.
My elation dies, replaced by acid crawling up my throat. Rowan’s face remains neutral but the tiny vein above his right eye becomes more prominent.
Would his own father really vote no? After all ofthat? I know he’s heartless and all but even he has to be somewhat impressed by his son.
If it wasn’t uncool, I would stand up and give a standing ovation.
The two men shake their heads.
Martha lifts her wrinkled hand. “I would like some clarification on something.”
The corner of Rowan’s lip lifts. “Yes?”
“I am interested in hearing about your plans for employees with disabilities.”
For the first time during the entire presentation, Rowan’s cool exterior cracks. He blinks at Martha, who sports a mischievous smile.
“I thought you were on his side?” I lean in and whisper in her ear.
“I am.” She winks. “There’s one thing left he hasn’t covered.”
Rowan clears his throat and clicks through so many slides, I become dizzy from the motion.
He stops on a slide that has my breath catch. Because unlike Ralph’s slide, this one has a picture of Ani. My beautiful, larger-than-life sister who has her arm wrapped around JP’s shoulder.