Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
So Greg’s suggestion to bypass Jessup is a good one. If the timeline works.
“How long would a ground-up solution take?”
The grin lifting Greg’s lips tells me I’m going to like his answer. “As part of our initial due diligence, I looked into the industry at large as well as Jessup’s corporate history.”
Of course he did. I wouldn’t have expected anything less. In fact, I would’ve fired him for not doing what I’d consider to be the bare minimum of thorough research for a deal.
“And?”
“Jessup’s biggest competitor is Data Logic Solutions. They’re a smaller firm, started five years ago by a previous Jessup employee. There’s no bad blood that I could find, but in the wake of recent events…” He lifts one brow. “I find it possibly ironic to mention that the CEO is Nancy Lakeman.”
“A woman,” I state, a picture forming in my mind of a smart, strong woman in a leadership role inside Jessup’s own company. What that must’ve been like for her, what might’ve led her to leave and start her own competing company. “Can she handle what we need?”
Greg nods slowly. “I haven’t reached out to her yet, but based on what I can find online and from my sources, a contract like this would be a welcome opportunity, and with the financial support we can provide, she is more than capable of meeting our needs.”
There’s something poetic about the Jessups losing this deal because of their misogyny and the spoils going to a woman who left their company. I like it. Especially if it gets me what I want, the ultimate goal.
And while there’s a part of me that would quite enjoy burning Jessup Enterprises to the ground and pissing on the ashes of their company for spite, it’s not needed. That’d be like a shark worrying over a single shrimp in the entirety of the ocean.
Walking away with minimal muss and fuss might not be as satisfying in the short term, but the true devastation Jessup will feel will come in time. David and Brent Jessup thought they could use my funding to grow exponentially. Instead, I will offer that opportunity to their competitor, leaving them to wallow in the mediocrity they deserve while witnessing another company become what they could have. It feels like the most finely-edged, sharply-pointed karma possible, without any sullying of my own soul.
“Get started on a new deal with Lakeman. If you have a good feeling about it, let’s move forward with her. Get her on my schedule.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Greg says with a deferential nod. “I’ll give Angeline an update by end of business.”
“Me too,” Helena says. “Though I expect my situation to be a longer, drawn-out discussion. But we’re prepared.”
I glance between my two trusted employees. “Thank you for your hard work. On getting us to this point, and for getting us out of this mess.”
A mess of my own making, but they have given no indication of annoyance at the reworking of the deal, nor have they made a single mention of the rest of the latest news about my life.
As they leave with their marching orders, I take a deep breath, closing my eyes. That went better than I’d hoped. Still, it’d be foolish of me to think the rest of the day will be as easy.
“How’re you holding up?” a voice says.
“Kyle?” I ask, my eyes flying open to see him and Cameron standing side by side in the doorway. “What’re you doing here?”
Kyle smirks, totally Kyle. “If you’re happy to see me, I came to check on my big sis to make sure she’s okay. If you’re not, it’s your boys’ fault because they sent me in their stead.” He sways like he’s not sure which way I’ll go and wants to have a shot at a head start if I come at him.
A smile finds my lips, both at Kyle’s care and the guys’ discretion. “I told them to give me a minute to sort everything out.”
“And they are. That’s why I’m here.” They come into my office, closing the door. “Otherwise, I think they would’ve come barging in here to defend your honor. They’re pretty worked up.”
That stops me in my tracks. “You don’t think they’ll go after Brent again, do you? Violence isn’t the answer.”
“Maybe not the answer, but sometimes it’s a damn good solution if you ask me,” Kyle counters. When I frown, Kyle purses his lips like he’s thinking. “If it were me, I’d be stalking his car, lying in wait to beat the shit out of him. If it were Cole, he’d short-circuit his house alarm and waltz right in, probably go for a classic, like ripping his fingernails out with pliers. Your guys? Surprisingly, I think they’re a little bit more civilized than us.” He holds his finger and thumb up a smidge apart. “A tiny bit.” Before I can argue that, he adds, “Or they’re more scared of you than the law.” He seems particularly amused by that possibility.