Page 54 of Executive Decision
“What is your ownership stake?” I asked.
“I own 25 family shares. Davey only owes ten. None of us had them before. Dad kept them until his death.”
“So, twenty percent of the company?”
“And you own?—”
“Thirty,” I said. “So, that is almost a third of the shares.”
“Yeah, so you need to get a proxy.”
“I’m working on it. I have an idea of who can step in,” I said. “Honestly, you might not even need me. There are two other non-family investors. Daphne, I am glad to set up meetings if that would help you. That is all I can do.”
And if anyone found out, it wouldstilllook bad—very bad.
She paced more before agreeing. “Okay, these are hard choices, but… if I am to save the company, I will have to risk it all. Well, if you can guarantee me one thing.”
“Yes?”
“If I end up homeless over this, you’ll take me in.”
She joked, but I realized it was a possibility. Daphne was in a precarious situation if she was as dependent on her family’s money as she expressed.
“I promised your father I would look after you and your mother,” I agreed. “That promise will be honored, Daphne. I don’t think I willneedto honor it likethat, but if I do, I will.”
“Good, then where do we begin?”
“It’s notthatsimple,” I said. “Daphne, there is one thing your brother is right about. It’s that you will need time to work through this. I can make the connections you need, but you must work on your business plan. You have it in you, but you gotta come prepared for the fight. I cannot help you there.”
“I will put in the work,” Daphne promised.
* * *
Daphne
“Dad asked you to look over all of us, right? Not just me.” I asked Cal.
“Your Dad asked me to watch over Danna because he was leaving her. But he knew the brunt of keeping things together would fall to you. I don’t think he sees either of you as a damsel, Daphne. If that is what you are worried about, that wasn’t his read.”
Maybe he should have. Part of me wondered if I’d have run to my father if he stepped in to save me. Would I have listened? Could I have seen it then?
“Then what?”
“He never trusted your ex, Daph. He loved and supported you. He wanted it to work—I am sure most people did.”
“Who didn’t?” I furrowed my brow.
Cal nervously chuckled, then cleared his throat. “For one, I remember some people being salty about it.”
“Some people?” I raised my eyebrow.
“Yes, some people.”
I held his gaze defiantly and for too long. “Like you, Cal?”
Cal’s gaze fell to his wine.
The timer beeped, and I let it go. He never answered it. His silence said it all. He regretted Chandler coming back on Sarah and Erik’s wedding day. I took out the oven dish and grabbed plates.
