The Love Of Money - Episode 128
29-07-25 (07:38)
"He worked for your grandfather for a number of years.
I was never privy to what the man got up to, but I
assure you it was nothing good." Chandler shook his
head apologetically, "Listen, I'll be of as much assistance
as possible, but Colin knew I didn't have the
constitution for some of the more cutthroat aspects of
doing business on his level. I suppose he respected my
skills enough to keep me around but understood that I
had my limitations. I was content to look away and
was given free reign over my little corner of his
empire."
He looked uncomfortable admitting all that... guilty
even.
"Look" I said, "I'm not here to judge. All I'm looking for
is a place to start. Could you provide me with
everything you know or at least suspect? Some kind of
layout of all the corporations he owned, what industries
they're linked to, the countries they're in... as much as
you can. Including any information you can give me on
stuff outside your 'corner of the kingdom."
Chandler gave me an appraising look. "What do you
intend to do with this information?"
I don't know yet. I'm just getting tired of not having all
the answers. Can you put all that together by the end
of the week?"
"I could have it in your hands in two days if needed."
"That would be amazing," I said. I felt a weight lift off
my shoulders. It felt good to be making some sort of
progress, even if it wasn't much.
"About Maddox," went on. "Is the board convinced to
bring her on?
"More or less," Chandler said. "Maddox deserves her
reputation as an empire-builder. She fell out of favor
with your grandfather, but that always seemed more
personal than professional. No one on the board really
cares about that sort of thing."
"Do you think you could stall for a couple weeks before
the board puts it to a vote?"
Grayson rubbed his chin, looking a little displeased by
the request. "Two weeks is a bloody long time to go
when many of them have already made up their
mind..."
"I just need time to get to know the players," I said,
"and figure out what I'm going to do."
"I suppose I could make it work," he said reluctantly.
"Cool. I'm going to be in Vegas for a few days. I'll be
back on Monday. We can meet after I've read up on
everything and everyone.
"Leaving town? At a time like this?"
"Cartwright showed up this morning and nearly put a
bullet in me," I said. "I have news cameras constantly
chasing me. My brother was in my face this morning
asking me for money, and I just found out that one of
the women who's been hounding me for a date has
been talking to Cartwright. I'm feeling claustrophobic,
and I just need a few days to blow off some steam,
collect my thoughts, and read through all the stuff
you're going to send me."
"Well," Grayson reluctantly admitted, "when you put it
that way, perhaps a short holiday might be in order, but
I'd like to stress that if you intend to take on the entire
board, you need to be back in town by the beginning of
next week. There are just some things that can't be
done over the bloody internet."
"That's fair," I said, "and I'll try to take care of as much
as possible while in Nevada.
"Very well," Chandler said, his smile having a sickened
tinge to it, "and I'll go ahead and set up a board
meeting for the Monday after next."
"Sounds good," I said.
"Might I ask," Chandler sald, eyeing me, "Who do you
intend to run the show if not Kelly Maddox?"
"Would you be interested in staying on in that role? You
did say you could keep the ship floating in these
troubled waters... or something like that."
The look on Chandler's face was one of complete
shock. "Me? Why, yes... I would be interested in a more
permanent position as CEO, but why me? We barely
know each other."
"Helen says you're trustworthy, you've been CEO since
my grandfather died, and I don't get any red flags from
you. It's not much, but it's all have until have something
more solid to go on."
"Well," he said, giving me an astonished smile as he
grasped my hand, shaking it furiously, "in that case, I
would be honored to take the job."
Chandler spent the next half hour reviewing some of
the company's high-level details. By the time he left,
my head was swimming with names, places, and dates
as if I was about to take a History test on VistaVision.
After we were done, Helen escorted Chandler to the
lobby, promising to meet me at my apartment a little
later. That left me with Erin; I gave her a simple set of
instructions and then sent her on her way so she could
get home In time to pack for our trip.
Fifteen minutes later, I emerged from the elevator onto
the floor where' I used to work. Chloe was waiting for
me in the lobby, but I had one more pit stop before I
called it a night.
It was late, and only a few people were still on the
floor, but I paid little attention to them as I made my
way to Natalie's office. Her light was still on. Reaching
the door, I knocked and waited for a response.
"Come in!" her voice sounded through the door. I
opened it and entered to find Natalie clicking away at
her computer. She looked up from whatever she was
working on and saw me standing there, and her eyes
widened.
"Oh! Marcus!" She started to get out of her chair.
"Don't get up. I just wanted to catch you before I
leave," I said.
Natalie, who had just started to stand, slowly lowered
herself back In her chair. "Okay," she said with a smile
filled with uncertainty.
She was dressed in a smart grey suit and a white
blouse buttoned up to the hollow of her throat, and I
couldn't help but notice a delicate, heart-shaped
pendant resting on her caramel skin. A small diamond
glinted in the shitty office lighting. I glanced back up to
meet her dark eyes and gave her a soft smile. I hadn't
seen her since our conversation yesterday.
So much had occurred between then and now. I saw
my brother, patched things up with Helen, had a gun
pulled on me, bought a plane, found out that my
grandfather had evil, manipulative schemes, learned
that I had an uncle in prison for murder, found out that
Ashlee was in league with the guy who had pulled a
gun on me... it had been a busy twenty-four hours. That
meant I hadn't had time to think about Natalie.
Seeing her there in all her beautiful glory... it hurt. Don't forget to leave a Comment 
