Chapter 6
Victor Hale, sixty-one, venture capitalist, Northstar director for eight years.
Rachel recognized him from the briefing materials.
He was expected to lead opposition to her control.
Victor looked at his watch.
“Ms. Morgan.”
“Mr. Hale.”
“I assume counsel has explained the situation.”
“Several situations, actually.”
Rachel sat in the chair her aunt had occupied for nearly three decades.
For a moment, grief hit her harder than fear.
She could picture Evelyn leaning over Rachel’s kitchen table years ago, fixing a broken toaster because she refused to throw away something repairable.
Build things that last, she’d always said.
Rachel placed her hands flat on the table.
“Let’s begin.”
Victor did.
“I’ll be direct. Nobody questions the legality of Evelyn’s affection for you. What we question is whether affection should determine the leadership of a multinational technology company.”
Rachel nodded.
“Reasonable question.”
Victor paused, apparently expecting resistance.
Rachel continued.
“So let’s separate ownership from management.”
Several directors exchanged glances.
“I own the controlling shares. That does not mean I believe I should walk in on my first morning and pretend I understand an organization that many of you have spent decades building.”
Monica’s expression softened slightly.
Rachel continued.
“I intend to retain the current executive leadership while I conduct a full operational review. I will not replace experts to make myself feel powerful.”
Victor leaned back.
“And the Holloway Pierce proposal?”
“Rejected.”
The room changed.
Victor’s eyes sharpened.
“You haven’t heard it.”
“I’ve read it.”
“You’ve read a preliminary document.”
“I’ve read the preliminary document, the financing assumptions, the proposed patent separation, the employee consolidation projections, and the planned layoffs associated with post-acquisition restructuring.”
Silence.
Rachel slid a folder across the table.
“Four thousand six hundred positions eliminated over twenty-four months.”
Victor didn’t touch the folder.
May you like
Rachel looked around the room.
“My aunt built Northstar to develop technology. Holloway Pierce wants to divide its patent portfolio, leverage the profitable divisions, sell two research units, and use the proceeds to service acquisition debt.”
