Chapter 4 - The Company Grant Had to Rebuild Differently
The investigation lasted another nine weeks.
Daniel Price eventually cooperated in exchange for consideration at sentencing.
His records identified more than a dozen victims.
Petrov turned out not to be Viktor Petrov at all. The name was one of several aliases used by a professional fraud broker who moved between countries arranging fake investment deals.
Authorities froze accounts associated with the network.
Marcus Bell recovered only part of his money, but it was enough to reopen his repair shop in a smaller building.
Grant paid nothing toward it.
Marcus refused.
“I need this one to be mine,” he said.
Grant understood.
Holloway Systems survived, barely.
Grant sold two nonessential divisions, accepted a smaller legitimate investment package and personally surrendered enough equity to keep the company operating without mass layoffs.
The board offered to restore him immediately after the criminal investigation cleared him.
Grant surprised everyone.
He refused.
For six months, he served only as interim chief executive while an independent committee rebuilt the company’s controls.
The old Grant would have considered that humiliation.
The new one considered it accountability.
One Friday afternoon, Grant drove to Emily’s apartment.
No driver.
No security detail.
No assistant scheduling the visit.
He carried pizza and a folder.
Sophie opened the door.
“Mom,” she shouted. “The rich guy is here.”
Grant stared at her.
From the kitchen, Emily burst out laughing.
It was the first time he had heard her laugh without fear since the whole nightmare began.
“I’m glad my reputation has evolved,” he said.
“You’re still rich,” Sophie replied.
“Fair point.”
They ate at Emily’s small kitchen table.
Afterward, Sophie disappeared into her room to finish a science project.
Grant placed the folder in front of Emily.
She looked suspicious.
“What is this?”
“Not money.”
“Good.”
“Not a house.”
“Even better.”
“And not charity.”
Emily folded her arms.
“Then what?”
Grant opened the folder.
It was an employment proposal.
Not for a cleaner.
Holloway Systems was creating a small-business fraud prevention program that would offer free workshops, contract reviews and referral services for local business owners who could not afford specialized advisers.
Grant wanted Emily to help run it.
“You think I’m qualified?”
“I think you understood Marcus Bell’s situation before any of my advisers did.”
“That’s because I live near him.”
“Exactly.”
Grant leaned forward.
“I spent twenty-five years hiring people who knew how boardrooms worked.”
He glanced toward Sophie’s bedroom.
“I forgot companies exist in the real world.”
Emily read the first page again.
Then she looked up.
“There’s another condition.”
Grant smiled slightly.
“You noticed.”
“I always notice.”
“I want the program’s first rule to be that nobody gets treated like they’re stupid because someone deceived them.”
Emily’s expression softened.
“That sounds personal.”
“It is.”
She closed the folder.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I’ll do it.”
Grant smiled.
Then Emily added, “But I’m not calling you Mr. Holloway.”
May you like
His smile widened.
“Deal.”
