Chapter 16 - THE DEAL VICTOR REFUSED TO SAVENorth Atlantic declined one Hale expansion loan.
Brandon’s board panicked.
Marjorie went directly to Victor’s office without appointment.
Reception recognized name and contacted him.
Victor agreed five minutes.
She entered.
“You have made your point.”
Victor looked up.
“I wasn’t making one.”
“Jonathan declined financing.”
“That is Jonathan’s decision.”
“You could change it.”
“Probably.”
Marjorie blinked at honesty.
“Then do it.”
“No.”
“My family could lose development.”
“Yes.”
“You enjoy this?”
Victor’s eyes chilled.
“No.”
“That’s why you frighten me, Mrs. Hale.”
She stiffened.
“I frighten you?”
“You’re willing to risk eight hundred employees because you’d rather demand favors than admit business needs restructuring.”
Marjorie flushed.
“Don’t lecture me.”
Victor closed folder.
“You came to my office.”
She stood.
“Name your price.”
Victor stared.
“What?”
“You want apology? I’ll apologize.”
He slowly leaned back.
“To me?”
“To Natalie.”
“If that’s price.”
Victor’s expression became almost disgusted.
“My sister’s dignity is not a currency I trade.”
Marjorie stopped.
“If you apologize, do it because you understand.”
“If you don’t, leave her alone.”
She swallowed.
“Then you’ll let our company fail?”
“I’m letting Brandon run it.”
“That’s not same?”
Victor’s eyes sharpened.
“Perhaps ask yourself why you think your son cannot survive without another man rescuing him.”
Marjorie left furious.
But line stayed.
All her life she had controlled Brandon because she believed he needed her.
Now she also believed he needed Victor.
Maybe Brandon had never been allowed prove himself.
Maybe everyone around him had participated.
Including Victor.
That realization made Victor uncomfortable later.
He told Natalie:
“I may have helped him too much.”
She looked.
“You think?”
He smiled.
“Cruel.”
“You raised me.”
“I did not.”
“Basically.”
“Don’t say that around Mom’s ghost.”
They laughed.
Then quiet.
Their parents were gone.
Victor had taken protective role too seriously sometimes.
May you like
Difference:
He could admit.
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