Chapter 23 - THE CALL MARJORIE HAD TO MAKEHale restructuring required one major partner consent.
Not Victor.
Jonathan Cross.
Marjorie had insulted him publicly years earlier, calling his fund “temporary money.”
Now she needed his cooperation.
Brandon refused ask Victor to intervene.
So Marjorie had to call Jonathan herself.
He answered.
“Mrs. Hale.”
She swallowed pride.
“Our company is restructuring.”
“I know.”
“We would value North Atlantic remaining partner.”
Jonathan paused.
“Why should we?”
Marjorie nearly said Victor.
Stopped.
Instead she talked numbers.
Plan.
Asset sale.
Debt reduction.
For first time in years, no family name as leverage.
Jonathan listened.
Then:
“Send proposal.”
No guarantee.
Marjorie exhaled.
She later told Brandon:
“I hated that.”
He smiled faintly.
“I know.”
“Your father would have hated selling project.”
“Maybe.”
“He also hated bankruptcy.”
Marjorie almost laughed.
Something shifting.
Then she asked:
“Do you think Natalie will come back?”
Brandon:
“I don’t know.”
“Does Victor know?”
Brandon looked at mother.
“Stop asking what Victor knows.”
“Why?”
“Because Natalie is person, not territory between families.”
Marjorie nodded slowly.
Late learning.
That night she wrote Natalie letter.
No excuses.
No “but.”
I treated your independence as threat because I was afraid losing my son.
I made you smaller so I could feel important.
That was cruel.
I am sorry.
Natalie read.
Did not respond for week.
Then:
I accept that you understand what you did. Forgiveness will take time.
May you like
Marjorie did not push.
That was first sign apology might become behavior.
