Vanilla On Top(35)
We review the financial statements Parkerson brought. Everything looks as we suspected. They need funds and if they don’t get them soon, the company will fold. With a nod from me, Marcus hands out the portfolios he’s prepared.
“Gentlemen, and ladies,” I begin, remembering to include Deidra sitting in the back taking minute notes. “We’re not here to invest in Parkerson, but to strategically buy out a failing company that won’t be able to make payroll in two months.”
A shocked expression crosses Heather’s face, while a look of confusion settles on Harvey’s. “But wait, at lunch the other day, you talked about expansion and what we could do with your money backing us.”
“We fully intend to do all the things we outlined, only with Parkerson as a part of Apollo Enterprises.”
The tension in the room boils for the next ninety minutes while we slowly explain the contents of the folders, page by page. The packets outline the stock we’ve bought, their position with losing sales staff, how the excellent investments their company has made can’t be liquidated in time to meet payroll—especially with two sexual harassment payouts hanging over them—and how the rest of their sales team has been hired away last Friday—by us.
Heather remains quiet through the entire presentation and resulting heated discussion. I don’t know her well enough to guess what is roiling beneath the surface, but I’m curious why she’s refused to speak up thus far.
“Harvey,” Parkerson’s CEO, Oliver Sayers, begins, “How is it you don’t know all of our major investments are high-yield, long-term, and not easily transferrable to liquid?”
Harvey stammers and turns bright red. “I was unaware of our immediate need for cash. When did we lose these accounts?”
“Loss of our largest clients was detailed in several emails to you over the past two months, explaining we’d need accessible funds in the accounts ASAP.”
Heather’s eyes widen and look away. I’m betting she didn’t get a CC on those emails. I have a sneaking suspicion I know who made all the excellent long-term investments for the company, and who also wasn’t checking internal emails on recent company problems.
“What about our line of credit?” Harvey asks. “It’s for situations just like this.” He looks more alert than I’ve seen him so far. His glance darts to Heather and then his face crumbles. “Oh…yes, that’s right.”
“What?” Oliver asks.
Harvey runs a hand over his aging face. “We had an issue with the line of credit a few weeks ago.”
Anger fills Oliver’s expression as his skin darkens to a deep red. “And that would be?”
“Er…um…,” Harvey stammers. He looks to Heather imploringly.
The young woman straightens her spine and speaks into the ensuing awkward silence. “We needed to send updated income reports to the bank or they were going to suspend the line.”
The full weight of Oliver’s attention bears down on Heather. “And why didn’t we get these reports to them?”
“They were prepared and sent for approval.” Silence fills the room as Heather’s statement and its implications sink in with the Parkerson men.
“Ms. Pierce, isn’t it?” I ask in the oppressive silence.
Heather’s dark brown gaze snaps up to mine, anger and fear shining in her eyes. “Yes.”
My skin prickles at the sound of her controlled voice, the beginnings of desire stirring me. “You’ve been very quiet through this meeting.”
One elegant brow creeps up as she answers, “And your point, Mr. Carmine?”
“Is it because the meeting is mostly all men?” I goad her, knowing if she was holding a knife, she’d probably stick it in me right now. Why does she hide her knowledge and experience from her executives? Why is she taking this submissive role with these stuffed shirts?
Her face sets into a still mask and one corner of her mouth tilts up in a sardonic expression. “No.”
My cock stiffens. I love hearing the strength in her voice. I wonder how long she’s had to suffer intimidating assholes at work who might feel threatened by her. Time to pull the drapes off this fiasco. “How long have you been doing Harvey’s job with only limited facts?”
Harvey whips around to face her and she averts her stare to the door. The tension in the room radiates as we wait for her answer. She shakes her head once, not responding.
Oliver speaks up, “I’d like to hear the answer on this one, Heather.”
Her voice sounds strained. “Over three years.”
Oliver checks his watch and stands. “We need to privately discuss everything that’s been laid out. It’s getting late. How about we adjourn until a later date?” He looks meaningfully at Harvey. “It’ll give us some time to get a handle on where we are financially and what we need to do for the good of our company.” Oliver’s voice barks across the table. “Heather! I want you in my office at nine tomorrow.”