Define stability criteria. Victoria's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Personal stability, specifically evidence of a settled personal life, an established family structure and demonstrated long-term commitment to the company's legacy as opposed to individual achievement. She looked at him directly. In 1987, when my grandfather wrote this agreement, stability was a code word for marriage, Darius said.
For traditional marriage with children, a pause, the clause has never been enforced. Nobody thought it ever would be, but someone on the board has decided to use it. She leaned forward very slightly. Someone who wants my position and has found a legal mechanism to take it. Who?
I don't know yet. Not with certainty. She unfolded her hands. What I know is that I have approximately 90 days before the review is triggered. And in those 90 days, I either demonstrate that I am settled.
She said the word like it cost her something or I lose my company. Silence. Darius looked at the document. He looked at Victoria Hayes at the absolute controlled precision she was using to present this situation and at what was underneath it. The furious, humiliated, exhausted woman who had just told a near stranger the most vulnerable thing about her life.
"You need a husband," he said. I need a partner. The distinction was fierce and immediate. Not someone who follows me around and looks decorative. Someone who, she stopped, restarted.
Someone who can be in the room without making it worse. Miss Hayes, Darius said carefully. There are a lot of men in this building. There are a lot of men outside this building. I'm sure you have options that don't involve your financial operations analyst.
I've thought about every other option, she said flatly. My last relationship ended 3 years ago because he couldn't stand what this company cost me in terms of time and attention. Before that, I dated someone for 2 years who turned out to be feeding information to a competitor. Before that, she stopped again. I don't trust easily, and the people I should be able to trust in my personal life have repeatedly proven that they have their own agenda.
How do you know I don't? Darius asked. She looked at him. Because in 14 months you've done nothing to suggest it. She picked up the document and set it aside.
You challenged my procurement strategy in the Q3 meeting without knowing I was watching the recording. You told Derek that one of the board's budget proposals had a critical flaw. And when Derek told you to leave it alone, you wrote up a quiet memo instead of making a scene. And when you found out about the Hartwell billing error, she met his eyes. You could have used that to negotiate a promotion.