Richard Croft does not speak for my vision of this merger. I ask for your patience. Give me 48 hours. When I return to my desk, the original terms we discussed, the ones respecting your domestic manufacturing limits, will be honored. "And if you do not return to your desk, then you walk," Vivian said.
"But give me 2 days," a long exhale crackled through the speaker. "Two days, Miss Croft. Not a minute more. " The line went dead. Viven looked at Roland. The air in the room felt electrified.
He's going to walk. Richard is going to blow the deal tomorrow morning. By Friday afternoon, the board will be in a panic. And that's when your boutique lawyer in Brooklyn files the injunction. Roland said, "You walk into the emergency board meeting on Monday.
You show them Richard cost them $2 billion. You force a vote of no confidence. " Viven stared at the phone. She had the playbook. She had the win. It was exactly what she wanted.
So why did she feel a knot tightening in her stomach? She looked around the apartment. She looked at the worn sofa where she had slept for two nights. She looked at Chloe, who had fallen asleep on the rug in front of the television, her thumb near her mouth. When I take it back, Vivien said, her voice quieter now.
I want you back, Rolan. Name your price. Double your salary. Triple it. VP title.
Roland took a slow breath. He walked over to the living room, picked up a blanket, and draped it over Chloe. He looked at his daughter for a long time before turning back to Viven. No, Vivien flinched. I just told you I'd give you whatever you want.
You can't give me what I want, Vivien, Roland said softly. Because what I want is time. I want my Tuesday afternoons. I want to build pillow forts. I want to sleep without keeping one ear open for the company phone.
He walked back to the kitchen, leaning against the counter. You're going to go back on Monday. You're going to destroy Richard. You're going to fire the board. And then you're going to sit in that glass office at 2 L's.
Screaming at some new chief of staff because the world isn't spinning exactly the way you want it to. I spent 6 years building your life, Viven. I'm done. It's time to build my own. Viven looked away.
Her jaw tightened. The rejection stung worse than her uncle's betrayal. Richard had acted out of greed. Roland was acting out of pity. He didn't want her world.
He saw it for what it was, a gilded cage. I don't want to go back to that either, she whispered. Roland stopped wiping down the counter. What did you say? Viven looked up.