Page 3 of Elliot

“Olivia, do you really think …”

“Maya, I’ve been very clear. These things are happening because someone wants your IPO to fail.”

“Have you ever had anything like this happen?”

“The false reports to the media? Yes. All the other things? Never. Whoever’s doing this is sick. You can’t risk the IPO, but more importantly, you have to protect yourself. What kind of deranged psychopath kills a rat with a knife and sends it to a person? I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“But if anyone sees him, it’ll indicate a weakness.”

“Hogwash. A bodyguard is the ultimate status symbol.”

She laughed at that. “If you’re sure he won’t be in the way.”

“Guardian Security is the best at what they do. I’ll call immediately.”

“Olivia, it’s almost midnight.”

“I have close connections there. Don’t throw away that package. Take it to work with you in the morning so whoever they send can see what was delivered. Also, call the courier and find out where that thing came from.”

She nodded even though Olivia couldn’t see her. “Thank you, Olivia.”

“You have every right to be concerned. I’m hanging up and making that call. You’ll have protection by the end of the day tomorrow. I’d tell you to get some sleep, but …”

“You’re right, it won’t happen. Good night, Olivia, and thank you.”

“It will all work out,” Olivia said before hanging up.

Everything had to be perfect. The slightest hiccup could send her stock prices tumbling on the day of the initial offering. That wasn’t speculation. That was a fact. So many things went into a successful IPO; one item, tech failures, competition, operational issues, and management issues—which was where she sat—could cause an IPO to fail miserably. She’d worked the launch of three IPOs now. One of which had made her a multi-millionaire.Thiscompany, well, it was hers from the ground up. The others she’d pruned and redeveloped. Her mentor, Olivia Solomon, had taught her how to be strong. How to rely on only herself and a trusted very few. When things started to get weird, she’d closed herself off. But that wasn’t unusual. She’d isolated herself a long time ago. Relationships were used to broker successes. She’d learned that the hard way. The childish hope of a grand love or a prince charming to ride out of the darkness to sweep her off her feet had been dashed at a very young age. Nothing in this world came without a price. Everyone expected something. Everyone was a user to some degree.

Checking her hair in the mirror, she ran a comb through the shoulder-length tresses and then touched up her lipstick.Glancing down at the zipped-up bag, she shuddered at the thought of what was in it, then headed to her meeting.

The numbers were confirmed, and after an extensive questioning of her financial advisers, accountants, and bankers, she accepted the valuation and dismissed the meeting. Maya immediately ordered a public relations and social media campaign that they’d had on hold until the financials were solid.

“What about the investor roadshows?” Jessica asked as they worked at the conference room table.

“We’ll do that. But after we get our prospectus out and finalize our webinars and presentations, we’ll be able to address the common questions we have from those events during the roadshows.” Maya pulled up her schedule. Four months until they were going to go public. She had a ton of work to complete. Book building was necessary to gauge investor demand and was ongoing at that point because it would be the most important tool for setting the final IPO price. That was where the financial team would concentrate their efforts for the next one hundred and twenty days.

“I think you’re making a mistake by not doing the roadshows earlier.”

Jessica’s comments brought her head up from her work. Jessica had become increasingly vocal about her thoughts on the IPO. It was an interesting and sometimes irritating occurrence, but the woman had been with her since they were both just out of college. She’d earned the right to speak her mind. “Why’s that?”

“Well, it will help build a narrative about us and the company and highlight some selling points and maybe some competitive advantages.”

She shook her head. “No, that’s what our history, mission, vision, and growth potential will highlight. The leadership team will establish the company's credibility.”

Jessica narrowed her eyes. “You mean you, being the owner and CEO, will establish the company's credibility.”

Maya shrugged. “It’s one of many things that will enhance the company’s value.” She’d been successful, but she wasn’t resting on her laurels.

Jessica smiled at her. “The best thing as far as you are concerned, right?”

Maya laughed and closed her tablet. “I’m not sure I’d say the best thing.” She glanced at the clock. “I have several more hours to put in before I can even think of going home, but you should head out. Get some rest. The next four months will be a sprint, not a marathon.”

“I’ll clean up in here before I head home. Some people don’t know how to pick up after themselves.” Jessica started gathering pens and pushing chairs around the large conference table, straightening things.

Maya left her to work. “Have a good night.”

“Thanks,” Jessica called after her.

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