Page 158 of Sinclair Duet

Timothy Evans rushed into the room from the back door, not slowing until he was up front with Damien and Dani. He appeared to be quite animated in his discussion. I made my way closer.

“…bad idea. This will appear retaliatory,” Timothy said.

“As CEO,” Damien said, “and current chairwoman of the board, it is within our rights to defend ourselves, our family, and our company. Sinclair Pharmaceuticals is more than a company; it’s our legacy, and we won’t allow Darius to burn it down around us.”

Timothy was appealing to both of them. “Refrain from saying anything derogatory about Darius. He’s baited you. He wants you to do something to give him the upper hand.”

Dani nodded. As she turned, she saw me, and a feigned smile came to her face. “Welcome to the shit show.” She lowered her volume. “Bet you’re glad you’re not married into this disastrous family.”

“I’m not. I also know you, Damien, and your parents. The disastrous one is the one who is unraveling as we speak.”

“He’s probably calling a lawyer at this moment.”

“Dr. Sinclair,” a woman behind a camera called. “Please stand behind the podium and let us get the lighting right.”

Dani squeezed my wrist. “Thanks for being here.”

I nodded.

When I turned back to Johnathon, the lunch I’d eaten with Niles churned in my stomach. It wasn’t Damien’s assistant, but the woman next to him that caused my blood to boil. “What is she doing here?” I whispered to Damien.

“Fuck. I don’t know how she knew about this.”

I thought about Timothy’s warning. “It was planned. Timothy was right. They knew this would be your next move.”

Damien hurried from me to Dani. The two whispered back and forth.

“We’re about to begin,” the camerawoman yelled. “Quiet behind me. Places.”

Damien took a step back, standing near Dani’s shoulder.

“Three, two, one.” The woman’s hand went down.

“Let me thank you for watching,” Dani began. “I’m Dr. Danielle Sinclair, one of the scientists here at Sinclair Pharmaceuticals and currently the chairwoman of our executive board. I’m here today with my brother, the CEO of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals, Damien Sinclair.

“The chairman’s position on our board is held by our father, Derek Sinclair. I was asked to be his proxy for the time being. Today as CEO and chairperson, Damien and I would like to address some current issues and rumors. First and foremost, Sinclair Pharmaceuticals is stronger today than ever in our history. Second, and no less important, our father, Derek Sinclair, is recovering from an unexpected medical emergency. We ask for our father and mother that you please respect the privacy of our family during this difficult time.”

“Dr. Sinclair,” the few reporters present called out.

Dani lifted her hand. “Please let me finish. And then we’ll open the floor to questions.”

“The rumors of family strife are exaggerated and not entirely factual. Regardless of the validity of the statements you may have heard, Sinclair Pharmaceuticals is on an upward trajectory due in large part to the leadership of my brother, Damien Sinclair. Under his oversight, we have brought a landmark medication to the public. We are working on ways to make our medications less expensive and more readily available. Propanolol has caused a six-fold increase in profits over this time two years ago. Concerns over dividends do not reflect our income, but rather our commitment to research, development, and education. Damien and our father made the joint decision to lower shareholder dividends to allocate more available funding to the needs I just mentioned.”

She turned and looked at Damien. “Would you like to address the public?”

A smile curled my lips as he stepped forward. All outward appearance of his stress was gone, hidden behind his professional mask. As his large hands gripped the sides of the podium, I was once again enthralled with his commitment to this company and his family.

“I am Damien Sinclair. I’ve been CEO of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals for the last four and a half years. Working side by side with my father and my sister has been my life’s objective. Securing a revolutionary treatment for PTSD exceeded any goals I’d ever imagined. Propanolol has brought our little Indiana company to the forefront in pharmaceuticals. I believe we’ll open the floor to questions.”

“Mr. Sinclair,” a gentleman said, standing. “Is it true you are still only a probationary CEO?”

“I assure you I am CEO. It is also true that our father set a probationary timeline, and I am almost to my goal.”

“What does that mean for Darius Sinclair?”

“It has no bearing.”

Another gentleman stood. “Darius Sinclair claims he has been ostracized by his family.”

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