Page 70 of Unlocking Melodies

I couldn't risk him losing his father twice – once to memory loss, and now potentially to betrayal – without being completely certain. Gary's involvement with the Morettis needed to be proven beyond doubt before I shattered whatever healing had begun.

Jimmy

Save me from corporate jargon tomorrow? Dinner at Sarah's? I promise minimal synergizing.

My fingers hovered over the phone. It would be so easy to say yes, to pretend everything was normal. But I had a meeting atthe Morton Hotel to plan, and too many shadows to chase down before I could face him with the truth.

Me

Rain check? One more fire to put out.

Jimmy

Your suits must be exhausted from all this crisis management, Tell them I said stay strong.

“I'll fix this,” I promised my reflection in the window. “The right way this time.”

Chapter 18

Worlds Colliding

The emergency board meeting looked more like a firing squad, each perfectly framed video window containing another shade of corporate disappointment.

Reuben, naturally, led the attack. “While you're playing small-town hero, Miller Tech is eating our market share.” His designer glasses caught the light as he leaned toward his camera, probably practicing the intimidating pose in a mirror somewhere. “Do you even care about this company anymore?”

I maintained my CEO smile, the one that had closed billion-dollar deals, though my hands wanted to clench under the antique desk. The irony of conducting this high-stakes meeting from a flowered-wallpapered inn room wasn't lost on me.

“The integration is proceeding exactly as planned,” I said smoothly. “If you'd review the latest progress reports?—“

“Progress reports?” Reuben's laugh could have frozen hell. “Three major clients are threatening to pull out, the development team is in chaos, and our CEO is what—judging pie contests in the middle of nowhere?”

My father's empty video window loomed like an accusation. His absence at this meeting was clearly calculated, leaving me to face the wolves alone. Some lessons about leadership were meant to be learned the hard way, apparently.

“Actually,” I couldn't help saying, “the pie contest isn't until next week.”

Several board members shifted uncomfortably. Humor during crisis meetings was apparently still frowned upon in corporate America. Who knew?

“This is exactly what I mean!” Reuben jabbed his Mont Blanc pen at the camera like a weapon. “You're treating this company like a joke while our competitors?—“

“Are three months behind our development schedule,” I cut in, my voice taking on the edge that usually made junior executives find urgent meetings elsewhere. “The integration is not only on track, it's exceeding initial projections. Those progress reports you didn't bother reading? They show a 27% improvement in processing efficiency.”

“And the client concerns?” Board member Hayes spoke up, his bow tie slightly crooked. Even corporate titans apparently struggled with Zoom aesthetics.

“Are being addressed personally,” I replied, pulling up spreadsheets that would make even Mia's head spin. “If you'll look at the data I just shared?—“

“Data isn't leadership,” Reuben interrupted. “Leadership is being present, being visible. Not hiding in some backwater town playing whatever game this is.”

My jaw clenched, but I kept my voice steady. “Oakwood Grove, actually. And I'm here exploring regional development opportunities.” The lie felt smooth on my tongue, practiced from repetition.

“Regional development?” Reuben's laugh was pure Wall Street condescension. “In a town that doesn't even show up on most maps?”

“Sometimes the best opportunities aren't on any map,” I said, switching to my presentation screen. “Now, about those processing efficiency improvements?—“

"Your father would never have abandoned headquarters at a time like this," Reuben started, but cut off abruptly as another video window flickered to life.

"Actually," my father's voice filled the silence as his camera activated, "I think my son's management style is exactly what this company needs right now." His tone carried that particular blend of corporate authority and barely concealed threat that had made grown men cry in boardrooms.

"Harrison, I didn't realize you were—" Reuben stammered.

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