Page 27 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
"Halston can wait for his returns," I reply, more sharply than intended. "Rooted Pantry isn't another failing business that needs to be stripped for parts. It's thriving. It just needs the right resources to scale properly."
Cole studies me for a moment. "When did you drink the Kool-Aid?”
That makes me frown. “I’m being genuine.”
“Yeah, I know you are. I know you actually believe what you’re saying.” He laughs out loud, and it only serves to further my annoyance. "The board's waiting. Are you ready to defend this new approach of yours?"
I grab my tablet and stand. “Yes. I am."
My phone buzzes with a text from one of my assistants as we head toward the boardroom.
Ms. Mackie has requested to join the board meeting.
Something warm flickers in my chest, quickly followed by a wave of annoyance that Alice didn't message me directly. Still, the fact that she's inserting herself into this meeting doesn't surprise me in the least. It’s not like her to let such a crucial event slip by without trying to influence it.
"Alice is coming to the board meeting," I tell Cole.
He gives me a sidelong glance. "That should make things interesting."
Walking into the boardroom feels like entering a negotiation where I'm suddenly on the wrong side of the table. The board members — seven men and two women, all accustomed to my usual cutthroat approach to acquisitions — are already seated. Alice sits near the far end, her ankle carefully positioned under the table, a portfolio of documents in front of her. She's wearing a sharp navy blazer, her hair pulled back in a no-nonsense bun and a pair of crutches leaned against the wall behind her.
Our eyes meet briefly as I enter, and the detachment in her gaze is worse than any outright hostility could be.
"Mr. Glynn.” She acknowledges me with a nod.
"Ms. Mackie." I take my seat at the head of the table. "I'm glad you could join us. How's the ankle?"
"Functional," she says curtly, effectively closing that line of conversation.
Halston Peters, my longest-serving board member, clears his throat. "Let's begin. Oscar, we're all eager to hear your integration strategy for Rooted Pantry. Please, go ahead whenever you’re ready."
I launch into my presentation, laying out a vision that preserves the core of what Alice has built while strategically expanding key elements. It's a deliberate departure from my usual approach, and I can see the surprise on several faces.
"As you can see from the projections," I continue, "maintaining brand integrity while expanding production will yield stronger returns than aggressive restructuring."
"This is… unexpected.” Halston leans forward. "Your usual approach has always been effective, though. What's different about this acquisition?"
I glance at Alice, who's watching me intently. "Rooted Pantry has cultivated extraordinary customer loyalty through their commitment to quality and their overarching mission. Disrupting that would destroy the very value we purchased."
"But the immediate returns—" Halston begins.
"Will be solid, just notspectacularin the first quarter," I interject. "But by year three, we're projecting growth that exceeds our portfolio average by fifteen percent."
Jack Andrews, a newer board member, shakes his head. "Oscar, come on. Why shake things up? You’re gambling here.”
I can nearly feel Alice tense from across the table. This is the moment where I'd typically back Jack's play — he’s right, I’ve used my usual approach successfully dozens of times.
Cut costs, boost short-term profits, satisfy shareholders. But looking at Alice, seeing the barely contained tension in her posture, I make my choice.
"I've reviewed those protocols," I say calmly. "And they don't align with our strategy for this acquisition. I am willing to hedge my bets and say that there is a way to have the best of both worlds. We can boost profits gradually without sacrificing what makes the brand unique."
There are murmurs around the table, most of them uncertain. Alice is watching me with interest, her face unreadable.
"I’d like to move on," she says to everyone. "I'd like to talk about the San Diego expansion opportunity."
“Oh.” This wasn’t planned. Though it’s been tossed about the last few days at Rooted Pantry, I didn’t plan on making a proposal to the board today.
What can I say, though? I promised Alice she would still retain power in the company; I’m not about to block her from making a presentation.
