Page 33 of The Exposed Heiress

Waving to the main receptionist, Emma went downstairs in search of her assistant, Claire. Most employees were not at work yet and the hallways were silent.

Standing in the design studio, Emma thought about visiting her grandmother in this space years ago. She could almost see her seventy-year-old grandmother doing a fitting near the window with pins in her mouth. She would remind her five-year-old granddaughter to not run but pay attention to the movement of the fabric and feel the fabric. Emma walked across the large room and glanced out the window.

“Good morning, you.”

Emma turned and smiled at her assistant. “I’m glad you’re in early.”

Claire pushed her glasses closer to her face. “It’s going to be a busy day.”

“It’s going to be a heart-wrenching day.”

Her assistant stopped walking mid-stride. “Is your father okay?”

She nodded. “Yes, he’s starting to respond to the treatment, but it’ll be slow going. His brain isn’t healing as fast as they had hoped, but he’s recovering.”

Claire said, “I’m sorry, Emma.”

Emma walked away from the windows. She couldn’t think about her father right now. “The issue today is about the looming financial problems. I’ll be announcing some cuts and other far-reaching changes this morning.”

Her assistant bit her lower lip. “Is there anything you need from me?”

Emma grasped her necklace. “It’s going to be bumpy.”

Her assistant reached out and touched her arm. “You have my support. I know that it can’t be easy to try and solve the problems facing this place.”

She nodded. “I’m going to get a coffee and meet with Leo. In the message I sent to everyone last night, I asked everyone to gather here in the studio.”

“I thought maybe you were going to unveil a new design.”

Emma shook her head. “No. But I do need you to do something for me. In this envelope is a list of employees and meeting times. Can you send this out to everyone?”

She walked away from her assistant without saying anything else. It would be best if everyone received the news at the same time.

* * *

Leo stood in James Bolles’office with John Blatchly. Neither said anything. He had the full support of the board, mainly because they had no idea of how to bring Francis Bolles out of the nose dive they were in.

Emma came into the office holding a mug of coffee. “Can I get either one of you some coffee?”

John shook his head. “No, I’m fine. Actually I’m thinking it may seem intrusive to have me at the meeting.”

Leo glanced at the chairman. He wasn’t comfortable with conflict. Maybe it’d be better to not have him present. If he looked visibly nervous, it wouldn’t help anything.

Placing her cup of coffee down on the desk, Emma turned to John. “You need to be there. We have to appear unified and committed to the same plan.”

“It’d be easier if James could be here.” John took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his balding head.

Forcing himself to appear relaxed, Leo took a seat in one of the leather arm chairs and crossed his legs. He doubted if James could handle what was coming, even on his best day. While he was a good man, he exhibited so much fear that it had been nearly impossible to work with him. He easily changed his opinion and worried about every decision. But when he recovered, he would find fault with the decisions made in his absence. Was that why he had stipulated on his death that the company be sold? He didn’t believe in her capacity for leadership? His shares weren’t going to pass to Emma.

Leo had discussed the issue with John last night and the older, spineless man had insisted that they not divulge anything to her. Leo didn’t agree with the logic that James may have a change of heart after he recovered. Emma should know about the stipulation in his will. Maybe she would decide to let the business go bankrupt and start her own couture line.

Leo said “I don’t think so. James isn’t one to make tough decisions.”

Emma caught his gaze and his demeanor tempered. She had to be worried about her father’s health, and now she intended to step forward and try to salvage the business.

John coughed. “That’s unfair, Leo. He worked under enormous pressure.”

“He did. But it may have helped if he took a long-term approach to some of the decisions he made.”

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