Chapter 7 - A Father's Reckoning
Two weeks later.
The high-stakes world of Wall Street was trying to pull Robert back. Blackwell Enterprises had emerged stronger than ever after exposing Klein’s fraud. Stock prices had surged thirty percent. The board—now purged of traitors—was begging Robert to finalize a new, even larger merger with an international green energy firm.
Vincent Porter stood in Robert’s office on Friday afternoon, holding a stack of urgent contracts.
"The Asian coalition wants to sign at 5:00 PM today, Robert," Vincent said, clicking his pen. "It’s a twelve-billion-dollar deal. It will make you the largest clean energy mogul on the East Coast."
Robert sat behind his massive mahogany desk. He looked at the contract. Then he looked at the silver desk clock.
It was 4:15 PM.
Tomorrow was Saturday.
A year ago—even three weeks ago—Robert would have stayed. He would have ordered cold takeout, kept the lawyers in the room until midnight, and celebrated with expensive scotch while his son slept alone in a quiet house with a nanny.
Robert slowly stood up. He picked up his coat.
Vincent stared at him in disbelief. "Robert? They are on their way up in the elevator."
"Reschedule them for Monday at ten," Robert said smoothly, sliding his arms into his coat sleeves.
"They won't wait until Monday!" Vincent panicked. "They’ll go to the Chicago group!"
"If they want the best, they’ll wait until Monday," Robert said, walking toward the door. "And if they don't, I’ll buy the Chicago group next month."
He paused at the threshold, turning back to his loyal assistant. "Vincent?"
May you like
"Yes, Robert?"
"Get out of the office. Go home to your family."
