Smokescreen

“Tell me.”

As Max fills me in on the additional audience this morning and the undermining ploy from Edward, I get nervous. Anxiety is quickly replaced with anger. In this moment, I thank my dad and Marshall Barnes for teaching me how to stand up to pretentious assholes.

My insides grow tight with anticipation. I’m ready to prove to the bigoted and chauvinistic asshole that Sullivan PR will come through this with flying colors.

When Max finishes explaining to me the plan, he looks at me with concern.

“Sweetie, I’m good. Let’s do this.” I squeeze his hand and kiss his cheek quickly. When I pull back satisfaction fills his face. “Time to be spectacular.”

He smiles widely and leads me out of the room.

Dana is waiting for us at the elevator and gives me a huge smile. It’s hard not to hug her neck knowing that she’s a part of our inner circle. The first thing I notice after seeing her is the enormous bouquet of flowers on the reception table. It is exactly like what Max sent to my parents and even bigger than the arrangement he brought me.

I follow to the boardroom and see the same arrangement in all areas of the office. Max has straightened his shoulders and walks with an authoritative gait, but his lips twitch. He did this for me. Wanting me to know he was thinking about me.

The doors to the boardroom are closed, but Max walks right in and the room hushes. Everyone looks at us. Edward’s expression is smug until Max speaks.

“It’s wonderful to see all of you here. So glad we could all be together for this today. It was such a ridiculous idea for us to meet separately when timing is critical. Edward, you and I will have to discuss a bonus for Dana and your assistant for arranging this so quickly, don’t you think?”

Edward’s face pales, as Max shakes hands and everyone finds their seats. Dana sticks around in the back, waiting for the show.

I take my place next to Max and listen in awe as he addresses the room. His body language is firm and direct. He raises his voice at critical points to emphasize the importance of what we have to present today. His eyes cut to every single person, letting them know he is passionate and serious about this project. All around, people hang onto his every word as if it’s the gospel. Men and women alike shake their heads in agreement about the importance of bringing Hurst & McCoy out of the dim light and making it shine again.

Max’s in his element, confident, commanding, and knowledgeable. I cross my legs tightly, trying to stop the tingling. This is one hell of a time for my body to react. Edward catches my eye and scowls, but I smile sweetly back to him.

By the time Max introduces me, I’d bet the entire room would agree with anything I proposed because he told them to.

Dana dims the lights then cues up the presentation on the large screen at the front of the room. We decided to break it into two sections, stopping in the middle for questions. Once I’ve gone over the first half, which includes a recap of the allegations and findings about JOS and the declining public reputation of JOS and Hurst & McCoy, we added the financial statements. This draws a gasp from several people. The CFO worked closely with Max to specifically show each line of business and the significant decline in profits. I nod to Dana who turns up the lights and Max asks for any questions.

A few people ask about how these numbers have stayed confidential, but Max answers vaguely, letting everyone know the best interest of the company was taken into consideration. Some try to argue but quiet when he raises his eyebrow and his silence shuts them up. After a five-minute break, it’s time for part two.

I start with the proposed plans to redesign the factories for better working conditions and include local workers in the process. Then we outline the strategy to enforce strict age limits on workers and apprentice program through the schools to help keep children in the education system. Max stands up with me on the last point as I explain the philanthropic plans to pour some of the profits back into the communities with programs created to help reduce the poverty. I silently congratulate myself for having real life pictures of the communities and the living conditions. Max closes the presentation asking for two volunteers to help with the implementation of the project and then opens up the floor for questions.

For another hour, we volley off one another answering inquiries. By the time lunch is brought in, we’ve been at this for almost three hours.

Every single person in the room, with the exception of Edward, is impressed, energized, and ready to make this happen. Edward sits to the side with a blank face, clearly thinking his plan to trip us up was ruined.

Over lunch, people inundate Max and me with volunteer ideas and personal stories. Almost everyone has a mission group, or local non-profit willing to help with rebuilding the community. It seems the biggest interest to these people is the giving back.

Right as I think we’re almost done, Edward calls everyone’s attention and my stomach lurches. He has a sly grin on his face directed at Max.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Max and the firm he chose to help Hurst & McCoy regain its stellar reputation. The planning and work ahead is going to be hard, but the payoff will be extraordinary. I have a little surprise of my own. As we sat here today, I came up with an idea and just now was able to land a contract. I’m pleased to announce, we have a new face for JOS athletic wear. My beautiful daughter, Erica Hurst, has agreed to be the model for the new and improved JOS. Contracts are being signed as we speak.”

Applause goes around the room just as my salad threatens to reappear. Max grabs my leg under the table and squeezes lightl

y. Dana appears by our side and cleans our plates. Then she leans down and whispers in Max’s ear.

“Such interesting news, Edward. We will be sure to look over the contracts to make sure our plans work in line with Erica’s goals. I want to thank everyone for coming today. Miss Sullivan and I have a meeting shortly with a contractor that can’t be rescheduled.” Max urges me to stand and I grab my bag.

It takes us five minutes to actually leave the room after shaking hands and congratulations. The smile on my face is so fake, I want to slap it off myself. Dana helps usher us to Max’s office and locks the door when she leaves.

He walks to the window with his back to me and exhales loudly, slouching his shoulders. I want to go to him, but my legs won’t lift me from the sofa.

“One statement, that’s all it took to erase the euphoria I was feeling and replace it with dread. He’s not going to make it easy on me to get rid of her. He’s always seen me as the opportunity to pawn her and her problems off. Me kicking her out did the trick. He’s going to force her into the company in some way.”

I stay silent, sympathy seeping through my body.

“I’ll review the contracts tomorrow. Chris will look them over too. If I can get rid of her, I will.”