Page 91 of Conspiracies and Chemistry

She lifted her chin. “I know I forfeited my right to have an opinion about this when I left, but I want everyone here”—her gaze connected with mine—“to understand the implications of a buyout. From personal experience, I can tell you that what a company might promise is different from what happens after a merger.”

My brain was overloaded, like my laptop when I gave it a large volume of data to analyze. I couldn’t get over the fact that Tessa was fighting for my company like an avenging Valkyrie. Would she fight for me too? For us?

“You took your payout from Red Rover,” Dr. Perrell said, “so I hardly see how?—”

“It was a mistake,” Tessa said. “One I don’t want to see you make, Oliver.”

My name in her mouth was music. She’d come because she cared about me. I pushed back my chair and stood. “Can we break for five minutes?”

“No, Oliver,” Dr. Perrell said, “we can’t stop this meeting because yourgirlfriendis here.” Murmurs erupted from the other board members. “Yes, unfortunately, it’s true. Ms. Wright left because she was having an inappropriate relationship with Dr. Bond. Sadly, it’s not the first time she’s slept with a colleague.”

“Hold on just a minute!” I ripped my gaze from Tessa’s chalk-white face to Dr. Perrell. “Our relationship is not up for discussion. This merger offer is. And Tessa raises a valid question.”

Dr. Perrell crossed her arms. “She shouldn’t be here. Whoever let her in today will be disciplined.”

“This is almost as entertaining as that show where everyone fights in the mansion.” My grandfather levered himself up. “But my grandson is right. We need to focus. Tessa, it’s good to see you again.” He shook her hand. “I was sorry you left. But Maya is right. You don’t have a vote. I don’t mind if you stay and listen since it seems that you have some unfinished business.” He winked at me. “But I’m going to ask you to be silent. Agreed?”

Tessa’s jaw twitched. I sensed the waves of frustration rolling off her. “Agreed, Mr. Bond.” She sank into one of the chairs against the wall.

Dr. Perrell’s dark eyes flashed. “As I was saying, a buyout could mean higher salaries and more affordable health insurance to those employees who remain.”

“To those who remain?” I repeated. “And how many will be let go?”

“That’s to be determined,” Dr. Perrell said.

“By who?” My glasses had started to steam.

“By leadership. Anyone let go will receive our standard severance package.”

Severance wouldn’t go far with the Bay Area’s high cost of living. Especially for our newest employees, who wouldn’t receive much. Sadie’s face swam into my vision.

“Does Greenwich offer tuition reimbursement?”

Dr. Perrell’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know. Our discussions haven’t gotten to that level of detail.”

Tuition reimbursement might be a detail, but it was an important one. And even if they did offer it, it wouldn’t help Sadie if she were laid off. I thought of West and his department. The people in accounting who were so patient with me and my messy expense reports. And our marketing department, who sponsored a costume contest every Halloween and ran the Earth Day recycling drive. My thoughts circled back to the lab.

“What amount of control will they have over our research projects?” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tessa nod.

Dr. Perrell lowered her chin. “They made the offer because they’re interested in the ovarian cancer test. I’m sure they’ll support that.”

Leaving the endometriosis test to gather dust, when it could help patients. With its large portfolio of projects, Greenwich would never let a determined group of lab employees spin up a test that wasn’t in the annual plan.

“What if we’re stronger without them?” I asked.

“You’re opposing the deal over tuition reimbursement?” Dr. Perrell folded her arms. “Think what our ovarian cancer test can do with the power of Greenwich’s marketing resources.”

“It’s not only the tuition reimbursement. It’s our people. This company isnothingwithout them. We owe them the respect and care they deserve.” That awareness of Tessa I always had? Although I kept my eyes on the people at the table, I knew she’d gone absolutely still.

“Our people have worked incredibly hard to get us to this point,” I continued. “We might not have the distributed risk of a larger organization, but we’re more nimble. We pivot when needed. Like how we got those samples we needed from the university in India. If I’d had to go through levels of approval, I might not have been able to get them in time to finish the clinical trials. There are benefits to being small.”Sorry, Simon.

“Are you saying you want to go this alone?” Dr. Perrell asked. “With Greenwich, you’ll be able to focus on the science and ignore everything you don’t care about. With Greenwich, we’ll all have security.”

For a second, I let myself imagine what a relief it would be not to have to worry constantly about the company, not to have to think about quarterly numbers or budgets, and to bury my head in the lab.

I glanced at Tessa. Her eyes shone with something like confidence in me. Or could it be love? She’d come here to warn me and to support me. And now she’d stepped aside so I could make my own decision. She’d experienced what could happen when you sold out. How everything could go to shit. If Dr. Perrell hadn’t asked questions about tuition reimbursement, what other details had she ignored?

“I know what I want,” I said, “and I vote no.” I glanced around the table. “I understand if you feel differently, and I’ll buy your shares if you want a payout now.” My breathing quickened. With most of my wealth tied up in the company, I couldn’t afford to buy too many shares. I might have to sell my house to do it. “But I won’t vote to sell. Not now, maybe not ever. We can achieve greater success on our own. I’m confident in us. In myself.”

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