Page 1 of Executive Decision

PARTI

BEGINNINGS

1ACQUISITIONS

Eleven years before…

Daphne

There was business,and then there wasfamilybusiness. Sometimes, being a Delphine was too much. My family reached institution status over a decade ago, but I stood in the shadow of this legacy—new to corporate law and hungry for more responsibility since leaving Oxford. I sat surrounded by stacks of bankers’ boxes related to a British acquisition. I’d agreed to spearhead the work but wondered if I’d flown too close to the sun—something I had not seen in days.

“I’m going out!” My brother closed his laptop and stood.

“Davey, we have tons more to read through. These financials are a disaster!” I protested.

Davey was the oldest, but not the most reliable. Only a few years my senior, he got by on charm. While he could be great at finessing deals, he didn’t want to do the work that kept them going. Mergers and acquisitions were my bread and butter, but he was the charismatic force I needed on the front end. I wasn’t the charming one. I wasn’t much for schmoozing.

“You got this, kid!” Davey left the conference room.

As the elevator doors closed, I screamed in sheer frustration. “Motherfucker!”

I miscalculated, thinking I was alone in our tower on Chicago’s mag mile. Footsteps approached. My father’s protege and favorite confidant—Cal Markham, stood in the doorway.

“Are you alright?” Cal asked.

“I’m fine. I thought I was alone.” I did not need others involved in this process.

Cal leaned on the doorframe: one eyebrow raised. “It doesn’t sound alright.”

Cal was handsome as hell, charming, and annoyingly good at everything. As Chief Marketing Officer, he always tried to show his worth—much to Davey’s chagrin. I usually let their territorial spats play out, secretly enjoying it.

“You can tell me, Daphne. I am glad to help if I can.”

“It’s nothing you can help with,” I said. “It’s just… David Jr... He leaves me to pick up all the pieces. I need him to step up and handle the face-to-face aspects of this.”

“But he refuses to educate himself?” Cal snickered. “Welcome to dealing with Davey.”

I rolled my eyes. “You have no idea.”

“No. I do. Your dad does, too. You should ask him for advice or get him to come down on Davey for doing none of the work. You’re drowning?—”

I set my jaw. “I’m not drowning, Cal.”

“I don’t mean it as a negative, but leaders ask for help.”

So, you can look like a winner and edge in even more?

“I will just work harder.”

“It is eight on a Friday night, and you’re here. The city awaits you. For once, take a page out of Davey’s book. Say fuck it and go out.”

“That will not win this fight. You don’t get it.” I shook my head.

“I do. I’ve been you. My greatest regret isnotliving a little. Besides, I’m glad to help where I can.”

“Yet, you are Dad’s favorite person,” I murmured.

“I’m not,” Cal chuckled. “You are, Daphne. Live a little.”

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