Chapter 7 - The Mastermind
By the following Monday, the fall of Wescott Capital was the talk of Wall Street.
The board of directors had officially stripped Grant Wescott of all executive power, citing gross negligence, public reputational damage, and financial mismanagment. His father, Arthur, had been forced into an early, humiliated retirement.
Meanwhile, Fletcher Packaging announced a record-breaking quarter. Under Nadine's direct leadership, the company had streamlined its supply routes, signed two international distribution deals, and restored full profitability, proving that her father's financial troubles had been caused entirely by terrible management, not market conditions.
At 4:00 PM, Nadine sat in her executive suite, reviewing a mountain of expansion proposals.
Her phone rang.
She picked it up. "Nadine Fletcher."
"Miss Fletcher," a raspy, warm voice came through the line. "There is a delivery for you in the lobby."
Nadine smiled, leaning back in her chair. "Another bouquet of white roses, Mr. Cross?"
"Not roses today," Julian said smoothly. "Come down and see."
Nadine stood up, smoothed her tailored navy pencil skirt, and took her private executive elevator down to the main building lobby.
When the doors opened, she saw a large crowd gathered near the central glass fountain.
Standing in the middle of the lobby was a brand-new, metallic-emerald Bentley Continental GT Convertible, decorated with a simple satin ribbon over the hood.
Beside the car stood Julian Cross, holding a pair of leather-wrapped keys.
Nadine walked across the polished marble floor, her heart beating fast. "Julian... what is this?"
"You mentioned last week that you missed driving along the coast," Julian said, stepping forward and placing the heavy keys into her hand. "And I thought a Chief Operating Officer should drive something that matches her ambition."
Nadine looked at the stunning emerald car, then at the man standing before her.
"Julian... this is too much," she whispered, tears of joy sparkling in her eyes.
"It’s not enough," Julian replied softly, pulling her close against his chest in front of her entire corporate staff. He didn't care who was watching. He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a slow, deep, breathtaking kiss that sent electricity surging straight to her toes.
The lobby erupted into quiet applause.
Nadine pulled back slightly, her face flushed red, resting her hand over his warm heart. "Are you trying to ruin my professional reputation, Mr. Cross?"
"I’m establishing my claim, Miss Fletcher," Julian murmured, his dark eyes locked onto hers with absolute devotion. "Pack a bag tonight. We are driving to my estate in the Hamptons for the weekend."
May you like
"Just the two of us?" she asked.
"Just the two of us," he promised.
