Chapter 37
TORI
My father barrages me with so many texts, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb. I can’t handle his constant interruptions, another reminder of everything that’s gone wrong since I’ve been back in Manhattan.
I already lost Bennett.
Now I have to do what I can to stabilize the fund.
Foregoing breakfast and running on caffeine, I spend the morning pulling a full risk snapshot, identifying higher-risk positions, running quick stress tests. Then I de-risk, reducing my gross and tightening alerts.
The Prince fund needs to show control, not panic.
I’ve got this.
Next, I draft the one-page LP script listing current performance drivers, changes, why risk is contained, and the things I’ll be watching closely.
Finally, I fire off a quick email to Lucas, attaching the one-pager he requested.
For most of the investors, that should be enough.
By lunchtime, I’ve still eaten nothing. But I have talked to the COO and he’s sending me a list of the top ten LPs prioritized by redemption risk.
I also have blocks of calls set up — one for whales, the other for connectors.
Talking points are outlined and I’m ready to field any question that comes my way.
I draft an internal memo, detailing messaging rules: all inquiries about the fund funnel to me and IR. No off-the-record comments.
With all of this in place, the damage should stay contained.
I take a quick stretch break, rolling my shoulders and wrists.
Then I make another espresso, breaking my 2 PM rule — I need it after the awful night of sleep.
I catch my reflection in the glistening silver of the coffee machine and grimace.
Puffy, red-rimmed eyes, messy hair, sallow skin.
No Facetime calls today, that’s for sure.
After adding creamer to my cup, I sit at my desk and gaze at the blinking cursor on the screen. I still need to respond to Graham.
Subj: Re: Urgent: Reputational Risk / LP Concerns
Graham—
Thank you for reaching out directly. I understand the concern and can assure you appropriate boundaries are in place.
There is no impact to the fund’s process or governance.
I’m happy to discuss positioning and risk.
If you’d like, I can speak today from 3-5 PM ET or tomorrow during regular business hours.
Regards,
Tori
I read and re-read the message, a calm settling over me. Every statement is true. Hopefully, he’ll want to take the call. But right now, it’s the best I can do.
With a deep breath, I hit ‘send’ and go take a shower.
After spending a long time under the hot spray, I feel better. Almost human again.
Then I switch my phone off ‘Do Not Disturb.’
Big mistake.
I scroll through the series of texts from my father.
Daddy: You missed the flight
Daddy: Steele looks wrecked
Daddy: Didn’t talk to anyone the entire flight
My stomach twists, tension creeping back in between my shoulder blades.
Bennett’s wrecked.
And I’ve been so wrapped up in saving the fund I didn’t even reach out to him.
Daddy: Landed in Florida. Call me
I debate calling my father. But what would I say?
I’m not going back to Driftwood Cove.
I can’t.
The damage has been done — and nothing I do now will fix that.
I set my phone down on the dresser and start unpacking, tossing half my clothing into the laundry.
Buzz, buzz.
Oh my god. If this is my father again, I may actually be forced to block the man.
Grabbing my phone with one hand, I click on the screen and it flashes to life.
Bennett: Can we talk? I need 5 min
Five minutes.
And right above the latest text is another I somehow missed last night.
Bennett: I’m sorry
I stare at both messages for a long time, my palms sweaty and my heart pounding.
Then I click into the airline app and find the next flight to Florida.