Chapter Twenty #2
But the table has obviously been opened out somehow because it’s now surrounded by sixteen chairs.
When I finally go through the glass doors, I discover Edward Ashford sitting at the head of the table with his board members on his right, and my family currently taking seats on his left.
Gramps takes the one at the other end of the table.
Reluctantly, I take an empty one in the middle next to Brielle.
Once I’m sitting, I finally lift my gaze to the man sitting next to Edward.
Caesar isn’t looking at me, though. He’s leaning back, one arm hooked over the back of his chair, looking down at the table, apparently lost in thought.
He’s wearing a navy suit, British-cut, as well-fitting and smart as a military uniform.
He’s so handsome it makes my heart race.
I lower my gaze, though, feeling a pang at the thought that he won’t even look at me. I’ve spent the time since we parted thinking about him continually. Has he thought about me at all?
There are five minutes of commotion while coffee and water are passed around, during which Caesar doesn’t look at me at all, and then finally Edward calls for quiet.
“Good morning, everyone,” he says. “And thank you for coming at such short notice.” He clears his throat and leans on the table, hands clasped.
“I won’t beat around the bush. We all know why we’re here.
So… I’m pleased to tell you that Ashford AgriTech is prepared to proceed with a limited strategic partnership. ”
He waits a moment as a ripple of whispers passes around the room. I glance at Gramps, whose expression hasn’t changed. That word ‘limited’ speaks volumes. He’s waiting for the punchline.
“We agree that a joint venture would be profitable for both parties,” Edward states. “This includes a shared research initiative, integration of the systems within the scope of the joint venture, and a pilot rollout.”
My heart bangs—he’s agreeing to allow us access to their pasture management system. Oh my God.
“But…” Gramps presses, interrupting the whispers.
Edward meets his gaze, and his lips curve up, just a little. “But… the Rutherford Group will receive no board representation, no voting rights, and no access to proprietary systems outside the agreed project framework.”
He’s saying they want to collaborate. But we don’t get to absorb them.
“Then this wouldn’t be a partnership,” Gramps states icily. “It’d be subcontracting.”
“It’s what we’ll agree to,” Edward replies. “Take it or leave it.” His tone hardens. “I know exactly what you were trying to do with your aggressive deadlines and pressure tactics. I don’t approve, and it hasn’t worked.”
“There’s one more condition.” It’s Caesar who speaks now, and everyone turns to look at him. I watch my father tense, and Gramps’s jaw knots. They’re expecting more restrictions, licensing, maybe more money, or even IP ownership.
“The new soil restoration program will be headed by Dr. Madeleine Rutherford,” Caesar states. And for the first time, he looks directly at me.
My heart bangs as everyone turns to look at me with astonishment. I can’t tear my eyes from Caesar’s, though. As usual, he’s been Mr. Mysterious from the start, his expression inscrutable, but as I watch, his eyes warm.
“To be clear,” he says, “my confidence lies in Maddie’s system, and in Maddie.” He looks at Gramps, and his next words remain unsaid, but it’s clear what he’s saying—not in you.
I look at Gramps. He’s covered his shock, and now his gaze is thunderous.
I understand why. If he pushes back, he’s saying he doesn’t trust his own granddaughter.
I know he trusts my work, but if he agrees to this, he’s not going to be holding the reins himself.
He’ll be giving up control… and he won’t like that.
He murmurs to my father, and everyone talks quietly while they wait to hear what he has to say.
I glance at Brielle, who winks at me. Then I look back at Caesar.
He’s watching me openly now, his head tipped to the side a little. When he sees me looking at him, he smiles for the first time. My breath catches.
My grandfather clears his throat, and everyone falls quiet. “Harry and I would like to talk to you and Caesar alone,” he says to Edward.
Edward nods, then says to the rest of us, “Can you give us the room, please?”
Slowly, we all get to our feet. I give Caesar a final glance, then go out through the glass door and wander back to the waiting room. Everyone grabs a coffee from the machine or a cup of water from the cooler, talking in hushed voices while they wait.
“Morning.” Marcus Ashford approaches me where I’m standing alone near the windows. He holds out a hand.
“Good morning.” I shake it. Then I look toward the boardroom. “What do you think they’re talking about?”
“Oh, I would imagine Tom’s trying to push back in some way, don’t you?”
I nod, and my heart slowly sinks. “He’ll be trying to insist a team runs the joint division. They want to get prestige and publicity for Verdant, not my soil program.”
To my surprise, he says, “Caesar won’t allow that. He’s only interested in the soil restoration program. And in protecting you.” He smiles.
I stare at him, shocked by his openness. “Oh…”
“He made it very clear that he wants you to run the joint division, and my father was happy to agree once Caesar explained your system. It’s very impressive, Maddie. We’d be honored to partner with you and build something exceptional together.”
“Thank you.” My face heats at his compliment. I get so few of them, I’m not used to it. I look across at Caesar, who’s listening to my grandfather speak. It’s partly why I loved being with him. He said such nice things.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Marcus says, bringing my gaze back to him. His eyes are warm.
“Ohhh…” I blush. “Yes. Thank you.”
“I’m going to be an uncle.” He grins. “You’ll be due around the same time as Wren. I’ll have to introduce you. She’d love to talk babies and birth plans and whatnot.”
“I… oh… um… I’m not sure Caesar would want that…”
To my surprise, he just laughs. “Yesterday he spent ten minutes insisting it would inherit Ashford coordination and Rutherford brains. So I think you’re safe.”
“Wait, what?”
I look over at the glass-walled boardroom again. Caesar has taken off his jacket, showing that he means business. He’s wearing a navy waistcoat over his white shirt. God, the man’s sex on a stick.
Has he really accepted the pregnancy? I can’t bear to believe it.
I watch him say something, and Gramps bangs on the table. Oh shit. Will Caesar be able to stand up to him? Or will he end up giving way to Gramps’s demands, the way everyone else does?
Is my moment of glory over before it’s even begun?