Chapter 7
CAIN
The lobby of the building where Prescott Vantage was located was exactly what I expected.
It somewhat reminded me of Ashcroft Group’s headquarters but not as updated.
Not to mention, here there was a reception desk staffed by someone who looked up when I entered with an expression that told me she’d been briefed on my arrival.
I didn’t acknowledge her because I didn’t need to.
There was a security guard who stood at attention near the elevator bank as I approached.
When I walked past him, I noticed his posture straighten further.
The effect I had on people never ceased to amuse me.
The elevator was waiting, as if it knew I was coming.
As the doors closed, I adjusted my cufflinks and studied my reflection in the polished metal.
Impeccable suit, not a hair out of place.
I looked every bit the titan that I claimed to be and rightfully so.
When the doors opened on the fourteenth floor, I stepped into a corridor that was significantly less impressive than what I was accustomed to.
The lighting was just okay and the carpet showed signs of wear in high-traffic areas.
All things that would change soon enough.
I was met by Howard Prescott himself. “Cain,” he said while extending his hand. “Thank you for coming personally.”
“Howard,” I replied, making sure my handshake was strong but brief. I could feel the slight tremor in his grip that hadn’t been there during our dinner. Nerves, most likely. “I make it a point to be present for significant acquisitions.”
Howard’s smile was tight and practiced. “Of course. Everyone’s assembled in Conference Room A. If you’ll follow me…”
I fell into step beside him, nonchalantly studying his profile as we walked.
The man looked older than he had just days ago at dinner.
The weight of his decision was etched into the new lines around his eyes.
I’d seen it before—the moment when a founder realized they’d truly given up control of their life’s work.
Some found it liberating. Howard clearly didn’t.
“How’s the team taking the news?” I asked, though I didn’t particularly care. The question was meant to fill the silence and gauge his emotional state.
“Professionally,” he answered after thinking about it for a split second. “They understand this is a strategic move.”
I almost laughed. No, they didn’t understand anything yet, but they would. Very quickly.
We approached the conference room, and I swear I could already feel the tension radiating from behind the closed door. Just as we reached it, Howard stopped with his hand on the doorknob.
I spoke before he had the chance to. “They’ll adjust. Change is inevitable in this industry and everything is going to work out the way it was meant to.” I didn’t add “under my control” but the subtext was clear.
Howard nodded weakly and pushed open the door.
The conversation inside immediately ceased as all eyes landed on us.
I walked in behind Howard, studying the room and everyone in it.
There were about fifteen people seated around the table, their expressions ranging from curious, to scared, to angry.
Their emotions were all understandable but I only truly cared about one.
Sutton Prescott sat directly across from the head of the table.
She was sitting up as straight as a rod and her gaze showed none of what I’m sure she was feeling beneath the calm surface she had on display.
When our eyes met, I saw a quick flash of panic before she schooled her features once more.
I was willing to bet she was reliving our meeting at the fundraiser, how we’d gone tit-for-tat, and how I secretly wanted more of it.
Just before I completely and utterly destroyed her.
I took my place at the head of the table, deliberately choosing not to look at her again immediately. Let her wonder if she made a blip on my radar. Howard settled into the chair to my left. “Good morning,” I said as I addressed the room. “I trust Howard has briefed you on why I’m here today.”
Heads nodded around the table, but I noticed several people exchanging glances and I didn’t blame them. The tension in the room was thick and went beyond the norm. Good. I believed that a little healthy fear kept people honest and productive.
“For those who haven’t been fully briefed,” I continued, “Ashcroft Group has acquired Prescott Vantage, effective immediately. The public announcement will be made in approximately”—I checked my watch—“twenty-seven minutes.”
I scanned the faces around the table, deliberately making eye contact with each person before moving to the next.
It was a technique I’d perfected over decades of corporate takeovers.
Let them feel seen because that’s what most humans wanted anyway.
When I finally allowed my gaze to land on Sutton, I held it there a beat longer than necessary.
“This transition will be seamless for your clients,” I said, still looking directly at her. “Ashcroft Group values the reputation Prescott Vantage has built in the public relations sector.”
Sutton’s jaw tightened, but her gaze stayed on me. I admired the fact that she refused to look away first. Most people cracked under my scrutiny within seconds.
“Questions?” I asked, knowing there would be many but doubting anyone would voice them out loud. As expected, the room remained silent. “Good. Howard and I will be making the public announcement shortly. Until then, please continue with your regular duties.”
I stood, signaling the end of the meeting.
People began to rise, gathering the things they’d brought with them while murmuring quietly to each other.
I noticed Erica Bennington, Sutton’s assistant according to my briefing, leaning toward her and whispering something to her.
Sutton shook her head slightly in response.
As the room emptied, I made my way around the table toward Sutton, who was still seated and putting the things she brought with her together so she could carry them back to her desk.
“Ms. Prescott,” I said as I approached her. “A word?”
She looked up, her expression revealing nothing. “Of course, Mr. Ashcroft.”
“Cain,” I corrected her again, enjoying the slight narrowing of her eyes at the reminder of our previous encounter. It was time to clue her in on the fact that I did remember what we spoke about a couple of weeks ago.
Before she could respond, Howard stepped forward. “Cain, I wanted to introduce you to some of the senior team members before the announcement.”
I watched Sutton’s expression shift momentarily and I wondered if it was irritation at her father’s interruption or if it was relief.
Either way, it was fascinating to witness how quickly she controlled it.
Howard’s timing couldn’t have been worse, but I supposed that was the point.
Protective fathers were predictable in that regard, but I’d never got the feeling they were particularly close so that was an interesting data point to add to my mental bank.
“Of course,” I said, turning to Howard while keeping Sutton in my peripheral vision. She remained seated, her hands now perfectly still on the table instead of gathering things. “Though I’d prefer a private word with your daughter first.”
Howard hesitated, his gaze darting between Sutton and me. “I’m afraid that will have to wait,” Howard said, straightening his shoulders in an attempt to reclaim some authority that he no longer had. “The announcement is in twenty minutes, and—”
“Dad,” Sutton cut him off. “It’s fine. I can spare a few minutes.”
I suppressed a smile. Interesting. She wasn’t hiding behind daddy after all.
Howard looked as if he wanted to protest but thought better of it. “Very well. I’ll be just outside.” The warning in his tone was obvious but I didn’t give a fuck.
As he left the room, I turned my full attention to Sutton. Up close, I could see the faint shadows under her eyes. She hadn’t slept well. Good.
“You look surprised to see me,” I said, leaning against the conference table. “Though I suspect you’ve known about this acquisition for at least a few days.”
“Twenty-four hours,” she corrected. “My father has an interesting definition of keeping me informed.”
“Ah.” I nodded. “Family businesses. So many… complications.”
Sutton crossed her arms. “Is that why you’re here personally? To observe the complications?”
“I’m here because I make it a point to understand what I’ve acquired.” I moved closer, enjoying how she refused to step back despite the discomfort I could read in the tension around her eyes. “Not just the assets on paper, but the people who make them valuable.”
“And which category do I fall into, Mr. Ashcroft? Asset or person?”
“Cain,” I reminded her for the third time. “And that depends entirely on you.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “What exactly does that mean?”
I studied her for a moment, making sure to take my time so she would catch me looking her over. “It means I recognize talent when I see it. Your client retention rate is almost 100 percent.”
“You’ve been studying us.” Not a question.
“Thoroughly,” I confirmed. “Ashcroft Group doesn’t make uninformed investments.”
“And what exactly are you investing in?” she asked. “Because from where I stand, this looks less like an investment and more like some sort of power play.”
I smiled at her directness. “Interesting choice of words. A power play would suggest I’m interested in domination for its own sake.”
Sutton didn’t flinch. “Aren’t you?”
“I prefer to think of it as recognizing potential that’s been… constrained.” I moved closer, deliberately invading her personal space. “Prescott Vantage has been operating well below its capacity for years. Your father built something solid but lacked the vision to take it further.”
A flash of anger crossed her face before she controlled it. “My father built this company from nothing.”