Chapter 10
CAIN
I sat in the back of my company car as it glided through D.C. traffic on Friday morning. I briefly closed my eyes, ignoring Nancy Stephens, my assistant, who was currently trying to drill into my head my schedule for the rest of the week and next.
“Mr. Ashcroft?”
With a heavy sigh, I turned my attention back to the phone call at hand.
I appreciated all of the work that Nancy did for me but right now the last thing I wanted to do was listen to her drone on.
“Yes, Nancy. I’m listening.” I was, barely, because I kept thinking about Sutton among other things, but she didn’t need to know that.
“I’m sorry,” she continued, “but I just need to confirm these appointments. Your calendar has been filling up even more than normal.”
“Go ahead,” I said, staring out the window but my attention was firmly on the woman who probably had more dirt on me than anyone else.
“The board meeting for next Tuesday morning is still set for eight. You have a lunch with Senator Davis at one today, followed by the quarterly review with the Mercer team at three. Next Wednesday you’re flying to Chicago for the Richardson—”
“Cancel my attendance at the Richardson meeting,” I cut in. “Have someone else handle it.”
“Yes, sir,” Nancy replied. “I’ll notify them immediately. And what about your meeting with Ms. Prescott today? It’s still showing as pending confirmation.”
“That meeting is happening. Non-negotiable. Things need to get finalized regarding her future employment as soon as possible.” The fact that I’d given her three days to think it over was nothing short of a miracle.
Normally, I would have demanded an answer right then and there, no questions asked, but I thought a different approach here was required. At least for now.
“Of course, sir,” Nancy said. “One last thing—your mother called again about the charity gala tomorrow. She’s requesting confirmation of your attendance.”
I suppressed a groan. Shit. I’d forgotten about it. “Tell her I’ll be there.” I couldn’t not show up now that I’d waited this long to let her know whether I’d be there or not. “And would you like me to RSVP for a plus one?” Nancy asked.
I considered this for a moment. The thought of bringing someone to suffer through another of my mother’s charity functions almost made me smile. Almost.
“Sure. Just in case,” I replied. “Is there anything else?”
“That’s all for now, Mr. Ashcroft. The car will arrive at Prescott Vantage in approximately seven minutes.
” She paused before she continued. “Well, actually, I just wanted to say that you’ve been spending a lot of time in D.C.
around this acquisition. This is more than you usually do around any company you acquire. ”
I’d wondered if she’d call me out about this.
Nancy usually kept things professional, but ever so often she tended to add her opinion about my activities.
I called it her sixth sense, if you will.
I could practically hear her smirking on the other end of the line, but her tone didn’t give anything away.
“I’m well aware. Is there a problem with that?”
“No, sir. It’s just unusual, that’s all.”
“Nothing about Prescott Vantage is usual,” I replied. And I meant that. “I’ll call if I need anything else.”
I hung up before she could respond because I wasn’t about to admit to her that she was right.
Without a doubt, I had spent more time on this acquisition than any in recent memory and while it wouldn’t raise any red flags for most of my team, it still was something I didn’t want to talk about with anyone.
I loosened my tie slightly as my driver came to a stop outside of the building that housed Prescott Vantage.
The fact that I was here in person once again instead of sending one of my executives spoke volumes.
I could have easily handled this remotely, but I needed to be here to finish this deal in person.
More so the offer that I gave to Sutton needed to be finished in person.
She’d had her time to consider my offer, and now it was time for her decision.
I stepped out of the car, buttoned my jacket, and made my way into the building.
It took a few minutes, but soon I was on the fourteenth floor, walking through the doors leading into Prescott Vantage’s main office.
Nothing seemed out of place until I heard raised voices coming from down the hall.
I walked down the hallway and paused outside of the door where the voices were coming from and quickly noted it was Conference Room A.
Thankfully there was a glass panel, I could see Sutton standing at the head of the table, her face slightly flushed from what I assumed was anger, staring down Bradley Sumpter, a member of my transition team.
His back was to me, but his body language was aggressive, leaning forward with hands planted firmly on the table.
“That’s not how we do things at Ashcroft Group,” Bradley said, his voice carrying through the door. “Your processes are outdated and inefficient. We need to implement our systems immediately.”
Sutton’s face remained composed, though I noticed her knuckles whitening because of how hard she was gripping the edge of the table. “We’ve refined these processes over a decade to serve our specific client needs. Dismantling them without proper analysis would be careless.”
“Careless is continuing to operate like it’s 2010,” Bradley shot back. “Mr. Ashcroft expects immediate integration, not resistance from legacy management.”
I watched Sutton’s expression shift and for a split second she looked downright murderous.
I knew that look because I’d seen it on other people’s faces when they were about to take a life.
Hell, I’d felt it cross my features several times as well.
My attention was drawn back to Sutton as she straightened to her full height, which even in those impressive heels put her several inches below Bradley.
“Mr. Sumpter,” she said. I made a mental note to myself that hearing her voice drop an octave was intoxicating.
“I understand your enthusiasm for Ashcroft Group’s methods.
However, until I receive direct instructions otherwise, we will proceed with careful evaluation of which systems best serve our clients’ needs. ”
Bradley scoffed. “Your position here is ceremonial at best. Once the dust settles—”
I’d heard enough and I was about to step in when Sutton cut him off.
“My position is secured by a decade of results that speaks for itself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have actual work to do rather than engaging in a fucking pissing contest.”
Even I had to stand there and smirk at that line.
Her handling of him was impressive and I was pleased by what I saw and heard.
Bradley’s body grew more tense as if he was prepared to go another round with her, but I decided this had gone far enough.
I pushed the door open and stepped into the room.
“Mr. Sumpter,” I said. I didn’t react when both he and Sutton froze in response. “That’s enough.”
Bradley spun around, his face draining of any sort of color as he realized I’d witnessed what just happened. “Mr. Ashcroft, I was just explaining our integration protocols to Ms. Prescott.”
“So I heard,” I replied, moving further into the room. I glanced at Sutton, whose expression remained unchanged despite the flush still on her cheeks. “Though I don’t recall authorizing you to speak on my behalf regarding management decisions.”
“Sir, I was simply—”
I held up my hand, cutting him off. “We’ll discuss this later. Give Ms. Prescott and me the room.”
Bradley hesitated for only a second before making a hasty exit. I watched him leave out of the corner of my eye, but there was only one person here who had my full and undivided attention.
The door closed behind him with a soft click and Sutton took that as her opportunity to speak. “How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough. You handled yourself well.”
“I don’t need your approval on how I do anything.” The words came out sharp and after what I just saw, I expected nothing less.
“I know you don’t,” I replied, moving toward the conference table. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t give it when it’s deserved.”
Sutton crossed her arms. “Did you send him in here as some sort of test? Like you send in your attack dogs to see if I break?”
“No,” I answered honestly. “Bradley overstepped. He’ll be dealt with.”
Sutton laughed, but there was no humor there. “Right. I’m sure he’ll receive a stern talking-to about his approach, not his objective.”
She was so very wrong. Bradley’s punishment hadn’t begun yet for his action today, but he would be dealt with. And soon.
“We should continue this conversation in your office,” I said. “We have a scheduled meeting.”
“Yes, we do, surprisingly. And Erica and Nancy had a wonderful time coordinating to figure out a time that works for both of us. Let’s make sure that keeps happening.”
It was obvious she was talking about when I demanded we were having a last-minute meeting and forced my way into her schedule.
I raised an eyebrow at her comment but chose not to engage with the barb.
Her irritation was justified, and I found myself oddly appreciative of her willingness to push back.
Most people in her position would be falling over themselves to appear accommodating, especially after her confrontation with Bradley.
“Shall we?” I gestured toward the door to shift the conversation elsewhere.
Sutton gathered her things and I watched every sway of her hips as we made our way to her office.
She moved with the kind of confidence that made me want to both challenge and reward her.
When we reached her office, she stepped inside without holding the door, forcing me to catch it before it closed in my face.
A small act of defiance that I found more amusing than irritating.
“Let’s cut to the chase,” Sutton said, taking a seat behind her desk without making a gesture toward the seats in front of her desk for me to sit down. Another power move. “I’ve had time to consider your offer.”
I remained standing, looking down at her. “And?”
“I have conditions.”
I felt my lips curve into a smile. “Of course you do.”
She pulled out a folder and slid it across her desk.
“My terms. I will be made the head of Prescott Vantage with expanded autonomy. I report directly to you, not through your transition team. And my staff remains intact for a minimum of eighteen months while we evaluate the most effective integration strategy.”
I picked up the folder but didn’t open it. “Anything else?”
“A seat on Ashcroft Group’s executive committee. Not advisory—voting.”
Now that was bold. I studied her face, looking for signs of hesitation or uncertainty, but found none. She maintained eye contact, but I was willing to bet her heart rate was currently off the charts.
“You’re asking for quite a lot,” I said, finally taking a seat across from her.
“I’m asking for the bare minimum of what I’m worth. You didn’t acquire Prescott Vantage for its client list alone. You acquired it because of what I built here.”
“Fair enough,” I acknowledged, but didn’t let her in on the full scope of why I did what I did. “Though a seat on the executive committee is typically reserved for those with years of proven loyalty to Ashcroft Group.”
“Then consider it an investment in future loyalty,” she countered. “One you’ll find pays considerable dividends.”
I leaned back in my chair, enjoying this exchange far more than I should have. “And if I say no to any of these terms?” I asked because I was curious about her backup plan.
“Then I walk. Today.” She folded her hands on the desk. “I have three competing offers already. Turns out I’m in high demand.”
I didn’t doubt it for a second. Sutton Prescott was exactly the kind of asset competitors would scramble to acquire if they knew she was available. The thought of her working for someone else made my blood boil.
“You’ve been busy these past three days,” I observed.
“I prefer to negotiate from a position of strength and to always be prepared.”
I opened the folder and skimmed through the document she’d prepared. Detailed, precise, with none of the usual bloated language lawyers add to pad their billable hours. She’d drafted this herself. Another point in her favor.
“Your father agrees to this?” I asked, glancing up.
A flash of anger crossed her face before she got it under control. “My father is no longer relevant to my career decisions.”
“The executive committee meets monthly,” I said, closing the folder. “It requires significant preparation and travel.”
“I’m aware of the commitment.”
I let her words hang in the air while I stared at her for a few beats.
“I’ll agree to most of this,” I finally said.
“Your leadership role, direct reporting structure, staff retention. But the executive committee seat will be provisional for the first year. You’ll attend as a non-voting member until you’ve proven your value at that level. ”
Her gaze narrowed at me. “Six months, not a year. And I want it in writing that the transition to full voting rights is automatic, not subject to further approval.”
I smiled. She knew how to negotiate, I’d give her that. “Nine months. And you’ll need to be in New York City more frequently. The executive committee doesn’t usually do Zoom calls.”
She didn’t immediately respond, and I could see her calculating the implications of partial relocation. She ran a quick hand through her blonde hair and said, “I’ll need a corporate apartment,” she finally said. “And a travel allowance.”
“Done.”
Her suspicion at how quickly I agreed to this was all over her face. “You seem pleased with yourself.”
“I appreciate efficiency, Sutton. You’ve saved us both the tedious dance of offer and counter-offer by starting with terms you knew I’d find acceptable with minor adjustments.”
“So we have a deal?”
“Almost. There’s one more condition. Mine, not yours.”
She tilted her head slightly before she responded. “Which is?”
“You’ll accompany me to my mother’s charity gala tomorrow night in New York.”
The request clearly caught her off guard. “That’s… not a professional request.”
“Consider it your first unofficial duty as a member of Ashcroft Group’s leadership team. These events are as much about business as philanthropy.”
“Fine,” she said after considering it for a moment. “But this doesn’t become a regular expectation.”
I stood again, satisfied with how this had played out. “My car will pick you up at seven tomorrow morning to fly on my plane to New York. I’ll have Nancy send Erica the details. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Ms. Prescott.”
“That you will, unfortunately.”