Chapter 1 Asher #2
“How kind of you,” Janet says, her words dripping with sarcasm.
“But I’m afraid, we as the board, have come to a crossroads.
Your behavior is often splashed across the media, and in the past, we’ve chosen to look the other way because some of that attention can bring in revenue and free marketing.
But of late, that attention is causing as much damage as it does revenue.
“The news outlets are having a field day as we speak. Your name, Henry’s and Charlotte’s names, and Langford Holdings’ reputation are now splashed across all types of media.
Our reputation is being questioned and dissected by our competitors, and even by our own subsidiaries.
My office has received call after call this morning from our companies demanding answers.
Not only does the article have proof of your affair with Charlotte, but it heavily implies that you pressured her into the affair.
That type of predatory behavior is no longer glossed over.
The public is practically calling for your head. ”
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“That part is completely untrue,” I say with as much dignity as I can muster. “Charlotte propositioned me, not the other way around.”
Henry’s eyes look like they might bulge from his head.
“Be that as it may,” Janet says, “this is not a simple PR problem. This is not going to just blow over. We are going to have to address this directly.”
“Whatever we need to do, you will have my full cooperation.”
“This is not going to be a simple one-off apology. That’s not enough anymore. You will completely fix your reputation,” Janet says. “Your days as a playboy are done. The public needs to see you settled down. No more lavish parties, no more flings, no more irresponsible sexual exploits.”
“Okay, I’ll tone it down. I’ll be more discreet.”
“Oh, no. We’re done with your idea of discretion. We’ve fired your PR team since they obviously aren’t up to the task of handling you, and we’ve compiled a new one for you.”
I raise my brows. The board has never been this aggressive. I own a good chunk of the company, so there isn’t much they can really do to me. Their votes combined still account for less ownership than my portion alone. But I don’t want to throw that around with them all seeing red.
“The head of your new PR team has suggested an idea that we have all agreed upon. It’s brilliant, and we feel it’s the only answer to clean up this mess.”
“And what is that?”
“Something the public will salivate over. Asher Langford, New York’s most eligible bachelor, settled down and in love. The media frenzy of you in love and in a serious relationship is the only thing that will bury this story.”
“In love? With whom?”
Janet sets a piece of paper down on the table and slides it toward me.
“Here is a list of high society heiresses for you to consider. Any of them would be appropriate. The PR team has devised a timeline for you to follow. You will pick one of these women, one,” she stresses, holding up a finger.
“And you will go on your first date within the week. Over the coming weeks and months, you will be photographed at various public events that have been added to your calendar. You are to look in love and besotted with whoever it is you choose. And by the end of this year, we would like a proposal. We won’t force that step, but it would be beneficial for you and the company if you were to do so. ”
I blink, and a whooshing sound thrums through my ears. I come back to myself. “You expect me to just pick a woman off a list, date her, and propose to her within the year?”
“That’s exactly what we expect.”
“I won’t do it.”
My father touches my elbow and leans close to me.
“You must do the first part of this plan, at the very least. If you can’t marry whatever girl you choose, we’ll figure something out at that point.
But the PR team and the board are correct.
You need to overhaul your image, and the best way to do that is with positive and exciting media coverage.
Nothing will do that like a love story.”
“But that’s all it would be,” I hiss. “A story. I don’t want to live a lie.”
“Who says it has to stay a lie?”
I sigh. “I’m not like you, dad. I wish I was, but I’m not. I’ve never found a woman who can be to me what mom is to you.”
“Then you haven’t looked hard enough. Good women exist, Asher, but you spend all your time chasing the bad ones.”
My father, the romantic. I’ve always admired his optimism. Today, I despise it.
“And if I don’t agree to your terms?” I ask Janet.
“Then you’ll find that in your last negotiation, the additional shares you purchased had conditions on them.”
That gives me pause. I own the largest portion of the company because I created a contract that enabled me to buy more than my allotted shares by securing enormous deals.
I’d had a deal in mind, and I knew I could secure it, but I also saw other members of the board, and even my extended relatives, floating by on their shares and not doing much to grow the company.
I presented the deal to the board, and they were so impressed at the possibility of it that they agreed to let me purchase more shares if the deal went through and remained intact for five years.
That was seven years ago. I’ve made this company more money than anyone has before, and yet the board is still trying to order me around like I’m an errant schoolboy.
But for the first time in a long time, I’m worried.
“Conditions on my shares?” I ask, my mouth suddenly dry.
“The extra shares you purchased can be revoked at the discretion of the board,” Janet says.
She slides a clipped bundle of paper to me.
The contract from seven years ago. I pick it up.
The clause she’s referring to is highlighted.
“You agree to our terms, and nothing will change. You will remain the largest owner of Langford Holdings. Refuse to cooperate with our terms or with the approved strategy of your new PR team, and we will revoke those additional shares. Which will cost you hundreds of millions of dollars.”
My stomach drops.
“Your morning schedule has been cleared, and you have an immediate meeting with your new PR team. They will go over the pros and cons of each woman on that list. Good luck.”
Holy shit.
I am well and truly fucked.