William watched her walk through the doors, her stride becoming more confident with each step. Only when she disappeared from view did he returned to his car where his driver waited.
“Westbrook Academy cost more than some colleges,” remarked Daniel Williams driver of seven years and perhaps the closest thing he had to a friend. “Must be some kid.”
“She is,” William said simply, his mind already reviewing the meetings that awaited him at Parker Innovations. “Now, let’s see if I can focus on work for a change.”
But focus proved elusive. Throughout his morning meetings, William found himself wondering how Emma was fairing with her new classmates, whether she was feeling overwhelmed by the advanced curriculum, if she was eating the lunch he had insisted on adding to her account.
“William, are you with us?” Bernard Klene, the company’s legal council, was staring at him expectantly along with the rest of the executive team.
“Of course,” William replied smoothly, though he had completely lost track of the discussion. “Please continue.”
Victoria Cordwell seated across the conference table, studied him with narrowed eyes. After the meeting, she followed him back to his office. “Who were they?” she asked without preamble, closing the door behind her.
“Who?”
“The old woman, the little girl, and the baby, the ones you were with in Central Park on Saturday.”
William stiffened. “You were following me?”
“I was concerned,” Victoria counted. “You’ve been distracted, cancelling plans, leaving early. That’s not like you, William. And now I find you playing happy families with strangers in the park.” Her voice took on an edge. “What exactly is going on?”
William considered his response carefully. Victoria was not only a key executive in his company, but also someone with whom he shared a complicated personal history. Their relationship had always been convenient rather than passionate. Two ambitious people who understood each other’s priorities and respected each other’s space, or so he had thought. “I’m helping a family that’s fallen on hard times,” he said finally. “The grandmother is ill and the girl is exceptionally bright. I’m making sure she gets educational opportunities.”
“Since when do you involve yourself in charity cases personally? That’s what your foundation is for.” Victoria’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows arched in disbelief. “You didn’t even attend your own sister’s baby shower last year because you had their conference call.”
“Maybe that’s the problem,” William replied, surprising himself with the admission. “Maybe I’ve had my priorities wrong for a long time.”
Victoria’s expression shifted from incredul to calculation. “You need to be careful, William. The board watches everything you do. A suddenly erratic CEO doesn’t inspire investor confidence.”
“There’s nothing erratic about helping people,” William said, his tone hardening. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have calls to return.”
Victoria lingered at the door. “Just remember who’s been by your side all these years, William, who understands this world you’ve built.” With that parting shot, she left, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
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